Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year A)
First Holy Communion next Sunday 10 & 12
We look forward to next Sunday’s celebration of first holy communion at 10 am and 12 noon. Please expect the church to be busier than usual as we welcome visiting family and friends. There will be 10 children making their first communion at the 10, and 22 making their first communion at the 12. Accordingly at the 10, the first five rows on each side will be reserved for them and the families, and the first 11 rows on each side will be reserved for them at the 12.
Cake Sale
Members of our confirmation group will be selling delicious cakes after 10 am Mass today in aid of the charity Mary’s Meals.
Building works in the parish grounds: Take care
Work has now begun on the parish centre lawn and path. Please note that until further notice the pathway between the church and the presbytery is closed. Please access the parish centre via the path to the left of the church front door.
Priests Training Fund Second Collection – This Weekend 6th/7th May
Today’s second collection is for the annual Priests Training Fund. The Fund helps pay for the training of seminarian (we currently have 39), the education of priests for special ministries, and ongoing enrichment to strengthen priests. Your gift helps ensure we can provide training for these men responding to Christ's call to dedicate their lives serving the Church. Please be as generous as you can. Please also pray for vocations; please take home a prayer card for vocations. If you do not have a donation leaflet, plenty are still available at the back of the church. You can donate online anytime at www.rcdow.org.uk/donations .
Choir Rehearsal
Everyone is welcome to join our friendly group of singers at their rehearsal today, Sunday, 7th May, after 10 am Mass in the parish centre, all ages welcome. We will be singing at the First Communion Masses on 14th May at 10 am + 12 noon. Contact: Liz Menezes.
New Eucharistic Minister and Reader Rotas
The present rotas for Eucharistic Ministers and Readers end on Sunday 21st May 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 cover the school summer holiday period from Saturday 29th July to Sunday 27th August (five weekends), for which there will be a special rota sheet which you can fill in if you are willing to serve.
Many thanks.
Refugees in London – Eggs Please
Many thanks for your donations of hard-boiled eggs today to help the local drop-in for refugees in East Finchley (organized by NNLS). Please leave your eggs in the box in the foyer before 12 noon, one of our volunteers will take it to the centre.
Celebration Barnet Multifaith Festival – Sunday 14th May
Next Sunday 14th May there is a festival to celebrate the diversity of faiths in Barnet. Its at the Burnt Oak Leisure Centre from 12 to 5pm. Admission is free but you need to register for free tickets atwww.cbfestival.co.uk . At 4pm the faith leaders will gather on stage to say together a pledge of diversity and respect. You are invited to attend and show your support. Further details at www.barnetmultifaithforum.org
Rosary Devotion to Our Lady for the Month of May – The Legion of Mary
The Rosary will be said in homes and in Church during the month of May.
Tuesday 9th May Mary Myles 12 Queens Avenue at 4 pm
Wednesday 10th May In Church after 10 am Mass.
Thursday 11th May May Brennan 11a Lankaster Gardens at 4 pm.
Friday 12th May Agnes Day 54 Squires Lane at 3 pm.
All are welcome.
Annual March and Rally for Life, Birmingham
On Saturday 20th May the annual pro-life march and rally takes place at Victoria Square, Birmingham. Many pro-life organisations will be joining together in a day of witness that includes inspiring speakers and a Mass at St Chad’s Cathedral. Coaches will be organised from London. You can find more details here:
http://www.marchforlife.co.uk/
Christian Meditation Group
There is a Christian Meditation Group in Nazareth House, 162 East End Road, every Tuesday morning at 10.30 am – after the 10 am Mass.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes – Volunteers required
The Diocesan Piligrimage is once again looking to recruit volunteers to help on this summer’s pilgrimage. If you are over 18, your help would be very much appreciated as a St Frai Helper. The role is to support the nurses and provide the sort of care for which you don’t need a medical qualification. You must be fit, able and keen to help. The dates of the pilgrimage are departure on Sunday 23rd July and return on Saturday 29th July. If you are interested in helping and would like further information on what is required, please e mail chief helpers Nick Leonard and team at westminsterstfrai@gmail.com.
Kristy asks you to give your £££ for her pounds
Kristy says: At the start of Lent, Cardinal Vincent Nichols asked us to focus on caring for the sick and those whose lives are coming to an end. North London Hospice does just that. I lost weight and the hospice gained funds! You can still donate via:
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Kristy
Volunteering – make a difference with CAFOD
Tony Sheen, CAFOD Westminster Volunteer Centre writes: Could you help CAFOD and inspire others to act for social justice, and use your skills to help our sisters and brothers working to overcome poverty around the globe? Are you a people person who would relish involving and encouraging others in your local area? Or maybe you are a good communicator who would enjoy speaking in churches or in schools? To find out more, please get in touch with us on westminster@cafod.org.uk or 020 8449 6970 or book a place on the Understanding CAFOD information session on Saturday 20th May near Waterloo.
Adult Formation Events – Mark’s Gospel
Ausra Cane, Agency for Evangelisation writes: an event with Father John Hemer - ‘Mark Gospel: A basic handbook for discipleship’ will be held on Monday 15th May at Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street, London SW1P 1QN from 7 pm – 8.30 pm. Registration is required. E mail at livingfaith@rcdow.org.uk and indicate your name and date of the event. If you do not have access to Internet, please leave a voice message at 020 7931 6078. Suggested donation - £4.00.
Brightlights Young Adult Festival Weekend at Alton Castle
The Brightlights Organising Committee writes: Brightlights is an annual event for Catholic young adults (ages 16-30) taking place 23rd – 26th June in the beautiful grounds of Alton Castle in Staffordshire. There will be speakers, workshops, drama, prayer, Reconciliation, Mass and live music from artists including One Hope Project and Guvna B. It is a place where young adults can discover more about themselves, others and God in a safe and relaxed environment and share faith and experiences with others of the same age-group and outlook. To find out more information or book tickets and a coach space visit brightlights.org.uk or call 0300 075 0115.
Marriage Care volunteers needed
Marriage Care is a Catholic organisation providing marriage preparation and relationship counselling services through 50 centres across England and Wales.
Our centre for Barnet and Enfield is in need of Marriage Preparation Course Facilitators to present and facilitate marriage preparation courses to small groups of engaged couples (training is provided) and an Administrator to help with the smooth running of the centres services. We are also in need of qualified Relationship Counsellors to deliver relationship counselling. For more information or to apply, please visit: www.marriagecare.org.uk or emailvolunteer@marriagecare.org.uk
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. to find out more, visit www.dowym.com/spec
Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, West Grimstead
The Consolata Fathers are holding a Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, West Grimstead on Saturday 17th June 2017. It is an opportunity to visit the 17th Century secret Chapel – a time when priests celebrated Holy Mass under fear of death. The cost is £25 per person and includes coach, lunch, teas, coffees and soft drinks. To book: please make cheques payable to Consolata Fathers dated 1st May 2017 and post with details to The Superior, Consolata Fathers, 3 Salisbury Avenue, London N3 3AJ. Please book early – cheques not banked until 1st May. For further details, contact Stella Devlin on 0208 445 3099.
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 £ 1073.47. Many thanks.
Baptism Ask God’s blessing on Neriah Jadesola Isimenmen Olorode who was baptised here yesterday (6th May).