Service Times This Week: from Saturday February 13th 2021 until February 21st 2021 – All Services will also be streamlined on-line
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| Download this week’s Newsletter here: | Newsletter: 14th February 2021 – 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B |
| Date | Location | links to readings and Services |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday 14th February 2021 – 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time B | St Swithuns | Click Link for Service details for today 14-02-2021 |
| Monday 15th February 2021 | St Swithuns | Click Link for Service details for today 15-02-2021 |
| Tuesday 16th February 2021 | St Swithuns | Click Link for Service details for today 16-02-2021 |
| Wednesday 17th February 2021 – Ash Wednesday – Start of Lent | St Swithuns | Click Link for Service details for today 17-02-2021 |
| Thursday 18th February 2021 | St Swithuns | Click Link for Service details for today 18-02-2021 |
| Friday 19th February 2021 | St Swithuns | Click Link for Service details for today 19-02-2021 |
| Saturday 20th February 2021 | St Swithuns | Click Link for Service details for today 20-02-2021 |
| Sunday 21st February 2021 – 1st Sunday of Lent Year B | St Swithuns | Click Link for Service details for today 21-02-2021 |
My Dear Friends, Brothers & Sisters in Christ
What will you do for Lent? This Lent is going to be very different! We may even think that the past 12 months have been one, continuous Lent! However, Lent is about our personal relationship with God in Prayer and in His Sacraments. We need to use the next six weeks to grow closer to God.
How will you do that?…
The very best way to begin Lent, obviously is to attend Mass on Ash Wednesday. Then, why not chose another weekday to attend Mass to? If work or other commitments make it impossible for you to attend Mass, who not, at least, set aside 20 mins each day to listen to the Readings and the Homily from Mass during the Day (available on the Facebook Page).
How about getting back into the habit of regular and frequent confession? At our Parish we can go to confession every day, if a settled time is not convenient for You, please just ask Father Marcin and he will be happy to help.
NOTE : PLEASE CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW ALL SERVICE TIMES IN OUR PARISH DURING LENT
REFLECTION
Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for letting me begin this week contemplating your infinite mercy and love for me. I need your healing touch to become the saint you created me to be. I know you want to heal me because you gave me the gift of my faith: to know and love you and experience the intense joy of following you.
Petition: Lord, I want to be made clean. Touch my heart and heal me with your merciful love.
1. In Need of Healing: Like the leper in this Gospel, I, too, am in need of healing. He came humbly, as a beggar, for he had no way of repaying Jesus for such a great act of kindness. But his humility was founded on faith. Confident in the scriptural passage, “Do not reject a suppliant in distress, or turn your face away from the poor” (Sirach 4:4), he insisted reverently. He did not doubt that Jesus could cure him, that Jesus would take an interest in an insignificant and anonymous leper. He was asking Our Lord for a miracle, and he knew Jesus would grant it. He also knew that he did not deserve or merit such a gesture of mercy. Even if Jesus refused his plea, he was ready to accept it.
2. Moved with Pity: Jesus was moved with pity. He stretched out his hand to touch the leper, revealing God the Father’s will in a tender way: “I do will it. Be made clean.” Jesus was moved more by the leper’s humble faith than by his leprosy. The leper’s plea struck at the very core of the mission of the Redeemer. Jesus desires nothing more than to remove sin and its effect in us. Jesus “came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15) and said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). The gesture of charity towards the leper foreshadows Christ’s redemptive death for all mankind. Jesus wants to reach out to touch our heart and heal us, too. We believe this to be true. All we need to do is let him, approaching him with humility and exercising our faith.
3. Changed Forever: The encounter with Jesus changed the leper’s life forever. Rather than an encounter with love, it was an encounter of love. Every encounter requires someone’s initiative. Although the leper is the one to approach Jesus, is it not Jesus who first makes himself accessible? In the same way, Jesus had initiated the encounter with his first disciples when he walked along the shores of Lake Tiberius, allowing Andrew and John to ask, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” (John 1:38). Lord Jesus, you enter into my life because you want to show me the way to everlasting life with you. Is it not you, kind and gentle Lord, who invites me: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28)?
Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, you are so merciful to me! Thank you for loving me so much. How anxiously you wait to fill me with your love, to heal me from the leprosy of my sins. Help me to be open to your embrace of healing love, confident that each time I kneel before you to beg your forgiveness, you will be moved with pity to touch me and make me clean.
