Memento, homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris . . .

We are beginning Lent, a time of penance and interior renewal to enable us to prepare for the great feast of Easter.

The Church continually invites us to purify our souls and to start afresh.

As we receive the ashes today we are reminded of the words of Genesis, following original sin,

'Memento, homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris'

Remember man, that you are dust and to dust you shall return. Genesis 3:19

In spite of this reminder we sometimes forget that without God we are nothing.

God wants us to abandon sin and return to Him; sin creates a barrier between God and ourselves.

'Jesus Christ himself is the most sublime grace of the whole of Lent. It is He who presents Himself to us in all the wonderful simplicity of the Gospel.' Blessed John Paul II

Jesus is continually looking for a contrite heart in each of us, a heart that acknowledges its weakness and sins and is prepared to change. God wants for us a sincere sorrow for our sins, which we show, above all, by going to Confession. Each of us should draw up a particular plan of mortification to offer to God each day of Lent.

'Thank You' Lunch . . .

In all parishes there is a large group of volunteers who do a great deal to make sure that all runs smoothly in the parish.

St Ann's is no exception. I have said this many times before but I can never repeat it enough - THANK YOU for all your help. It would be impossible to run a busy parish like ours without your generous help in giving your time and talents in so many different areas of parish life.

It is difficult to know how to express my thanks to you all and in recent years, we have organised a lunch party as a small token of appreciation.

Inevitably, this also involves some of the 'helpers' helping on the day. I am especially grateful to the members of our Social Committee who helped serve the lunch and drinks today.

Here is the usual slideshow showing what an enjoyable time it was. Can you spot some familiar faces?