Fr Inna will be visiting his homeland 10th/11th June to 8th/9th July. I have been unable to find a supply to cover for this period, so that leaves me to cover the needs of the parish on my own with the help of Deacon Mark. I must make best provision for weekend Masses. A priest is only allowed by Canon Law to celebrate 3 Sunday Masses including the Vigil Mass. So, we need an emergency Mass program. I have received many emails about Mass times and there are as many views as there are parishioners. The Church teaches that we should gather as the community ideally at one Mass on the Lord’s Day. Therefore, it makes absolute sense to use the largest Church building for this period.

So, we will gather in our  Parish Church of St Joseph

6.00pm – Vigil Mass – St Joseph
8.00am – Sunday Mass – St Joseph
10.30am – Sunday Mass – St Joseph

Please remember this is an Emergency Mass time schedule. We as Catholics are bound by Canon Law to assist at Mass every Sunday and by helping each other and offering lifts we still able to fulfil our obligation to attend Mass. (A Communion Service does not fulfil that obligation) We live in challenging times and the lack of priests to serve in our parishes is being felt now. I am sorry if this is a cause of upset for you, but whatever combination of times or venues is not going to suit everyone. So may I ask you to take this opportunity during this period to be generous and to remember it is the Lord who we seek. He calls us to gather on His day and it is He who nourishes us. Please be assured of my prayer for you all. May I humbly ask you to pray for me especially for good health during time.  Canon Chris

From Bishop Philip:

I invite you to join me and many others from across the Diocese on this year’s pilgrimage to Lourdes, leaving from Bournemouth airport on Monday 17th July and returning on Friday 21st July. Once in Lourdes we will stay for four nights at the Hotel La Solitude, celebrate Mass daily, and take part in all that Lourdes has to offer.

If you would like to know more about joining me either as a pilgrim or as a youth helper, serving our pilgrims and helping to make our pilgrimage a success, please email lourdes@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk.

Each Sunday there is always the opportunity for the community to gather for refreshments in the Parish Room. This is thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers. Several of the long standing volunteers are now retiring and we are most grateful to them for their dedication and service over the years and particular thanks to Chris and Gaby Betley who have been responsible for coordinating them and ensuring everything has run smoothly. Very sadly for the Parish community the service will cease at the end of this month unless at least 6 or 7 new volunteers can be found. Please consider being part of the team to save this from ending; if enough people come forward it will mean being on the rota perhaps once every 6 or 7 weeks. Please see Chris Betley after Mass or one of the team.

The Life in the Spirit seminars continue on Monday 5th June in St Joseph’s Parish Room with session 4 – ‘Receiving God’s gift’.

Tea/Coffee is available from 7:00pm with the seminar starting at 7:30pm.

For more information please contact Frank on 07781 108394.

Diaconate Anniversary Mass on the 15th June at 7:00pm at St Josephs Church.

Parish Mass: To mark the occasion of Deacon Marks 10th anniversary of ordination.

Refreshments after Mass. All Welcome!

Blanchelande College Summer Fete on Sunday 11th June 12:00pm – 3:30pm. Students and the PTFA have been working hard getting everything organised. We have art auctions, sports, artisan stalls, bouncy castles, petting zoo, candy floss, BBQ and many more including our choirs singing. Parking will be available. Everyone is most welcome to attend.

UCM meeting on Tuesday 13th June at 7:30pm in the St Josephs Parish Room.

There will be an Origami workshop with Tocomo Nel and a raffle.

Prayers on Sunday 4th June for all the peoples of the Middle East and the Peace of Jerusalem.

Contact Maud for time and venue – 729445.

Divine Will Prayer Group meet on Tuesday 13th June at 7:00pm at the Centre For Peace & Wednesday 14th June at 12:00pm at Notre Dame du Rosaire Church.

All welcome – just turn up

On Monday 29th May the Catenians will be saying the Stations of the Cross at the Little Chapel from 9:30am-10:00am.

Meet at the Clockmakers at 9:20am. Everyone most welcome.

Blanchelande College Summer Fete is fast approaching; students and the PTFA have been working hard getting everything organised.

We have art auctions, sports, artisan stalls, bouncy castles, petting zoo, candy floss, BBQ and many more including our choirs singing.

Sunday 11th June from 12:00pm-3:30pm. Parking will be available. Everyone is most welcome to attend!

Thank you to the many volunteers who helped to make last Saturday’s Parish Befrienders Tea Party such a happy occasion for our guests. It was a joy to meet up with old friends among whom was one very special guest who we all remember fondly – Fr Gaston thank you for spending some of your holiday time to visit us.

A special thank you also to Elena who offered to come and share her gift as a very talented pianist. Her recital added to the party atmosphere and she was not worried that conversation could not be stopped even offering to come again. We have only to ask her.

Our next event will be tea at Les Cotils if you, guests or helpers, wish to make a note of the date its 17th August. Details to follow.