Resolution: Today, I will imitate God’s merciful love in my own life with everyone with whom I enter into contact: family, fellow employees, friends.
with Blessings and prayerful best wishes, Father Marcin Drabik
Children Pray together via our Zoom Online Catholic School:
Your children can join us for our Zoom online Catholic School (PLEASE NOT: REGISTRATION IS NEED – see the form below)
| Day / Time | Children Online Sessions | |
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| Mondays at 6:00pm | Children Zoom Online School IN POLISH | via Zoom Sessions – Children must be registered – Link will be sent via our Facebook page or emailed. |
| Mondays at 7:00pm | Children Zoom Online School IN ENGLISH | via Zoom Sessions – Children must be registered – Link will be sent via our Facebook page or emailed. |
| Saturdays at 7.15pm | Children Zoom Online School – our preparation for Sunday Liturgy on Saturdays | via Zoom Sessions – Children must be registered – Link will be sent via our Facebook page or emailed. |
We will also published on our Facebook Profile every morning a prayer recorded in English & Polish for Children with daily Lenten resolution.
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Children – Read today’s Holy Readings here again 14-02-2021
Read more here
Thoughts on Today’s Gospel and Readings for the Week – 14-02-2021
Read more here
Dr. Scott Hahn – Gospel Reflections 14-02-2021
Read more here
Commentary on Leviticus 13:1-2,45-46; 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1; Mark 1:40-45
Read more here
A HUGE THANKSGIVING TO ALL, WHO SHOWED THEIR INTEREST TO HELP US TO PROVIDE SUNDAY LUNCH FOR THE HOMELESS.You will be contacted to agree a particular Sunday. Thank You so much for your generous hands and merciful hearts. |
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St Swithuns & OLOL Parish Lenten Services – All you need to know.
My Dear Friends, Brothers & Sisters in Christ What will you do for Lent? This Lent is going to be very different! We may even think that the past 12 months have been one, continuous Lent! However, Lent is about our personal relationship with God in Prayer and in His Sacraments. We need to use the next six weeks to grow closer to God. How will you do that?… The very best way to begin Lent, obviously is to …Read more here
The Stations of the Cross
Opening Prayer ACT OF CONTRITION O my God, my Redeemer, behold me here at Thy feet. From the bottom of my heart I am sorry for all my sins, because by them I have offended Thee, Who art infinitely good. I will die rather than offend thee again.
Stations of the Cross – First Station: Jesus is condemned to death
Leader: We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee. All: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the …
Read more here
Can you Sponsor Fr Marcin through Lent for the Parish?
HOW TO SPONSOR FATHER MARCIN for LENT 2021
You can send in your Sponsorship form to the parish here.
Please make a comment that it is for the Father Marcin’s Lenten Challenge. We are incredibly grateful to all of You Dear Parishioners, our Guests, all the Brothers & Sisters of Christ – for your constant care of our Parish in this exceedingly difficult time. Thank You for all your prayers, voluntary work, …
Read more here
Ash Wednesday Services February 17th 2021 in our Parish
This week, Wednesday 17th February is Ash Wednesday, when we begin the great season of Lent – a wonderful time of spiritual renewal. So do give some thought over the next days as how you intend to take good advantage of the Lenten season and all that the Lord offers during this special time. Due to the Coronavirus, Ash Wednesday will be slightly different this year. In order to limit person-to-person contact the Bishops of England and Wales have …Read more here
URGENT APPEAL – FOOD PARCELS FOR OUR HOMELESS NEEDED IN PORTSMOUTH
Dear Friends, as You know – we try our best to help homeless (and the poor) in many ways. One of them, very important and popular is providing the lunch on Sundays, with an incredible generosity and sacrifice from St Vincent de Paul’s members of our Parish. We need your help in this difficult times, to make by yourself 45 packed lunches or to provide us with the products or donation, so we can make it by ourselves.
Each …
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Bishop Philip writes… Lent is Coming
Read more here
The Significance of Ash Wednesday – Father Mike Schmitz
Read more here
Fr Robert McTeigue – Lent is a dress rehearsal
Read more here
Philip Kosloski – Lent is the perfect time to fast from sin
Read more here
Ash Wednesday 2021: Vatican offers guidance on ash distribution amid COVID-19 pandemic
Read more here
Bishop Philip on Rite of Election 2021 Service Cancelled
Read more here
Bishop Philip Message – The Sacrament of Confirmation May 23rd 2021
Read more here
The Significance of Ash Wednesday
Read more here
The Three Pillars of Lent – Almsgiving, Prayer, and Fasting:
Read more here
Lent – Why Do We Practice Fasting and Abstinence?
