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LENT 2025
I would like to think that people who read this article and especially the parts referring to our devotion to God would be in some way changed. I won’t hold my breath but to think that even one person was moved to change their routine or habit in favour of a more Christian approach to the journey through Lent in preparation for Easter would (for most priests) be seen as a great victory for Christ. We priests ,of course, don’t need to know if you are changed because that is between you and God. We just hope that we may do God’s work and help you to come nearer to Him.
So, what is Lent all about?
It started on 5th March when priests made the sign of the Cross in Ashes on the foreheads of the faithful who made an effort to come to church. We call that day ‘Ash Wednesday’ It is a period of 40 days leading us towards Easter which is the greatest day of celebration for Christians.
LENT means to ‘Spring Forward’ and is a time given to us by the church when we can prepare ourselves properly in order to fully appreciate the wonder of Easter and to realise the sacrifice which Jesus made on our behalf. (It is a sort of season of spring for Christians because we grow in knowledge and wonder, just like nature does in spring) The bottom line is that you either believe it or you don’t and if you do then you SHOULD do something about it.
There are usually countless opportunities in Church to do that little bit EXTRA for God. But because there is not a full time priest in Thorpe there is a limit to what we can do together so it is up to you to keep Lent in your own way at home.. You could go to church every Sunday during Lent and not just when you feel like it (if that is what you do!) You could go to an additional midweek service . You could set one day a week aside as a Fast day when you eat less and give to a Charity Appeal the money you saved from not having a full meal.
Why not spend a lunch hour a week reading from an uplifting book and perhaps say a prayer for us all in the peace of your home or place of work. So much you could do if you make the effort.
Fasting is an important part of the Lenten discipline. Not fasting to slim!! Fasting generally means giving up meat on Friday or cutting out a meal (so long as you are not ill) as a way of remembering that this is a special time. It is what JESUS did for the 40 days in the wilderness of his life.(Which is where we get the 40 days of lent from.)
EASTER this year falls on 20th April when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus after his death on the Cross. This is a time a great celebration after our quieter Lenten journey. People ask why Easter changes each year. The answer is simple. Easter day must fall on the first Sunday after the full moon after the Spring Equinox which is on 20th March. The full moon is on the night of 12th/13th April so Easter is on Sunday 20th April
Keep a good Lent and have a wonderful Easter. Don’t worry about the weather,by the way, because despite the young weather forecasters prediction of doom ,we nearly always have snow on heavy rain in February or March (I know because I was a teacher for 33 years and we nearly always had snow when I was leading school trips in Spring half term!) Spring will soon cheer us up.
Father Richard
So, what is Lent all about?
It started on 5th March when priests made the sign of the Cross in Ashes on the foreheads of the faithful who made an effort to come to church. We call that day ‘Ash Wednesday’ It is a period of 40 days leading us towards Easter which is the greatest day of celebration for Christians.
LENT means to ‘Spring Forward’ and is a time given to us by the church when we can prepare ourselves properly in order to fully appreciate the wonder of Easter and to realise the sacrifice which Jesus made on our behalf. (It is a sort of season of spring for Christians because we grow in knowledge and wonder, just like nature does in spring) The bottom line is that you either believe it or you don’t and if you do then you SHOULD do something about it.
There are usually countless opportunities in Church to do that little bit EXTRA for God. But because there is not a full time priest in Thorpe there is a limit to what we can do together so it is up to you to keep Lent in your own way at home.. You could go to church every Sunday during Lent and not just when you feel like it (if that is what you do!) You could go to an additional midweek service . You could set one day a week aside as a Fast day when you eat less and give to a Charity Appeal the money you saved from not having a full meal.
Why not spend a lunch hour a week reading from an uplifting book and perhaps say a prayer for us all in the peace of your home or place of work. So much you could do if you make the effort.
Fasting is an important part of the Lenten discipline. Not fasting to slim!! Fasting generally means giving up meat on Friday or cutting out a meal (so long as you are not ill) as a way of remembering that this is a special time. It is what JESUS did for the 40 days in the wilderness of his life.(Which is where we get the 40 days of lent from.)
EASTER this year falls on 20th April when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus after his death on the Cross. This is a time a great celebration after our quieter Lenten journey. People ask why Easter changes each year. The answer is simple. Easter day must fall on the first Sunday after the full moon after the Spring Equinox which is on 20th March. The full moon is on the night of 12th/13th April so Easter is on Sunday 20th April
Keep a good Lent and have a wonderful Easter. Don’t worry about the weather,by the way, because despite the young weather forecasters prediction of doom ,we nearly always have snow on heavy rain in February or March (I know because I was a teacher for 33 years and we nearly always had snow when I was leading school trips in Spring half term!) Spring will soon cheer us up.
Father Richard
Regular Weekly worship 2025
Worship and Services
At St Michael's we seek to offer worship which is both dignified and accessible together with teaching which is faithful both to Scripture and Tradition. Everyone is welcome.
EVERY SUNDAY AT SAINT MICHAEL'S
10.00 am. THE PARISH MASS
Also Mass most Wednesdays at 10a.m.
Also Mass most Wednesdays at 10a.m.
