Newsletter Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
Senior Citizens Lunch
One of the highlights of the year for our seniors is always the lunch organised by the SVP. Good food, good company, good music – who could resist? This year’s event will be on Sunday 29th January. If you would like to attend, please put your name down in the list in the church porch.
Red Boxes
If you have a red box please bring it in and leave it in the sacristy. Please make sure that your name is on the bottom so that you can be told how much your collection contributed to the work of the Association for the Propagation of the Faith. Our APF representatives, Anthony and Lin Schofield, would be glad if you could bring in your boxes as soon as possible. Once they have been counted and the money deposited, the boxes will be brought back to church and you can take them away again. If you do not have a red box but would like one, please give your details to Fr Terry or Yvonne Merola.
Welcome to our First Communion Group 2017
A warm welcome to our 31 children who are starting their preparation for First Communion today and many thanks to the parents who are joining our sessions as group leaders. Please keep our first communion group in your prayers as they prepare for their big day on 14th May.
Pilgrimage to Fatima 14th-20th September 2017
There is a special pilgrimage to Fatima being organised for the centenary year of the apparitions. The pilgrimage will include Santiago de Compostella and will be led by Fr Luis Tomas of the Consolata Mission House here in Finchley. Four nights in Fatima, two nights in Santiago de Compostella. Cost: £679. Further details: Tony O’Byrne 0208 361 1300.
Grassy Area between the church and the parish centre
Please note that you must not let your children play on the steps or the strip of lawn immediately behind the church. If they play on the lawn above the steps please make sure that there is at least one parent present at all times. Fr Terry adds: I am sorry about the long wait for the repair work on the terrace. Circumstances beyond my control. It will be several weeks yet before works begin.
Confirmation Enrolment
We are now enrolling young people aged 13+ (Year 8+) for preparation for Confirmation in 2017. Forms are available from Fr Terry or Sandra (finchleyeastcat@rcdow.org.uk). Recruitment closes very soon.
Annual Mass in Honour of Our Lady of Lourdes
The Annual Mass in Honour of Our Lady of Lourdes will take place in Westminster Cathedral on 11th February at 2 pm. The Sacrament of the Sick will be administered during Mass by bishops and priests. If you will be attending in a wheelchair, please let the Parish Office know by 29th January at the latest to ensure that space is reserved for you and if someone is accompanying you, please give their details also.
New Eucharistic Minister and Reader Rotas
The present rotas for Eucharistic Ministers and Readers end on Sunday 22nd January 2017 and new ones for the following weeks will be drawn up very shortly. If you know that you are unable to serve on a particular day or have changed the mass you normally attend or have moved away from the parish, please let Yvonne Merola, the Parish Secretary, know as soon as possible. The new rotas will not include Easter Sunday (16th April), for which there will be a special rota sheet which you can fill in if you are willing to serve.
Special Collection for SPUC on weekend of 21st/22nd January 2017
There will be a second collection at all the Masses on the weekend of 21st/22nd January 2017 for the work of SPUC, the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child. SPUC does excellent work in tracking changes in legislation that undermine the sacredness of life. It also helps defend healthcare professionals and others who refuse to take part in abortions. It also works to defend the disabled though No Less Human, a group within SPUC for disabled people, their families and carers.
Bishop Douglass School Magazine
Copies of the Bishop Douglass School magazine The Douglass are available free to anyone who wants one.
Growing in Faith Newsletter
The most recent issue of the Growing in Faith newsletter is available giving information about the projects made possible by your continuing donations. Renewed thanks to all who support this initiative of the cardinal.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
The annual service of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity this year is being held at Trinity Church, Nether Street at 8 pm on Wednesday 18th January. The theme is ‘Crossing Barriers’.
East Finchley Better Together
There is a news sheet about the work and co-operative initiatives of East Finchley Altogether Better. Do take one away.
Caritas Westminster – Refugee Crisis
Caritas Westminster in partnership with Capital Mass are holding two events relating to the refugee crisis:
Refugees: Next Steps– Wednesday 1st Feb, 7-9pm, Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street, London, SW1P 1QN – A chance to hear more about the community sponsorship programme, and an update about the current situation in Syria
After the Jungle, where next? – Wednesday 8th Feb, 7-9pm, Christ Church Spitalfields, Commercial St, London E1 6LY – Hear from Br Johannes Maertens about what’s now happening in Calais, and see two films made by refugees living in the camp. Please RSVP to caritaswestminster@rcdow.org.uk if you’d like to attend.
Our Lady of Lourdes Bow Lane N12 – Nursery Applications Sept 2017
Our Lady of Lourdes, Bow Lane, N12 are still accepting Nursery Applications for September 2017. If your child was born between 1st April 2014 and 31st March 2015, and you wish to apply, please contact the school on 0208 346 1681 for an application form.
St Martha’s School 70th Anniversary Year 1947-2017
St Martha’s School is celebrating their 70th Year Anniversary at their Hadley Wood site with the following and other special events throughout the year and would be delighted if you would join them for their celebrations. January 20th at 11.30am, Foundation Day Mass, January 23rd & 24th at 7.00pm, Mulan School Production,
February, Archive Opens.Please go to theirwebsitewww.st-marthas.co.ukfor
further details and information on these events and more! Or contact the school
directly at events@saint-marthas.org.uk
Confession: Saturday 10.30 am and 5.30 pm
Exposition & Benediction: Thurs. 10.30-10.45 am & Sat. 5.30-5.55 pm
Please pray for the sick esp. Sister Sheila, John & Carmel Bates, Cathy Walker, Finola Hickey and Kelly-Marie O’Donnell.
Parish Collection Last week’s collection came to £ 967.41 Many thanks.