Fourth Sunday of Lent (Year A) 22nd March 2020
MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS
NO PUBLIC MASS
Sun 22nd Mar
10 am People of the Parish
Mon 23rd Mar Lent Feria
10 am Jean Cunningham, RIP
Tues 24th Mar Lent Feria
10 am Mary Giblin, anniversary
Weds 25th Mar The Annunciation of the Lord
10 am Mary Brennan
Thurs 26th Mar Lent Feria
10 am Kathleen Pearce, intentions
Fri 27th Mar Lent Feria
10 am Gretta Dunlea, RIP
Sat 28th Mar Lent Feria
10 am Margaret Sheehan, anniversary
Please pray for the sick and those who care for them, today especially for the frail elderly and for those who work as carers.
Parish Collection: Last week’s collection came to £ 878.92 – Thank you.
Marie Bloom:
Fr Peter writes: It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that Marie Bloom died peacefully on Friday night. Many of you will know her great dedication to St Mary’s and her support of Fr Tony, Fr Terry and myself. I will offer Mass for the repose of her soul, and we must remember her family and many friends in our prayers. May she rest in peace.
As of Monday although Public Masses are suspended –
…….the Church will remain open every day
From 8am to 9:50am the church will be open.
1. At 9:50am Fr Peter will ring a bell and you are required to leave the church.
2. At 10am every day, Fr Peter will celebrate Mass in the church according to suspension guidelines.
3. From 10:30am to 6pm the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the Altar….. visible from the church porch.
4. When praying in the porch, please respect social distancing and stay 6 feet apart from your neighbour.
5. At 6pm the church and porch will be closed.
How to see St Mary’s 10am Daily Mass.
Fr Peter writes: I am sure you appreciate that this change in our lives, while anticipated, has come very quickly. With the excellent assistance of Peter (a talented young man in the parish) and Holly you will be able to see me celebrate a daily 10am Mass in the Church via www.saintmarys.online Please let others know of this website. Every day at 10am!!!
Being St Mary’s Parish - Staying in touch - Registration & Parish Census:
Fr Peter writes: It is very important that I am able to keep in touch with you. The shepherd needs his flock. Please update your parish details using the parish census sheet and return to me, either through the post, hand delivered or via an email.
It is so important that we stay in touch with each other. I will endeavour to send out a weekly email and a letter to those without computers. I will also use the live streamed Masses to convey notices. These are early days – once we are in a routine - contact and communication will be clearer. I know you will be Christ’s eyes, ears and hands, reaching out to neighbours with telephone calls and encouraging notes through letter boxes. You will be brilliant!
Baptisms, Sacrament of Marriage and Funerals.
Fr Peter writes: We have to prepare ourselves for some temporary changes. Sadly baptisms and the Sacrament of Matrimony will be deferred until such time that the public health advice is that congregations can gather safely. Funerals will now take place at the graveside or at a crematorium, subject to the conditions laid down by the cemetery or crematorium authorities. Mass will be celebrated in memoriam when we are allowed to gather. We must keep in prayerful solidarity those who are grieving the loss of a loved one at this difficult time and offer as much support as we can.
First Communions:
Fr Peter writes: Parents of First Holy Communion children have been informed that their celebration will be deferred until suspensions are lifted. Let us keep these marvellous children and their families in our prayers.
Confession:
Fr Peter writes: As of this newsletter print, confessions are possible – but respecting social distancing guidelines. I will give more details next week.
Saturday Evening & Sunday Mass Intentions:
Fr Peter writes: As public Masses cannot be celebrated at this time, it is generally no longer appropriate for priests to celebrate Mass more than once a day, including on Sundays. This will mean that all Saturday evening and Sunday Masses which were to be celebrated for a special intention will now not be celebrated. Instead I will celebrate one Sunday Mass at 10am for the “People of the Parish”. If you have arranged for an intention for a Sunday Mass, I will defer this to the first available weekday Mass. I totally understand your disappointment, and if you would prefer to send your Mass intention to a missionary or enclosed community, let me know and I will arrange a refund.
Important Finchley Foodbank Appeal:
Fr Peter writes: In light of the uncertainty over the Coronavirus, it is understandable that we want to ensure our kitchen cupboards are well stocked. However, we must not forget that this can leave foodbanks struggling. Hundreds of people rely on generous donations from our parishioners. If possible, our foodbank would be grateful if you could spare: a carton of UHT milk, a tin of meat, fish, fruit, custard, rice pudding, vegetables, or tomatoes. A packet of pasta, pulses cereal, tea, biscuits or soap. If you able to spare any of these items please hand them in either to Fr Peter at the presbytery or in the foodbank collection box in the church.
Sunday Offertory Collection:
Fr Peter writes: Please continue to use your planned giving envelopes and pop them through the presbytery letterbox. If you are “loose change” giver – please put your offering in any ordinary envelope and also…. pop through the letter box. Bob will pick them up.