Weekly
Services
Church is not just for Sundays. At. S. Mary's we have a rich pattern of
weekday services. There is some variation form time to time. Check the
weekly notice paper to make sure of what is happening this week.
Whenever you come to a service at S. Mary's all
the books you need are provided for you and we always make sure you know
where the right pages are. It's all very user friendly!
The usual pattern of weekly
services is:
Monday,
Wednesday and Friday |
Morning Prayer
9.05am
Morning Prayer is essentially the reading of Psalms, which were
the songs of God's people in ancient Israel. Along with this is
a short scripture reading a hymn and prayers. It is part of the
cycle of dally prayer called the Daily Office. By praying at different
times of the day, morning noon and night, the church "sanctifies
time." By using the same prayers as others are using all round
the world we unite ourselves with the great and unbroken chain of
prayer which never ceases.
"At thy feet O Christ we lay, Thine own gift of this new day;
Doubt of what it holds in store makes us crave thine aid the more;
Lest it prove a time of loss, mark it Saviour with thy Cross."
Mass 9.30am
The Mass is the name of the main act of Christian worship. On
the night that he was betrayed and handed over to be crucified,
Jesus had a Last Supper with His twelve special disciples or Apostles.
He took bread, gave thanks for it to God the Father, broke the bread
and distributed it to them saying, “This is my Body.”
In the same way after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks and gave
it to them saying, “This is my blood.” He said, “Do
this in memory of me.” We believe that when we share this
meal Jesus comes to us to unite us with Him, the physical meal uniting
us spiritually with His very being.
The word “Mass” comes from the Latin “Missa”
meaning dismissal. Using this name reminds us that we are to go
out into all the world and make disciples of all nations. (Matt
28.19) Eucharist is a Greek word meaning “Thanksgiving.”
Holy Communion is the name the moment when we eat the Bread and
wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus, and communicate in this
special way with God. But the term is often applied to the whole
service. The terms The Lord’s Supper and Sacred Liturgy are
also used.
"One offering single and complete, With lips and hearts
we say, But what he never can repeat, He shows forth day by day." |
Tuesday |
Morning Prayer
9.05am
Just as on Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Rosary 6.45pm
The Rosary is a way of meditating on the birth, life, teaching,
suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus and contemplating the
life to come He gives to those He saves. The repetition of prayers
using helps to still the mind, and handling the set of Rosary beads
enables us to set aside distractions of the body. If you have never
tried this before don't worry: instructions are given and you can
borrow a set of beads or bring your own if yo have them.
Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed
art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour
of our death, Amen.
Evening Prayer after Rosary,
about 7.10pm
Evening prayer, like morning prayer is part of the Daily Office.
We offer to God the day gone in thanksgiving and we pray for those
whom we have met and ourselves at the close of the working day.
Before the ending of the day, Creator of the world we pray,
That with thy wonted favour thou Wouldst be our guard and keeper
now.
Mass 7.30pm |
Thursday |
Mass
9.30am at the Mitchley Road Mission Hall. For a map and an explanation
of the Mission Hall, follow this LINK |
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