Dear Parishioners,
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord (Year A) Matthew 26: 14 - 27: 66.
We are now into Holy Week as we begin to prepare for the great celebration of Easter. May this be a time for all of us to come closer to Christ. On Maundy Thursday (13th April) we reflect that just before Jesus died, he shared a meal with his disciples. During that meal Jesus instituted three living memorials. The first memorial was an act of love and service. By washing their feet Jesus challenged the disciples to a life of action, of humility and of service. A special thanks to all who are having their feet washed. The second memorial was the Eucharist by which Jesus offered his body and blood to the world in the form of bread and wine. The third memorial was the priesthood. We give thanks to the Lord for our priests and pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood in our Diocese. Good Friday (14th April) is not just the memory of what happened long ago. It is the reality of what is happening around us. There are many crosses that we have to carry daily in our lives. We pray for the grace to take up the Cross daily in our lives and follow Christ.
On Holy Saturday (15th April) one can understand the confusion and fear in the minds of the disciples who have found it hard to believe the unfolding of events. Like the apostles there are moments in our lives when there is a tendency for us to give up hope, to be fearful and anxious, and so to give up the fight. May this day lead us into prayerful reflection and hope knowing that the Holy Saturday opens up into Easter Sunday.
The Paschal Triduum - This is the Three Days of the Christian paschal celebration. Christ, redeemed mankind and gave perfect glory to God principally through his paschal mystery: by dying he destroyed our death and by rising he restored our life. The Easter Triduum of the passion and resurrection of Christ is the culmination of the entire liturgical year.
May we as a parish family make every effort to take part in the Triduum as we look forward to celebrating the great feast of Easter. The Lord is truly Risen.
A special thanks to Fr. Sabu for celebrating our liturgies.
Our services, all at St. Augustine's, are:
| Thursday 13 April | 8.15pm | Mass of the Lord's Supper |
| Good Friday 14 April | 11am | Children's Stations |
| 3pm | The Passion of the Lord | |
| Holy Saturday | 8pm | The Easter Vigil |
Remembering you all in my prayers daily
Deacon Kevin
The Holy Father's Prayer intentions for 2017 in April.
(Young people)
That young people may respond generously to their vocations and seriously consider offering themselves to God in the priesthood, diaconate or consecrated life.
The sick and housebound
Those who have recently died
Years Mind:
Sunday: Fr Thomas Adkins
Tuesday: Fr Anthony Lawson
Wednesday: Fr Patrick Donohoe
Friday: Fr Owen Fitzgerald, Fr John O'Mahoney
Sunday: Stephen Bedell, Fr William Donelan, Fr George Duckett
First Reading Acts 10:34, 37-43
We have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection.
Second Reading Colossians 3:1-4
You must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is.
Gospel J ohn 20 1-9
He must rise from the dead.