Get the Church ready for Easter
The work in the Parish Room is progressing: the insulation has been going in, electric sockets are going in and the scaffolding is still up – I am afraid that there are no exciting pictures to share at this stage.
The dirt is however continuing and it would be delightful if you could spare some time to help tidying up and make the church look ready for Easter. We are meeting this coming Saturday, 1st April from 9.15am to 11.15am and again the following week on Holy Saturday 8th April at the same time. There will be cake – Passiontide or not! Would you help?
New Steering Group
You may not even know, but technically we form one legal parish together with St Nicholas Church in Leicester. This is a remnant from a pastoral reorganisation 40 years ago, but following the formal meeting with St Nicholas last week we are on our way of becoming an independent parish again. For now we are two district churches who operate almost like independent parishes, but not quite. However, this is a big step which makes life a lot easier.
After several years as Churchwarden Wendy Commons has stepped down and Eliam Ngoma is our new Churchwarden, with Peter Black as Deputy Warden. Wendy does however remain on the Steering Group. The other members of the Group are Elizabeth Amias (treasurer), Tim Trussell (secretary and Parish Safeguarding Officer), Ruby Fernandes, Gillian Aird, Tony Simons and Laura Johnson. I will not publish all their pictures here as I don’t want to be in trouble right away…
Last Chance to join the Easter Project Choir
- People of all abilities and experiences are welcome to join.
- You do not have to be able to read sheet music.
- Each voice will be supported by a professional singer you can follow and ‘hang on to’ – making things both stable and easier. This also means that the project cannot fail, the professionals will carry everybody along.
- I am delighted that Leicester based musician, teacher, singer, organist, pianist and conductor John Gull has accepted leading this project at St Andrew’s.
The two remaining rehearsals are:
- Wednesday 29th March, 7pm – 8.30pm
- Wednesday in Holy Week, 5th April, 7pm – 8.30pm
On Easter Sunday 9th April the project choir will sing during the 10.30am Festival Mass at St Andrew’s.
Archbishop Rowan Williams 31/03, 6pm
By invitation of the Diocesan Catholic Fellowship Archbishop Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, is giving a talk at St Andrew’s on this coming Friday 31st March at 6pm. In order to book a free ticket you need to go onto Eventbrite and reserve a space HERE.
Lord Williams speaks on ‘Priesthood, solidarity and transformation: thoughts on ministry and witness today.’
The lecture will begin at 6.00pm prompt at St Andrew’s Church and will last for approximately one hour. A drinks reception will take place after the event.
Bishop Saju – 02/04, 7pm
At his visit to the Sunday Mass on 5th February Bishop Saju enjoyed St Andrew’s so much that he wants to come back. Who wouldn’t…. 😁
Hence I invited him to join us again on Palm Sunday, 2nd April at 7pm for our service of Compline & Benediction and he will join us in the pub after the service as well. This is an opportunity to talk and meet with him properly as his story as an immigrant from Kerala has many similarities with many of our congregation – come along!
Service Times for Holy Week & Easter
The Mass of the Last Supper will (as usual) contain the Washing of Feet. This is both an acutely embarrassing and a very powerful experience. I will not put out a sign up sheet but simply put 12 chairs at the front of the church at the service – I dare you to let me wash your feet.
- Holy Monday, 3rd April, Mass 8am & 7pm
- Holy Tuesday, 4th April, Mass 8am & 7pm
- Holy Wednesday, 5th April, Mass 12.30pm and 7pm
- Maundy Thursday, 6th April 7pm: Mass of the Last Supper followed by the Watch of the Passion until 9.30pm
- Good Friday, 7th April, 2pm: Celebration of the Lord’s Passion
- Holy Saturday, 7pm: Easter Vigil at St Mary de Castro Church (LE1 5WH, NOT at St Andrew’s)
- Easter Sunday, 9th April, 10.30am: Solemn Mass of the Resurrection of Our Lord
Easter Egg Extravaganza
We will be holding the 2nd fundraising raffle on 2nd April.
How can you help? If you can gift an Easter egg, any size or make, that would be marvellous. There is a bag near the back of the church for your donations.
If you are able to buy a raffle ticket they will be available in the Hall at coffee time on both dates at £1 single or £5 per strip.
All monies raised will go towards our building project with its unexpected deficit. Thank you!
Easter Lilies and other flowers
As every year it would be lovely if people were going to sponsor some of the Easter flowers in memory of a loved one. Please write “EASTER FLOWERS” on a GiftAid! envelope.
Leicestershire Chorale Concert in St Mary de Castro, 1st April, 7.30pm
Leicestershire Chorale does at least one concert a year at St Andrew’s and they are singing next door in St Mary this week. The concert is timed precisely for the liturgical season and would be a good way to start Holy Week. Tickets and further information are available HERE.
St John the Evangelist
Fr David continues to work on the statue of St John and he does look more and more like Tony (who is the model). The hat is apparently a temporary adornment.