The seminars will continue on Monday 29th May in St Joseph’s Parish Room with session 3 – ‘New life’ .

Tea and coffee is available from 7:00pm with the seminars starting at 7:30pm.

For more information please contact Frank on 07781 108394

The Life in the Spirit course team in the Diocese invite you to sign up for this year’s online course beginning on Thursday 1st June. Bishop Philip has announced that this year in the diocese is to be the Year of the Holy Spirit. Do you wonder about what the Holy Spirit is doing in your life? Have you made the time to really consider the issue? Why not come and join the Life in the Spirit course running after Pentecost!

This will be held on Zoom from Thursday 1st June until Thursday 13th July from 7:30pm until 9:00pm. Get involved in Praise and Worship of the Lord. Listen to sound teaching on the Holy Spirit. Meet up with other members of the diocese – and beyond – to discuss what you believe. It is in articulating our thoughts that we really come to know what we do believe.

To register go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSezSvBYV25ViJt1E1bB6c1xRcbCz8ogu2DzF0g0IIVJbXtCvg/viewform

We hope to see you there!

Rosary for the beatification of Edel Quinn (Legion of Mary) will be at 2:00pm on Sunday 28th May in St Joseph’s Church.

We are delighted to announce that we have now secured £291,650 in pledges for the Closer to Christ Campaign, surpassing our goal of £290,000. My heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you. I know there are some families out there who are still considering their pledge and I would be delighted to have your support. While we are guaranteed to receive one third of the initial £290,000 raised, the parish will receive 50% of everything raised over this and so we have much to benefit from. Thank you for your support and please pray for the continued success of the Closer to Christ Campaign in our parish. Canon Chris

This is a series of 7 weekly sessions aimed at giving us a greater awareness of the Holy Spirit and His gifts. The second seminar will take place on Monday 22nd May in St Joseph’s Parish Room.

If you missed the first week it’s not too late to join – Just turn up! Everyone is welcome.

There will be Tea/Coffee from 7:00pm with the seminar starting at 7:30pm.

For more information please contact Frank on 07781 108394

St Padre Pio & St Philomena Prayer Group meet on Thursday 25th May at 7:30pm at the home of Bill & Jenny Trubuil.

Please call 07781 425779 if lifts are needed.

A Hungarian Catholic Family with two primary aged children are seeking accommodation in the Island for one year from late August.

Please contact the Parish office if you can help.

Did you know that Church teaching says that we should not only support those in poverty but also tackle the root causes of poverty? Pope Benedict XVI said that “Love — caritas — is an extraordinary force which leads people to opt for courageous and generous engagement in the field of justice and peace.” For decades CAFOD has spoken out against injustice. To find out more about our seeds campaign and get involved in tackling the root causes of poverty, please go to cafod.org.uk/latestcampaigns

Laudato Si’ Week is from May 21-28, when we will celebrate as a global movement the 8 years since the launch of the encyclical Laudato Si’. “Hope for the Earth. Hope for humanity”, is the theme that will guide us this year. The film “The Letter,” which tells the story of four “social poets” affected first-hand by the climate crisis who travel to Rome to meet Pope Francis, will be the main resource guiding the week’s events.

You can watch the film via YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rps9bs85BII

If parishioners would like to watch it as a group, please email finnertyfive@cwgsy.net and a screening of the film can be organised over the next few months for the parish.

Bishop Philip Egan has asked every member of the Diocese to adopt six holy habits.

1. To keep Sunday special, as a family day, by attending Mass, the ‘source and summit’ of the Christian life, supporting your parish community.

2. To resolve to spend at least five minutes a day in prayer, at whatever time you find best, using the Scriptures, maybe the Gospel of the day.

3. To keep Friday as a day of penance in honour of the Lord’s Passion, intentionally serving the poor and needy.

4. At least once a fortnight, to pay a private visit to church for a short period of prayer before the Tabernacle.

5. To go to Confession once a month or so, like a spiritual check-up when you can personally experience God’s love and mercy.

6 . To join a small group for formation, prayer and fellowship, where you can share with others your own faith-experience and in turn hear what God is doing in  the lives of others.

Parish Befrienders Tea Party will be on Saturday 20th May at St Mary and St Michael School Hall.

Please if you can assist with lifts or refreshments we would really appreciate some more help.

Call Meg 252401 or 07781 403378 for help with lifts / Call Audrey 07781 107393 for help with refreshments.

(Home made cakes etc are always so much appreciated by the special guests!)

Christian Aid Week starts this weekend and we are asked to pray for the work of Christian Aid across the world, especially this year in Malawi. For more information on the Malawi project, you can contact Steve Mauger BEM E-mail stevemauger@cwgsy.net. Any gifts you wish to make this Christian Aid Week could help farmers in Malawi plant better seeds, secure a fairer price for the crops, and build happier futures for their children. www.christianaid.org.uk

The Parish room at St Joseph’s is open for coffee, cake and a chat on every 2nd Wednesday of the month. Drop in any time between 9:30am-11:30am.

