Welcome to St Wilfrid's Parish in the Heart of Preston

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3rd Sunday of Lent

‘Let it alone this year also, until I dig round it …’

The readings this week encourage us to repent. Reflecting on what happened to the people of God in the Old Testament can help us to avoid making the same errors. As St Paul tells us in today’s Epistle, many Israelites fell away from their belief, in spite of God’s goodness.

In the First Reading Moses is drawn towards a burning bush, where God reveals himself as the creator of all things and indicates his name: ‘I am who I am’.

St Paul (Second Reading) reminds the Corinthians of how their forebears failed to please God in the desert. This should be a warning to them: they must be on their guard at all times. Being baptised is no guarantee against falling into temptation.

The Psalm expresses our gratitude to God for being loving, patient and compassionate.

This same compassion is exemplified in the Gospel. After a call to repentance, the parable of the fig tree illustrates how patient God is, even when, like that tree, his people – us – do not bear fruit over a long period of time.

As Pilgrims of Hope in this Jubilee year, we pray to be granted greater compassion and forgiveness towards those who repent of their trespasses against us. Perhaps we can also look more closely at our own lives. What might we change this Lent to bear more fruit?

(With thanks to St Beuno's Outreach)

ARTWORK

Parable of the Fruitless Fig Tree

Alexey Pismenny

The Eastern Prom Group

Welcome

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St Wilfrid’s is an active Catholic parish. in the heart of Preston, served by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), with a history going back over 200 years. As Parish Priest I am delighted to welcome you to St Wilfrid’s.  This website gives you details of the many activities of our dedicated parishioners as well as the history of this church.  Please contact us for more information or if there is anything we can do.

Wishing you every blessing.

Chris Pedley, S.J.

Jesuits & Friends Spring 2025

The Spring edition of Jesuits & Friends is now available to read online and as a paper copy available at the back of the church.

Weekend Workshop

Life before Death: The Psychology of Flourishing

Presented by Fr Roger Dawson SJ
April 11- 13, Kinnoul Monastery, Perth.

Click here for more details

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The Entrance to St Wilfrid's Chruch, Preston
Northern Jesuit Parishes Group Photo for the Feast of St Ignatius 31 July at Stonyhurst
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