Read more here
Keep up with what’s Happening in our Parish over this coming Year
Scroll through to see all the events happening from the 13th February 2021 till the 28th February 2021
Or Go to our Parish Events Diary and search a specific date or event here https://stswithuns.org.uk/events/
“Catholic Zoom School’ for Children” Mondays and Saturdays
Read more here
Ascent Group – Events 2021 Timetable
Read more here
Poranna Kawa for our Polish Community with Father Marcin on Tuesdays
Read more here
Wine ‘O’ Clock with Father Marcin on Thursdays
Read more here
GOING INTO HOSPITAL?
Read more here
THIS WEEK FOR ALL:
Facebook Profile – in English (St Swithuns RC Church Southsea): ‘A GLASS OF WINE’ with Fr Marcin – Q&A of The Catholic Faith on:
TUESDAY at 8.00pm – general questions;
THURSDAY at 8.00pm – Subject: ‘Purgatory’.
Facebook Profile –in Polish (St Swithuns RC Kościół Southsea): ‘MORNING COFFEE WITH MYSTICS’ brewed by Fr Marcin on:
TUESDAY at 11.15am
Children Pray together via our Zoom Online Catholic School:
Your children can join us for our Zoom online Catholic School (PLEASE NOT: REGISTRATION IS NEED – see the form below)
| Day / Time | Children Online Sessions | |
|---|---|---|
| Mondays at 6:00pm | Children Zoom Online School IN POLISH | via Zoom Sessions – Children must be registered – Link will be sent via our Facebook page or emailed. |
| Mondays at 7:00pm | Children Zoom Online School IN ENGLISH | via Zoom Sessions – Children must be registered – Link will be sent via our Facebook page or emailed. |
| Saturdays at 7.15pm | Children Zoom Online School – our preparation for Sunday Liturgy on Saturdays | via Zoom Sessions – Children must be registered – Link will be sent via our Facebook page or emailed. |
We will also published on our Facebook Profile every morning a prayer recorded in English & Polish for Children with daily Lenten resolution.
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CLICK HERE – NEW SECTION: LINK TO THE LATEST PORTSMOUTH DIOCESE E_NEWSLETTER
UPDATE ON FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME FOR THIS NEW YEAR 2021
Dear First Communion Parents – First Communion session for Children & Parents – Our plans will be published here and on our website – These will be conducted through ‘ZOOM’ while the pandemic continues.. Please, check yours emails or Facebook profiles on Tuesday to find a link to join our obligatory meeting.
Update on the Sacrament of Confirmation :
We hope, very much, for the Confirmation sessions to begin in May, to finish our journey to this Sacrament, which was suddenly stopped last year because pandemic. We are obviously having to keep rearranging our plans due to COVID developments. Please keep an eye on the newsletter for further information.(The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated in our Parish, at St Swithun’s church on the Pentecost Sunday 23rd May 2021, at 3.00pm.
UPDATE ON BAPTISM REQUESTS
- If you need a copy of Baptism certificate please contact the Parish Office.
- If you want to get someone baptised then feel free to make an appointment with father Marcin.
For those who would like to arrange a Baptism for their child:
– Please collect a Baptism Application Form from the porch of the church (or found on the Parish Website);
– Read carefully what is expected form the Parents and Godparents of a child for this Sacrament;
– Contact Parish Priest to arrange the very first meeting of getting now each other and to make the individual decision about the process of the preparation;
Prayer of the Month – February 2021
Pope Francis Prayer Intentions February 2021 – Violence against women
Read more here
Prayer of the Month – Pope Francis Prayer Intentions February 2021 – Violence against women
We pray,
God of love, compassion and healing, we pray to you on this International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women:
For women and girls who have experienced violent relationships, that they can find safety and healing from their trauma, and rebuild their lives;
For children who have witnessed violence in their homes against their mothers and sisters and other family members, that they will experience healing and hope;
For indigenous women and refugee women who have been impacted by extreme violence, that deep and lasting change will ensure their safety;
For individuals and organisations working to prevent violence against women and girls and help survivors of violence, that their courage and generosity will endure;
For men who speak out against forms of expression that demean women or condone violence against them, that their voices will grow stronger;
For the men and boys who have behaved violently towards women and girls that they will have a change of heart, repent in meaningful ways, and seek whatever help they need to lead changed lives.