Everyone is welcome! This is a chance to enjoy a cup of coffee and meet with others.

Any visitors to the island are especially welcome. Next meeting is on Wednesday 14th June.

For the period 21st May – 9th July are available for collection in the Sacristy following Mass or can be viewed on this website.

Mothers Prayers meet on Friday 19th May with tea/coffee at 10:30am and prayers start at 11:00am.

Do take this opportunity to come and pray for your children and grandchildren.

For details E-mail: christineguernsey2014@gmail.com or Tel: 259995.

Thank you so much for your generosity! Last weekend was a great success for the Closer to Christ Campaign in our parish. I’m delighted to tell you that based on the cards filled out by parishioners at Mass, we can expect to receive an additional £70,000 towards our goal in addition to the £263,000 already pledged! To allow us to draw a line under the campaign we need to make sure that all pledges have been recorded properly. If you completed a small card at Mass recently, you will have received a pledge form for completion in the post or via email. I ask that you return the form at your earliest convenience to either the parish office, to me after Mass or directly through the post. While you may not wish to start your pledge immediately I do ask that you return your form, indicating a start date and method of payment that is convenient to you. Our hope is that parishioners will consider what they can as every pledge counts and all gifts will bring us closer to our shared goal.

I know there are some families out there who are still considering their pledge and I would be delighted to receive your support so that we can be sure to reach our goal of £290,000. Please do fill in a pledge form and return this to me as soon as possible. We hope to receive the majority of pledges within the next two weeks so that we can see exactly how much has been raised. I will give you a further update in a few weeks’ time. Thank you for your support and please pray for the continued success of the Closer to Christ Campaign in our parish. Canon Chris

Winners for the April draw –

1st – 53 – £100

2nd – 36 – £50

3rd – 57 – £25

There are two services to mark Liberation Day on Tuesday 9th May at 11:00am.

The Town Church: The annual parade and service attended by the Lieutenant Governor and the Royal Court Revd Howard Stringer will be preaching. This service is open to all islanders and visitors. No tickets are required.

St Saviour’s Parish Church: The ‘People’s Service’ led this year by the Revd Mark Charmley and others. All are welcome to this service.

Sarnia Cherie. Gem of the sea.
Home of my childhood,
my heart longs for thee.
Thy voice calls me ever,
forget thee I’ll never,
Island of beauty. Sarnia Cherie

It hardly seems possible that I will have been ordained 10 years on June 15th and would like to celebrate it with a parish Mass at 7:00pm that evening followed by light refreshments in the presbytery garden. More details to follow. Deacon Mark

The Holy Spirit Prayer Group meet on Monday 8th May in St Joseph’s Parish Room.

Tea/Coffee from 7:00pm and the prayer group starts at 7:30pm.

~oOo~

The Holy Spirit Prayer Group will be holding a series of Life in the Spirit Seminars, commencing on the 15th May in the St. Magloire Parish room. The first meeting will be an introductory discussion about the Seminars and their content. At our Baptism, we received, through an outpouring of grace, gifts of the Holy Spirit, which were given freely!! This now, is an opportunity for everyone in our community to have those gifts renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit and to allow that same Spirit to help us be more aware of His presence in our lives.

Tea/Coffee will be available from 7:00pm with the Seminar starting at 7:30pm and ending at 8:30pm. If you would like further information about the Seminars  please contact Frank on 07781108394. All of you will be made most welcome!

Your gifts this Christian Aid Week could help farmers in Malawi plant better seeds, secure a fairer price for the crops and build happier futures for their children.

www.christianaid.org.uk

Thou art our light in uncertainty, our comfort in sorrow, our solace in the time of trial, our refuge from every peril and temptation. Thou art our sure hope of salvation, second only to thy only-begotten Son; blessed are they who love thee, our Lady!

Divine Will Prayer Group meet on Tuesday 9th May at 7:00pm at the Centre For Peace and Wednesday 10th May at 10:45am at Notre Dame du Rosaire Church.

The Parish room at St Joseph’s will be open for coffee, cake and a chat on WEDNESDAY 10TH MAY and on every 2nd Wednesday of the month.

Drop in any time between 9:30am-11:30am. Everyone is welcome! This is a chance to enjoy a cup of coffee and meet with others. Any visitors to the island are especially welcome.

Dominican Sisters in Sway Course for Church Readers: Two online sessions to help readers proclaim the Word of God with confidence, understanding, conviction and clarity. On Saturdays 3rd and 10th June in the morning, from 10:00am to 1:00pm.

To Register please go to https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIsf-2vpz0iG9Vb2cpgDsFXQyPevrokQAHT

You can also check everything the sisters currently offer here: https://www.lightoftruth.uk/join

O God, to whom every human power is subject, grant to your servant our sovereign Charles success in the exercise of his high office, so that, always revering you and striving to please you, he may constantly secure and preserve for the people entrusted to his care the freedom that comes from civil peace. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Download prayer card go to https://www.cbcew.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/04/prayer-card-cornonation-of-King-Charles.pdf

The Holy Spirit Prayer Group meet on Monday 1st May in St Joseph’s Parish Room.

