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The Brighton Oratory is an Orthodox Catholic faith community of ordinary people diverse in age, background, experience and talents who are committed to deepening their spirituality in, through and with the love of God expressed in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ modelled on the experience of the Apostles and the Early Church described in Acts 2:42-47. As a community we seek to welcome everyone, especially the poor and disenfranchised, whether in spirit or in love. We are simply a faith community seeking to encourage, support and develop individually and together our spirituality and understanding of the Divine, that we may experience both in this life and the next, the Kingdom of God in us.
Today is the third Sunday during the holy season of Lent. Like on other Sundays of Lent, it is customary to dispense from the fast, as Sundays are not counted among the forty days of Lent.
The Introit of this day’s Mass, which begins with the word Oculi, is the prayer of a soul imploring deliverance from the snares of the devil. The apostle (Epistle) requires us to imitate God, as good children imitate their father in well-doing and in well-wishing; besides he declares that all covetousness, fornication, all disgraceful talk and equivocal jokes should be banished from Christian meetings, even that such things should not be so much as mentioned among us; because these vices unfailingly deprive us of heaven. He admonishes us not to let ourselves be deceived by the seducing words of those who seek to make these vices appear small, nothing more than pardonable human weaknesses. “When (Jesus) cast out the devil, the dumb man spoke.” But as indicated by the little whining group to the right, some complained: “By Beelzebub, the prince of devils, He casts out devils” (Gospel). Formerly, on this day, candidates were examined in preparation for Baptism on Holy Saturday. The first effect of Baptism is to free the souls from the power of the devil. The house of which Jesus speaks, is the human soul before His coming, degraded by idolatry, by sensuality, under the tyranny of the evil spirit. These baptismal duties of death to sin and life in God (Epistle are meant to gladden, not to oppress the human heart (Offertory), intended by God for Divine possession (Communion Verse), safe from diabolical obsession.
MASS TIMES THIS WEEK
| DATE | DAY | TIME | OFFICE | MASS INTENTION | NOTES |
| 19 MAR | SUN | NO MASS | DOMINICA III in QUADRAGESIMA | Pro Populo Edwin Ryland RIP |
Of obligation |
| 20 MAR | MON | NO MASS | Feria II | Julie Border Stanley Horsey+ RIP |
|
| 21 MAR | TUES | NO MASS | St Benedict of Nursia Com. Feria III |
All Benedictine Religious Betty Spicer RIP |
|
| 22 MAR | WED | 0830 | Feria IV | Emma Parmenter Tracy Davenport RIP |
|
| 23 MAR | THUR | 0900 | Feria V | Maureen Wheeler Sam Wheeler RIP |
HOLY HOUR 5-6pm |
| 24 MAR | FRI | 0900 | Feria VI | John Marchant Marilyn Brown RIP |
|
| 25 MAR | SAT | 0900 | THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY |
PRO POPULO Stanley Wardley RIP |
Of obligation |
| 26 MAR | SUN | 0830 | DOMINICA IV in QUADRAGESIMA
MOTHERING SUNDAY |
Pro Populo +Carlos Duarte-Costa RIP |
Of obligation |
NOTICES
MASS please note daily Masses will resume this coming Wednesday 22 March. Saturday’s Feast of the Annunciation is a holy day of obligation.
BULLETIN please check back on this online version for each day any additions/amendments will be made here. If you have any notices or would like the names of loved ones for prayer included, please email
FATHER GEORGE von Abel is looking to move to Brighton & Hove to begin assisting in our Mission’s ministry. To do this, Father needs a new job and a new home! Please keep your eyes peeled for management or supervisor roles in hotels or restaurants locally. Please forward details of any potentially suitable positions via email here. Remember that our priests are bi-vocational and generally need financially to support themselves.
VACATION the Provost, Fr Jerome OSJV returns from pilgrimage and vacation this Tuesday and returns to parochial duties Wednesday.
TENTMAKING SERIES in preparation for our missionary endeavour later this year, the Provost is publishing a series of articles about mission. Please do read them and continue to pray and think about how we can spread the Good News to our friends and family in Brighton & Hove! These reflections are also the basis for our Lenten discussions on Thursdays (see below).
