Newsletter Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
LENT
A yearly season of spiritual renewal
Ash Wednesday, 1st March: Mass with imposition of ashes at 10 am and 7.30 pm
Monday soup and scripture
Each Monday from 6th March to 3rd April inclusive, a soup lunch will be provided by Fr Terry in the presbytery and we will discuss the following Sunday readings.
Thursday Group
Join us every Thursday in Lent after 10 am Mass for a time of reflection and prayer using The Little Book of Lent (materials provided). All welcome, especially parents/carers with babies, toddlers and young children. Meet in the community room (Father Terry's house) after Mass. Contact: Sandra.
There is also a Lenten Quiz and a Film Evening (see below).
Lenten Film Evening – Letters from Mother Teresa
Join our Lenten film evening on Friday 3rd March, at 8 pm in the parish centre and watch ‘Letters from Mother Teresa’ starring Juliet Stevenson (2014). The film explores the life of Mother Teresa through letters she wrote to her longtime friend and spiritual director, Father Celeste van Exem.
Funerals
The Funeral Mass for the late Jozsef Mak took place here at St Mary’s last Friday 17th February and last Saturday 18th February, we had the Funeral Mass for the late Grenfel Thomas. Also on Saturday Fr Terry interred the ashes of Annie Maria Connolly, and on Tuesday coming there is a funeral service at Golders Green Crematorium for Albert Frank Mason. May they rest in peace
First Holy Communion Course Takes a Break
There will be no First Holy Communion class tomorrow 19th February because of half term. Next session: 26th February – usual time and place.
Mass for Bereaved Parents – 11th March 2017, Westminster Cathedral
On Saturday 11th March at 2.30 pm at Westminster Cathedral a Mass for bereaved parents will be celebrated by Bishop Paul McAleenan. During Mass, after the homily, parents will be invited to write the name of their deceased child on a card and the cards will be taken along with the offertory to the sanctuary. It’s a time to remember, to pray, to give thanks and to entrust deceased children to the Lord. All are welcome to attend.
Christian Meditation Group
There is a Christian Meditation Group which has already started – in Nazareth House, 162 East End Road, every Tuesday morning at 10.30 am – after the 10 am Mass.
Gospel Choir Rehearsal on 26th February – All Welcome
Come along and sing with us on Sunday 26th February at 11 am in the Large Hall (pancakes served by our teenagers!). All ages and abilities welcome. We’ll be preparing for 10 am Mass on Sunday 5th March. Liz and Sandra, finchleyeastcat@rcdow.org.uk
Next INCENSED Youth Group (ages 10-18)
Pancake party! Join our next youth group meeting on Sunday 26th February at 11 am in the Large Hall. New people always welcome. Contact Sandra – finchleyeastcat@rcdow.org.uk
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.
Looking for Residential Care?
Nazareth House in East Finchley has just completed a full refurbishment programme and have vacancies. If you wish to go and see, please contact Christine Small – General Manager on 0208 883 1104 or Sister Celine-Marie, Sister Superior on 07778 512144.
The Good Counsel Network – 40 Days for Life Launch Breakfast
This event will take place on 25th February 11am until 1pm. Our Lady of Loreto and St Winefride's, 1 Leyborne Park Kew Richmond TW9 3HB. 12,668 babies been saved from abortion, 83 abortion centres closed down and 143 abortion workers quit their jobs. To attend this event and find out how all of this has happened and find out what is planned for this Lent.www.goodcounselnetwork.com”
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.
SPEC gap year opportunities
Over 18 and planning a gap year? Join us for a year at the Westminster Youth Ministry retreat centre as a volunteer missionary, supporting schools and parishes of our diocese. You can develop skills to help you with your future career, and grow in your Catholic faith. Wonderful accommodation in glorious surroundings, all meals and a monthly allowance. To see how our past volunteer missionaries have used this experience to build their future, and to find out more, visit www.dowym.com/spec/.
Newman House University Chaplaincy 50th Anniversary
Were you a resident or Mass-goer? Were you in one of the London university Catholic societies? We would love to re-connect with you. There is a range of celebrations planned, but the principal celebration is Mass Sunday 28th May at St James’ Church, Spanish Place at 2pm, celebrated by Cardinal Vincent Nichols. To sign up for more information please visit www.universitycatholic.net/signup or email alumni@universitycatholic.net or visit our website at www.universitycatholic.net.
Knights of St Columba
The Knights of St Columba, the men’s lay apostolate organisation, are inviting like-minded men to their order to assist them in serving God and serving others. Men who are interested are asked to contact Bertie M Grogan at membership@ksc.org.uk, by visiting www.ksc.org.uk, by telephone on 0141 883 5700 or by post to Knights of St Columba, 75 Hillington Road South, Glasgow G52 2AE.
Coach Pilgrimage to Lisieux
Deacon Anthony Clark says that there are still places on the coach pilgrimage to Lisieux from St Edward the Confessor, Golders Green. £395 single room per person, £375 twin room per person. Monday to Friday 24th-28th April. More details: anthonyc@rcdow.org.uk
Cardinal’s Mass of Thanksgiving for the Sacrament of Matrimony
Westminster Cathedral, Saturday 3rd June 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 hand in to the parish office by 20th March these details: husband and wife’s names, wedding date, full postal address and email (or telephone number, if no email).
Growing in Faith Campaign Update
Although it’s three years ago since this diocesan fundraising campaign was completed in our parish, both the Westminster diocese and our own parish of St Mary’s East Finchley continue to benefit from the 116 generous parishioners who have pledged donations over five years. By the end of last year they had donated £101,000 towards our goal of £150,000. In the diocese, this giving is helping to train new priests, care for sick and retired priests, and fund Caritas projects like Bakhita House for the victims of human trafficking. In our own parish, those making donations through their pledges to the campaign are helping to fund our parish project through the youth and Christian formation work of Sandra Lipner. Thank you for your generous support.
Vacancy for Part Time Teacher of Economics at St Michael’s Grammar School
St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School, in North Finchley, London N12 7NJ, has a vacancy for a part-time Teacher of Economics, wtih effect from April 2017. Closing date 12:00 noon Monday 20th February 2017. Further information and an application form please go to the School website: http://www.st-michaels.barnet.sch.uk/Pages/staffvac.php or ring St Michael’s on 020 8446 2256.
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.
Youth Worker sought by Westminster Justice and Peace Commission
This role is to promote peace and social justice concerns in schools and parishes across the diocese. Energy and enthusiasm to encourage young people to make a difference in the world around them is key. See diocesan website for details. Closing date Feb 21st 2017. Visit: http://rcdow.org.uk/diocese/jobs/youth-worker--westminster-justice--peace-commission-1/
Pray for the sick esp. Sister Sheila, John & Carmel Bates, Cathy Walker, Finola Hickey, Kelly-Marie O’Donnell, Pat Gleeson, Annette O’Gorman.
Parish Collection Last week’s collection came to £ 881.47. Many thanks.