17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) 25th July 2021
MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS
Sun 25th July - 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
8.30 am - Holy Souls
10 am - John A Conroy, anniversary
12 noon - A private intention
Mon 26th July - St Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
10 am - Seamus Devlin, RIP
Tues 27th July - Feria
10 am - Chinedu & Goziem Onuchukwu, thanksgiving & special intentions
Weds 28st July
NO MASS
Thurs 29th July - St Martha
7 pm - Ogbogu Family, thanksgiving & special intentions
Fri 30th July - Feria
10 am - Terry Loftus, RIP
Sat 31st July - 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
5 pm Martin Brennan, RIP
Please pray for the sick and those who care for them, today especially for the frail elderly and for those who work as carers.
Some changes have started:
Fr Peter writes: “I think it is very important that we introduce change to how we attend Mass slowly and gradually taking into account the rate of local Covid infections. Therefore I am going to ask you to keep wearing your masks to Mass, maintain social distancing and to alcohol gel your hands as you enter and leave the church. It is also important that you continue to provide your name and telephone number for track and trace purposes. However I have introduced coming forward socially distanced to receive Holy Communion and returning to your seat, also the second reading, singing one hymn at the Sunday 10am Mass and the re-opening of the repository at weekends.
Is every day still a Sunday?
The Bishops Conference has decided to reintroduce Sunday obligation from the end of November (the First Sunday of Advent). Therefore every day is still a Sunday. The Bishops have recommended that we try our utmost to attend Mass and receive Holy Communion.
Parish “In Council”:
Fr Peter writes: “As we emerge from the pandemic we have a chance to rebuild our parish. A “parish in council” is a single meeting open to all parishioners where you can ask me questions and give me ideas about future activities, formation classes or meetings that you would like to see happen at St Mary’s. It is not an opportunity to be unduly critical, but constructive – a good “building” term! The date for our “Parish In Council” is Tuesday 14th September at 7pm.”
St Mary’s & Cathedrals & Palaces:
Fr Peter writes: “I thought we could take advantage of low tourist numbers in London and plan a day excursion to Westminster Cathedral (have a tour) and Kensington Palace (visit inside) - tickets: adults £23, Children £16, OAP £16. The palace also affords us the chance for an impromptu picnic lunch in the surrounding park.
Date: Thursday 26th August. Let me know if you are interested and I will book tickets.”
Your Prayers:
Let us keep in our prayers: Rekha, Bina, Gale Yates, Jose Luis Pérez, Alice, Michael O Boy, Lilian Murphy, Arthur Palmer, Karina McKiernan Father Robert Plourde and Izabela Lissowska – all unwell at this time.
We also pray for Danusia Szczepanik, Sheila Wheaten, Baby Boley, Susie Owens, Camilla Canepa, Fr Edward Ndahinda, John Skehan, Thomas O’Connor, Antony Fernando, Margarita de Vega, Frances Barry, Martin Brennan, Pat O’Shea, Victoria Adedoyin, Maurilio Vargas Panduro, Geny Vargas Panduro and Helen Vargas Panduro who have all died recently. May they Rest in Peace. We remember their families and all those bereaved. We continue to pray for those around the world battling the coronavirus.
Offertory Collection
Fr Peter writes: “The offertory collection in church for week ending 18th July was- £550.40 All contributions are greatly received, and I am very grateful for your continued support at this difficult time. Please do not forget, that arranging a standing order is the easiest way to support St Mary’s.
Streamed Masses for this week:
The 10 am Mass on Sunday, will be streamed for those unable to come to Church. You can access the streaming service via www.saintmarys.online
Newly Ordained Priests:
Fr Peter writes: “As of September, Cardinal Vincent has appointed me to look after all priests ordained less than 5 years and remain PP at St Mary’s. Other than the odd conference, this responsibility should not affect my work with all of you.”
Confessions & Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament:
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will now be every Saturday from 4:30pm to 5pm.
Confessions return to Saturday at 4:30pm (before Mass) and 5:30pm (after Mass). Please do not hesitate to take advantage of this beautiful healing sacrament”
Thank you:
Fr Peter writes: “Thank you to Austen Ivereigh, John Coleby and Patrick for their informative and inspiring presentations last week as we took the Holy Father’s invitation to “dream” and plan for the church after the pandemic.
Using the church building as a gathering place to host presentations seemed to work. With the ingenuity of Holly we were able to “zoom” Austen into the church and later adapt for John and Patrick to use power point.
I would like to repeat this venture next July and make it an annual event to help our formation. Using the model of the past three days perhaps we could decide on a theme for next year at our Parish “In Council”? My suggested pattern is: one theological exploration, one pastoral talk and one “art” based presentation. Please let me know what you think.
Thank you:
Fr Peter writes: “I am conscious that I do not thank you enough. It has been a challenging year and we have come through as a community because of your kindness and support. Our parish financial situation is still precarious, so thank you to everyone who has been remarkably generous keeping the roof over our heads. To those who work “behind the scenes”, the sacristans, the stewards, the musicians, the counters, the SVP, foodbank volunteers, those who bake me cakes - thank you. To those who keep an eye on the site – mow the lawns, fix the roof, help with the notice boards, clear the rubbish and maintain tidiness – thank you.
We are a resolute and strong community of kindness – thank you for your support.
Hymn for Sunday 10am Mass
Now thank we all our God, With heart and hands and voices, Who wondrous things hath done, In whom his world rejoices; Who from our mother's arms Hath blessed us on our way With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today. O may this bounteous God Through all our life be near us, With ever-joyful hearts And blessèd peace to cheer us; And keep us in his grace, And guide us when perplexed, And free us from all ills In this world and the next. All praise and thanks to God The Father now be given, The Son, and Holy Ghost, Supreme in highest heaven, The one eternal God, Whom earth and heaven adore; For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore.