Saturday 21st - Sunday 29th March 2026
- Mar 20
- 5 min read
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT – CYCLE A
22nd MARCH 2026 – THIRD SCRUTINY
COMPENDIUM OF THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH (Part 16)
71. What relationship has God established between man and woman? 369-373 & 383
Man and woman have been created by God in equal dignity insofar as they are human persons. At the same time, they have been created in a reciprocal complementarity insofar as they are masculine and feminine. God has willed them one for the other to form a communion of persons. They are also called to transmit human life by forming in matrimony “one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). They are likewise called to subdue the earth as “stewards” of God.
72. What was the original condition of the human person according to the plan of God? 374-379 & 384
In creating man and woman God had given them a special participation in his own divine life in holiness and justice. In the plan of God they would not have had to suffer or die. Furthermore, a perfect harmony held sway within the human person, a harmony between creature and Creator, between man and woman, as well as between the first human couple and all of creation.
The Fall
73. How should we understand the reality of sin? 385-389
Sin is present in human history. This reality of sin can be understood clearly only in the light of divine revelation and above all in the light of Christ the Saviour of all. Where sin abounded, he made grace to abound all the more.
74. What was the fall of the angels? 391-395 & 414
This expression indicates that Satan and the other demons, about which Sacred Scripture and the Tradition of the Church speak, were angels, created good by God. They were, however, transformed into evil because with a free and irrevocable choice they rejected God and his Kingdom, thus giving rise to the existence of hell. They try to associate human beings with their revolt against God. However, God has wrought in Christ a sure victory over the Evil One.
75. What was the first human sin? 396-403 & 415-417
When tempted by the devil, the first man and woman allowed trust in their Creator to die in their hearts. In their disobedience they wished to become “like God” but without God and not in accordance with God (Genesis 3:5). Thus, Adam and Eve immediately lost for themselves and for all their descendants the original grace of holiness and justice.
LENTEN NOTICES
LENT SUNDAY OF RECONCILIATION THIS SUNDAY 22nd MARCH 2026
There will be a 30-minute Lenten retreat before all weekend masses on 21st & 22nd March.
Confessions will be held on 22nd March from 12 noon until 2.00 pm in the church. There will also be Anointing of the Sick at each of the weekend masses.
LENTEN REFLECTIONS
There will be weekly reflections every Tuesday during Lent, at 10.00 am in the church porch. All are welcome.
Pray the Romero Rosary at St George’s Cathedral
Join Archbishop John Wilson & the Cathedral clergy in praying the rosary on Fridays at 5pm during Lent. Find out more at: rcaos.org.uk/romerorosary
STATIONS OF THE CROSS AT ST THOMAS MORE
The Stations will take place every Friday at 10.30 am and 7.30 pm during Lent. Anyone is welcome to lead. Please speak with Fr Innocent for more information.
MARCH SECOND COLLECTIONS
22nd – Poor Parishes
EASTER OFFERINGS
Your Easter offerings are your gift to the Parish Priest. Envelopes are available in the porch.
PARISH 90TH CELEBRATION NOTICES
PARISH 90TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
The date for our celebration will be on Sunday, 12th July 2026. Please save the date.
The next meeting is on 21st March at 12.00 noon in the porch.
LADY CHAPEL SEATING
We have now begun collecting for new Lady Chapel seats. Donations can be made in the usual ways. If you would like to sponsor a chair with an inscription or for any other information, please speak with Fr Innocent.
PARISH GROUPS' NOTICES
RCIA & ADULT CONFIRMATION CLASSES. Every Wednesday, till Easter 2026. Venue: Church Porch. Time: 7:15pm. Anyone can join to learn and/or refresh one’s knowledge and faith in God.
LEGION OF MARY. Meeting every Friday at 11.15 am in the church porch. Come and grow in devotion to Our Lady. All are welcome.
Union of Catholic Mothers (UCM). The next meeting will take place on Saturday, 21st March at 10.45 am in the church porch.
LUNCH CLUB. The next gathering will be on 16th April at 12.30 pm in the hall.
PARISH NOTICES
EASTER FLOWERS
Please consider donating towards the parish Easter flowers. Donations can be made in the usual ways. Please see Fr. Innocent for more information.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW CATECHUMENS
We welcome three new catechumens for the Rite of Election 2026. Sarah Wilby, Geiziane Oliveira DeSouto and Queen Adeniji attended a Mass at St George’s Cathedral, Southwark on 21st February. Let us pray for them as they continue their journey in faith until Easter.
ARE YOU LOOKING TO JOIN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH?
The next session of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) will take place in September 2026. Please keep an eye on our newsletter/website or speak with Fr Innocent for further information.
"I wish not merely to be called Christian, but also to be Christian." — St. Ignatius of Antioch
DEATHS
Please pray for the repose of the souls of June Dorothy Wilson and Joaquim Vincent D’Souza who died recently. June’s funeral was on 6th March. Joaquim’s funeral will be on 9th April at 11.30 am. May their souls RIP, Amen.
Thank you from CAFOD. Thank you for your generous support this Family Fast Day. Your kindness is helping families to grow food, even when facing drought and floods. Find out how your support is making a difference at cafod.org.uk/thankyou. Pick up a CAFOD envelope in church or visit cafod.org.uk/envelope
MARCH SECOND COLLECTIONS
22nd – Poor Parishes
EASTER OFFERINGS
Your Easter offerings are your gift to the Parish Priest. Envelopes are available in the porch.
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
Saturday 21st March P Feria
Family Marian Devotion at home
P FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
6.00 pm Lenten Retreat
6.30 pm Lloyd D’Souza TG
Sunday 22nd March P
8.30 am Lenten Retreat
9.00 am Eric Pereira RIP
10.30 am Lenten Retreat
11.00 am Rose Chinyere Anyanwy RIP
Monday 23rd March P Feria
No Public Mass Today
Tuesday 24th March P Feria
7.00 pm Daily Rosary
7.30 pm Judah Fernandes Dias & Fly Health & WB
Wednesday 25th March
W The Annunciation of the Lord
9.30 am Adoration
10.00 am Vincent D’Souza RIP
Thursday 26th March P Feria
9.30 am Adoration
10.00 am Holy Souls
Friday 27th March P Feria
9.30 am Rosary for the Dead
10.00 am Malcolm D’lima WB
10.30 am Stations of the Cross
7.30 pm Stations of the Cross
Saturday 28th March P Feria
Family Marian Devotion at home
R PALM SUNDAY
6.00 pm Daily Rosary
6.30 pm Tom McCormack RIP 1st anniversary
Sunday 29th March R
8.30 am Daily Rosary
9.00 am Patricia Corbett RIP anniversary
10.30 am Daily Rosary
11.00 am Holy Souls