Fourth Sunday of Easter 26.04.2026
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS
Sun 26th Apr
8.30 am Christopher Slevin, RIP
10 am People of the Parish
12 noon Kathleen & Mick Reddy and family
Mon 27th Apr Easter Feria
10 am Catherine Elizabeth McDonald, anniv.
Tues 28th Apr Easter Feria
10 am Josephine Murphy, RIP
Weds 29th Apr NO MASS
Thurs 30th Apr Easter Feria
10 am John Kennedy, RIP
Fri 1st May Easter Feria
10 am Neil McDonald, anniversary
Sat 2nd May Fifth Sunday of Easter
5pm Michael Sheehan, RIP
Every Saturday: 10am – 11am - 4.30pm – 5pm: Confessions and Exposition
YOUR PRAYERS:
Let us keep in our prayers: Freya Askew, Lynne Garlick, 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: Christopher Slevin, Catherine Elizabeth McDonald, Josephine Murphy, John Kennedy, Neil McDonald and Michael Sheehan 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 12th April was £897.00 and Contactless was
£201.13. The offertory collection for the week ending 19th April was £943.82 and Contactless was £ 219.78 March 2026: Standing Orders were £5,501.00; Online Stripe Donations were £177.35. 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
This weekend, on Good Shepherd Sunday, after every Mass, there will be a second collection for the Priest Training Fund. This fund plays a crucial role in supporting men who are discerning and preparing for the priesthood. Their formation includes academic study, spiritual development and pastoral training – all of which are essential for their future ministry. As we reflect on Christ as the Good Shepherd, we are reminded that He continues to call shepherds for His Church today. Please keep our seminarians and those considering this calling in your prayers. Envelopes are available at the back of the church and the posters feature a ‘QR’ code that you can scan to donate online. Many thanks for your generosity.
AN ECUMENICAL SERVICE OF EVENING PRAYER FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST
An Ecumenical Service of Evening Prayer for Peace in the Middle East at Our Lady of Victories Church, Kensington, on Thursday 30 April at 7pm, with Bishop James Curry and Fr Nigel Woollen (another Bishop Douglass Old Boy) as principal celebrants. The service will include an address by Dr Harry Hagopian, an Armenian Christian who hails originally from Jordan. All are welcome to attend.
ALTAR SERVERS BOWLING TRIP
All altar servers are invited to a bowling outing on 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 on Tuesday, 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. The Faith Sharing Group will resume on Monday 27th April at 7:30pm in the small hall. All are very welcome!
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.
QUIZ NIGHT THANKS.
A huge thank you to Patrizia and Lisa, and their wonderful group of volunteers, who made last Saturday evening such a memorable occasion. We had nine teams quizzing in the hall, with the “Maughan/Bradnum Cooperative” emerging as the champions. All the other teams did incredibly well — proof, if ever it were needed, that St Mary’s parishioners are full of useful information. The evening raised £500 towards the church boiler fund — an amazing (and impressively intelligent) amount.
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.”
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.”
“The Lord calls whom He wills; our task is to listen with the heart of a shepherd.”
Pope Benedict XVI
“In June I celebrate 35 years of priesthood, and on Sunday 5th July I would like to mark the milestone with you. My brother and his wife will be with us, and we will keep things uncomplicated: Mass at 11am, followed by coffee and cake. St Mary’s has been a part of my journey, and I’m grateful for the support you’ve shown me during my time as Parish Priest. I would welcome the chance to share this anniversary with you.
I would also like this to be a celebration of those in our community who have taken important sacramental steps this year: our children who made their First Holy Communion, our young people who were confirmed, and our adults who journeyed through the RCIA process and were received and confirmed at Easter. Each of us, through these sacraments, has made a commitment to be Christ’s witnesses in the world. So, the 11am Mass on Sunday 5th July will be about all of us — the whole parish family of St Mary’s, East Finchley.
Although I cannot claim to be an “old boy” of St Mary’s, I am an expupil of Bishop Douglass, our parish secondary school. Remarkably, six of us from the school became priests: Canon Mehall Lowry, Fr Sean O’Toole, Fr Michael O’Boy, Fr Nigel Woollen and Fr John Delaney. We are a determined little group. One of us, Fr Sean, has died, but the rest are still serving. I think Fr John is the eldest and Fr Michael the youngest. I am the longest ordained — just by a few months, having been ordained in June 1991, with Canon Mehall following in September.
I suspect all of us would say that Bishop Douglass shaped our social conscience. It opened our eyes to the needs of society and taught us how the Church walks alongside the most vulnerable. My own vocation was inspired by the Xaverian priests who came to celebrate Mass at the school. Their missionary stories and adventures stirred something in me and helped me to hear God’s call.
I have loved my priesthood. It has taken me to places few ever see. I have met saints, heroes and heroines, and I have served in a rich variety of different appointments where I have never felt stagnant or bored. It has been, and continues to be, a great blessing.
As I look ahead to this celebration, I ask you to join me in praying for our parish, for all who are taking their next steps in faith, and especially for vocations. The Church always needs generous young men who are willing to listen for God’s call and to serve His people with courage and compassion. Please pray that many will hear that call and respond with open hearts.
With every blessing,
Fr Peter.”
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