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Fifth Sunday of Lent
Cycle A – 9th March to 15th March 2008
You will notice as we enter the final days of Lent and approach Easter that much of the religious imagery in church has been veiled. The custom of veiling crosses and images during the final stages of Lent is an ancient one, but has changed over the centuries.
In the 11th century a cloth, called the ‘hunger cloth,’ was suspended in front of the altar, beginning on the Fifth Sunday of Lent. At the beginning of Lent, public sinners were excluded from church so the ‘hunger cloth’ may have been an acknowledgment that we all are sinners, and are partaking in a ‘fast of the eyes.’ By the end of the 13th century, all statues, crosses and pictures were veiled, and this is the practice we continue today.
Opportunities for our much-loved personal devotions are also denied to us at this time. This is so that our hearts and minds will become more focused on the Easter Triduum; on the agony that Christ endured for us in Gethsemene, and on the victory He won for us on Calvary. In this way, we can be certain that we are still joined with the saints we venerate, as they too dwell in eternity with their eyes fixed on God.
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Please pray for: Earl Jesse Stevens, Kath Jarman, Alice Green, Betty de Soysa, John Castley, Margaret Ryan, Lynne Todd, John Ashton, Margaret Lamb, Irene Kielbus, Doreen Boyden, Norman Upton, Brian Holt, Jean & Eric Addington, Kathryn Broughton, Brenda Vimpany, Barry Hunt, Lisa Monks, Anne Payne, Damien Osako, Bernadette Farrell, Jean O’Callaghan, John Douglas, Lesley Harrison, Betty Hebden, Jan Jennings, Martin McDermott and all those who are suffering mentally, emotionally or physically.
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We Pray for: Bishop Kevin Dunn of the Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle and all those who have died recently.
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Anniversaries Occurring About This Time: Myrtle Dorothy Middleton (9th) George B Couldwell (10th) Hilda Forde, Ian Gilpin, Jessie Burke, Paddy Hayes (11th) Catherine Bolsover, Mary Toole, Alan Ellerby, Andrew Livingston (12th) Czeslaw Tkaczyk (13th) Gordon Swift (14th) James Roe (15th).
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Bereavement Support Drop In - Wednesday 12th March
From 1.30pm to 3.30pm in the Parish Room - entrance via Cathedral House which is opposite the Crucible on Norfolk Street. An opportunity for those grieving to talk & share experiences with others in a similar situation.
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St Patrick’s Day - Friday 14th March
This year St Patrick’s Day - 17th March, falls during Holy Week and therefore the celebration has been moved back to Friday 14th March. The readings and parts of the Mass will be celebrated in Irish by representatives of the Sheffield Irish Society. Music will be provided by Philip Jakob.
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St Joseph’s Day - Saturday 15th March
This year St Joseph’s Day - 19th March, also falls during Holy Week and therefore the celebration has been moved back to Saturday 15th March.
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Palm Sunday - 15th / 16th March
At the end of the 10.30am Mass on Palm Sunday, Bishop John will lead a procession from St Marie’s to the Cross outside the Town Hall where a short ecumenical service will take place. This will be followed by a light buffet at the Anglican Cathedral. We hope that as many of St. Marie's parishioners as possible will take part.
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Sports Relief Mile - Sunday 16th March
There will be road closures from 6am until approximately 1.30pm: the roads affected are Surrey Street and Union Street, with Pinstone Street closed from 9.15am. The organisers are aware of the service taking place at 12noon at the Cross outside the Town Hall. You will be able to access the NCP to park your car if you wish to.
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Born for This - Palm Sunday 16th March
This year the musical and dramatized interpretation of the Stations of the Cross will take place at St Joseph’s, Handsworth at 3pm. All are very welcome to attend. Any groups of young people in the parish that are not involved and would like to be, please contact the Cathedral Office.
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Holy Week begins on Monday 17th March - please take one of the Easter Service cards with you or see the posters on the Notice Board
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Way of the Cross - Fridays in Lent
St Charles, Attercliffe invites you to walk the Way of the Cross with them every Friday evening during Lent. It begins at 7pm and is followed by Benediction.
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Stations of the Cross
The Walsingham Association will lead the Stations of the Cross on Tuesdays at 12noon. Bishop John reminds us of the old tradition of people using the Stations of the Cross for their own needs and you are encouraged to walk around the Cathedral, stop and say a brief private prayer at each station during this season of Lent.
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Parish Pastoral Council - Tuesday 11th March
St Marie's Parish Pastoral Council's next meeting will be at 7:30pm in the Houlden Hall. Topics for discussion will include the Keeping in Touch initiative, Re-ordering of the Cathedral and the forthcoming Diocesan Assembly. All are welcome to attend.
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Lenten Course - Theology & Film for Lent 2008 - Wednesday 12th March
A film & discussion group led by Ian Maher (CA) and Rev Noel Irwin. The fourth and final session will be held at the Victoria Hall from 7.30pm until 9pm - arrive 7pm for coffee. Details of the films under discussion are on the notice board.
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Diocesan Assembly II - Saturday 5th April
To be held at Ecclesfield High School. This day will be for our deanery and will cover subjects such as: Youth, Pastoral Care, Liturgy/Spirituality, Adult Formation, Justice and Peace and Finances. The PPC are keen that St. Marie's is well represented. If you would like to take part, or have any questions, please contact Frances Taylor on 0114 240 0975 or email at - Frances.Taylor@stmariecathedral.org
Please do pray for the themes to be covered by the Assembly which are: Spirituality, Faith Development & Liturgy, working to build the Parish Community & Reaching Beyond our Parish Boundaries in Mission, Evangelization and Justice & Peace.
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Making Everybody Welcome - Saturday 12th April
A workshop designed to help parishes care for those suffering mental health issues together with their families and carers. This will take place at St Wilfred’s Centre from 9.30am to 3pm. Places are limited so please use the booking forms available at the back of the Cathedral if you would like to attend.
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First Holy Communion 2008
Our parish First Holy Communion programme will begin on Saturday 12th April. If your child is, or soon will be, aged 8 (in Year 3 and above) and you would like to enrol them on this programme then please collect an application form from the priest in the sacristy after Mass. Completed forms must be returned by Sunday 6th April together with your child’s Baptism Certificate. PLEASE NOTE: This programme is only for those children who are resident within St. Marie’s parish boundaries and who have been regularly attending Mass at St. Marie’s. Children are expected to attend all the sessions.
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St Thomas More Deanery Quiet Day - Sunday 13th April
Once again, our Quiet Day will take place at Mount St Mary’s, Spinkhill from 9.30am to 5pm. The theme for the day is ‘The Good Shepherd’. Booking is essential as numbers are limited and no one will be admitted without a prior booking. The cost is £10 - children go free. See the notice board for more details and how to book.
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Lourdes 150th Celebration - Sunday 11th May
Taking place at St Anthony’s Priory, Solihull. Coaches leave at 10.30am from the Crucible. Cost is £10.90 per person - to book call 0114 231 1494.
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St Vincent’s Furniture Store Fundraiser - Thursday 29th May
The event is sponsored by the Hilton Hotel, Sheffield who has offered free use of their banqueting suite. Guest speaker: The Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe MP. The evening will include: hot and cold buffet, local musicians and singers and plenty of car parking spaces. 7pm for 7.30pm. Cost is £25 per person and tickets will be on sale at the beginning of March. Advance bookings can be made - details on the notice board.
