Fifth Sunday of Lent (Year A) 29th March 2020

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS

NO PUBLIC MASS

Sun 29th Mar

10 am People of the Parish

Mon 30th Mar Lent Feria

10 am Anne Twomey, RIP

Tues 31st Mar Lent Feria

10 am Margaret Dunlea, RIP

Weds 1st Apr Lent Feria

10 am Mary Giblin, anniversary

Thurs 2nd Apr Lent Feria

10 am Jean Lynch, RIP

Fri 3rd Apr Lent Feria

10 am Agnes and Richard Ikwueke, RIP

Sat 4th Apr Lent Feria

10 am Derek and Annabele Ikwueke, special intns and thanksgiving

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 is still ongoing – 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.

Cardinal Vincent writes:The highest form of prayer is the celebration of the Holy Mass. This is at the heart of the rhythm of the life of the Church, the rhythm of prayer which sustains us all. The present crisis will not disturb that rhythm. Mass will continue to be celebrated, day by day. The prayer of the Church will continue day by day.

What will change is the manner of our participation in those celebrations of the Mass. In response to the pandemic and the official guidance, which we must follow, public participation in the celebration of the Mass is not, for now, possible. This is a sacrifice we have to make. It is not easy, for any Catholic, but it is what we must do.

I want to make it exceptionally clear that the teaching of the Church is that, in these circumstances, the obligation of attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days no longer applies. Please have no doubt about this.

This does not mean that we lose our love of the Mass or our desire to take part in the celebration of the Mass. Mass will be celebrated, day by day, in your church. There are many ways of taking part in this prayer. Associate yourself with the celebration of the Mass spiritually. Read the Scriptures of the day. Use some of the materials that are available to be close in your heart. Learn again the practice of spiritual communion. Being unable to attend Mass is the experience of many, many Catholics around the world. They are deprived of the Mass through distance, or through violence, or through persecution. We can unite our experience with them and, like them, return to the Mass with fresh love and enthusiasm when, again, it is possible for us to do so, in bigger numbers than ever.

We know that this time of crisis is not going to be brief. We are involved in a lengthy battle. We encourage each other. We pray for each other. Together we turn to Mary for her special protection, especially on 29 March when again, in keeping with our ancient tradition, we offer ourselves and our country to her, as our gift, and seeking her protection.

Mary, Mother of Jesus, pray for us

Mary, Mother of Sorrows, pray for us

Mary, Mother of Joys, pray for us.

Amen.

Missio:

Missio have been in touch to thank the St Mary “Red Box” collectors for raising £861:34. If you have not collected your Red Box from the sacristy – please continue to set aside your wonderful contribution in a box or envelope.

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. We are working on the sound quality – hopefully will improve – but please turn up your volumes or wear headphones.

The celebration of Holy Week:

Fr Peter writes: “Holy Week celebrations will continue and you will either join me via the streaming service or spiritually by following the missalletes you receive in the post (for those without a computer). We pull together by staying apart.

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, or hand delivered via a volunteer who can come to the presbtery….. 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.

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 leave them outside his door and ring the doorbell.

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. You may also decide to regularise your contribution by taking out a standing order for the parish. You can find a standing order form attached. However you contribute, it will help keep the parish afloat during the “lock down”.

Making a place of prayer:

I have suggested to those on email that they convert a “silent” part of their house or flats into a place of prayer. Make a “holy place” in a hallway, landing or another part of the house and decorate with a crucifix or the statue of a saint. As Holy Week approaches place a symbol that represents Jesus washing His disciple’s feet or His triumphant entry into Jerusalem and know that He offers His life out of love for you.

Remember! Clocks go forward an hour this weekend!

Remember to put your clocks forward an hour this Saturday 28th March – from 1 am!

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.

Prayer to our Guardian Angel:

Dear Guardian Angel, go for me to the church, there kneel down at Mass for me. At the Offertory, take me to God, and offer Him my service: What I am, what I have, offer as my gift. At the Consecration, with your seraphic strength, adore my Saviour truly present, praying for those who have loved me, for those who have offended me, and for those now deceased, that the blood of Jesus may purify them all. During Holy Communion, bring to me the Body and Blood of Jesus uniting Him with me in spirit, so that my heart may become His dwelling place. Plead with Him, that through His sacrifice all people throughout the world may be saved. When the Mass ends, bring home to me and to every home, the Lord's blessing. Amen.

Cardinal Vincent writes: “We are still surrounded by the angels and by the saints who are glorifying God and protecting and assisting mankind. Why should we not make them our particular friends and allies in situations where we are touching limits that we cannot overcome?”