Second Sunday of Lent (Year A)
Passion Choir
Ahoy all you singers! We need you to help deepen our spirit of worship at the Good Friday and Easter Vigil services. Our 10 am organist Helen Tierney has kindly agreed to lead the choir. Rehearsals will be held at 8 pm on each of the following Thursdays: Thurs 23rd March, 30th March and 6th April. There will also be a rehearsal arranged on Good Friday itself. Do lend us your voices.
LENT
A yearly season of spiritual renewal
Monday soup and scripture
Each Monday to 3rd April inclusive, a soup lunch will be provided by Fr Terry in the presbytery at 12.30 pm and we will discuss the following Sunday readings.
Thursday Group
Sandra Lipner says: Join us every Thursday in Lent for a child-friendly Mass at 10 am and a short Lenten reflection in the community room afterwards. Toys and tea provided. All welcome, especially parents/carers with babies and toddlers.
Friday stations of the cross, after the 10 am Mass
There is also a Lenten Quiz (see parish website).
CAFOD LENT FAST DAY – Friday 10th March 2017
This weekend there will be a Special Collection at all the Masses for CAFOD Lent Fast Day which was on Friday 10th March. Envelopes are available at the back of the church. A small pond of tiny fish costing £24 to make and stock has transformed the life of Florence and her family in Zambia, so that they now have economic security, enough to eat and children can go to school. Florence is also able to share her new found skills with the rest of her community. Please help others like Florence and support CAFOD, the official aid agency of the Catholic Church, and its work for the poor and underprivileged throughout the world.
Confirmation Meetings
Could confirmation candidates and parents please put the following in their diaries:
- Thursday 16th March, first session with candidates, 8 pm
- Saturday 25th March, retreat day, 10 am-4pm
All the above take place in the parish centre.
NB the Tuesday meeting for parents on the 14th March has been cancelled.
Next INCENSED Youth Group (ages 10 - 18)
Join us on 19th March at 11 am in the community room (Father Terry’s house). Our topic this month: Jewish Passover Traditions. Play some Passover games, watch video clips and find out how Passover is linked to the story of Jesus’ Passion. New people always welcome, ages 10+. Sandra, finchleyeastcat@rcdow.org.uk
Easter Egg Hunt & Skateboarding Workshop (ages 6 – 18)
Come along to our Easter Monday skateboarding workshop and Easter egg hunt taking place around our church and car park. Back by popular demand, the amazing Skates and Ladders team will teach skateboarding skills to everyone from complete beginners to experienced skaters. All equipment provided. Cost: £5 per person, siblings £2.50. Donations of chocolate eggs welcome. Sign up by emailing Sandra,finchleyeastcat@rcdow.org.uk
Bishop to visit
Every few years one of the bishops pays a formal visit to each parish. We welcome Bishop John Sherrington this weekend. He will preach at all Masses.
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.
St Patrick’s Day Singalong
Helen Tierney writes: There will be an all-inclusive, dementia-friendly singalong of favourite Irish songs on St Patrick’s Day in the Crown Clayton pub in Cricklewood Broadway. This will be from 11 am – 12.30 pm. Free tea and coffee to all. The event is hosted by Ashford Place (formerly Irish Homelessness Concern).
SVP – Donations for items for a new born baby
The SVP has received a request for items suitable for new born baby, expected in April. Unisex clothes for 0-12 months and equipment like changing mat, steriliser and baby chair. There is a list in the porch. Could you put your name, contact number and item you can donate.
Cardinal’s Mass of Thanksgiving for the Sacrament of Matrimony
Westminster Cathedral, Saturday 3rd June at 3pm. The Cardinal invites 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 wish to join them give the parish office by 20th March: husband and wife’s names, wedding date, postal address and email (or telephone number, if no email).
Cardinal’s Appeal
This year the Cardinal has asked that the Lenten Alms collection be directed to the Cardinal’s Appeal fund. The funds raised will go to support parishes or groups in their work to further the mission of the Church: to serve the evangelisation of youth, to develop marriage and family life projects, and to provide service in society, especially to those on the margins. Please take a leaflet to learn more about this. The second collection on the weekend of 25th/26th March will be for the Cardinal’s Appeal Lenten alms. Envelopes are available. Please be as generous as you can.
St Patrick’s Day
As in previous years on the 17th March we will have blessing and distribution of shamrock after the 10 am Mass. All are welcome.
Running for Mind
Our parishioner Melissa Obi is running the London Marathon this year April 23rd in aid of Mind, the mental health charity. She hopes to raise £2000. You can donate to her via her page at Virgin Money: www.virginmoneygiving.com/MelissaObosi
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. 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
Come and See – Becoming a Permanent Deacon
Deacon Anthony Clark wrties: Men wanting to know more about the permanent
diaconate are invited to come to a two hour meeting at St Edward the Confessor, 700 Finchley Road, Golders Green, NW11 7NE on Saturday 25th March from 10 am to 12. No booking needed. Wives welcome. Contact details: Deacon Adrian Cullen 07961 594725 or Deacon Anthony Clark 07545 373548.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 £ 1120.88 Many thanks.