We kicked off Holy Week with a full and holy day of worship on Sunday, April 1st.
Palm Sunday – Blessing of the Palms, Procession and Sung Eucharists
Following a simple Low Mass at Tarleton at 8am, we welcomed a donkey to Rufford at 9.15am and to Tarleton at 10.45am.
Harries the Donkey, like all other donkey’s has a cross on his back to acknowledge the journey he carried Jesus on that first Palm Sunday. The packed churches resulted in us running out of Palm Crosses for everyone, but at Tarleton Fr Mark Blessed the Palms with Holy Water in Tarleton Holy Trinity School Hall, before we processed to church. In Rufford the Blessing happened in the Church Hall Grounds.
The Service at Tarleton saw the newly formed Choir Church Choristers join Sunday worship in church for the first time. On arrival in church our Ordinand, Danny presented the Choir Church Director, Dr Rebekah Okpoti will flowers.
Chrism Mass
Clergy and laity from across the diocese gathered at 6pm for the Chrism Mass presided over by Bishop-elect of Blackburn, Rt Revd Phillip North CMP.
During the Mass the Oils for the Sick &Dying, for Baptism and for Chrism were blessed. Having been processed through the church by the Deacons they were presented to Bishop Phillip.
After his address in which he drew on the lessons of ministry we can learn from a a South Sudanese Bishop who had recently visited the Diocese, the clergy renewed their Ordination Vows. Then Mia invited Bishop Phillip to renew his own vows.
Following the service the congregation adjourned to the school Hall for refreshments.
In the days before the Chrism Mass the home team were busy mixing and bottling the Oils ready for distribution among the clergy.
