Fifth Sunday of Easter 03.05.2026
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MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS
Sun 3rd May
8.30 am Edatu Badhane, RIP
10 am Sister Sheila, RIP
12 noon Mary-Rose Maguad, anniversary
Mon 4th May The English Martyrs
10 am People of the Parish
Tues 5th May Easter Feria
10 am Patrick Noel Louis-Auguste, anniversary
Weds 6th May NO MASS
Thurs 7th May Easter Feria
10 am Funeral Mass for Nahom Medhanie
Fri 8th May Easter Feria
10 am Thomas Murphy and Christy Prenderville, RIP
Sat 9th May Sixth Sunday of Easter
5pm Phil McGovern, anniversary
Every Saturday: 10am – 11am - 4.30pm – 5pm: Confessions and Exposition
YOUR PRAYERS:
Let us keep in our prayers: Freya Askew, Joan Gordon, Sanjuna Madonandi Kuniyil, Ben Galligan, Julius Lipner, David Ryan, Margaret Ryan, Michael O’Boy, Christina Cahill, Eric Nicholas Darwent, Therese Kemp, Jose Luis Pérez, Karina McKiernan, Jonathan Heller and Izabela Lissowska – all unwell at this time. We also pray for: Lynne Garlick, Michael Sheehan, Edatu Badhane, Sister Sheila, Mary-Rose Maguad, Patrick Noel Louis-Auguste, Nahom Medhanie, Thomas Murphy, Christy Prenderville and Phil McGovern and all those whose anniversaries occur at this time or have died recently. May they Rest in Peace.
THE OFFERTORY
The offertory collection for the week ending 26th April was £889.68 and Contactless was
£151.48. Standing Orders, Online and Stripe donations will be communicated one month in arrears. Many thanks for your generosity.
OUR LADY OF LOURDES PRIMARY SCHOOL AND NURSERY, BOW LANE, N12
The school still has spaces for the Nursery for the term after your child is 3 (by 31st August 2026). Please look at our website on https://www.ololbarnetschool.org.uk for the application form or call the school to arrange a tour.
GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY – PRIEST TRAINING FUND SECOND COLLECTION
Thank you for your kindness and generosity in supporting this second collection – you raised
£688.31.
ALTAR SERVERS BOWLING TRIP
The altar servers bowling trip has been booked for Sunday, 17th May. Please meet at St Mary’s at 2:30pm so we can head off together. Also, make sure you’ve read the email sent to you as it contains important details.
BAPTISM
If you would like your child to be baptised, please speak to Fr Peter. Ideally, at least one parent should be a baptised Catholic who attends Mass regularly.
FAITH SHARING GROUP: REMAIN WITH ME: BECOMING SAINTS IN THE EVERYDAY
We've walked with Jesus through His Passion - not just as witnesses, but stepping into the story of His love and sacrifice. Now the invitation to remain with Him, beyond the Cross, and allow that love to transform how we live each day. As we journey toward Pentecost, we'll look to the lives of the saints - ordinary people who said yes, stayed, and were filled with His Spirit - and discover how we are called to do the same. Due to the Bank Holiday the Faith Sharing Group will resume on Monday 11th May at 7:30pm in the small hall. All are very welcome!
CHURCH BOILER FUND UPDATE:
Fr Peter writes: “Thanks to your generosity and the incredible fundraising efforts across the parish, we have now reached the remarkable total of £29,021 towards the new church boiler. This means we are just £6,000 away from our target of £36,000 — an extraordinary achievement and a real testament to the spirit of St Mary’s. Heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed, organised events, or supported the appeal in any way. What an amazing parish we have.”
YOUTH FOR PEACE – BUDAPEST 2026 “GLOBAL FRIENDSHIP” MEETING
Parents of children year 9+: can your child respond to Pope Leo’s call to build and sustain peace in today’s world? The Community of Sant’Egidio invites the youngsters of St Mary’s to join Youth for Peace meeting in Budapest. Youth for Peace is a global movement where young people choose friendship over division. Each year they gather for Global Friendship, and this year it takes place in Budapest, 28–30 August 2026. If you’re interested, join us for a short meeting for parents and youth at 7:30pm on Tuesday 19th May (in the small hall) to find out more and secure a place (we do have limited availability). The cost of the Pilgrimage (please keep in mind the uncertainty of fuel prices) is £420 per pilgrim.