Tea/Coffee from 7:00pm and the Prayer Group starts at 7:30pm.

Parish Befrienders Tea Party on Saturday 20th May in St Mary and St Michaels School Hall. Please get in touch if you are interested or know an isolated or frail parishioner who may enjoy coming so we can send details and arrange a lift if needed.

Tel: Angela 07781 112221 or Meg 252401 / 07781 403378

NB: Any help with lifts or refreshments gladly received. Please call Meg if you can assist with lifts (number above) and Audrey for refreshments on 07781 107393.

Join us for a year-long experience designed to help you discover your calling of working with young people. Sign up to be trained and equipped for all that God has in store for you. 2023 applications are now open. Register your interest today! To find out more go to the following link www.swym.org.uk/swym-onguernsey or pick up at leaflet at back of church.

Moneys received to date £9,677.96! Please return your sponsorship money by the end of Friday 5th May. For those who have sponsored Fr Inna please pay via Bacs and let the Parish Office know or pop the money into the office clearly marked ‘Fr Inna Bamenda Walk’.

It’s great to see the numbers increasing for our coffees and teas in the parish room after 10:30am mass on a Sunday. However, our small group of volunteer helpers is dwindling and in need of replenishment we lost a few recently and would love to hear from anyone who might like to join us in serving refreshments. You’d be on a rota perhaps ‘on duty’ once every 4/5 weeks – and it’s a lovely way to keep in touch with the community.

Please contact Chris on 07911 715658 or chris@betleys.com if you’d like to help.

URGENT: REGRETFULLY UNLESS MORE HELPERS COME ON BOARD WE CANNOT CONTINUE!

I am in the process of setting up this new leadership group within our Parish to help give a ‘steer’ in the life of our community. I will be seeking two people from each of the weekend Sunday Masses, giving 10 people, plus clergy and our Youth Minister. We live in challenging times with the real possibility of just two active priests on the Island, so the community and clergy need to go forward together. We will initially spend some time in formation and training, with some input from the Diocese. Canon Chris.

The Holy Spirit Prayer Group will be having an evening of ‘Adoration’ on Monday 24th April from 7:30pm-9:00pm and also on the last Monday of every month. This will include some hymns followed by silent ‘Adoration’. Prayer ministry will be available for anyone who would like individual prayer. This month it will take place in St Joseph’s Parish Room. Tea and coffee will be available from 7:00pm. Anyone is invited to join us for these ‘Adoration’ evenings, even if you do not normally come to the prayer group.

St Padre Pio & St Philomena Prayer Group meeting will be on Thursday 27th April starting at 7:30pm at Jenny and Bill Trubuil’s Home.

Phone No. 07781 425779

Rosary for the beatification of Edel Quinn (Legion of Mary) on Sunday 30th April at 2:00pm in St Joseph’s Church.

A message from the service co-ordinator: ‘Thank you so much for the many ways in which you support our work. (A summary of the work of the Welfare service during 2022 is available on the noticeboards.) We have an Amazon wish list – https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2MKD2UOPL4IH2?ref_=wl_share.
We have also signed up to an app – Bank the Food – which can be downloaded and Guernsey Welfare selected. This will give you an update on what is needed in the foodbank. You will need our postcode GY1 1LY. Many thanks for everything you do to support the work of Guernsey Welfare, especially at this time of economic uncertainty.’

Moneys received to date £8,159.95! Please return your sponsorship money as soon as possible. For those who have sponsored Fr Inna please pay via Bacs and let the Parish office know or pop the money into the office clearly marked ‘Fr Inna Bamenda Walk’ as he is now off Island for a couple of weeks. Parish Bank Account details are on the front of this newsletter or send to the office your cheques made payable to CDP Guernsey, referencing both with “Bamenda Walk”. IMPORTANT: Please let the person you have sponsored know if you have paid online. All monies raised will be split between Bamenda and CAFOD.

Canon Chris and Fr Inna thank you all for the cards and Easter offerings. Special thanks to ALL who helped prepare the Churches for Easter including the cleaners, musicians, choirs, welcomers, flower arrangers etc.

The Holy Spirit Prayer Group meet on Monday 17th April in St Magloire’s Parish Room at St. Joseph’s.

Tea/coffee from 7:00pm, prayer group starts at 7:30pm. For more information please contact Frank on 07781 108394.

Dominican Sisters in Sway Baptism – Anchoring you in New Life: 6 sessions, during the Easter season, to (re)discover the meaning and rite of our baptism in the light of our faith. This course is especially useful for parents, catechists who offer baptism preparation, but is also open to everyone who wants to learn more about the meaning of their own baptism. Every Tuesday evening from 7:30pm to 9:00pm on Zoom, beginning on 18th April. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZErcu6urj8uHtBnuhuYKgHuaci3eCA-_yJQ.