LENTEN OBSERVANCE The focus of this Season is the Cross and penance, penance, penance as we imitate Christ’s forty days of fasting, like Moses and Elias before Him, and await the triumph of Easter. We fast (see below), abstain, mortify the flesh, give alms, and think more of charitable works. Awakening each morning with the thought, “How might I make amends for my sins? How can I serve God in a reparative way? How can I serve others today?” is the attitude to have. Because of the focus on penance and reparation, it is traditional to make sure we go to Confession at least once during this Season to fulfill the precept of the Church that we go to Confession at least once a year, and receive the Eucharist at least once a year during Eastertide. In addition to mortification and charity, seeing and living Lent as a forty day spiritual retreat is a good thing to do. Spiritual reading should be engaged in (over and above one’s regular Lectio Divina i.e. Bible study) e.g. reading the biography of one’s Confirmation namesake or the patron saint of one’s profession, or books on spirituality and the spiritual life.
FASTING & ABSTINENCE traditional Orthodox Catholics follow this pattern of fasting and abstinence during this time (faithful under the age of 14, or suffering ill-health, or over the age of 60 are not obligated to observe, but may do so from choice):
Ash Wednesday, all Fridays, and all Saturdays: fasting and total abstinence. This means 3 meatless meals – with the two smaller meals not equalling in size the main meal of the day – and no snacking.
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays (except Ash Wednesday), and Thursdays: fasting and partial abstinence from meat. This means three meals – with the two smaller meals not equalling in size the main meal of the day – and no snacking, but meat can be eaten at the principal meal.
On days of fasting and abstinence, meatless soup is traditional. As to special Lenten foods, vegetables, seafoods, salads, pastas, and beans mark the Season, in addition to the meatless soups. The fasting of this time once even precluded the eating of eggs and fats hence Shrove Tuesday when all such products were used up.
LITURGICAL NOTES
Tues March 21st St Benedict, Abbot: today is the traditional feast day of Saint Benedict, in full Saint Benedict of Nursia, also spelled Norcia (born c. 480, Nursia [Italy]—died c. 547, Monte Cassino; feast day July 11, formerly March 21), founder of the Benedictine monastery at Monte Cassino and father of Western monasticism; the rule that he established became the norm for monastic living throughout Europe. In 1964, in view of the work of monks following the Benedictine Rule in the evangelization and civilization of so many European countries in the Middle Ages, Pope Paul VI proclaimed him the patron saint of all Europe.
Saturday March 25th The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: The Annunciation (from Latin annuntiatio), also referred to as the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Annunciation of Our Lady, or the Annunciation of the Lord, is the Christian celebration of the announcement by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she would conceive and become the mother of Jesus, the Son of God, marking his Incarnation. Gabriel told Mary to name her son Yehoshua , meaning “YHWH is salvation”. According to Luke 1:26, the Annunciation occurred “in the sixth month” of Elizabeth’s pregnancy with John the Baptist. Many Christians observe this event with the Feast of the Annunciation on 25 March, an approximation of the northern vernal equinox nine full months before Christmas, the ceremonial birthday of Jesus. In England, this came to be known as Lady Day. It marked the new year until 1752. The 2nd-century writer Irenaeus of Lyon regarded the conception of Jesus as 25 March coinciding with the Passion. The Annunciation has been a key topic in Christian art in general, as well as in Marian art in the Catholic Church, particularly during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. A work of art depicting the Annunciation is sometimes itself called an Annunciation.
MOTHERING SUNDAY is, appropriately after the Annunciation, is on Sunday 26th March! The other names attributed to this festival include Refreshment Sunday, Pudding Pie Sunday (in Surrey, England), Mid-Lent Sunday, Simnel Sunday and Rose Sunday. Simnel Sunday is named after the practice of baking simnel cakes to celebrate the reuniting of families during the austerity of Lent. Because there is traditionally a relaxation of Lenten vows on this particular Sunday in celebration of the fellowship of family and church, the name Refreshment Sunday is sometimes used. Rose Sunday is sometimes used as an alternative title for Laetare Sunday, as is witnessed by the purple robes of Lent being replaced in some churches by rose-coloured ones. The 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia asserts that “the Golden Rose, sent by the Popes to Catholic sovereigns, used to be blessed at this time, and for this reason the day was sometimes called ‘Dominica de Rosa’.” This Sunday was also once known as the “Sunday of the Five Loaves”, from the traditional Gospel reading for the day.
EVENTS THIS WEEK…
NEW Cafe and Charity Shop Please consider supporting this new venture in the Annexe building once generously loaned to us for worship by our friends in the Salvation Army.
