St Charles’ Borromeo – Feast Day 4th November, Mass at 10.00am
Charles Borromeo was born into a wealthy family in Rocca d’Arona in northern Italy on 2nd October 1538. He was a bright boy of 12 when he entered into clergy and in 1559, he received a degree of laws from the University of Padua. In the same year, his uncle was elected Pope Pius IV. Pope Pius IV asked Charles to Rome to help in administering the affairs of the Church.
Charles was made a cardinal to go with his position as personal assistant to the Pope. In 1563 Charles was ordained a priest and consecrated archbishop of Milan, but he continued to live in Rome and work with his uncle. He was given responsibility in Rome for the Church reform and he brought about proper religious instructions in the parishes, saw that the elaborate worship rituals were toned down and built a new seminary for the proper training of the clergy.
From 1566 Charles directed the Church in Milan because he was no longr needed in Rome after the death of his uncle in 1565. Over the years he was a remarkably effective bishop and his popularity with the people disturbed the Milanese senate. At one point an assassin was hired to kill him but failed.
When the plague of 1576-1578 struck Milan, Charles spent much of his time nursing the sick and almost all of the people of Milan respected Charles’s courage and tireless concern. He died on 3rd November 1584 and was canonized in 1610.
Remembrance Day 11th November
Remembrance Sunday 13th November 2022
Remembrance Day was first observed in 1919 throughout the British Commonwealth. It was originally called “Armistice Day” to commemorate armistice agreement that ended the First World War on Monday, November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m.—on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
Remembrance Sunday 13th November 2022
Advent
Sunday 27th November – Saturday 24th December 2022
The word Advent comes from the Latin ‘adventus’, which means a coming, approach, or arrival. In the Church, it refers to the period encompassing the four Sundays prior to Christmas. It is a time of penance, of turning away from sin and hopeful, joyous preparation for the coming of the Savior. This is what makes Advent special for Christians: the recognition that Christmas is not just “the birthday of Jesus,” but a celebration of his coming into our world today, here and now. Jesus is “born” through the celebration of the sacraments. It is by eating the Eucharist, washing in the waters of Baptism, being anointed with the oil of Confirmation that Jesus’ friends become part of the living Body of Christ (the Church) in the world today. Advent begins on the Sunday nearest to 30th November.
Lent and Easter
Wednesday 22nd February – Monday 10th April 2023
Ash Wednesday
Ashes were worn by people in the Old Testament to show their repentance (Jonah 3). We also wear ashes on Ash Wednesday as a sign of our repentance and grief for our sins. The ashes are a public sign of our intent to die to our world desires and live in Christ. As our foreheads are being marked, the priest says: “Remember that you are dust and unto dust you shall return”. (Genesis 3:19). The ashes come from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year. Ash Wednesday is the first day of the season of Lent.
Lent
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and is the period of 40 days that comes before Easter. It is a time of reflection and
spiritual renewal in preparation for Good Friday and Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.
40 is a significant number in the Bible: In Genesis, rain fell for 40 days and nights in the great flood.
The Israelites spent 40 years in the wilderness before entering the promised land.
Moses fasted for 40 days before receiving the Ten Commandments.
Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness before starting his ministry.
During Lent: Catholics fast from (give up) meat on Fridays and some meals on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Almsgiving (giving to the poor) is particularly encouraged.
The Stations of the Cross are prayed in our churches.
Family-Activities-for-Lent-Poster
Holy Week
Palm Sunday 2nd April – Matthew 21:1-11
Maundy Thursday 6th April Mark 14:12-50 and John 13
Good Friday 7th April Mark 15
Holy Saturday 8th April Romans 6:3-11
Easter Sunday 9th April Luke 24
Fundraising
This year we held our Macmillan Coffee Morning on Friday 30th September 2022 and raised nearly £400.00!
A HUGE thank you for all your donations and cakes and to everyone who joined us for coffee, cake and a chat!
