Lent at S. Bart’s
2025
Adult Lenten Catechesis
Beginning 1 March at 1:00 p.m., and continuing on Saturdays in Lent, Father Hannam will be holding classes on the basics of the Christian Faith. This is the normal introduction to Christian life and thought for adult candidates for baptism and / or confirmation. Topics will include Sections 1 and 2 of the Prayer-Book Catechism: The Baptismal Convenant (Baptism & the Christian Life), and the Creed (Trinity, Incarnation, Creation, Redemption, the Last Things). Attendees are encouraged to arrive for Mass at 11:00 a.m., and a light lunch at 12:00 p.m. before the class begins at 1:00 p.m.
Stations of the Cross & Mystagogy
On Fridays in Lent at 7:00 p.m. will read together E.R. Mascall’s Christ, the Christian, and the Church. Fr Eric Lionel Mascall, O.G.S. (1905-1993) was a priest of the Church of England and, along with his friends Austin Farrer and Michael Ramsay, was one of the great Anglican theologians of the 20th century. He was one of the foremost interpreters of the thought of St Thomas Aquinas and his theology was a Thomist synthesis informed by his study of the Church Father’s and the early Church’s dogmatic pronouncements, and guided by the English Thomist Richard Hooker. Christ, the Christian, and the Church sets out in a robust yet accessible way the classical Doctrine of the Incarnation, then points out the limitations of some modern attempts to ‘update’ it, and then situates other aspects of the Catholic Faith — e.g., the Church, the Sacraments — within the wider context of the Incarnation of the Word.
‘Cor ad cor loquitur’ Contemplative Prayer Group
Saturdays in Lent at 10:00 a.m., guided Lectio Divina, followed by silent prayer.
Nostra Philosophia Reading Group
Saturdays in Lent at 2:30 p.m., we will read together the first five books of Aristotle’s Metaphysics.
Confession Times during Lent
The Father Vicar (or a delegate) will hear confessions on Ash Wednesday and on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in Lent. Please see the weekly calendar (Through the Week) for times.
Beautiful Music for the Season
Check out S. Bart’s music list for the coming season here.
Donations for the Altar of Repose and Easter
For the next several weeks you will notice that we will have no flowers on the altar or in the church during mass. This is a mark of the penitential season of Lent, symbolizing our sorrow for the Lord’s suffering in the desert and eventual crucifixion. On Maundy Thursday, we will return beautiful lilies to the high altar to symbolize the site of the Last Supper and we will create an Altar of Repose (a magnificent side-altar covered in flowers and candles) where the Sacrament will sit in wait for the Solemn Liturgy of Good Friday. Finally, we will redress the High Altar during the Great Vigil of Easter with lilies and spring flowers to symbolize the coming of a new life in Christ. This undertaking requires many volunteers, but also financial generosity. If you are able to support the Easter Flower Fund this year, please send an etransfer or cheque with the words “Easter Flowers” in the memo, or include a note with your donation to the offering plate. Easter flowers may be given in memory of a loved one.
PHOTOS ABOVE (LEFT TO RIGHT): The Altar of Repose 2023 (thanks to the donations of several generous parishioners); Fr. Hannam and servers transfer the Sacrament to the Altar of Repose during the Maundy Thursday service 2023.
Holy Week & Easter 2024
Liturgical & Music information coming soon!