We still bathe in the glow of our Holy Week and  Easter celebrations, which here at St Alphonse were the best attended ever. It’s not easy taking time out for the Holy Week and Easter liturgies, but hundreds of you did, and contributed so much to the beautiful, moving ceremonies. A special word of thanks must go to all who helped make the week so special in church; in no particular order:

• The music group who prepared so well and led us so beautifully in the liturgies
• The hospitality team who provided seasonal refreshments on Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday
• The small but faithful group of altar servers, some of whom served at Mass way past their normal bedtime, and did so with real energy and enthusiasm
• Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Prayers-of-the-Faithful composers
• Sonya (artist) and John (labourer!) who constructed the Easter Garden and Tomb
• Brendan O’Sullivan, who worked against the clock to make the Easter Cross (solid oak, beautifully crafted, from roof-beams)
• The (scratch) choir from the Anglican community who led us so beautifully in the ceremony of the Burial of the Lord on Good Friday
• Children’s Catechists, nourishing the knowledge and faith of our youngest parishioners in their liturgy
• Those who welcome, organise, move furniture, tidy up, count collections and contribute in myriad other ways.

What we sometimes overlook is that the Good News is not just proclaimed in our liturgies, but equally in the manner in which they are conducted: they are from the community, by the community, serving the wider community — for the glory of God. I have heard so many times that people who visit are impressed by the level of involvement of parishioners — and even more so by the spirit of faith, enthusiasm and joy with which people serve. Sincere and deep thanks to all!

Fr Ed

Pirate Productions and New World Theatre Club are presenting the musical Oliver, adapted from the novel ‘Oliver Twist’ by Charles Dickens by Lionel Bart. The cast of 40 young people and 40 adults, which includes several of our own parishioners, is accompanied by a live orchestra. The production runs from 14th-17th April at the Kinneksbond Centre Culturel in Mamer. Full details, including ticket information, can be found here.

Fr Ed

I (Fr Ed) received the following notice from Evija, a (Latvian) member of our parish music group:

Dear friends,
If you like folk  music and dancing or  you simply want to have fun  this is the right place to be! Some great Latvian musicians and dancers will perform for 1h,  from 16.00 till 19.00 there will be  folk music and folk dance afternoon for people of all ages. If you feel up to performing some of your folk music just  bring your instruments and join!  Stage will be yours! 
When: this Saturday on 9^Th April 
What time:  at 15.00
Where: at the Blues Club Sang a Klang. 
Regards
Evija

This evening, at 21:00, we celebrate the Easter Vigil of the Resurrection of the Lord. The Blessing of the Easter Fire will be in church (not outside as previously advertised—the usual location is too muddy). Mass will be followed by refreshments worthy of this greatest of feasts!

Fr Ed

Tomorrow (Wednesday 23rd March) is our last Lenten Mass with soup. At the moment, the Mass is organised, but the soup is not. Any volunteers to make and serve the soup? 2 pans of soup and some bread — everything else is in place. Mass is at 12:15, and soup usually at 12:45. There are 2 electric hotplates for keeping the soup warm.

Thank you in advance!

Fr Ed