8th Sunday in Ordinary Time
26th February 2017
Sat 25th / 6.30pmSun 26th / 8.30am / Mary Burke RIP
10.30am / Nora Skingsley RIP
Mon 27th / 10.00am / Funeral of Michael Salisbury
Tue 28th / 10.00am / Erna Wells RIP
Wed 1st / 10.00am
7.30pm / Ash Wednesday
Thu 2nd / 10.00am / Geraldine Carter Holy Souls Intentions
Fri 3rd / No Mass / Friday abstinence
Please note that mass intentions as set out above may not always be read out, but the intention is offered
Holy Hour: Saturday 5.15 – 6.15 pm
Confessions: Saturday 5.45 – 6.15 pm
Or by appointment with Fr. Denis
Family Mass: 1st Sunday 10.30 am
Latin Mass: 1st Sunday 3.00 pm (extraordinary form)
BAPTISM PREPARATION COURSE: Please contact Richard & Marie Miller 01462-490630
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Parish Day of Prayer: 1st Wednesday 10.30 to 6.30pm
CHILDREN’S LITURGY:-There will now be a regular ‘family mass’ on the first Sunday of every month. Children's liturgy will be held weekly at the 10.30 Sunday Mass.
Please remember in your prayers:
The sick of the parish, Patrick Hearne and Jeannette Peppiatt and for those who care for and support them. We remember those who have died recently, especially: Erna Wells, John Labrum, Michael Salisbury & Joe Craster and for those whose anniversaries occur at this time: Annie Brennan; Ernest D’Addario; Pierre Borgers; Richard Callaghan; Mary Toal; Margarita Malon;e Mary Ann Wrighton; Jan Godiewski; Ellen Summers; Maureen Page; Julia Spraggs
Parish Mass Book: Page 142
Do Not Be Anxious
We are by nature prone to be anxious and troubled about many things.
In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus confronts us with our most common fears. We are anxious mostly about how we will meet our material needs—for food and drink; for clothing; for security for tomorrow. Yet in seeking security and comfort, we may unwittingly be handing ourselves over to servitude to “mammon,” Jesus warns. “Mammon” is an Aramaic word that refers to money or possessions. Jesus is not condemning wealth. Nor is he saying that we shouldn’t work to earn our daily bread or to make provisions for our future. It is a question of priorities and goals. What are we living for? Where is God in our lives? Jesus insists that we need only to have faith in God and to trust in his Providence.
The readings this Sunday pose a challenge to us. Do we really believe that God cares for us, that he alone can provide for all our needs?
Do we believe that he loves us more than a mother loves the infant at her breast, as God himself promises in this week’s beautiful First Reading? Do we really trust that he is our rock and salvation, as we sing in the Psalm? Jesus calls us to an intense realism about our lives. For all our worrying, none of us change the span of our days. None of us has anything that we have not received as a gift from God.
St. Paul reminds us in the Epistle that when the Lord comes he will disclose the purposes of every heart.
We cannot serve both God and mammon. We must choose one or the other. Our faith cannot be partial. We must put our confidence in him and not be shaken by anxiety. Let us resolve today to seek his Kingdom and his holiness before all else—confident that we are beloved sons and daughters, and that our Father in heaven will never forsake us
PRAYER:
May the poor find justice, the victims of oppression, true freedom and the disheartened, hope. May the whole world, clothed in the dignity of the children of God, enter with gladness your Kingdom of peace. Amen.
BELOVED DISCIPLES
A DVD designed for those in the ‘autumn’ of their lives, will be shown every Tuesday morning in February after the 10.00 Mass, in the Holy Family Room. Each session will be approximately 1 hour including time for tea/coffee and biscuits. Although this DVD is aimed at the senior members of the parish all are most welcome.
DIARY DATES
MARRIAGE PREPARATION
Will take place on Saturday 27th May 2017 from 9am to 3pm. A donation of £20 per couple is asked to cover costs. A substantial lunch will be included.
CARDINAL’S MASS OF THANKSGIVING FOR SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE
To be held at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 3rd June 2017 at 3pm. The Cardinal will be inviting to this Mass all couples in the Diocese who are celebrating their 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th (and every year over 60) wedding anniversary of Catholic marriage in 2017. If you are celebrating an anniversary, please send your Names, full address, date of wedding, and email address (or telephone no.) to or call 020 7931 6064.
WESTMINSTER RECORD
The Westminster Record is on sale at the back of the church, it provides news and features about all areas of Catholic life - in homes, parishes and schools - across North, West, Central and East London as well as Hertfordshire.
THE HOLY FATHER’S PRAYER INTENTIONS
The Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions for the month of February are:
Pope's Prayer Intention:
Comfort for the Afflicted:That all those who are afflicted, especially the poor, refugees, and marginalized, may find welcome and comfort in our communities.
The Sacredness of Life:We pray for the children who are in danger of the interruption of pregnancy, as well as for persons who are at the end of life — every life is sacred!— so that no one is left alone and that love may defend the meaning of life.
RCIA COURSE continues on Tuesday the 28th February at 7.45 in parish rooms.
Ash Wednesday
is a day of strict fasting (only one full meal, and two small snacks that don't add up to a full meal) and abstinence from all meat. This fasting and abstinence remind us that Lent is a penitential season.
Can. 1252: The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year. ..Pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the true meaning of penance.
Can. 1250: The penitential days and times in the universal Church are every Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.
Can. 1251: Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
During Lent Stations of the Cross will be held in the church on Wednesday mornings after the 10.00am Mass 8th March and on Friday evenings at 7.30pm starting on 10th March.
Before Mass, speak to God.
Then after Mass chat to your friends.
VACANCY FOR LUNCH TIME STAFF.
St John’s Catholic Primary School is looking for an energetic and motivated person to join our team of Midday Supervisory Assistants (M.S.A’s)This role will involve a daily lunch time duty from 12:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m., supporting our children while they eat and play. PLEASE CONTACT ST JOHNS SCHOOL 01462 Closing date: Tuesday 21st March, 2017.
CONGRATULATIONS to Helena Paul on their recent wedding. The service was a wonderful celebration of their love for each other.
LOST PROPERTY BOX
There will be a lost property box left in the porch. Items will be disposed of after 3 months. Many thanks.
COLLECTION UPDATE
Last Sunday’s Collection: Envelopes £338.55
and loose plate £213.13; SVP Collection £635.67