Fifth Sunday of Lent (Year B)
Pray for the sick esp. Eddie Caddle, John & Carmel Bates, Cathy Walker, Finola Hickey, Bridget O’Donnell, Kelly-Marie O’Donnell, Simon O’Donnell, Pat Gleeson and Mary Myles.
Parish Collection: Last week’s collection was £1074.89. Many thanks.
Baptism
Ask God’s blessing on Robert Leonardo Chew who was baptised here yesterday Saturday 17th March.
Legion of Mary – ACIES – Sunday 18th March 2018
The Legion of Mary, St Mary’s writes: On Sunday 18th March at 3 pm, the Annual Consecration to Our Lady will take place here at St Mary’s. This will be followed by refreshments in the parish centre. All are welcome.
Special opportunities for confession before Easter
1. On Saturday 24th March, Fr Tony Convery from Golders Green will be in the confessional from 4.30-5.50 pm. He will also celebrate the Vigil Mass at 6 pm.
2. On Monday 26th March we will have exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 8 pm until at least 9 pm. During this period Fr Leo Edgar of the Dominicans will be available in the confessional, and Fr Terry will be available by the Sacred Heart statue. A chance for confession in the quiet and prayerfulness that come to us always when we are aware of the Lord’s special presence.
Easter Sunday Envelopes
It has come to our attention that some of the boxes have two envelopes for Easter Sunday. Normally, we just have one in the box. Use just one of the envelopes and discard the other. It doesn’t matter which one. Fr Terry says: thank you, you are always generous.
Special Easter Rota for Eucharistic Ministers and Readers
If you are already a reader or a Eucharistic Minister and you wish to volunteer for the Easter triduum, there is a folder in the sacristy where you can put your name down against the day and time of service where you can help out. Many thanks.
HOLY WEEK SERVICES
A card will be available at the back of the church with the times of Holy Week services. Please do take one home with you.
LENT
Lenten Film Series: The Bible
Join us for our last Lenten film evening and watch Jesus’ passion as shown in the miniseries The Bible (2013). Note please that the films carry a classification of 12 . As you can imagine, this episode in particular includes violent scenes. Friday 23rd March, 7.45 pm – 9 pm, in the parish centre. Sandra and Kristy, finchleyeastcat@rcdow.org.uk
Stations of the Cross
Each Friday in Lent immediately after Mass.
The Solemnity of the Annunciation will be observed on Monday 9th April because the 25th March this year is Palm Sunday.
SINGERS WANTED to sing at the GOOD FRIDAY PASSION SERVICE (Fri 30th March 3pm ) and EASTER VIGIL (Sat 31st March 8pm)
Helen writes: All welcome - just make as many of the following rehearsals as you can: Thursday 22nd March 8pm-8.45pm, rehearsal in Holy Week to be arranged.
Mission Appeal
This weekend the mission appeal is made by Sr Anne Moore of the Franciscan Missionaries of St Joseph. She writes: ‘I spent 35 years in Kenya, returning to the UK in 2011. I have worked with people who live in the poorest circumstances and also as RE Adviser in western Kenya. Our Sisters work in 8 different areas of Kenya and one area in Uganda. I look forward to being with you at St Mary’s.’
Skateboarding Workshop and Easter Trail
Booking is now closed. Many thanks for all your interest in our afternoon of Easter eggs, skateboarding and rollerskating on Easter Monday, 2nd April 3-5 pm.
INCENSED Youth Group
We’re meeting in the community room (Fr Terry’s house) after 10 am Mass on 25th March to think about inspirational people and how we can follow their examples. New joiners welcome, ages 10+. Contact: Sandra, finchleyeastcat@rcdow.org.uk
St Mary’s Open Choir
Our next rehearsal with Liz is today Sunday, 18th March at 11 am to practise the hymns for 10 am Mass on Palm Sunday, 25th March. All welcome, no previous experience necessary, all ages. Contact Sandra, finchleyeastcat@rcdow.org.uk
Lenten Art Project
We are creating a Holy Week display of images of the cross and other motifs linked to Jesus’ passion. Please join in and use the art materials available in the hall after 10 am Mass today to contribute to this community project. Open to adults and children of all ages.