God of love, we commend these prayers to you and for your compassion to flood the hearts of all people.
We make this prayer through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Pray for those of our Own Parish:
Please pray for those who are ill especially: Caroline Bennett, Robert & Eileen Steward, Louie Muscat, Tony & Julie Duffy, Brian Girling, Shelia Langford; Catherine Morgan, Pam Brown Ward, for all the children suffering and their poor families with them Aidan Molloy, David Shields, Bob Guy, Ms Sini Chacko, Kathleen & Kevin Jones, Heidi Badnell, Rosemary Devonald, Dominic, Carol Langsford, Patricia Ward, Stan Whitnell, Patrick McCreesh, Eddie Coppani, Tony Denny, Betty Foster, Bobby, Eileen Stewart, Joan Smith, John Williams, Margaret Bager, Fred Vuksani, Tom & Lily, Greta Kemp, Magda K, Mary Wallis, Micheline Thompson, Pat Needham, Margaret Badger, Anne Sullivan, Josephine Butler.
And all whose anniversaries occur at this time: 14th February 2021: Diana Clark, David Best,Eileen Inkpen, Mary Hehir, Jo Wheeler, Shirley Parker, Dennis William Johnson, Carmen Muscat, Simon Paul Urwin, Mary Denny, Sheila Merrett, George Cowley, Bernard Donaghy, Bridget Nolan, Terry Kendal, William Lynch, Isabella Graham, Michael Collins, Anne McGowan, Wanda Gant, Suzanne Severs, Rosanna Schofield, Winifred Tripp, Catherine Henney, Johanna Davis, Leonard Hayles, Davina Cameron, Charles Cummins, Frank Hilton, Charles William Rolph, Patrick John Tyrrell, William Deary, Frances Barrett, Albert Brain, Jane Lattan, Gladys Whittle, Mary Young, May Flood, Miriam Keane, Ellen Gray, Janice Margaret Johnson, Archbishop John Henry King, William Smith, Eileen Orme, Herbert Diemer, Ann Mary Froggatt, Mary Patricia Tovey, Christine Ann Hogan (Ann), Bridget Hanvery, Florence Ellen Healey, Annie Evison, Albert Mensell, Elizabeth Mary Hawkins, Nora Parker, Lugrezia (Grace) Veronica Tynan, James Madigan, William Morgan, David Calder, Ellen Green, Percy Spicer, Hilda Clifton, Anne Woolfe, James Patrick Madigan, John Stephen Feeley, John Young (Frank), Ethel Penwell, Florence Casey, Alice Whiles, Mary Diver, Eileen Field, Mary Shute, Antoni Brown, Beatrice McIver, Hilda Lowe and Christina Perseltic Carter., ,Lizzie and Patrick McSharry ,Gemma Litchfield , Ivy Rouse , Stan Pickering and Jozef Michalczuk
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the Mercy of God rest in peace. Amen
Community Pray:
House of Prayer Portsmouth have been praying for the city and feel that God is asking for the churches in the city to prayer walk their boundaries. We would like to invite you as a congregation to walk the boundary of your parish to pray God’s blessing and bring hope, healing and awakening to the area. The Holy Rosary is absolutely perfect for this initiative. You can join the Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/937798273059418/
The month of February is dedicated to the Holy Family
Read more here
Imitation of the Holy Family
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The Hidden Life of the Holy Family
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Hymn for the Holy Family Catholic Telugu Song
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Blog Topic- Pope Jean Paul II – Veritatis splendor – The Splendor of Truth
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OFFERTORY: Thank you for last Sunday’s Collection.
Electronic offertory: If you have not managed to set up your electronic giving yet, please can you do so as soon as possible.
The Parish Bank Account details are: Account Name (Lloyd’s Bank’): PRCDTR Our Lady of Lourdes’ & St Swithun Church Sort Code: 30-93-04; parish Account no: 01730453.
Financial assistance: If you are able to increase your usual weekly offering (during this time of uncertainty) it will be a huge help to the parish. Even the slightest increase will be a help – THANK YOU!
