News and Announcements

12th March, 2023

Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)

Holy Week Programme

Dear Brethren,

We are reminded on Laetare Sunday of the joy of the Lord, which is Christ’s gift to his faithful servants. It is not the joy of this world. Today’s liturgy also affirms that the only way to the Resurrection is through union with the Cross of Our Lord. We celebrate this coming Saturday the great feast of the Annunciation - the Incarnation of the Lord. These two mysteries - the Incarnation & the Redemption - are at the very heart of our Faith. Upon them our salvation rests.

We rejoice as well in the feast of St Joseph (which we will celebrate tomorrow), the Guardian of the Redeemer and Defender of God’s Holy Church. At this time we also celebrate the feasts of St Benedict (21st March) and St Patrick (17th March), whose example encourages us to remain faithful in the Lord’s service, in Divine worship and the proclamation of the Faith.

I write this partly to give context to the article by George Weigel that we reprint in this bulletin. I would not be in entire agreement with Weigel on a number of issues relating to his interpretation of Vatican Council II. In this article, however, he accurately recounts the concerns of many faithful Catholics. He says things that need to be said - not for the purpose of discouraging souls, but of helping them to face the difficulties of our times. We must do so with a supernatural spirit, filled with hope in Divine Providence (which is not the same as optimism!), and ready to play our part in the Victory of Christ.

May God bless you.

Fr Glen Tattersall PP

A Sombre Anniversary by George Weigel – Courtesy of First Things

Sunday Vespers: as is usual, we will sing Vespers (followed by Benediction) at 4 pm on the Sundays of Lent. Latin-English booklets are provided.

Enrolment in the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mt Carmel: a number of parishioners have recently asked about enrolment in the Carmelite Scapular. The next enrolment will be on the Solemnity of the Annunciation, Saturday 25th March, after Solemn Mass. Scapulars may be purchased in advance from St John Henry’s Book Room; they will also be available on the day.

St Joseph: We will renew the consecration of the Newman Parish to the Most Pure & Paternal Heart of St Joseph today (Sunday, 19th March), after each Mass. The feast of St Joseph is transferred from today to tomorrow, 20th March. Masses are at 8 & 10 am (Low), & 7 pm (Solemn).

Church cleaning day – Saturday, 25th March: following 10.30 am Solemn Mass of the Annunciation, and enrolments in the Scapular of Our Lady of Mt Carmel, we will have a cleaning day in the Church. Please volunteer if you can. A light luncheon will be provided. We will also veil the statues and images in preparation for Passiontide.

Adult catechesis: From 15th April we will meet at the school hall on the second and fourth Saturday of the month from 11.15 am – 12.30 pm; there is also a weekly “liturgical catechesis” on Sundays from 9.30 – 10.00 am in the school hall. Please contact Fr Tattersall with any enquiries.

Tax Deductible Donations for the support of our liturgical & musical programme: those who attended the Newman Parish’s obsequies for Cardinal Pell can attest to the outstanding quality of the liturgy, including the Sacred Music. A great deal of credit for this belongs to the Oriens Foundation, which provided significant financial support for these events, including covering the cost of additional choristers. We have an opportunity to build on this. Parishioners are able to support this aspect of the work of the Newman Parish by making tax deductible donations to the Oriens Foundation. Further advice on how to make a tax deductible donation should be made available in the near future. Please feel free to contact Fr Tattersall in the meantime with any questions.

The Lenten Discipline: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of Fasting, and Abstinence from meat. One full meal and two collations (light snacks) are permitted on Fast Days. The other days of Lent are also days of Penance, except for Sundays, and the Solemnities of St Patrick, St Joseph, and the Annunciation. On days of penance, the law is fulfilled by any of the following: prayer, self-denial (e.g. fasting or abstinence), or the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. All who have completed their eighteenth year and have not begun their sixtieth year are bound to fast on the prescribed days. All who have completed their fourteenth year are bound to abstain. The traditional discipline of Lent kept the Fast on all days of Lent except Sundays and Solemnities, and abstinence from meat on Fridays and Saturdays, Ash Wednesday, the Ember Days, Good Friday and Holy Saturday (until Midday on Holy Saturday). The traditional practice is laudable for those whose health permits, but it is not of obligation.

Sunday 1st Collection - Support for our priests

Sunday 2nd Collection - Support for the Parish and its works