KEEPING LENT & EASTER 2026

During the Lenten season, we are called to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance and by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word. We invite you to join us on our pilgrimage through this penitential season.

Keeping Lent rests on three pillars
Vivre un bon Carême repose sur trois piliers :

Prayer
By prayer, we mean to reconnect with God in whatever way makes sense to you.There are numerous opportunities to pray throughout Lent : alone, as a family or with others. You are warmly invited to join us in worship on Sundays throughout this season
La prière : Permet de se reconnecter à Dieu

Fasting
By fasting, we mean to let go of those things that have become obstacles to loving God more fully. This could take many forms : abstaining from certain foods or destructive habits, from hurtful words, from anger or bitterness… some people fast, either partially or altogether, from social media.
Le jeûne : Se détacher du superflu et de ce qui nous empêche de nous rapprocher de Dieu

Almsgiving
By almsgiving, we mean the opening of our hearts and our hands toward those who are poor and vulerable.
You could consider making a contribution to the local food bank or another charitable organisation.
Some people volunteer their time in service to others during Lent. It’s also a good time to consider how the way we live affects
others and the Planet.

Any lifestyle changes that need to happen ?
L’aumône : Se tourner vers les autres par le partage

 6 July   10h30 joint celebration with Saint Pierre-le-Jeune at the Dominicans chapel

The abbey of Notre Dame de Baumgarten lies in an idyllic setting in the rolling foothills of the Vosges in the small village of Bernardvillé. 16 years ago a small community of Cistercian nuns  took up the tradition of the comtemplative life which had ended here almost 500 years ago. The rhythm of the monastic hours and the atmosphere of the abbey make it the perfect environment for a time of prayer, thought and meditation.

From 30th May to 1st June Bernard Durel of the Strasbourg Dominicans, our hosts at their church, will be leading this retreat on the subject of “Everyday Christianity”.  With his profound experience of Zen meditation Bernard Durel draws many parallels to the Christian mysticism of Master Eckhart,  and to their value in our everyday lives. And he speaks perfect English!

There are still some places available but not for long!  Contact fr Mark soon if you’d like to join us.

The cost of the retreat, 120 €, covers lodging and meals. All are very welcome.

Pope Francis’ death on Easter Monday came as a surprise and shock to many people. Bishop Robert writes: “We join with our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters in mourning the death of a great pope and a remarkable Christian leader. As Anglicans, we are sad to lose him but thankful for all that he gave us. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.”

https://www.europe.anglican.org/news/latest-news/pope-francis-rest-peace

Seeing afresh the faith that holds us together 

Revoir la foi qui nous unit

Every Sunday, we say the words of the Nicene Creed in our service. These words unite us in our Anglican faith – across our diocese from Norway to Morocco and across the world, hundreds of thousands of people in church say the same words together as a proclamation of our shared faith.  Bishop Robert writes:

“In 325, hundreds of bishops – some from rich and influential cities, others from poor and obscure regions – gathered in Nicaea on the frontier of the Empire’s Greek-speaking East and Latin-speaking West. They were the first fully ecumenical council. Their gathering marked the transition of Christianity into a properly international religion with public impact. It was this gathering which produced the Nicene Creed. This succinct statement articulates the radical, biblical insight that Jesus is both truly God living among us and truly human, living and dying in human history. In 2025, we celebrate that momentous Council and ponder afresh the world-changing beliefs which it articulated.” 

(See also https://www.europe.anglican.org/celebrating-nicaea)

We shall consider the relevance of this declaration of faith for our everyday lives in the weeks before and after Easter, both in sermons and discussions at the home of David Cowley, 5 rue de Londres, Strasbourg. Under the heading “Everyday Christianity” we shall continue to explore our faith at a Parish Retreat at the Abbaye de Notre Dame de Baumgarten at the end of May.

Session One : Sunday 6th April 10h30, Eglise des dominicains.

Session Two: Thursday 10 April 19h00, home of David Cowley, 5, rue de Londres, Strasbourg

Session Three: Tuesday 22 April 19h00, 40, rue de lUniversité, bell bottom left.

Session Four: Sunday 11 May 10h30, Eglise des dominicains.

Parish Retreat: ‘Everyday Christianity’ Friday 30 May – Sunday 1st June, Abbaye de Notre Dame de Baumgarten, Bernardvillé.

Andrew Caspari, the Chief Operating Officer (Diocesan Secretary) of our Diocese in Europe writes:

“Dear Friends,

When the war in Ukraine started we held a series of vigils online across the Diocese.  These were hugely supported.

As the third anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine approaches, we will be coming together once again online to pray for peace and to remember all our sisters and brothers affected by the war.

The service will be led by Bishop Robert, and we will hear reflections from Christina Stafiychuk-Laschenko Churchwarden in Kyiv. Revd Kasta Dip, chaplain in Warsaw, who is now also working in Kyiv, will be the preacher.

The service will be on Zoom on Wednesday 19 February at 18.00 CET/17.00 GMT  (19.00 Ukrainian time) and the Zoom link is:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84853917927?pwd=qfn9t8STh6LclVKjVy52cagG4svbQ0.1 .  Please be online (on mute) a few minutes before the service.

We hope you can all attend, and please share this with everyone in your chaplaincies and beyond.”

http://europe.anglican.org

The process to nominate the next Archbishop of Canterbury is underway, and all of us are invited to participate and share our thoughts on what qualities, values and vision the future Archbishop should embody.

You can either submit an online consultation form or via postal submission :

https://www.churchofengland.org/about/governance/archbishops/canterbury-crown-nominations-commission/consultation-nomination-106th-archbishop-canterbury?sfnsn=w   

Careful: The consultation closes on 28 March.

Le processus de nomination du prochain archevêque de Canterbury est en cours ! et nous sommes tous invités à participer.

Vous pouvez soumettre un formulaire de consultation en ligne ou par courrier postal. (au-dessus)

Attention :  la consultation se ferme le 28 mars.

On 16th of February we welcome the Rt Revd Michael Langrish to our 10.30 service. Bishop Michael is the former Bishop of Exeter and an Honorary Assistant Bishop in this diocese. He will be travelling with Archdeacon Peter Hooper.  Some of our youth have been preparing themselves for Confirmation. Those who wish to present themselves for Baptism or Confirmation at this time should speak with fr Mark quite soon!

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  Rt Rev Michael Langrish

Le 16 février, nous accueillons à St Alban Michael Langrish, l’ancien évêque d’Exeter et un évêque assistant honoraire dans ce diocèse. Certains de nos jeunes se préparent à la Confirmation. Toute autre personne qui souhaite se présenter pour le  Baptême ou la Confirmation est invitée à parler au père Mark très bientôt !