SVP Quiz Night – New Date!
The SVP Quiz night has been rescheduled for Saturday 14th April, at 7 pm to raise funds for supporting families in Finchley. Through the generosity of the parish, 25 families in Finchley were helped over Christmas. A sausage and mash or vegetarian meal will be provided. Some soft drinks and white wine will be available but otherwise, bring your own beverages. Please put your name down (even if you did previously) on the new list in the porch; £10 on the door.
Some Lost Property
We have a child’s navy blue quilted body warmer that needs reuniting with its owner after having been left in the hall. Contact the parish office.
Summer time
Remember to change your clocks and watches next weekend, during the night of 24th-25th March.
The Passage and The Big Give – 22nd – 29th March 2018
Andrew Hollingsworth of The Passage writes: The Passage is raising funds through the Big Give from 12pm (midday) Thurs 22 March - 12pm Thurs 29 March to support its work with homeless people this winter. Double your Donation, Double your impact. This is a matched giving scheme for online donations. If someone (can be company, individual or trust) gave £10 online matched giving of £10 would bring the Gift up to £20 (and for individuals to £22.50 with Gift Aid with higher rate tax relief it may cost the donor less than £10). For more information ring Andrew
Hollingsworth on 0207 592 1856 or contact on andrew.h@passage.org.uk www.thebiggive.org.uk/thepassage. The maximum is £10,000 from any one person/body. It is not a limit per household but per person.
Romero – Heartbeat of El Salvador
St Ignatius Parish, Stamford Hill is delighted to offer Romero – Heartbeat of El Salvador, a highly acclaimed drama about the life and martyrdom of Blessed Oscar. This is a production of RISE theatre, a professional theatre company. It is particularly timely as Bl. Oscar will be canonised later this year or early next year. The play will be performed on Tuesday 20th March, 7.15 pm and is suitable for adults and children above 11. Tickets are £7 or £5 for under-16s and concessions. How to buy: Fr. David at dstewart@jesuit.org.uk parish office on 0208 800 2121or buy on the day.
Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, West Grinstead
Pilgrimage with the Consolata Fathers to the Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, West Grinstead on Saturday 23rd June 2018. Coach leaves St Mary Magdalen’s Church, Athenaeum Road, Whetstone N20 9AE at 9 am sharp. Returns 6/6.30 pm. Cost £22 per person – includes travel by coach, teas, coffees, soft drinks. Please bring your own picnic foods. How to book: Cheques should be dated 1st May 2018 and made payable to Consolata Fathers. Post cheque with details of booking to: The Superior, Consolata Fathers, 3 Salisbury Avenue, London N3 3AJ. Please book early. Cheques will not be banked until 1st May 2018. For further details about the pilgrimage contact Stella Devlin on 0208 445 3099.
Eucharistic Congress in Liverpool
The Bishops of England and Wales invite delegates from all parishes to attend a Eucharistic Congress in Liverpool the weekend of 7-9 September 2018. The focus is on deepening our appreciation of Christ in the Eucharist. Our parish is looking for 2 – 4 delegates to attend this Congress, financial support will be available.
National Catholic Men’s Pilgrimage to Walsingham
Sunday 22nd April 2018, 10.30 am – 17.30 pm
Catholic National Shrine of Our Lady and Catholic Man UK write: A warm invitation to the first annual pilgrimage for Catholic men. Meet, talk and share the faith with other men, listen to speakers, celebrate confession and Mass, pray for families and for the country, process to the old Abbey grounds for Benediction. We welcome lay and religious, single and married, young and old, fathers and sons. “When England returns to Walsingham, Our Lady will return to England”. Pope Leo XIII, 1887. For more information visit www.catholicman.co.uk
Cardinal’s Appeal
In his most recent pastoral letter, Cardinal Vincent Nichols commended to us his own Cardinal’s appeal for a share in our Lenten alms. He wrote:
The Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal enables me to offer funding to new programmes of outreach across the diocese that address some of today’s more pressing problems here at home. The Appeal supports in work its key areas of social outreach, young people and marriage and family life.
There are leaflets and envelopes available by the door in support of this appeal, or you can give via the wall box dedicated for this purpose.