2nd Before Lent News

Priest-in-Charge Fr John Ainslie (revjohnainslie@gmail.com; 01628 629827)

A very warm welcome to any new readers, and to visitors and newcomers to St Michael's. If you are new to St Michael's, do join us for refreshments in the Vestry Hall after the service so we can welcome you properly.

SERVICES THIS WEEK: No Mass on Thursday this week – Consecration of Fr Luke as Bishop of Richborough at Canterbury Cathedral. Saturday 1st March: Mass of Our Lady 10.30am. Next Sunday: Sung Mass 10.30am with Holy Baptism of Zoe, Millen and Andy.

NEW CHURCH ELECTORAL ROLL: If you haven’t already, please complete an electoral Roll Form at Back of Church and pop it into the box provided.

CONSECRATION SERVICE FOR Fr LUKE: For those not able to be there, Thursday’s service (2.30pm) will be available live and afterwards at www.youtube.com/\@CanterburyCathedralOfficial or via the Cathedral website.

ST MICHAEL’S PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM Tuesday 27th May – Friday 30th May. Forms are available at Back of Church for you to complete if you wish to join us on pilgrimage to Walsingham. Please return completed forms to me (Fr John) with your deposit of £40. If you haven’t been on pilgrimage to Walsingham before and are interested, talk to someone who has – myself, Eleanor, Fr Paul, Ralph, Mike and Mary Trout, Margaret Smith.

I hope as many of you as possible will want to join this pilgrimage to the English National Shrine of Our Lady in Norfolk – a time of rest, recreation, joy, fellowship and wonderful worship in a place of peace and holiness. We have reserved places on a full board basis – the total cost for the stay at Walsingham is £273 (children £163.80). We don’t want anyone to be put off on the grounds of cost, and we have a number of Bursaries available to offset part or all of the cost for anyone who needs that assistance. If that may be you, don’t hesitate to have a chat with me.

REVD BRIAN REED. Some of you will have known Brian; we have been informed of an informal gathering to share memories and reminiscences and give thanks for his life at St Andrew’s Church Hall on Monday 17th March 10.30am-2pm. Everyone who knew Brian is kindly invited, light refreshments will be served.

FOR OUR PRAYERS: We pray for Fr Luke as he is Consecrated Bishop of Richborough on Thursday. We pray for the leaders of the nations at this time of uncertainty and realignment; we pray for the people of Ukraine, especially those who watch from afar in the hope of being able to return to their homeland; we pray for the efforts towards peace in the Middle East and the safe return of hostages. For the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and for a cessation of war and violence there.

We pray for those in need, and especially Paul Jones, Glynis Reynolds, Yvonne Young, Jessica O’Sullivan, Lindsay Wheeler, Martyn Nash, Fran, Ellie Tomlinson, David Green, Alison Heywood, Norman Farrington, Olga Danes-Volkov, Pope Francis and John Mercer.

We pray for the recently departed. We remember those who have faithfully served God in this Church in previous generations, and we pray for those whose year’s mind occurs this week: Molly Pope, Brian Johnson, Brian Landi, Pat Ormerod. May they rest in peace and rise in glory.