This year our corporate Lenten Pilgrimage will include:
Wednesdays in Lent (from 9 March)
at 9.30am we will be gathering for a Study Group.
We will follow a Lent Course called In the Comfort of the Holy Spirit –
‘The season of Lent offers us an opportunity to lay down the things that burden us. Lent is a season of safety when we can admit that not all is well.
Jesus Christ says to us, “Come to me all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
The five sessions of this year’s Lent Course offer images, stories and prayers that speak of the God who knows us and loves us.’
Mass starts at 10.30am as usual.
Thursdays in Lent
Stations of the Cross will take place at 7.00pm in these locations:
Mar 3 Sacred Heart
10 S Helen’s
17 Sacred Heart
24 S Helen’s
31 Sacred Heart
Apr 7 S Helen’s
At 5pm there is also Stations of the Cross in the Chapel of the Holy Cross at Archbishop Holgate Hospital.
On Thursdays during Lent there’ll be no Mass at S Helen’s however there’ll be a 9.45am Mass at AbHHH to which everyone is most welcome.
Fridays in Lent
There will be a Mass at S Helen’s at 12 noon followed by a soup lunch.
Please have a good think about who you might be able to invite to come along for Mass at noon followed by a simple lunch. Perhaps someone who lives on their own or someone who doesn’t get out much. Or just someone who would be interested in coming with you to church to see what it is about. These Friday lunches of worship and fellowship are perfect opportunities to invite someone new to join us. Please also sign up to help with making soups and providing bread.
Saturday in Lent
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 10-11am
All through Lent
Reading
Special Lenten devotional reading material will be available in Church.
Confessions
We get the name ‘Shrove Tuesday’ from the ancient tradition of people going to confession on the day before the start of Lent. They went to be ‘shriven’ of their sins. As the Prayer Book teaches, confession is a wonderful part of our Anglican heritage.
If you have never been to Confession but want to know more PLEASE, PLEASE ask for help. If you have slipped away from Confession, now is the perfect time to come back.
Fr Robert will be available for Confession at the usual times – see the weekly Mass sheet, or book an appointment (01977 610507).
Almsgiving
This year we will be supporting The Samaritans. Our gifts mean their volunteers can answer calls for help from those struggling to cope. Every day, they respond to around 10,000 calls for help. No judgement. No pressure. They’re there for anyone who needs someone. Please be generous. There are no lent boxes so please take a jar and fill it throughout Lent and bring it back to the Mass on Maundy Thursday.
The Trustees of Archbishop Holgate Hospital in Hemsworth are delighted to announce the appointment of Canon Andrew Sage SSC, currently Vicar St Stephen on the Cliffs, Blackpool and Chairman of Blackburn Diocesan Property Committee as the 24th Master of the Hospital.
We are very much looking forward to welcoming Fr Andrew and his wife Helen to our community and it is hoped that it will be possible to licence Fr Andrew at some point during the Easter season.
Having begun his ministry nearby in Rawmarsh, Rotherham Fr Andrew has had incumbencies both in the Diocese of Chichester and in the Diocese of Blackburn, where he’s also fulfilled various diocesan roles. He is an Honorary Canon of Blackburn Cathedral. We are blessed to have been able to appoint a priest of Fr Andrew’s calibre and we look forward to him continuing and developing the pastoral legacy of the previous Master, Fr David Wheatley who died suddenly, in office last summer.
Notes: -This is announcement is subject to the satisfactory completion of the usual formal safeguarding processes. -Archbishop Holgate Hospital in Hemsworth is an alms house of 24 cottages founded by the will of Hemsworth’s most famous son, Archbishop Robert Holgate – more information here.
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Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. (James 5)
Advent is a season of fasting and penance to prepare our hearts to meet Christ when he comes again in glory. By our thoughts, words, and deeds we have so often estranged ourselves from Christ and from our neighbours. In the sacrament of reconciliation we admit our faults and hear God’s merciful word of forgiveness spoken directly to us by one of his priests. It is a gift to us to be able to make a fresh start in the Christian life and to turn from those things which will harm our souls.
Most of us know deep down what we need to confess, as those who have been baptised have been filled with the Holy Spirit who convicts the world of “sin and righteousness and judgement” (John 16). Reflecting on the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) or the seven cardinal sins (pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth) can also help us examine ourselves before a confession.
Your priests are there to help you make progress in the life God has for you, not to make you feel ashamed or condemned. They knows what it’s like to be tempted and to fall into sin, as well….
Now is the day of salvation; repent and believe in the gospel. (2 Cor. 6, Mark 1).
Sun 19 Dec: 11am onwards Wed 22 Dec: 10.00 – 10.30am & 11am onwards Thu 23 Dec: After 7pm Mass Fri 24 Dec: 10.30 – 11.00 pm
We are determined more than ever to celebrate the best news we have ever been given – the news which made the angels sing, the shepherds venture to Bethlehem, and the magi cross distant lands – the news of the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
#AtTheHeartOfChristmas
Face Coverings – Plan B Set a watch before my mouth, O Lord, and guard the door of my lips Psalm 141:3
Apart from those exempt, face coverings are now required in church. They however can be removed for singing and for eating and drinking. Those who are doing readings or leading prayers are asked to remove face coverings to assist lip readers. Since we have kept in place all the key pandemic-related precautions (hand sanitising, Communion in one kind, etc), there is only modest adaptation required of us now. Be resolved to let none of these things discourage or distract you from keeping a holy Advent and a joyful Christmas!
Parish of Hemsworth 