The Holy Season of Lent will feel different this year during lockdown.
Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, February 17th, when we will stream a Mass on our Facebook page.
Parishioners are being encouraged by the Rector to Fast, Pray and give Alms. Fr Mark writes:
I write this piece shortly after I have had to close our Churches for public worship, and there are increased calls for an even stricter lock down to suppress the out of control virus. In the light of this , how should / how can we we mark Lent this year?I encourage you to use the space the lock down gives us to spend more time with God. Purchase a Lent study book (I am happy to give recommendations) or set aside time each day to read a portion of the Bible, as well as setting yourself more time for prayer with God.You may feel like you’ve been forced to give up enough pleasures at this time, with out ‘fasting’ yourself of food or other pleasures. Fasting is about making a sacrifice so that we can come closer to God, by appreciating what blessings God has given us. I am sure many of us will come out of this Covid-19 Pandemic with a greater appreciation fo the little things.Almsgiving, I suggest, is more important than ever this Lent. The continuing restrictions brought about by the pandemic are bringing real hardship in to some people’s lives. Those of us who have, are called to give more, to those who have not. Last year you were very generous to the foodbank – I encourage you to be so again.
Various resources are being provided by Blackburn Diocese and the Church of England to help with our study and prayer during his Holy Season.
- A booklet of daily passages from St Mark’s Gospel Read Mark and Learn will be available.
- An Ap entitled Hashtag Live Lent presents Live Lent reflections with Bible readings and full audio.