Mothers Prayer Group meet on Friday 21st April with tea/coffee at 10:30am and prayers start at 11.00am. Do take this opportunity to come and pray for your children and grandchildren. No commitment to come every month. For details email christineguernsey2014@gmail.com or tel 259995. If you would like to see some of the prayers we use view https://www.mothersprayers.org.

For children aged between 4-8 years of age. Sunday 30th April from 2:00pm- 4:30pm at Delancey Community Hall.

As well as the film there is hot dogs, popcorn and loads of fun.

To reserve your space contact Elaine Allen – 07781 491202 (please inform of any dietary needs).

Led by Fr Claro Conde (Chaplain to Filipino Communities Diocese of Portsmouth): From 21st to 28th of November 2023, departing Luton, London. Fr. Claro Conde will lead the group. The price is from £1,339 per person based on twin sharing.

For more details, please contact Fr. Claro at 07803191502 or Nelia of All Saints Travel at 01793881166.

Book on website https://www.allsaintstravel.co.uk/dates-and-prices/

Please join our tea/coffee volunteers after 10:30am Mass. It’s great to see the numbers increasing for our coffees and teas in the parish room after 10:30am mass on a Sunday. However, our small group of volunteer helpers is dwindling and in need of replenishment. We lost a few recently and would love to hear from anyone who might like to join us in serving refreshments. You would be on a rota perhaps ‘on duty’ once every 4/5 weeks – and it’s a lovely way to keep in touch with the community. Please contact Chris on 07911 715658 or chris@betleys.com if you’d like to help.

Over 50 walkers from the parish have completed their lent walk to Bamenda!! In fact they have not only completed the 4,159 miles there, but almost got a third of the way home as well. In total they have walked 5,338 miles. This has been a tremendous parish effort and much enjoyed by all the walkers. It would be great to raise as much sponsorship as possible, so please support this effort by paying into the Parish Bank Account or send to the office your cheques made payable to CDP Guernsey, referencing both with “Bamenda Walk”. IMPORTANT: Please let the person you have sponsored know if you have paid online. All monies raised will be split between Bamenda and CAFOD.

Thank you so much for your support for CAFOD’s Lent appeal. Shukla is a mum in Bangladesh who has been very worried about her children’s nutrition. After joining a community project in Bangladesh, which is supported by CAFOD, Shukla has a productive garden and can grow food for her son. Shukla says, “worry has completely disappeared now.” Thank you so much for your support this Lent by giving in church or donating online or giving to us by direct debit. Your generosity and compassion reaches hard-working mothers like Shukla. Thank you. To read Shukla’s story, go to cafod.org.uk/GiftInWill.

The Sunrise Celebration at Les Cotils on Easter Sunday morning, commencing at 6:15am at the foot of the Cross on the lawn.

Everyone is welcome to stay for breakfast afterwards (optional—please book via Les Cotils)

The Holy Spirit Prayer Group meet on Monday 10th April in St Magloire’s Parish Room at St Joseph’s.

Tea/Coffee from 7:00pm, prayer group starts at 7:30pm. For more information please contact Frank – Tel: 07781 108394

The UCM AGM meeting will take place Tuesday 11th April.

The Parish room at St Joseph’s will be open for coffee, cake and a chat on Wednesday 12th April and on every 2nd Wednesday of the month.

Drop in any time between 9:30am-11:30am. Everyone is welcome! This is a chance to enjoy a cup of coffee and meet with others. Any visitors to the island are especially welcome.

Divine Will Prayer Group meet on Tuesday 11th April at 7:00pm at the Centre For Peace and Wednesday 12th April at 10:45am at Notre Dame du Rosaire Church.

All welcome – Just turn up!

50 parishioners have collectively been walking throughout Lent to Bamenda and have now arrived there having completed as of last Saturday 4187 miles! We encourage all walkers to carry on and record miles walked to the end of Lent, to see how far we can get! Well done everybody, it has been a great parish effort. The walk has been sponsored with all money raised to be equally split  between Bamenda and CAFOD. Please forward all sponsorship to the Parish Office either directly (bank details in The Messenger) or by cheque made payable to “CDP Guernsey”, but please don’t  forget to reference your payments and reverse of cheques “Bamenda Walk”.

Prayer for all peoples of the Holy Land and the Peace of Jerusalem. Sunday 2nd April. Contact Maud for time and venue telephone 729445.

British Summer Time – Sunday 26th March.
I hope that you have remembered to adjust your clocks otherwise you will be late for Mass!

Please use this service as an opportunity to make your Easter confession. Individual confessions will be available. A visiting priest will be here to help hear confessions at the Lenten Penitential service. Before celebrating the Sacrament of Penance, one should prepare oneself with an examination of conscience, which involves reflecting prayerfully on one’s thoughts, words and deeds in order to identify any sins.

