Lent & Easter 2022

Download the Lent & Easter Brochure here>>>

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This page is primarily about the Lenten schedule planned in our parish this year. Easter services are given and will also be confirmed nearer the time. Our parish website is always kept up-to-date and is therefore a good reference for the latest information.

March 27, 2020 marks the second anniversary of the pandemic lock down in South Africa. After that day, life changed for everyone, and at that time we did not know what lay ahead. So we enter Lent this year with harsh memories of difficult times. We also have many uplifting memories of overcoming extreme adversity with God's help. We also go into Lent this year with the horror of war in Ukraine and the terrifying daily news of man's inhumanity to man. We have so much to pray for.

As Christians, our faith in Jesus remains steadfast as we now journey with him into the desert for 40 days towards the cross knowing that beyond it lies His glorious victory, the Resurrection - our hope and our promise, our Alleluia!

Journey into the Desert with Jesus

Lord of Lent, Lord of Easter
As you went into the desert
So do I follow
Putting aside what distracts me
Grabs at me
Falsely claims me.
To search inside
To confront myself
My best, my worst
My good words and my sins.

And each time,
I find you there.
To call to me again
With words of challenge and words of mercy.

As I fall to me knees, in prayer, in fasting
In sacrifice and penitence
Somehow, you have it in yourself to reach out and gently lift me
To renew me
To claim me as nothing of this world can claim me.

Meet me in the desert, Lord.
Claim me anew.
Amen

(Prayer from Catholic Relief Services)

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ASH WEDNESDAY - 2 MARCH

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Ash Wednesday Schedule

08h00 - Morning Mass
Live stream & Public (booking required)

18h:30 - Evening Mass
Public only (booking required)

There are two Public Masses on Ash Wednesday.

Ashes will be distributed differently this year because of Covid, so instead of a cross being made on the forehead, Father will sprinkle ashes on top of each person's head, in the Italian style.

Covid safety protocols will be followed strictly at all Masses so please work with our Covid ministers to help keep everyone safe. The main three protocols are easy to follow and make a huge difference: (1) wear masks (2) safe distancing (3) sanitise hands.

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STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Every Friday at 18h30 on Zoom

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ZOOM LINK

The link to join Stations of the Cross is:
http://bit.ly/ConstantiaZoom
Passcode (if required): 189 750
NOTE: this is the same link as the Daily Rosary

WHEN

Every Friday during Lent on ZOOM

11 March / 18 March / 25 March
1 April / 8 April (in Church) /
15 April (Good Friday - 10h00 in Church & at Schoenstatt)

TIME

18h30 - 19h00

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THIS YEAR STATIONS OF THE CROSS ON ZOOM

This year's Stations of the Cross will be hosted each Friday by a different group in our parish. We thank our teams for making this possible!

• Friday 05 March: AV Live streamers team
• Friday 11 March: Choir
• Friday 18 March: Readers group
• Friday 25 March: Daily rosary group
• Friday 01 April: Communio team
• Friday 08 April: Covid team (this Stations will be in the Church)

As for last year, we will be doing the weekly Stations on ZOOM, with exception of 8 April where they will be in the Church.

DAILY ROSARY IS 18h00 - 18h30 ON SAME LINK

The Zoom link for the Stations of the Cross is the same as the link used for the Daily Rosary. So when you join the Stations of the Cross, please be aware that people may be finishing the Rosary. Everyone is invited to join the Rosary that starts at 18h00 (daily).

STATIONS OF THE CROSS ON GOOD FRIDAY - 15 APRIL @ 10h00

1. The Stations of the Cross on Good Friday will be as follows In the Church
2. Schoenstatt - Stations for Adults led by Fr Robert and Dcn Mike
3. Schoenstatt - Stations for Children

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FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION

Thursday, 25 March

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09h30 - Normal Daily Mass
Public & Live stream (no booking required)

SPECIAL SERVICE AT 18h00 ON THURSDAY 31 MARCH: HOLY HOUR - BENEDICTION AND ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

18h00 - Benediction and Adoration in the Church
Public & Live stream (no booking required)

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PENITENTIAL SERVICE

Tuesday, 22 March from 18h00

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From 18h00
Public & Live stream (no booking required)

Come to Confession - Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Several Priests will be in the parish gardens & one in the church to hear confession.

