7th Sunday in Ordinary Time 20.02.2022

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS

Sun 20th Feb

​8.30 am​​ ​Hannah, Phil & Samuel ​

​10 am​ ​ ​Sister Felicity, RIP

12 noon Susan Wren, RIP

Mon 21st Feb​Feria

10 am​ John Doherty, RIP

Tues 22nd Feb​ The Chair of St. Peter The Apostle

10 am​ The Dunne Family, intentions

Weds 23rd Feb​

NO MASS

Thurs 24th Feb ​Feria

10 am​ Teresa Whelan, intentions

​Fri 25th Feb ​Feria

10 am​ David Frawley, RIP

​Sat 26th Feb​​ 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time

​5 pm​​​ Lily Law, RIP

10am – 11am; 4:30pm – 5pm: Confessions and Exposition

Your Prayers:

Let us keep in our prayers: Frank Kilbride, Kathleen Lancaster, John O’Shea, Rekha, Bina, Gale Yates, Jose Luis Pérez, Alice, Michael O Boy, Lilian Murphy, Karina McKiernan and Izabela Lissowska – all unwell at this time. Please add the Dixon family to your intentions. We also pray for Tony Padman, Hugh Daniel Doherty,Peter Sartori, Arthur Palmer, Noel Ryan, Donato Merola, Aurora Lobo–Buckland, Larry Tuohy, Elizabeth O’Sullivan, Monica Thomson, Christine Pavlou, Tom Lohan, Dennis Lennane, Vincenzo Gagliardi, Verna Duffy, Susan Wren and Albertina Alves who have all died recently. May they Rest in Peace.

Offertory Collection

Fr Peter writes: “The ordinary offertory collection in church for week ending 13th February £659.30. Allcontributions, every penny, is greatly received and I am very grateful for your continued support at this difficult time. Please do not forget, that arranging a standing order is the easiest way to support St Mary’s.

Our Lady of Lourdes Nursery

Our Lady of Lourdes School in Bow Lane, N12 are still accepting applications to our Nursery for September 2022. If your child was born between 1st April 2019 and 31st March 2020 please apply. All information can be found on the school website http://www.ololbarnetschool.org.uk

Nursery Application Forms:

Fr Peter writes: “If your child needs their Catholic Certificates of Practice” stamped and signed, please attend one of the Sunday Masses with your child, bringing their nursery school application forms. Please make sure you have completed address and dates of birth before coming to see me.”

Save the Date!

On Sunday 15th May 2022, Cardinal Vincent Nichols is coming to St Mary’s to celebrate a special Mass in commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the blessing of the church foundation stone. Please reserve the date in your diary.

Lectio Divina:

The St Mary’s “Lectio Divina” zoom is every Monday from 7:30pm – 8:30pm. “Lectio” involves reading, reflecting and discussing the gospel passage used each Sunday at Mass. Please email Fr Peter if you want to be part of the “Lectio Zoom Team” and attend

Pope’s Prayer Intention for February…..

…..for religious sisters and consecrated women; thanking them for their mission and their courage; that they continue to find new responses to the challenges of our times.

The Offertory Procession….

…….has returned! Latest pandemic guidelines mean it is safe to bring up the bread and wine in procession.

Anna Maughan:

Fr Peter writes: “Congratulations to Anna who has been made a “Barnet Hero” for her work at Finchley Foodbank. You might see posters of Anna (and Helena – another Foodbank volunteer) around the Borough. Due to the generosity of donations, Anna has been employed by Finchley Foodbank as a “Part-time Foodbank Co-ordinator”. This means the foodbank has someone to supervise donations, volunteers and the care of clients. Well done Anna – our Barnet Hero!”

Confirmation thanks.

Fr Peter writes: “Last Saturday evening was such a special time as Bishop John conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on 18 of our your adults. I am very grateful to Holly and John for their excellent catechesis, Helen for playing the organ, Marie G and Marie J for the beautiful flower displays, those who cleaned the church and those who served. It was a wonderful event. Particular thanks to Pauline D for hosting Bishop John afterwards.”

Music and Singing at Mass:

Fr Peter writes: “I want to build on the great work done by Helen and Liz regarding Music at Mass. We are so lucky to have these two talented generous and committed musicians! I would now like us to re-start singing the responses at the Sunday 10am Mass so we are prepared for Easter and our May 70th celebration. I also want to uncover some of you who are hidden musicians and singers! If you have a musical talent and would like to serve the parish, please send me an email or sign the list in the porch. To encourage you, I will start singing the doxology very soon. Now, if I can do this (and Otto the dog sings better than I do) – you who are singers and musicians have no excuse but to volunteer!”

Reading the Bible; A Taster in Studying Scripture.

Fr Peter writes: “As part of our Lent journey, John Coleby has kindly agreed to present three talks on scripture. John is a parishioner and Director of Caritas. The course is for everyone; those unfamiliar with scripture as well as those who read and study the Bible. The dates are: Tuesday 8th March, Tuesday 22nd March and Tuesday 5thApril. We will gather for a cup of tea at 7:15pm and begin shortly afterwards. The venue will either be the church or the small hall.”

CAFOD Fast Day : Friday 11th March:

This year we are going to do something a bit different. More next week!

Ash Wednesday:

Ash Wednesday marks the first of the 40 days of Lent, a six-week period (excluding Sundays) dedicated to prayer, fasting, and reflection in preparation for the great celebration of Christ’s Paschal Mystery in the Easter Triduum. The late Henri Nouwen described Lent “as a time to re-focus and to re-enter a place of truth. It is here where we find our true identity”.

Ash Wednesday falls on Wednesday 2nd March and there will be Mass with the distribution of Ashes at 10am and 7:30pm.

Lent 2022:

This year I am going to introduce the “St Mary’s Lent Loyalty Card”…… (similar to the offers available from a coffee house or a supermarket)! The idea is to focus on the sacraments and spiritual exercises which are available during lent to help us prepare for Easter. Some are obvious such as going to confession, but there is also the invitation to silent prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament, going to the Stations of the Cross, contributing to the March CAFOD fast day and reading or exploring scripture.

Why not accept the challenge?

The “St Mary’s Lent Loyalty Card” is a chance for a “Lent Boost” energising our lives with God so we can be happier in ourselves and closer to our creator….. who loves us.

The “St Mary’s Lent Loyalty Card” will detail six tasks to complete before Holy Week. If you do all six then you will be rewarded with a special “St Mary’s Easter Gift” which should inspire you for the season of the Lord’s Resurrection.

The Lent Loyalty Cards will be available on Ash Wednesday.