Almsgiving during the Season of Lent
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In one of his Lenten messages Pope Benedict XVI wrote that  “In the Lenten period, the Church makes it her duty to propose some specific tasks that accompany the faithful concretely in this process of interior renewal: these are prayer, fasting and almsgiving” and the Holy Father went on to quote St  Augustine who said that “fasting and almsgiving are "the two wings of prayer" which enable it to gain momentum and more easily reach even to God”
While we all have our own ways of supporting others, during this Lenten Season I would like to invite our Parish community to support both CAFOD but also the work of the Genesis Trust, a local Charity here in Bath, which undertakes some of its outreach at St John’s Church Bath.   Fr Christopher and Fr Jeremy will also be inviting the parishioners in St Johns and St Marys Parishes to take part in this Lenten almsgiving. 
Next Sunday (the 1st Sunday of Lent) there will be collection boxes for you to take home and to use, if you wish, during the 40 says of Lent.   I would then ask you to bring these boxes back either on Palm Sunday or on Maundy Thursday when they will be bought up during the Offertory at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.   The collection will be divided equally between Genesis and CAFOD.
In case the work of the Genesis project isn’t familiar Fr Christopher has written this. 
“Out of a desire to reach out to some of Bath's vulnerable, St John's hosts a lunch each Thursday in partnership with the Genesis Trust to ensure that some of those who live on the streets are nourished and nurtured with a home-cooked meal.  Attracting some fifty guests each week, the lunch is made up of those who are homeless, those with addiction needs, those who are lonely, and those who are vulnerable. The hall at St John's provides a welcoming environment in which Genesis' guests can come to be refreshed, fed, and made welcome. 

Dates for your diary
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Weds 5th March – Ash Wednesday Masses at 0700 / 1200/1800
Stations of the Cross – 1130 on Fridays & 1715 on Sundays
Tue 15th April – Parish Lent Penitential Service 1830

Racial Justice Sunday 16th of February
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On this day the Church focuses on the need to oppose racism and pursue racial justice with renewed vigour. The theme for Racial Justice Sunday is: “Pilgrims of Hope: Our Journey Together Towards Racial Justice”.
 
The theme invites Catholics across England and Wales to reflect on the collective journey towards racial justice in our schools, parishes and wider society. Bishop Paul McAleenan said: “2025 is a very special year. It marks both a Year of Jubilee and the 30th anniversary of Racial Justice Sunday. This year, we invite the Catholic community to reflect on the journey towards racial justice – past, present and future – by asking: ‘How far have we come, where are we now and what remains to be achieved?’
 
Just as pilgrims must prepare for their journey and be properly equipped, we, too, need all that is necessary to propel us towards racial justice – the mind of Christ; examination of our progress and of the challenges that remain; a willingness to learn from one another together; and prayers for and on the journey. “It is my hope that our Racial Justice Sunday 2025 resources will not only assist but inspire the People of God to continue walking and praying together on the path to racial justice.”

Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes
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On Tues Feb. 11, the Church celebrates the liturgical memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, recalling a series of 18 appearances that the Blessed Virgin Mary made to a 14-year-old French peasant girl, Saint Bernadette Soubirous. The Marian apparitions began Feb. 11, 1858, ended July 16 that year and received the local bishop's approval after a four-year inquiry.
 
Thousands of people say their medical conditions have been cured through pilgrimage, prayer and the water flowing from a spring to which Bernadette was directed by the Blessed Virgin. Experts have verified 71 cases of miraculous healing at Lourdes since 1862, the most recent being John Traynor, a soldier in the Royal Navy, was hit by machine-gun fire in 1915 in present-day Turkey. He was cured at Lourdes during a pilgrimage for his diocese in 1923. The miracle was officially recognised by Bishop McMahon in Liverpool on the 8th of December 2024.
 
During an apparition of Our Lady to St Bernadette on the Feast of the Annunciation, St Bernadette asked to know her identity. Finally, the woman folded her hands, looked up and said: “I am the Immaculate Conception.”
 
This prayer is from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington
Ever Immaculate Virgin Mother of Mercy, Health of the sick, refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings; look with mercy on me. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favours; and already many sufferers have obtained the cure for their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal.
I come, therefore, with complete confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain, O loving Mother, the grant of my requests. Through gratitude for your favours, I will endeavour to imitate your virtues, that I may one day share your glory. Amen.