These weeks of lockdown are difficult for all of us, and we are particularly mindful of those whose jobs and lives are put on hold because of the pandemic. We want to be here for you during these difficult times. Even so, the Church in our Diocese of Portsmouth, its clergy, parishes and schools, is entirely dependent upon your generous charity. So that we can continue to provide the Liturgy of the Lord and our works, both centrally and from our parishes to the local community, I kindly ask all of the faithful who are able to do so, to continue their generous regular-giving to the Diocese and to their parish churches, which would otherwise lose vital income. You can donate via the button on the Parish website – or here
Standing Order and other useful Information
Download Standing Order Form (PDF)
These are difficult times and if you are needing anything from me please message me on Facebook book, email or telephone the office. 02392828305
Lloyds Bank : sort code 30-93-04 ; Account number 01730453 (Cheques mad payable to: PRCDTR Our Lady & St. Swithun)
with Blessings Father Marcin Drabik
Download Newsletter PDF -14-02-2021
WE’RE SO EXCITED TO SHARE THIS NEWS WITH YOU AND DON’T FORGET USE THE CONTACT FORMS ON OUR WEBSITE !
Download this newsletter in printer-friendly PDF format to read later.
Download this week’s Newsletter here: Newsletter: 14th February 2021 – 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
PARISH CONTACTS
- PARISH PRIEST: Father Marcin Drabik tel: 02392 828305 email: mdrabik@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
- Address: 105 Waverley Road, Southsea, PO5 2PL;
- Pastoral Assistant: Sr Marie Elise tel: 07747 728734;
- Safeguarding Representative: Mo Griffiths tel: 023 92 737559;
- Safeguarding Representative: Anne Worden tel: 023 92 817586;
- Parish Office Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 8.00am –12.30pm. tel: 02392 828 305
email: southseaparish@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
HELP US SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!
| Let people know and come join in the conversation online! | |
| LIKE/SHARE our Facebook Page: | St Swithuns Page |
| FOLLOW us on Twitter: | @FrMarcinD @St_swithun |
“CAN-DO CHRISTIANS” A MESSAGE FROM FATHER MARCIN
Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Dear Friends: I would like to share with You some things which are about our Parish and for our Parish. I’m absolutely sure, that You have noticed how many things already happen in our Parish to help in our spiritual grow to love God more and more in His Word to us, in His Sacraments for us (which is His real presence among us). We also go out to meet those who still searching for God, or who were not so lucky to have personal contact with Jesus Christ.
NEW SECTION ON OUR WEBSITE IF YOU JUST WANT TO SPEND SOME SPECIAL TIME WITH GOD
Read More on our Renewal Pages here
Updated Coronavirus Safety Guidelines
Track and trace: code. Please use the QR Code (on the back of the church). Simply hold your camera app over the code and follow the instructions. This would be helpful should a local outbreak of the virus be detected.
Ventilation:In order for us to comply with regulations and therefore be considered a ‘COVID secure environment’ the doors must be left open. As the temperature drops in the weeks ahead it will be important to wrap-up warm for Mass! Please do bear this in mind.
WELCOME BACK! To those who wish to return to Mass at a time when our Church is not crowded, it is recommended to come to the VIGIL MASS of SUNDAY – on Saturdays at 6.00PM or on SUNDAYS at 8.30AM when there is plenty of room in the body of the Church. Members of the congregation are well spaced out. Now that we have to wear masks, this is an additional precaution which prevents others being infected; however, some people have medical exemption. Sanitising hands on entry lessens the possibility of the virus being spread by touching surfaces.
There are signs on the floor indicating two metres so that we do not crowd up on one another.
TEST & TRACE: We will also take a contact number for all attendees. These details will be destroyed after 21 days according to data management regulations. Anyone is free to decline and still attend Mass but we encourage you to take part.
The Diocese has updated its Coronavirus guidance in the light of the latest Government instructions issued on 14th September 2020. There is a little more flexibility in some areas than previously, for example, in ministry to the sick and housebound, although great care must still be taken. The use of halls and the possibility of reinstating some group meetings are covered. There is limited scope for general socialising because the ‘Rule of 6’ has been imposed. Our churches are very COVID-safe, provided everyone is following the proper safety procedures. Our thanks as ever to clergy and parishioners who are working hard at this. One area, however, that remains a challenge is having sufficient volunteers (e.g. stewards and cleaners) to assist. If you are hale and hearty, please do offer to help– your assistance will enable many more people to return to Mass, thereby bringing them closer to Jesus Christ through His Church. Let us all pray for a speedy end to the pandemic.
