08/01/2023

Newsletter: The Baptism of the Lord



I hope that you and your family had a very joyful Christmas and happy new year.

I would like to thank all those parishioners who made the celebration of Christmas possible here at St Margaret’s; the musicians, the readers, the actors and directors of the children's tableau, the welcome and hospitality teams, the flower arrangers and those that I have unintentionally missed out. Your combined efforts made St Margaret’s a joyful place to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. 

Fr Peter

Soup Lunch
You are cordially invited to join our next soup lunch event on Friday 13th January from 12.15 to 1.30 pm in the Parish Hall where you can enjoy not only delicious soups, cake and hot refreshments provided by the team of volunteers, but also the convivial company of other members of St Margaret’s Parish Community.

Donations are for the benefit of Fr Paul Bigirwa’s work in Uganda, which has been supported by GETA (Give Education to All) since 2015.

Please note there are no weekday Masses this week. There will be a Eucharistic service on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The Sunday 10.30 am Mass can be accessed here

Caroline Estorninho
01/01/2023

Newsletter: Mary, the Holy Mother of God

Pope-Emeritus Benedict XVI
As most of you have heard Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died at the age of 95 on Saturday morning after a period of illness. The funeral will take place in Rome at 9:30am British time (8:30am Italian time) on Thursday 5th January. Every Parish has been asked to celebrate a Mass for the repose of his soul prior to the funeral, and I will celebrate Mass for the repose of his soul on Wednesday evening, January 4th at 7:30pm.

Pope Benedict's learning, fidelity to the church, and his holiness were a constant inspiration for many Catholics from his time as an expert at the Second Vatican Council to his retirement from the papacy in 2013. Pope Emeritus Benedict's visit to this country in 2010 demonstrated his learning, gentleness and desire to maintain the Christian presence in the midst of public life.

Maybe the last words should be his about his personal preparation for death;

"Quite soon, I shall find myself before the final judge of my life. Even though, as I look back on my long life, I can have great reason for fear and trembling, I am nonetheless of good cheer, for I trust firmly that the Lord is not only the just judge, but also the friend and brother who himself has already suffered for my shortcomings, and is thus also my advocate, my "Paraclete." In light of the hour of judgement, the grace of being a Christian becomes all the more clear to me. It grants me knowledge, and indeed friendship, with the judge of my life, and thus allows me to pass confidently through the dark door of death."

May he rest in peace.
Fr Peter

The 10.30 am Mass can be accessed here

Caroline Estorninho