ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES: Mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Ulladulla on Ash Wednesday at 10 am and at St Patrick’s Sussex Inlet at 5 pm. One hour prior to these masses, there will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and the Sacrament of Reconciliation on offer. Regrettably, due to Covid-19 directives, the Milton Ash Wednesday service will be restricted to students and staff at the Catholic Primary School. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days for fasting and abstinence.

DURING LENT “we are invited to retreat and reflect, to mirror Jesus’ time in the wilderness before the celebrations of Easter. During this pandemic year when we have all confined to our homes, unable to meet and mingle, we have seen people come to Christ in new ways, through new mediums and messages. We have seen that god continues to work even when our normal systems are disrupted. We have learnt just how dependent we are on god’s grace and hope, rather than relying on our own cleverness.” + Justin Cantuar The Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book 2021, Lambeth Palace, London.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION The season of Lent is the most appropriate time for celebrating the Sacrament of Penance, which is better celebrated before, rather than during the Easter Triduum. Fr Michael will be available this coming week at the following times for this sacrament of healing. Tuesday Ulladulla 9.00 – 9.45 am Wednesday Sussex Inlet 4.00 – 4.45 pm during Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Thursday Ulladulla 9.00 – 9.45 am Friday Milton. 8.45 – 9.30 am during Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. This beautiful sacrament is also available during the Lenten Twilight Retreats, beginning Wednesday 24 February.

LENTEN TWILIGHT RETREATS: Milton 4.00 – 7.30 pm (including BYO to share dinner on 24 February, and March 3/10/17/24. Mass at 4 pm (except 6 pm on 24 March) A parish HOLY WEEK RESIDENTIAL RETREAT is scheduled for 29 - 31 March 2021 at the Sisters of St Joseph Retreat Centre Batehaven (Batemans Bay). Day Retreatants are welcome. For further information about all these retreats, contact Anne Foster or Lynne Kelly. Please support these retreats which have been offered for 5 years the support your formation in the faith.

LENTEN SPIRITUAL PRACTICES: During Lent we are encouraged to fast, pray, and give alms. Please support project Compassion, plus explore other ways to share your time, talent, and treasure. There is an acute need for SRE/catechist teachers, volunteers at the storytelling and Healing Space Wason St, new, members for our two Vinnies Conferences. Think creatively about how to sharpen your spiritual practices. For example, Fr Michael will adopt a ‘tech sabbath fast. From sundown Sunday until Tuesday morning (a priest and deacon’s day off) Michael’s devices will be switched off - no phone, no computer, no television! Please share other creative ways you will approach your Lenten discipline this year, e.g., some parishioners are exploring spiritual direction.

LAUDATOSILENT! Thank you for joining. During this Lenten time of fasting and renewal, Catholics around the world are embarking upon a journey of ecological conversion through reflection, repentance, and renewal. Together, we have ruptured our relationship with creation, and we will express our sorrow for our actions. But by committing to concrete changes, we will reduce our ecological footprint and inspire our sisters and brothers around the world to join us in this conversion process! You will receive weekly reminders and ideas about how you can live this journey of ecological conversion, including opportunities to connect with others through retreats, webinars, and prayer services. Throughout LaudatoSiLent, you will also find suggested activities on the Lenten calendar. Each week will feature a “mini-fast” that will help all of us reduce our ecological footprint and reflect on our relationship with God and all creation. You are encouraged to walk this journey with friends. Join a Laudato Si’ Circle or start one today. A communal conversion is needed. We cannot do this alone! Thank you again for joining this journey of hope. Why not join Fr Michael and other parishioners in this Lenten Spiritual Practice.

SPIRITUAL READING BOOK CLUB: Thanks to a very generous parishioner donation, several contemporary books are being purchased on different themes including, Christology, prayer, Mary, justice, spirituality, liturgy, etc. Please suggest a book title or theme which you would like included in our parish Spiritual Reading Library. Thanks to Bernice Bannister who also manages a Spiritual Reading Bookshelf at Holy Family.

Prayerful best wishes

(Fr) Michael