Fr Bernard writes…
Sunday 21st April 2019 Ester Sunday
The symbols table here in our church begins with the Ashes and three stones with the words, “Fast”, “Pray” and “Give”. Behind these are the palms from last Sunday as we listened to Jesus’ final words in Luke’s Passion Narrative, “Father into your hands I commit my spirit.” The Oils of Catechumens and the Sick blessed by Bishop Marcus, and the Oil of Chrism, consecrated by Bishop Marcus and brought to the parish to be liberally used during the coming year as the Sacraments of Initiation and healing are celebrated, are on the next level together with a jug, bowl and towel and other symbols of service within and beyond the parish. Next to them are wheat and grapes, bread and wine reminding us that it was on the night before he died that Jesus called the bread his body broken for us, and the wine his blood poured out for us. On the third level is an cross surrounded by a crown of thorns, a whip, nails and a hammer, with a white shroud reminding us of the agonising death by crucifixion that Christ underwent for us, but also that death is not the end and that what we are celebrating is Christ’s victory over both sin and death, a victory we share and for which on this Easter Sunday we give thanks and sing “Alleluia”!
A Very Happy Easter to all visitors to this parish web-site.
see this week's newsletter for details of other news and events.
