Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe - 21st November 2021
MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS
Sun 21st Nov
8.30 am -Deceased members of the McCarthy Family
10 am- Catherine O’Mahoney, anniversary
12 noon- Martin Brennan, RIP
Mon 22nd Nov - St Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr
10 am - Funeral Mass for Owen Gallagher
Tues 23rd Nov - Feria
10 am - Holy Souls
Weds 24th Nov
NO MASS
Thurs 25th Nov - Feria.
7 pm - Deceased Members of the Cotter Family
Fri 26th Nov - Feria
10 am - Holy Souls
Sat 27th Nov - 1st Sunday of Advent
10am – 11am; 4:30pm – 5pm: Confessions and Exposition
5 pm - Yvonne Ikwueke, 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
Please do not forget, Sunday Obligation resumes NEXT WEEKEND
Your Prayers:
Let us keep in our prayers: Frank McBride, 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. We also pray for Sr. Angela, Owen Gallagher, Peter Sartori, Arthur Palmer, Noel Ryan, Donato Merola, Aurora Lobo–Buckland, Larry Tuohy, Elizabeth O’Sullivan, Monica Thomson, Christine Pavlou, Tom Lohanand Dennis Lennane who have all died recently. May they Rest in Peace.
Feast of Christ the King:
Christ the King is the last Sunday of the liturgical year (next week is Advent!), this feast reminds us that whatever earth powers may do or ask of us, Christ is the true king that should reign in our hearts. Here are 6 things about this feast you may not have known:
1) It was instituted less than 100 years ago in 1925
In the aftermath of the First World War, in the midst of the rise of Communism in Russia, and during the 16th centenary of the Council of Nicaea (325), Pope Pius XI instituted the feast in his 1925 encyclical Quas Primas, though its first celebration took place in 1926.
2) It was first celebrated on Halloween in 1926
It was originally supposed to be the last Sunday of October, just before the Feast of All Saints – which, in 1926, just happened to be October 31st.
3) In 1969, Pope Paul VI revised the feast, giving it its current name and date
Pope Paul VI gave the feast its current full title (the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universe) and moved it to the last Sunday of the liturgical year.
4) The feast was a response to the rise of secularization, atheism, and communism
While the world was increasingly telling Christians that they must compartmentalize their religion and give their highest allegiance to the government, Pope Pius XI wrote regarding the feast:
“If to Christ our Lord is given all power in heaven and on earth; if all, purchased by his precious blood, are by a new right subjected to his dominion; if this power embraces all, it must be clear that not one of our faculties is exempt from his empire. He must reign in our minds, which should assent with perfect submission and firm belief to revealed truths and to the doctrines of Christ. He must reign in our wills, which should obey the laws and precepts of God. He must reign in our hearts, which should spurn natural desires and love God above all things, and cleave to him alone. (Quas Primas, 33)”
6) The “Christ the King” statue in Poland is the largest statue of Jesus in the world
At 33 meters tall (one meter for each year of Jesus’ earthly life), the Christ the King statue is 3 meters taller than the Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Christmas Fair is next Sunday 28 November 11 am – 3 pm
Come along and soak up the festive atmosphere next Sunday after the 10 am Mass. Something for everyone, including carol singing, fiddle playing, hot food and beverages. There will be a Santa’s Grotto, home-bakes, tombola, arts and crafts, Advent wreath making, mounted photography, indoor plants, hampers, cosmetics and much more. As always, entry is free and everyone is encourage to protect each other by wearing a face mask. Please bring along your home bakes and any other donations on Saturday 27 Nov or Sunday morning 28 Nov. The last planning meeting is today, 21 Nov after the 10 am Mass. All are welcome. Thank you so much for all your donations and please take home a flyer and place in your front window/car to advertise our fair.
Calling All Carol Singers
Final carol rehearsal is today, 21 Nov, after the 10am Mass in the church.
Calling all Christmas Fair Volunteers
Thank you so much for volunteering. We need more! Set up in the parish halls is from 2.30 pm on Saturday 27 Nov. Will need some strong hands to move heavy items. Thank you.
Raffle Tickets
Look out for raffle ticket after Mass (tickets cost £1 each).Cash prizes and more!
Offertory Collection
Fr Peter writes: “The offertory collection in church for week ending 14th November 2021 - £593.18. 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.
Congratulations:
Congratulations to Louise and Bobby, who were married at St Mary’s last Saturday!
Red Missio Boxes:
If you have a red Missio box that needs emptying, please leave it in the porch or hand into the sacristy. If you have not collected your Missio box since the pandemic, please see Fr Peter.
Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School Applications for Reception and Nursery
Applications are invited for the Reception Class for September 2022 - this is for children born between 1st September 2017 and 31st August 2018. The deadline to return this to the school office is 15th January 2022. The forms are available to download on the school website. Please also be advised that you must also complete a CAF (Common Application Form) from Barnet - the on-line system is already open.
Applications are invited for the Nursery for the Academic Year starting September 2022. This is for children born between 1st April 2019 and 31st March 2020. The deadline to return this to the school office is 31st January 2022. Please contact the office or visit the school website for an application pack.
Our Lady of Lourdes Bow Lane Open Day
Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, Bow Lane is inviting you to their Open Day for prospective parents on Wednesday 24th November at 9.30 am, 1 pm or 7 pm. No need to book.
The Synodal Church – Meeting at St Mary’s Mon 22nd Nov at 7.30 pm:
Fr Peter writes: The diocese has given us a bit more time to discuss the Synodal Church, so rather than a questionnaire we will have a meeting (much like the Parish ‘In Council’) at 7:30pm on Monday 22nd Novemberto discuss the Church with a capital ‘C’. Our meeting will be no longer than an hour.
Thursday Evening Mass
From 2nd December the Thursday evening Mass will return to its pre-pandemic slot of 10am.
Advent Lectio Divina
Fr Peter writes: “Starting 29th November at 7:30pm I will host 4 consecutive “Lectio Divina Zooms” on Monday’s during Advent. A Lectio Divina includes a short period of prayer followed by discussion about a Gospel reading. Our Gospels will be those for each Sunday of Advent (Year C – in the lectionary). Please email peterscott@rcdow.org.uk if you would be interested.
Calling all Altar Servers – Existing and Those who wish to learn.:
So we can get ourselves ready for Christmas, there will be an altar servers practice after the 10am Mass on Sunday 5th December. To be an alter server, either you have served at St Mary’s or you have made your first Holy Communion. There were will be another practice after the 10am Mass on Sunday 12th December. If you would like to come along, please e mail Holly at finchleyeastcat@rcdow.org.uk
Please do not forget, Sunday Obligation resumes NEXT WEEKEND