THREE SCORE DANCE South East Dance is supporting weekly contemporary dance classes for older people (60+) across Brighton & Hove who are interested in having fun and improving their health along the way. It meets on a Monday afternoon, 2 pm to 3.30 pm at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church. Led by Three Score Dance Company’s Rehearsal Director, Jason Keenan Smith, the class will include contemporary dance technique and explore creativity. No prior dance experience is needed. Suitable for: all abilities (aged 60+). Places are strictly limited. For enquiries/bookings please contact Jacqueline Hadlow 01273 696844.
LUNCHTIME RECITALS Every Tuesday Lunchtime at the Chapel Royal, North Street 1.10 to 1.55 All seats £3.00 at the door. Click here to see this season’s Programme
LUNCHTIME RECITALS Every Wednesday at St Nicholas’ Church, Dyke Road 12:30pm lasting for half an hour. A minimum donation of £3.00 towards recital expenses is appreciated. The recitals provide a perfect break for you to have your lunch and relax before heading back to work. Please bring your own sandwiches. Tea and Coffee is available for a donation.
SING & SIGN encourages speech and language development in babies through the use of action songs and gestures. They meet at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church on Wednesday mornings. For information about the group please visit their website: www.singandsign.com
HOLY HOUR resumes on Thursday 23 March, open to our ecumenical friends in Churches Together, a meditative service from 5-6pm in the Chapel at Brighton Congress Hall. This will be a reflective service by candlelight affording the opportunity to “sit and be still” in the presence of The Lord.
LENT DISCUSSION “Caritas” the NEXT ecumenical discussion group will be held from 7.30pm, on Thursday March 23rd in the Prayer Room. An opportunity once again to meet other Christians and share and discuss thoughts and life stories around the study of Biblical themes concerning discipleship. Please feel free to invite anyone you know may be interested in either or both of these events and don’t forget to put them in your diary!
UPCOMING EVENTS…
BIKE FOR LIFE – Bicycle Maintenance Course Saturdays, 25 March, 5 April, 12 noon – 6 pm Bruce, Brighton’s star bike man, is back in St Mary’s church hall, Upper St James Street (Kemptown) on Saturday, 18th March to run the first of Bike for Life’s next, three-part bicycle maintenance course. Each session runs for six hours on a Saturday, from 12 noon, and provides intensive, hands-on tuition. With the odd tea break thrown in for good measure. If you can’t make this course, Bruce will be running another three-parter beginning in May, with courses also in July, September and November 2017. For details and to book, please see Bike for Life’s website or email Bruce or Ronnie via this link.
LENT DISCUSSION “Caritas” the NEXT ecumenical discussion group will be held from 7.30pm, on Thursday March 30th in the Prayer Room. An opportunity once again to meet other Christians and share and discuss thoughts and life stories around the study of Biblical themes concerning discipleship. Please feel free to invite anyone you know may be interested in either or both of these events and don’t forget to put them in your diary!
CAMEO LUNCH for senior citizens Thursday 30 March at The Mad Hatter Inn, Rock Street (Kemptown) our monthly lunch supporting the work of our apostolate “Cherubs Kitchen“. A very reasonable “prix fixe” set menu of homemade traditional dishes with the opportunity to meet other people of a similar age! “We had a most beautiful lunch laid for us in the Snug, a red tablecloth, beside a log fire. I wish I could describe the homemade fish pie, freshly made & cooked by our chef, Fr Jerome. It was absolutely delicious. We all had two helpings each! So wish I’d taken a picture, but I had the honour of being “mum” and forgot.” Contact Shirley to reserve a place on 07773 991670.
KEMPTOWN COMMUNITY MARKET Saturdays 8 and 22 April 10.30 am – 4 pm An exciting and tasty initiative in St Mary’s church hall, Upper St James Street, Kemptown welcoming local food producers and suppliers offering a fabulous range of breads, raw milk, cheese, pies, charcuterie, gluten-free cakes, chocolate, chutneys, jams and pickles, alongside an eclectic mix of art, jewellery, soaps, cards, and collectables and bric-a-brac from local creatives. Plus there are the lovely folk from the Sussex Beacon who take care of the teas and coffees. Do drop into the beautiful church while visiting the area, open till 4 pm on Saturday too, and always happy to welcome people (and friendly dogs).