There are various types of examinations of conscience but regardless of which one you use to prepare yourself for the Sacrament it should be rooted in Scripture; particularly the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes. You can login and find a few examples of Examinations of Conscience that can help you prepare for the Sacrament – https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments-and-sacrametals/penance/examinations-of-conscience.

The 9:15am Mass at Delancey on Palm Sunday (2nd April) will start at the battery (the Lookout Point– a bit further down from the playground) at the bottom corner of Delancey Park and then process through the park to the Church. The children from St Mary & St Michael School will lead the singing during the procession. Video of the procession will be shown live in the church for those who are not up to walking. The procession is weather permitting.

Canon Chris is looking for 12 parishioners and their foot for the foot-washing ceremony at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Thursday 6th April at 7:00pm in St. Joseph’s Church. This ceremony is a Christian tradition and is meant to re-create Jesus Christ’s washing the feet of the 12 disciples, highlighting his humility and love for all. Everyone is most welcome to volunteer from infants to the mature. Please let the Parish Office know if you wish to be one of the twelve.

The Holy Spirit Prayer Group will be having an evening of ‘Adoration’ on Monday March 27th from 7:30pm-9:00pm and also on the last Monday of every month. This will include some hymns followed by silent ‘Adoration’. Prayer ministry will be available for anyone who would like individual prayer. This month it will take place in the St Josephs Parish Room. Tea/Coffee will be available from 7:00pm. Anyone is invited to join us for these ‘Adoration’ evenings, even if you do not normally come to the prayer group.

Rosary for the Beatification of Edel Quinn (Legion of Mary) will take place on Sunday 26th March at 2:00pm in St Joseph’s.

The Festiva Choir presents Who Wears the Crown? Music and Reflections for Good Friday.

Friday 7th April at 7:30pm at St Saviour’s Church

Musical Director: José Paine / Accompanist: Luke O’Donnell

The Shrine of the Sacred Heart, Fort Hommet, Vazon will be open on Saturday 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th April from 2:00pm-4:00pm (weather permitting).

PALM SUNDAY – 02ND APRIL

Would you please remember to bring your own greenery from your garden if you have one!

PARISH PENITENTIAL SERVICE – 03RD APRIL

7:00pm – St Joseph’s – Parish Penitential Service

HOLY THURSDAY – 06TH APRIL

7:00pm – St Josephs – Mass of the Lord’s Supper

GOOD FRIDAY – 07TH APRIL

10:00am – St Josephs / Our Lady Star of the Sea / Notre Dame – Stations of the Cross

3:00pm – St Josephs – Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion

HOLY SATURDAY – 08TH APRIL

11:00am – St Josephs – Święconka – Blessing of Easter Baskets

8:30pm – St Josephs – Solemn Easter Vigil & First Mass of Easter

EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD – 09TH APRIL 

8:00am – Notre Dame

10:00am – Our Lady Star of the Sea

10:30am – St Josephs

The Holy Spirit Prayer Group meet on Monday 20th March in the St Magloire Parish Room, St Joseph’s.

Tea/Coffee from 7:00pm, prayer group starts at 7:30pm.

For more information please contact Frank on 07781 108394.

Sts Padre Pio and Philomena Prayer Group meet Meet on Thursday 23rd March at 7:30pm at Jenny and Bill’s home.

Enquiries -Tel: 07781 425779

Mothers Prayers Group meet on Friday 24th March at 10:30am at Christine’s House.

For information – Tel: 259995 / E-mail: christineguernsey2014@gmail.com.

On Saturday 25th March an Easter pop-up shop in support of Children in Zambia will be open just up from Smilers and Co-op at Vazon. Look for the signposted field. Plenty of parking! Delightful goodies on sale and an opportunity to admire new born lambs!

The Stations in St Joseph’s on Friday 31st March at 6:00pm will be suitable for all ages and particularly for young people, so we encourage any young people in our community to come along to this short time of reflection on the ‘Way of the Cross’.

The Auxiliary and Active Members of the Legion of Mary are holding their Annual Acies Service on Saturday 1st April at 2:30pm in St. Joseph’s Church.

We hope that those attending will be able to stay for a Social get-together over afternoon tea, circa, 3:30pm–4:30pm.

R.S.V.P either Maud – Tel. 729445 or Viv – Tel. 254969. If you require transport, please let us know when responding.

This week, please pray for Deacon Edward Hauschild, whose ordination to the priesthood will take place on Saturday 25th March at 11:00am at St John’s Cathedral, Portsmouth. This is a major event for the Diocese and also for our Parish in Guernsey as Edward has strong family links (Gloria Guillou is his Grandmother). Edward always served on the Altar when he visited at the Christmas and Easter Masses. All are welcome to attend the Mass of Ordination as we rejoice in this new priest that the Lord is giving to us. If you cannot attend in person, please remember him in your prayers as he prepares these next days. The Ordination Mass will be live streamed in St Joseph’s Church from 11:00am next Saturday, however it may be audio only due to issues with the cathedral’s camera. Fr Edward will say his first Mass in Guernsey during April (date to be announced) and a reception will follow afterwards.

