4th Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday) 19.03.2023
MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS
Sun 19th Mar
8.30 am Nirmala Shah, RIP
10 am Edward Doran Jr
12 noon People of the Parish
Mon 20th Mar St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
10 am John Meehan, RIP
Tues 21st Mar Lent Feria
10am Agnes Day, intentions
Weds 22nd Mar NO MASS
Thurs 23rd Mar Lent Feria
10am Thomas Mackey, anniversary
Fri 24th Mar Lent Feria
10 am Gino Tomei, RIP
Sat 25th Mar 5th Sunday of Lent
5pm Alessandro Ricci, intentions
Saturday 10 am – 11am; 4.30pm – 5pm: Confessions and Exposition
Your Prayers:
Let us keep in our prayers: Christna Cahill, Eric Nicholas Darwent, Therese Kemp, John O’Shea, Rekha, Bina, Noel, Jose Luis Pérez, Alice, Karina McKiernan and Izabela Lissowska – all unwell at this time. We also pray for:: Gino Tomei, James Meally,Peter Sartori, Noel Ryan, Donato Merola, Siobhan Lynch, Dennis Lennane, Susan Wren, Geraldine Day, Catherine Kelly, Josephine Okuyiga, Jane Ikwueke, Maureen O Sullivan, Patrick Reilly, Ann Gourdarznia, Nina Cole, Lorenzo Marcantuono, Pat McMahon, Michael Walsh Esther Ampomah Arhin, Peter McHugh, Marguerite Kyunga, Kathleen Molloy, Maria Pini, Madeleine Melling, Jenifer Danvers, Enrico Soracchi, Raymond Tissot, Sr Theresa,Patricia Caddle and Lilian Murphy whose anniversaries occur at this time or have died recently. May they Rest in Peace.
Lilian Murphy RIP
At great peace and with Peter beside her, Lilian died at home on Thursday evening. She was a lovely, gentle individual who had a great devotion to Our Lady, the parish and to Peter. May she rest in peace. Let us keep Peter in our prayers. Funeral details to follow soon.
Offertory:
The offertory collection for week ending 12th March - £861.24. Many thanks. Please do not forget, that arranging a standing order is the easiest way to support St Mary’s. Please contact the parish office for a Standing Order form.
Annual Mass of Thanksgiving for the Sacrament of Matrimony
The Cardinal is inviting to this Mass all couples in the Diocese at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 13th May 2023 at 2:30pm. who are celebrating their 5th 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th (and every year over 60) wedding anniversary of Catholic marriage in 2023. If you are celebrating an anniversary, please give your parish clergy, by 21st April, the following details: husband and wife’s names, wedding date, full postal address and email (or telephone number, if no email).
During Lent….why not…
During lent, why not go to a 10am week-day Mass. If you are dropping the children off from school or WFH (and can pop out for half an hour), it is an ideal way to encounter Christ in a quieter way than at a weekend Mass. Before each weekday Mass there is a half hour period of silent prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament……why not come to that or do both!
During Lent….why not…..help clean the Church?
The church is always spotless, but this is because we are blessed with a dedicated group who clean on Monday after the morning Mass. They can always do with more volunteers. Why not join them? There is a sign up sheet at the back of the church.
Presentation about the Jewish Feast of Passover – Rabbi Yossi Fachler
Fr Peter writes: Rabbi Yossi is a good friend and worked with me at St Joseph’s hospice. He is a wonderful speaker and has agreed to talk to the parish about Passover at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 28th March in the small hall. All are very welcome.
Confessions after all Weekend Masses:
Fr Peter writes: “It was a privilege to hear confessions after Masses last weekend. So, I will do so after all Masses this weekend.”
Homeless Action in Barnet:
HAB is an independent charity that runs a centre in North Finchley, providing services for the homeless and vulnerably housed in Barnet. Presently they need some men and women’s new and unopened deodorants and new unused toothbrushes. If you can help, please drop off deodorants and toothbrushes in the church porch or outside the front door of the presbytery.
Parish Lent Reconciliation Service;
Make it a date!!!Our St Mary’s Lent Reconciliation Service will be at 11am on Saturday 25th March. We will be joined by a number of visiting priests. First Holy Communion children will also be making their first confessions. All welcome.
Stations of the Cross:
This week, Stations of the Cross will be at its usual time after Friday’s 10am Mass.
Migrants & Refugees – A Catholic Response
“Love the Stranger – A Catholic Response to Migrants and Refugees” was published 14th March 2023 via the Department for International Affairs of the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales. It can be found by clicking on the link:
Our Lady of Lourdes Lent Prayer Group:
Every Tuesday morning during Lent at 8:15am, either Fr Peter, Deacon Dom or Holly will lead a 20-minute prayer session for parents and staff at Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School. These sessions will include some guidance about prayer and an opportunity to pray. Come to reception at 8:10am to be told where to go.
“Go raibh maith agat” to the SVP
Thank you to the SVP for wonderful refreshments served in the hall after Friday’s St Patrick’s Day Mass.
and...................................“Go raibh maith agat” to "Gertie Browne's"
for providing wine for the SVP Senior Citizens Party held recently.
Two lovely events.
An alternative “Mother’s Day Reflection” from Fr Peter:
The wise old Mother Superior was dying. The nuns were gathered around her bed. She asked for a little warm milk to sip, so a nun went to the kitchen to warm some milk. Remembering a bottle of whiskey received as a gift the previous Christmas, she opened it and poured some into the warm milk. Mother drank a little, then a little more, then before they knew it, she had drunk the whole glass down to the last drop. “Mother, Mother” the nuns cried, “Give us some wisdom before you die!” She raised herself up in bed with a pious look on her face and pointing out the window she said, “Don’t sell that cow.”
"Most mothers are instinctive philosophers." - Harriet Beecher Stowe