Holy Week (Year A) 5th April 2020
MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS
NO PUBLIC MASS
Sun 5th April Palm Sunday
10 am People of the Parish
Mon 6th Monday of Holy Week
10 am Maureen Emeagi
Tues 7th Tuesday of Holy Week
10 am Maureen Emeagi
Weds 8th Wednesday of Holy Week
10 am David & Eileen Scott RIP
Thurs 9th Maundy Thursday
8pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper
People of the Parish
9pm Watching & Waiting
Fri 10th Good Friday
3pm Celebration of the Lord’s Passion
8pm Meditation on the Cross
Sat 11th Holy Saturday
8pm The Easter Vigil
People of the Parish
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: The Parish collection is still ongoing, either drop through presbytery letterbox or post. – Thank you.
Pat O’Brien:
Fr Peter writes: It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that Pat O’Brien died suddenly at home on Saturday. I will offer Mass for the repose of his soul, and we must remember his family and many friends in our prayers. May he rest in peace.
Dispensation from Easter Duties:
Cardinal Vincent writes: “During these difficult times the obligation to our Easter Duties to go to Confession and receive Holy Communion is removed from us. Instead, we can make an Act of Perfect Contrition to express our deep sorrow at our sins against the goodness of God, and leads us in prayer”. Fr Peter writes: After this time, and parish life returns to normal we can renew our commitment to confession by going to a priest – but for now, an Act of Perfect Contribution is advised. So, reflect on your faults and failures and pray an act of contrition – “I confess to Almighty God etc” God, who sees into our hearts will impart His forgiveness.
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.
Mass on the Radio:
Cardinal Vincent writes: “I have received messages expressing concern about those not on the internet and the lack of opportunities for them to follow the celebration of Mass. One tenacious correspondent has found out that regular celebrations of Mass broadcast by RTE Radio are accessible here on a standard radio, on 252 Long Wave. Please tell those who receive the information to share it verbally with any people who, through lack of internet links, would otherwise not receive it. I understand that the full quota of Holy Week ceremonies will be broadcast on RTE. More detail is available from roger.childs@rte.ie.”
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”.
Prayer of Hope Poster:
An initiative has been launched (one of many!) to invite Christians to put a poster in their windows as a sign of faith and trust in the Lord in these troubled times. It is attractive and obtainable at this link: www.cte.org.uk/prayersofhope.
How to see St Mary’s 10am Daily Mass.
Fr Peter writes: 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.
Baptisms, Sacrament of Marriage and Funerals.
Fr Peter writes: 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.
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.
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.
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.