Eucharistic Ministers & Readers Rotas for the period 26th March-14th May are available for collection in the Sacristy following Mass.

Thursday 16th March at 7:30pm In the Third Lenten Reflection, Charity, Bishop Philip will share some thoughts on how God causes love in the world and how love is stronger than death. He will also reflect on love of neighbour and love of self and how this love should be put into practice in our life and in acts of service and charity of our parishes.

To book please follow the link below for each session that you wish to participate in. https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/7e1036ab-b87c-4cb7-8081-79d4f0830d6c@0f107169-67e0-4eaf-8428-9e9f05e974ab

The Holy Spirit Prayer Group meet on Monday 13th March in the St Magloire Parish Room at St Joseph’s.

Tea/Coffee from 7:00pm, prayer group starts at 7:30pm.

For more information please contact Frank on 07781 108394

Laudato Si next meeting will take place on Monday 13th March at 7:00pm in St Yves Room at St. Joseph’s. All welcome to attend.

UCM meet on Tuesday 14th March at 7:00pm in St Joseph’s Parish Room. Reflections with Deacon Mark. Raffle will take place.

Thank you to all who contributed in so many ways to a very enjoyable afternoon at the Befrienders Tea party last Saturday. It is difficult to name everyone but special thanks to Canon Chris who prepared the beautiful service of Benediction and Michelle and Cathy who provided the musical accompaniment. Then there were those people who prepared the warm and cosy premises, and many others who gave lifts or welcomed our guests, and helped to bring and serve the scrumptious refreshments. The musical interlude, the first performance of a newly formed quartet added to the especially joyful atmosphere after so many disappointments and cancellations of the past two years. Thank you Judy for arranging this. Our guests’ enthusiasm, smiles and happy greetings on seeing old friends again was the best contribution. When a 90+ lady was asked the following day if she was tired she replied, ‘Oh No! I was uplifted’ and that makes it all worthwhile.

The Order has at its heart an individual commitment to personal spiritual development with the collective endeavour of supporting the Church and Christian people across the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem – which includes Cyprus, Jordan and the Holy Land. We are blessed to have several Knights and Dames here in Guernsey and on Laetare Sunday (4th Sunday of Lent) we will be joined by His Excellency Michael and Felicity Byrne KGCHS along with other dignitaries of the Southern Section. The Knights and Dames will be vested and will be part of the formal procession into Church. This is a wonderful occasion for us and are honoured for such a visitation. I shall be inviting His Excellency to say a few words at the end of Mass about the work of the Order and its  Mission. May I encourage you to come along to the 10:30am Mass that day so that His Excellency can see a great cross section of our Parish Community. Thank you, Canon Chris KHS

Boxes can be collected or dropped off after both St Joseph’s Masses on Sunday 19th March in the Parish Room.

Celebrate the real meaning of Easter whilst tasting delicious Fairtrade Milk chocolate at the same time. To order please go to one of the following links:

eden.co.uk/the-real-easter-egg or re-vived.com/products/the-real-easter-eggs-fun-pack.

In the Second Lenten Reflection, Hope, I will reflect on the gift of hope and the role it plays in our lives, on what constitutes our true happiness as human beings and what God in His loving goodness has promised us in the future.

You can register for the second webinar here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/f1b405cb-6509-4500-9020-a1455209ea74@0f107169-67e0-4eaf-8428-9e9f05e974ab

From 17th July for 4 nights, the annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place this year. The Diocesan Pilgrimage will be leaving from Bournemouth airport. Once in Lourdes we will stay at the Hotel La Solitude, celebrate Mass daily, and take part in all that Lourdes has to offer. If you would like to know more either as a pilgrim or as a youth helper, serving our pilgrims and helping to make our pilgrimage a success, please email lourdes@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk.

The Holy Spirit Prayer Group meet on Monday 6th March in St Joseph’s Parish Room.

Tea/Coffee from 7:00pm, prayer group starts at 7.30pm.

For more information please contact Frank – 07781 108394.

BIG WALK TO BAMENDA

Well done and thank you very much to the 27 Parish volunteers who have already started our walk to Bamenda, as well to the sponsors and parishioners who are praying for our success. Everyone can follow our community progress on the maps at the back of each church. These are going to be updated every Monday, so please drop your mileage slips in the boxes after any of the weekend Masses or send it via e-mail to finnertyfive@cwgsy.net. However to be sure of actually reaching Bamenda, we need a few more walkers! Even if you can only walk a mile a day, please would you help us achieve our goal, for the benefit of CAFOD and Bamenda. Pick up a sponsorship form from the boxes under the map, or email the above address. It doesn’t matter if you couldn’t start at the beginning of Lent; every little mile helps!

