Maundy Thursday
The word “Maundy” is from the Latin word for “command”: This night we recall Christ’s command to do what he did at the last supper: He washed the feet of his disciples, as a sign of service. If we wash feet in our liturgy it is not as play-acting or as a welcome diversion from the praying: It is a sign that we want, and are beginning, to serve all our brothers and sisters just as Christ himself did.
The second part of our celebration this night is “Eucharist”, thanksgiving. We remember that Jesus gave us bread and wine to be his Body and Blood this day. Strangely enough, the washing of the feet and the breaking of bread are inseparably linked. Only if we agree to serve each other can we share communion. Attending the Mass of the Lord’s Supper is an invitation to be nourished by the food of life. But it also involves a commitment to become part of a community that grows by loving.
The Mass of Our Lord’s Supper – 7.30 pm
Followed by: Watching with Our Lord ending with: Compline – 11.45 pm
Good Friday
On Good Friday Jesus Christ gave his life for us. Though innocent, by allowing himself to be a scapegoat he showed the depth of his love. His example of love unto death service shows us how we are to live too.A day of fasting and abstinence, in eager anticipation of Easter.
But if we just felt sad that our sin put him on the cross, then we would be missing the point. Good Friday is not meant to make us feel bad. On ‘Good’ Friday we remember that we are sinners, but we also glory in the victory that Christ won over sin and death, to set us free. This is not a passion play, and we gather knowing that Christ rose from the dead. So even on Good Friday we rejoice in the triumph of good over evil.
Morning Prayer of the Church & Readings – 10.00 am
“Pop-up” Way of the Cross – 11.00 am
The Celebration of Our Lord’s Passion – 3.00 pm
Evening Way of the Cross – 7.00 pm
Holy Saturday
We continue our fasting in exited anticipation until … The Easter Vigil, waiting and watching, starts after nightfall. This is the time, above all others, for us to recommit and dedicate ourselves again in faith. An Easter fire is lit, and lights up every thing around.
From it, we light the Easter Candle. The Candle is solemnly carried into church as the sign of the Light of Christ which overcomes the darkness of sin and death. In that light we read the story of what God has done for us from the dawn of creation until today, in the scriptures. We all renew our faith, and our Baptism into the Risen Christ. And so we go forward together to share in the food and drink of Life.
As we make our prayers and sing our praises, our hope is that the Holy Spirit will free in our lives the full power of Christ’s Rising from the Dead.
Morning Prayer of the Church & Readings 10.00 am
The Easter Vigil & Mass of Our Lord’s Resurrection- 8.30 pm
Easter Morning
Just the beginning …..
For those who can’t join in the great Vigil and First Mass of Easter, the Sunday Mass in the
morning ends our three-day feast, closing what is the “Great Week”., and we begin the fifty
days of Easter leading us to PENTECOST. So much happens in this week that it will take us
another 51 weeks to even scratch the surface of what it all means. We will see the symbols of water, oil, light, bread, wine, love and life again and again at different times throughout the year, and the mystery of Christ’s dying and rising will become that pattern in our lives that will keep coming back to amaze us as the weeks go by. God always promises and gives us more than we expect, so we try to put no limits on our worship and our joy.
Easter Morning Mass – 10.30 am
“A wonderful day was had by everybody on Saturday at the Garwnant Visitor Centre, Merthyr. We enjoyed a lovely picnic and the children had a lot of fun in the adventure playground on the flying foxes, kicking the football, on the swings and skipping ropes.
After lunch and a long catch-up, the group packed up lunch and set out on the Green Walk, taking in the breathtaking beauty of the beacons, observing the changing landscape and just enjoying the fresh air in each others’ company.
After our walk, we headed for the tearooms and relaxed while the children played out on the lawn. Over afternoon tea the group decided that the May Family Group Outing would be to either Rhossili, Rest Bay or Margam Country Park and if there is enough interest we may put on a bus. Costs will be kept to a minimum and the date will be decided soon. Details will be in the Family Groups’ Newsletter.”