YEAR OF FAITH

Post date: Mar 14, 2013 10:21:24 AM

We continue our journey through the Year of Faith, and through Lent. This weekend, the Fourth Sunday of Lent is known as Laetare Sunday. Because the Thursday of the third week of Lent is the midpoint of Lent, Laetare, the Latin for ‘Rejoice’, Sunday has traditionally been viewed as a day of celebration, on which the austerity of Lent is briefly lessened. The purple vestments and altar cloths of Lent are set aside, and rose ones are used instead. Flowers, which are normally forbidden during Lent, may be placed on the altar. Traditionally, the organ was never played during Lent, except on Laetare Sunday. Laetare Sunday is also known as Rose Sunday or Refreshment Sunday, and it has a counterpart in Advent, Gaudete Sunday when

purple vestments are exchanged for rose ones. The point of both days is to provide us

encouragement as we progress toward the end of each respective penitential season.

Our final Deanery Lenten Station Mass will take place at St Hugh’s Church on Tuesday, 19th March at 7pm. There will also be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (individual confessions) from 6pm.

There will be further opportunities to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation at the Deanery Penitential Services during Holy Week:

Sunday, 24th March – St Peter and St Paul at 4pm

Monday, 25th March – Our Lady of Lincoln at 7pm

Tuesday, 26th March – St Hugh of Lincoln at 7pm

Our next Year of Faith discussion group reflecting on Bishop Malcolm’s theme for March; Teach us how to pray, will be held in the Church hall after the 10am Mass on Saturday 23rd March and finishing by Midday.