ECO-EVENT

As part of our commitment to be wise stewards of God’s good creation, Trinity is hosting an eco-event on Saturday 18th March between 2:00pm and 5:00pm that is open to all. We are partnering with 15 different local organisations and individuals who have a desire to play their part in protecting our planet from bug hotels to sustainable fashion to seaweed usage to connecting faith with
nature. There will be inspiring talks, family activities, a sustainable café, stalls with practical tips and ideas and more! Everyone is invited to drop in or to stay for the whole afternoon. Let us know that you are coming – go to the link https://www.justonething.gg.

Divine Will Prayer Group meet on Tuesday 7th March at 7:00pm at the Centre For Peace and Wednesday 8th March at 10:45am at Notre Dame du Rosaire.

Le Platon lottery results for February draw –

1st – 3 – £100

2nd – 28 – £50

3rd – 74 – £25

Prayer for all the Peoples of the Middle East & the Peace of Jerusalem on Sunday 5th March. Please contact Maud for time/venue – Tel 729445.

It’s great to see the numbers increasing for our coffees and teas in the parish room after 10:30am mass on a Sunday. However, our small group of volunteer helpers is dwindling and in need of replenishment – we lost a few recently and would love to hear from anyone who might like to join us in serving refreshments. You’d be on a rota – perhaps ‘on duty’ once every 4/5 weeks – and it’s a lovely way to keep in touch with the community. Please contact Chris if you would like to help – E-mail: chris@betleys.com / Tel: 07911 715658.

Rotas for the period 5th March – 2nd July 2023 now available for collection.

EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place for 15 minutes before all the weekday Masses of Lent

MASS AT ST APOLLINE CHAPEL

Mass will be held at 11:00am each Monday during Lent at St Apolline Chapel. First Mass will be celebrated this Monday 27th February and each Monday thereafter. This will be in place of the 12 noon Mass at Our Lady Star of the Sea for the Lent Season.

St Joseph’s Parish Room be open for coffee, cake and a chat on WEDNESDAY MARCH 8th and on every 2nd Wednesday of the month. Drop in any time between 9:30am-11:30am.

Everyone is welcome! This is a chance to enjoy a cup of coffee, meet with others and keep warm in this cold weather!

During Lent, I invite you to join me for three online Lent Reflections! I will broadcast the Lent Reflections as a webinar on Thursdays 2nd, 9th and 16th March at 7:30 pm, each lasting about 40 minutes. In each Reflection, I will share some personal thoughts on one of the three theological virtues, in order (1) Faith, (2) Hope and then (3) Charity. Each Reflection will begin with a short period of prayer. The Lenten Reflections are open to all and everyone can register: see below. Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1812 -1845, I will explore each virtue as a gift of God that stirs us towards personal happiness and animates our moral lives. Whilst drawing on my own experiences as a priest and bishop, I will also explore the role of religion in life and the future of the Church in our Diocese and our ten-year plan You Will be My Witnesses. Numbers are limited so sign up now.

(Please note that you have to register for each webinar separately – so why not do it all now in one go?!). You can register for the first webinar (2nd March at 7:30pm)

https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/33290866-35ca-43ca-b6c0-da7699e13f49@0f107169-67e0-4eaf-8428-9e9f05e974ab

Do you have an interest in Sacred Music and how it enhances the Liturgy? Whilst the ability to sing is appreciated, a good sense of humour is essential! The Parish
Schola is a small group (hoping to grow) of friendly people singing a variety of music from the tradition of Catholicism, right up to the modern day. We desperately need to increase our number. We don’t sing every Sunday, only monthly and on Solemn Feasts and we start rehearsing for Holy Week on Tuesday 7th March at 7:00pm in St Joseph’s. Our rehearsals only last 1 hour. Why not come along (even just for Holy Week)? Message or call Luke on 07781 122199 or E-mail lodonnell@cwgsy.net.

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has so far signed up to join the parish community BIG WALK to Bamenda! And it’s still not too late to join in; just pick up a sponsorship form from under the map in any of our three churches and follow the instructions to submit your weekly mileage/kilometre totals so the map can be updated each week. If you would like to make a Lenten offering by sponsoring the walk but have no individual to sponsor you can just sponsor the parish community as a whole. Please contact Ann Finnerty at: finnertyfive@cwgsy.net and she will add your name to the parish sponsors list. The walk will finish at Easter; immediately after that please collect your sponsorship money and pay it to the parish account by cheque (details in The Messenger), referenced ‘Bamenda Walk’. It is essential to make this reference, which could be written on the back of the cheque.

The Befrienders Tea Party with Benediction will be on Saturday 4th March at Delancey starting with Benediction in the church at 2.30pm moving into the Alzheimers Centre at 2.45pm for the tea party with musical entertainment. Parishioners who are housebound or unable to get to Mass regularly for health or other reasons are particularly invited. Also anyone yearning for a chance to meet up with these cherished old friends will be very welcome. For catering purposes it is essential that you let us know if you would like to come. Please phone Angela 07781 112221 or Meg 252401 as soon as possible.