Seventh Sunday of Easter 21.05.2023
Sun 21st May
8.30 am For those taking exams
10 am Kathleen Lancaster, intentions
12 pm Lilian Murphy, RIP
Mon 22nd May Easter Feria
10 am John O’Shea
Tues 23rd May Easter Feria
10am Judith Agholor, RIP
Weds 24th May NO MASS
Thurs 25th May St Bede the Venerable, Priest and Doctor
10 am Siobhan Bucke, RIP
Fri 26th May St Philip Neri, Priest
10 am Lilian Murphy, RIP
Sat 27th May Pentecost Sunday
5pm Lohan family
Saturday 10 am – 11am; 4.30pm – 5pm: Confessions and Exposition
The St Mary’s Time and Talents Survey 2023 Fr Peter writes: “Thank you to all those who volunteer within the parish. If you would like to volunteer or already do so, please complete the attached “Time & Talents Survey” and return to me as soon as possible. St Mary’s is a thriving parish which relies on you. Everyone has a particular skill. Just take the Time, fill out the survey and share your Talent!
Your Prayers:
Let us keep in our prayers: Michael O’Boy, Christina 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:: Madeleine Melling, Jenifer Danvers, Enrico Soracchi, Raymond Tissot, Sr Theresa, Antonio Ostacchini, Lilian Murphy, Martin Wyrazik, Rita Graham, Judith Agholor, Anne Kennedy and Alan Ferrettwhose anniversaries occur at this time or have died recently. May they Rest in Peace.
Offertory:
The offertory collection for the week ending 14th May was £740.16. 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.
Anne Kennedy RIP
Anne was a long-standing parishioner who went into elderly care in Edgware. She died peacefully two weeks ago. Anne’s requiem Mass will take place at St Mary’s on Monday 5th June at 10am. May she rest in peace.
St Mary’s SVP Social evening Saturday 3rd June at 6pm
The SVP are once again hosting a social evening to help to raise funds for its activities helping individuals and families in need. A hot supper will be served [meat lasagne or vegetarian option] at 6pm followed by a wonderful film that is the sequel to one we all enjoyed last year it is based on a true story set in Cornwall. Tickets will be sold before and after the weekend masses 20/21 and 27/28 May by SVP members Michael, Fintan, Joan, Nicola and Jean Price £15 per person includes supper, soft drinks and ice creams. Bring your own alcohol.
St Mary’s Mens Group:
The St Mary’s Mens Group will meet for breakfast in the presbytery at 9am on Saturday 27th May. If you didn’t see the recent sign up list and would like to attend please let Fr Peter or Deacon Dom know.
“Your talent is God’s gift to you.
What you do with it, is your gift back to God”
Anon
St Francis of Assisi Exhibition at the National Gallery
A wonderful exhibition of paintings and artifacts connected to St Francis has just opened at the National Gallery. It includes a habit worn by the Saint. The exhibition is open to the public until 30th July and has free entry.
Bishop Nicholas Hudson and Westminster Youth Ministry are hosting a Eucharistic Adoration event for young people from the diocese. This will take place on Wednesday 31st May from 7.30pm to 9pm at Farm St Church in Mayfair, and Bishop Nicholas will be assisted by our World Youth Day Pilgrims. During the event, there will be a talk by Antonia Salzano, the mother of Blessed Carlo Acutis. She is on a short family visit to London and has very generously agreed to speak to our young people at this event. Her talk will be focused on Blessed Carlo's trust and focus on the Lord in the Eucharist.
If you are secondary school age and would like to go, please sign the list at the back of the church.
It really was a lovely Feast Day! Fr Peter writes: “Feast Day Thanks” go to all the readers, First Holy Communion children and Karaoke singers. Also, thanks to the servers, to Helen and to the wonderful sacristans. Special “Feast Day Thanks” goes to Lisa, Patrizia, Zerella, Philomena and Kristy for organising, cooking food, setting up and clearing the hall. “Karaoke Thanks” goes to Holly and Deacon Dom and “Tea and Coffee Thanks” goes to Fintan and Laura. A special “thank you” to Elizabeth for adding to the refreshments with extra supplies. Lisa, Patrizia, Zerella, Philomena and Kristy have been heading up the “70th/125th anniversary committee” and have been working incredibly hard. A special added “Feast Day thanks” to them.
Holly Graham, Parish Director of Education
Fr Peter writes: “Sad to say that Holly will be leaving the employment of St Mary’s and has a new job as chaplain at St James’ RC High School. She takes up her new appointment around the middle of June. Holly has been Director of Education at St Mary’s for the past five years and has infused us all with her joy and enthusiasm. She is a talented communicator, has been remarkably creative, ever generous, always supportive…..and I shall miss her! Our loss but St James’s gain. Thank fully she will continue to preside at children’s liturgy on a Sunday morning. She has all our prayers as she ventures into this new wonderful job. Please pray for the dog who will be particularly heart-broken at the loss of her presence in the office.
Following the footsteps of the Saints
Called to action by our faith– Saturday 10th June
Tony Sheen, Community Participation Co Ordinator, CAFOD writes: You are invited to CAFOD’s International Office on Saturday 10th June for a short time exploring our faith, why we Campaign & how you can help. The morning will include guest speakers & a chance for discussion in workshops to explore activities such as Live Simply, Our unfair Food System and Liturgy resources. The morning will run from 10.30-1pm at CAFOD’s Office in Lambeth North SE1. For further information contact Tony tsheen@cafod.org.uk or booking please see https://cafod.org.uk/news/events or Eventbrite here.
St Michael's Catholic Grammar School - Open Evening for Secondary Transfer - Monday 26 June 2023
Parents and girls who are interested in taking the entrance tests for St Michael's Catholic Grammar School are invited to visit the school for a guided tour on Monday 26 June between 5pm and 7pm. Headteacher talks will be held at 5pm, 6pm and 7pm in The Chapel. They have 128 places in each year and are historically heavily oversubscribed with girls who meet the criteria of Catholic girls from a Practising Catholic family who have made their First Holy Communion in the Catholic Church. Priority for up to 32 places is given to girls who are registered as Pupil Premium with their primary school. Full details of the Admissions Policy can be found on the School's website https://www.st-michaels.barnet.sch.uk/home/admissions/.
The online application to apply to sit the entrance tests for entry in September 2024 is now available https://www.st-michaels.barnet.sch.uk/home/admissions/admissions-2024-25/. The deadline for applications to be completed and Certificate of Catholic Practice provided to the School is 4pm on Tuesday 4th July 2023.
The Return of the Chalice:
Fr Peter writes: “The Bishops Conference of England & Wales has permitted Holy Communion being distributed under both kinds. This means that parishioners can return to drinking the precious blood from the chalice. This will take some time to co-ordinate but it is good to know that we are once again able to follow the command of Christ to eat His body and drink His blood.”
Save the Date!
Celebrations to commemorate 70 years since the present church was opened and 125 years since the parish of St Mary’s was established will happen on Sunday 17th September. Please “save the date”. You are all invited!