Newsletter Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
Refugees in London – Eggs Please
For a small but significant way to support the local drop-in for refugees organized by NNLS, please bring 6+ hard-boiled eggs to church on Sunday, 5th February and leave them in the crates in the foyer of our church. Contact: Sandra, finchleyeastcat@rcdow.org.uk.
Senior Citizens Lunch – Sunday 29th January 2017
Just a reminder that the Senior Citizens Lunch will start at 1.30 pm. Many thanks.
Food Bank Report
Thank you, parishioners of St Mary’s, for your continued support of the Food Bank. Bags of food are regularly left by the Sacred Heart statue and there are occasional donations of money. Here are some statistics
Saturday 17th December we had our largest number ever. There were:
43 visitors – who asked help for:
64 adults
35 children.
Like everybody else, our clients who seek emergency food help also celebrate Christmas. But their options are often very limited. This year the management committee came up with the idea of filling 100 bags of Christmas goodies to give away. With the kind help of our donors via a Just Giving page, the bags were bought and a team of helpers assembled to pack the bags. Into each bag went shortbread, nuts, crisps, mince pies, chocolate, cheese twists, and all sorts of other treats. We even squeezed a tinsel tree into each bag.
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.
Holocaust Memorial Service
Churches Together in Finchley invite you to the annual Holocaust Memorial Service which will be at St Mary’s Church of England, Hendon Lane, N3 this Sunday 29th January at 6 pm.
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.
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.
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.
Next INCENSED Youth Group (ages 10 - 18)
“I’d like to become a scientist, but I think that would go against my faith.” What would you say to this young person? Do you agree? Join the debate and games to do with science and faith at our next youth group meeting today Sunday, 29th January, at 11:10 am in the community room (Fr Terry’s house), new people always welcome. Sandra, finchleyeastcat@rcdow.org.uk
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
Please pray for the sick esp. Sister Sheila, John & Carmel Bates, Cathy Walker, Finola Hickey, Kelly-Marie O’Donnell, Pat Gleeson and Annette O’Gorman.
Parish Collection Last week’s collection came to £ 1,286.88. Many thanks.
Baptism
Ask God’s blessing on Kieran Patrick O’Connell who was baptised here last week.