HOLY WEEK 2017 please make a note in your diaries NOW ref the Divine Liturgies and sacred ceremonies of the Sacrum Triduum
09 Apr 0830 Palm Sunday: Blessing of Palms & Mass
12 Apr 1700 Tenebrae
13 Apr 0830 Maundy Thursday: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Stripping of the Altar, Watch at the Altar of Repose
1700 Tenebrae
14 Apr 0830 Good Friday: Veneration of the Cross & Mass of the Presanctified
1500 Stations of the Cross
1700 Tenebrae
15 Apr 0830 Holy Saturday: New Fire, Praeconium Paschale, Vigil and First Mass of Pascha
1700 Paschal Mattins
16 Apr 0830 Easter Sunday: Solemn Mass of Pascha
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
THE HUB HOMELESS DROP-IN We’ve created a welcoming environment for our guests and serve them with dignity and respect and so we are seeking volunteers willing to serve at table and help us create a welcoming café like environment every Wednesday. We also need help in the kitchen too for, as the suburban proverb says, “many hands make light work” and we’d like to lighten the load of existing volunteers by having enough people to have a roster! That way everyone can enjoy giving of their time and not feel overly burdened or committed! We need volunteers anytime between 0830 and 1400 for all or a couple of hours, we’d be grateful for any time you can give! If you’d like to join our existing team of faithful volunteers and help us serve the most needy and often deserving of humanity struggling to get by without the security that most of us enjoy with a roof over our heads… please text/phone Fr Jerome on 07423 074517 or just turn up on a Wednesday!
TIME TO TALK BEFRIENDING Volunteering as a befriender provides much needed friendship for older people who might otherwise be alone and feel cut off from society. Befriending is a mutually rewarding experience which is life giving – so if you have a heart for older people, live in Brighton and Hove, Adur or Worthing, and would like to make a difference to help reduce feelings of loneliness among the older population then please don’t hesitate to contact us today! Tel: 01273 737710 or email info@timetotalkbefriending.org.uk
COFFEE SHOP & CHARITY SHOP in The Annexe, Salvation Army opens on Monday 6 March for which volunteers are needed to help serve customers, sort and rotate stock, etc. Phone: 01273 607095
COMMUNITY LUNCH on the Fifth Sunday of the month at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, a drop-in and hot meal from 2pm-4pm. The meal is aimed at those who are homeless, vulnerably housed or those who feel excluded or on the periphery of society. We currently have an average of about 60 people coming each quarter. As well as providing a good quality hot meal (cooked by a team of volunteer cooks on site) we give people a chance to relax – we provide hot drinks and people have a chance, to chat to read the papers or just to be quiet. We have a great team of volunteers – Some prefer to stay in the kitchen and others help set out the hall, serve our guests and wash up. This is a joint project in partnership with Sleepsafe. To volunteer telephone 01273 503348
INTERCESSIONS
Of your charity please pray for the following for whom prayers have been asked…
Publicly named victims of the London Terrorist attack: Colleen Anderson
General intentions: Janie Thomas, Karen Knight, Debbie Gaston, Nik Wooller, Connor, Remi, Sarah Daniel,
Thanksgiving: Neveah born 01:03 on 22/02/2017 (parents, Libby & Freedom) John & Jean Marchant (62nd Wedding Anniversary year) Joyce & Jim Babcock (65th Wedding Anniversary year), Fr Jerome (various), Petr Jašek (freed from imprisonment & persecution), Kerry Potter (improving in health)
Health & well-being: Stefan Bell, Patrick Hannibal, Jessie Wise, Jesse, Margaret, Frazer & Albert McCue, Sarah Hannington, Maureen, Marge, Kerry Potter, Joy Gale, John Marchant, Ida Liffey Gordon, Father Philip Johnson, Vkiki Kennedy, Rev Hassan Taour and Abdulmonem Abdumawla (unjustly imprisoned)
Discernment: Matt Timmis, Darren, Paul Schofield, Lou Regan, Kamal Abdallah, Simon Gangloff, Li
Vocational: Tom Gierke, Jamie Alaniz, Fr George, Fr Emilio, Li
CHANTRY THIS WEEK…
Of your charity please pray for the souls of…
RECENTLY DEPARTED
Victims of the London Terrorist attack:
PC Keith Palmer
Aysha Frade
Kurt Cochran
Sam d.02/02/2017 funeral 03/03/2017
Kerry
Betty Spicer d.13/02/2017
Marilyn Belvin Brown d.21/02/2017
Stanley Horsey d.27/02/2017
YEAR’S MIND THIS MONTH
05/03 JAMESON Rex
08/03 BOSTWICK James Edward (archbishop)
18/03 CONRAN Michael DOB (d. Aug 30 2012)
19/03 RYLAND Edwin
25/03 WARDLEY Stanley
26/03 DUARTE-COSTA Carlos (bishop)
26/03 GILBEY Alfred Newman (priest/monsignor)
27/03 CLEMENT Robertson
30/03 PRICE William John
The Brighton Oratory 
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