BECOME A READER AT MASS
Fr Peter writes: “I would be grateful if you would consider being a reader at Mass. It’s an important part of our Eucharistic celebration, and I am looking for people who approach the Scriptures with respect, clarity, and a genuine love for the Word of God. We already have some excellent readers, but St Mary’swould benefit from a few more — especially at the 12 noon Mass on Sunday. If you’re interested, please sign the sheet at the back of the church. All readers, both new and experienced, are invited to a meeting in the church at 7:30pm on Tuesday 12th May.”
WHY IS THE MONTH OF MAY DEDICATED TO MARY?
The month of May is steeped in Catholic tradition, with a long history of devotion to Mary. The Church has long regarded May as a special month to honour Mary, given her association with the beauty of spring. This practice was consolidated in the 18th century by prominent religious orders, particularly the Jesuits, who advocated May as a special period for prayer and Marian devotion. The promotion of this tradition was further encouraged by influential popes such as Leo XIII, who published numerous encyclicals emphasising the significance of reciting the rosary in May. Even today, this month presents an opportunity to deepen one’s spiritual connection with the Mother of God.
WHY DO WE PRESENT MARY WITHFLOWERS?
For centuries, the faithful have offered flowers to the Virgin Mary as a sign of love and respect. These offerings symbolise Mary’s beauty and purity, much like a flower displays its splendour to honour heaven. Each year, in May, St Mary’s crowns the Statues of Our Lady with flowers. This is a unique opportunity to demonstrate our devotion to Mary. We will do so, next weekend at the 10am Mass. Our parish primary school – Our Lady of Lourdes – will have a special May Procession of Our Lady on Thursday 7th May at 1:30pm. All parents of children at the school are welcome to attend.
SAVE THE DATE – SUNDAY 5th JULY – 11am MASS
Please add to your diaries an invitation to celebrate with Fr Peter on the joyful occasion of his 35th Anniversary of Ordination. We will also be honouring the parish children, young adults, and RCIA candidates who have received their First Holy Communions and Confirmations this year. It will be low key, so we can relax and enjoy a piece of cake afterwards!
PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH FR PETER:
For the next two weeks, please show a little extra patience with Fr Peter — Yvonne is off enjoying some wellearned leave, and he’ll be flying solo. So, if the phone rings and no one answers straight away, it might be because he’s dashing to the door, visiting a school, taking Holy Communion to the sick… or bravely attempting to eat a meal before it goes cold. He will get back to your calls and emails — just as soon as he has fed the dog.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CHOIR:
This year’s First Holy Communion Masses will take place on Sunday 7th June at 10am and 12 noon. It would be wonderful if a few extra volunteers could help with the singing at the 12 noon Mass on Sunday 7th June. This is your chance to stretch those vocal cords and finally prove you do deserve that recording contract everyone keeps telling you about. Perhaps you’re a parent whose child made their First Communion last year (or even earlier) and you remember just how special the day is — and how much the singing lifts the whole celebration. We already have a great chorus of singers for the 10am Mass; we just need a few more voices to help bring the same joy and energy to the 12 noon Mass. If you can help, please sign the list at the back of the church or email Fr Peter at finchleyeast@rcdow.org.uk
A SIMPLE (AND HANDY!) WAY TO PRAY
Use your hand as a guide to focus your prayer:
👍 Thumb – Pray for those closest to you: your family and friends.
☝️ Pointer Finger – Pray for those who teach, guide, and support you: teachers, mentors, and instructors.
Middle Finger (the tallest) – Pray for leaders in government, business, and the community.
💍 Ring Finger (the weakest) – Pray for those who are weak, sick, struggling, or burdened.
🩶 Little Finger (the smallest) – Pray for yourself and your own needs.
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