Sunday Readings

Mass Book page 155

Genesis 12:1-4a

PSALM 33(32):4-5. 18-19. 20, 22. R. 22

2 Timothy 1:8b-10

Matthew 17:1-9

“His Face shone like the sun.”

Today’s Gospel Reflection

True glory is intertwined with sacrifice, or some form of renunciation or hardships. The three liturgical readings of this Sunday attest to this. In the first reading, Abram leaves everything dear and familiar to him (land, paternal home, relatives) as he puts his faith in God's promise of a great name that will be a source of blessing for other nations. In the second reading, Timothy shows that salvation, holiness, and graced life involve a call to bear one's share of hardship for the Gospel. The manifestation of Jesus' glory as Messiah in today's Gospel is accompanied by the declaration that he is also the Suffering Servant of the Lord. The heavenly voice, in affirming Jesus as "my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased" alludes to one of the songs of the Suffering Servant of the Lord in Isaiah (cf. 42:1). Glory is reached only by traversing the road of suffering.

Lord Jesus, may we never seek glory for its own sake, while rejecting the educative value of suffering that endows glory with profound meaning. Amen.

Sr. Bernadita Dianzon fsp

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Today return of CAFOD envelopes from Lent Fast Day.

Friday is First Friday

Friday is Women’s World Day of Prayer

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WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

The 2026 World Day of Prayer Service will be held at Trinity Methodist Church, Goosnargh on Friday 6^th March at 2pm. This year’s special service has been prepared by an ecumenical group of Christian women from Nigeria. You are all invited to come and join in prayer with our friends from neighbouring churches. Light refreshments will be served afterwards.

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Stations of the Cross

The Season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday, February 18^th. Throughout this sacred season, we will pray the Stations of the Cross every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., remembering the Lord’s Passion with devotion. We warmly invite all parishioners to join us in this time of prayer.

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Stations of the Cross – A Brief History

The tradition of the Stations of the Cross began in the fifth century, when churches created replicas of the holy sites in Jerusalem for those unable to walk the Via Dolorosa. Over time, especially when pilgrims were restricted from visiting the Holy Land, the practice spread across Europe, with stations established in places such as Cordova, Messina, Nuremberg, Louvain, and Antwerp.

Pope Innocent XI later permitted all churches to erect the stations, granting participants the same indulgences as those who made the physical pilgrimage. In 1731, Pope Clement XII set the number of stations at fourteen, though earlier versions varied widely.

The devotion continues to evolve. Pope Paul VI approved a Gospel‑based set of stations in 1975, and Pope John Paul II later offered his own “Stations of the Cross for Life.”

Museum of the Bible provides several ways to explore this tradition, including Gib Singleton’s sculptural interpretations and online devotional resources.

( https://www.museumofthebible.org/exhibits/virtual-stations-of-the-cross )

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Pastoral letter for Lent from Bishop Paul: https://www.lrcd.org.uk/news/a-pastoral-letter-from-the-bishop-of-lancaster-lent-2026

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CAFOD in Lent:

>Lent prayers & reflections - https://cafod.org.uk/pray/lent-prayers

> Join the Big Lent Walk, or sponsor John Woods as he attempts to walk 200km during Lent - https://walk.cafod.org.uk/fundraising/johns-olse-and-smn-big-lent-walk

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TEACH US TO PRAY – Online Retreat Week March 9^th–13^th, 7–8.30pm, plus Day Retreat: Saturday March 14^th, 10am–3pm

A mid‑Lent online retreat led by the Jesuit Institute, open to everyone in the Lancaster Diocese. Each session introduces a simple way of praying. Join any evening or the Saturday retreat.

Free of charge. No registration needed.

To receive the Zoom link, email Ursula (Diocesan Spirituality Rep): uwalker@uwclub.net

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Prayer has many methods. Do it your own way.

Keith McClellan O.S.B.

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CAFOD Lent Appeal – Family Fast Day collection (27th Feb)

This Lent, live out the Gospel call to love your neighbour. By fasting and giving what you save, you join in Christ’s compassion and help another family put food on the table. Your donation can help families around the world grow food in difficult conditions – such as on flood-resistant floating gardens or using solar-powered water pumps in times of drought. Collect a CAFOD envelope to bless others with your support, donate online at cafod.org.uk/envelope or call 0303 303 3030. Text CAFODLENT to 70085 to donate £10.