Notes from Fr. Claro
3rd Sunday of Lent
8th March 2026
YOUTUBE LINK for the Bible Study and Commentaries
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkYtVvqhLbw
John the evangelist wants us to recognise who is speaking when he tells the story of Jesus speaking with a Samaritan well at Sychar. The bridegroom of Israel has come to a well once more — not to claim a single bride, but to begin gathering a people drawn from beyond the boundaries of Judea, Jerusalem, and even Israel itself.
Important Dates
15 March Mothering Sunday
17 March St Patrick (Mass and celebration on Sunday 22 March)
19 March Wednesday 6pm Mass for St. Joseph Solemnity at Faringdon
22 March Sunday Parish St Patrick Mass and Irish Coffee afterwards
24 March PASTORAL AREA LENTEN CONFESSION/RECONCIATION 7pm at Didcot.
25 March Wednesday 6pm Mass at Buckland Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
29 March PALM SUNDAY or Passion Sunday
31 March Tuesday Chrism Mass at St. John Cathedral
2 April MAUNDY THURSDAY
3 April GOOD FRIDAY
5 April EASTER SUNDAY
PRAYER for the SICK
Fr. Peter Turbitt who is now in the Palliative Care.
Denise Pullen: Mass for the Dead for my uncle and aunt, Diarmuid and Kathleen Murray of Dromavane, Cork, whose anniversaries occur on 11th and 21st March respectively.
OPEN KITCHEN 10 April. All meals held at Blessed Hugh Catholic Church Hall from 12-2pm (lunch served at 12:30pm) Home cooked two course meal. Pay what you can.
FHC (First Holy Communion) Candidates for 2026 on CORPUS CHRISTI SUNDAY on 7th of June, please email cconde@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
First Holy Communion Meeting 2026: 11.30am – 1pm – 1 Mar, 8 Mar, 22 Mar, 19 April, 26 April, 3 Mar, 10 May (Confession Practice) 17 May Confession, 7 June Corpus Christ 1st Holy Communion at 10am Mass.
CONFIRMATION 2026: June 5th, Friday at 7.30pm at English Martyrs DIDCOT.
Confirmation Candidates 2026, please email me cconde@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
Mwiza Mary Chashi, Wila Chashi, Kirsten Anne Parreno, Grace Kasongo, Kate Kasongo, Grace Ann Malabanan, Nicole Malabanan
Formation Morning for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communication
Fr Anthony Fyk, Director of Liturgical Formation and the Liturgy Formation team invite you to a formation morning at St Peter’s Pastoral Centre, Winchester on Saturday 9th May 2026 commencing with Mass at 9 am. There will be a welcome session from Fr Anthony, a talk focussing on the Eucharist in the sacred scriptures as well as a session on Lectio Divina: “Living a Eucharistic life – what does it mean to live out the eucharist?”. All Eucharistic Ministers, experienced and new, are very welcome to attend. If you wish to attend, please register via liturgy@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk.
PASTORAL AREA LENTEN CONFESSION/RECONCIATION ON 24 March at Didcot.
The Second Collection for the Diocesan Clergy Assistance Fund takes place on the 15th of March, 2026.
The Clergy Assistance Fund contributes to the work of the Department for Clergy Team. The Clergy Support Team is responsible for looking after the welfare, ongoing formation and personal support of our clergy, such as the provision of spiritual direction, counselling, appraisal, ongoing formation and practical advice. It organises retreats, ministerial formation days, courses and sabbaticals.