Check other parishes for their times.

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CONFESSION

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During LENT the schedule for Confession is as below.

Saturdays - 16h30 - 17h15

By Appointment - Please contact Parish Office

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LAETARE SUNDAY

(4th Sunday of Lent) 26/27 March
Normal Weekend Mass times

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Normal Weekend Mass times

Saturday, 26 March
17h30

Sunday, 27 March
09h00

On this Sunday the Church takes a joyful breather from Lenten practice. The ministers wear rose coloured vestments on this day.

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CHARITY & GIVING

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The three pillars of Lent are prayer, fasting and alms giving. On the third pillar, there are many ways to give and support charities, especially this year. In our parish we have the below two main programmes:

HUNGER IS REAL

In our parish we have our HUNGER IS REAL campaign and we will have a special Lenten appeal this year. To support HUNGER IS REAL please simply make an EFT to our parish bank account with reference: HUNGER IS REAL.

Banking details:
Constantia Catholic Church
Standard Bank
Branch 025 309
Current Account No 07 169 8965

SECOND COLLECTION IN LENT BISHOP'S LENTEN APPEAL

As with every Lent, the second collection each week in Lent is for the BISHOPS LENTEN APPEAL which is taken up for the Total Mission of the Church in South Africa and supports the poor and needy, education, health, priestly and lay formation, peace initiatives, catechetical formation, ecumenical projects and many more.

Envelopes are available at the back of the church (and from the Office) for this Second Collection.

If you do not have an envelope, and wish to make an EFT to the BISHOPS LENTEN APPEAL - please EFT to our parish bank account with reference: BISHOPS LENTEN APPEAL. Banking details given above.

To find out more about the BISHOPS LENTEN APPEAL, you can read the letter here>>>

Thank you in advance for your support.

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CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES FOR LENT

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Just as we had Children's activities during Christmas, so during Lent we have a whole lot of activities to share with the children to help them participate in and learn about Lent.

CHILDREN'S LITURGY

Children's Liturgy every Sunday at 09h00 focusing on Lenten themes and activities.

HOLY WEEK ACTIVITIES

There will be more communication nearer the time, but there will be a chance for children to be involved in

PALM SUNDAY
Children can volunteer to make palm crosses for Palm Sunday, and participate in the procession

HOLY THURSDAY
Father will invite 2 boys and 2 girls as part of the 12 for Washing of the Feet.

GOOD FRIDAY
Stations of the Cross in Schoenstatt

EASTER SUNDAY EASTER EGG HUNT
All children are invited to join the festive Easter Egg hunt after Sunday 09h00 Mass on Easter Sunday, 17 April.

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ALMSGIVING FOR CHILDREN

Parents are also encouraged to talk about and practice making sacrifices and giving to the needy with children in Lent. There are many ways to do this.

PENCILS & STATIONERY
During Lent we ask the children to bring pencils and stationery that will be collected for underprivileged schools in the area where there is a great need.

MITE BOXES
Children's mite boxes are available - please collect yours. Children can bring their offering to Mass on the last Sunday of Lent.

THE CHARITY BOWL
A traditional way of Almsgiving. Place a bowl on the dinner table. Simplify our meals and any saving from the sacrifice is collected in the bowl. At the end of Lent, gather all the money and give it to a cause.

EASTER EGGS
We will also be collecting Easter Eggs that can be taken to poorer communities for the children for Easter Sunday. Please bring your donation to Mass or drop into the Parish Office during office hours.

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Download the Lent & Easter Brochure here>>>

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