The Exaltation of the Holy Cross 14.09.2025

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS

Sun 14th Sept​​​

8.30am​ Sylvia Barnachea, thanksgiving

10am​ John Meally, RIP

12pm​ Hernan Vellejo, RIP

Mon 15th Sept        ​Our Lady of Sorrows

10am           For the people of the Holy Land and Gaza

Tues 16th Sept​ Saints Cornelius, Pope and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs

10am          People of the Parish 

​Weds 17th Sept​​ NO MASS

Thurs 18th Sept​ Feria

10am​ Dante Bardetti, RIP

Fri 19th Sept​ Feria

10am           ​Gennaro Di Landro, RIP

Sat 20th Sept​ Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

5pm ​J.C. Ndu, RIP

Every Saturday: 10am – 10:30am - 4.30pm – 5pm: Confessions and Exposition

YOUR PRAYERS:

Let us keep in our prayers: Fr Dennis, 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: Thomas Holloway, Kitty O Dowd, John Meally, Nuala Clarke, David Thurlow, John Paul Bradley, Ray Bates, Sveta Valeri, James Corr, Maud Holloway, Una Murphy, Kitty Heenan, Gerry Stenson, Jose Barreto, Mary Teresa Foran, Martin Flanagan, Noeleen Hare, Noreen McGlynn, James McCormack, Giulia Mortali & Stipo Vidovic whose anniversaries occur at this time or have died recently. May they Rest in Peace.

OFFERTORY COLLECTION

The offertory collection for week ending 7th September was £750.52 and Contactless was

£158.32. August 2025: Standing Orders were £3,357.00; Stripe Donations were £24.75 and Online donations were £75.00. Thank you for your generosity.

CONFESSION.

Confession (known also as the sacrament of reconciliation) returns to St Mary’s on Saturday mornings from next weekend. Confessions will be heard every Saturday morning from 10am – 10:30am and 4:30pm to 5pm.

BOOKING A MASS

Now is a good time to book a Mass for someone who has recently died, an anniversary or for someone who is unwell. Either visit or ring the parish office during office hours (Mon, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am to 2pm) or send an email finchleyeast@rcdow.org.uk

BARNET HOSPITAL:

Fr Peter will be “on call” for Barnet Hospital every Saturday, he joins a group of local priests who provide daily sacramental cover. If you know you are going into hospital please see Fr Peter before your admission so he can anoint you. If you are admitted into hospital unexpectedly and would like to see a priest contact the nurse in charge of the ward, ideally during the day. Night-time calls should only be for emergencies.

SVP SOCIAL EVENING 11TH OCTOBER TICKETS AVAILABLE

The SVP are hosting a social evening on Saturday 11th October at 6pm to help to raise funds for the many families that they support especially at Christmas.

Tickets will be on sale before and after Mass from Saturday 27th September. They cost £15 each and include a home cook meal, film as well as a fun evening. Vegetarian option will be available.

SECONDARY SCHOOL TRANSFER SCHOOL FORMS:

Secondary School Transfer Forms which require either a Certificate of Catholic Practice or a priest’s signature need to be given to Fr Peter after one of the weekend Masses. You and your child should be regularly attending Mass so Fr Peter can sign the certificate or form.

MARRIAGE HELP

Retrouvaille provides programme and model of ongoing accompaniment for the couples who are willing to work together on their differences and find ways to resolve conflict in their relationship. Next course date: 17th-19th Oct. www.retrouvaille.org.uk Tel: 0788 7296983counselling.

Marriage Care is a relationship counselling charity established in our diocese nearly 80 years ago. Their relationship counsellors are fully trained and have gone through a formal selection and training process. Relationship Counselling provides a structured and supportive environment for couples to navigate difficulties and improve their communication.     www.marriagecare.org.uk/ TEL: 0800 389 3801

PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH FR PETER:

Yvonne, the super parish administrator is on leave for a couple of weeks, so Fr Peter will be on his own in the office. Please be extra patient with the rather naïve Parish Priest and his dog.

 CATECHETICAL COURSES AT ST MARY’S FOR 2025-6

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INTITATION OF ADULTS

If you are an adult who is thinking about becoming a Catholic, or you are an adult who has not made your First Holy Communion or Confirmation then you might like to consider joining the parish RCIA group. Starting in the Autumn, this group meets once a week to learn more about the Catholic faith and to prepare either for Baptism, First Holy Communion or Confirmation (or all three). If you are interested, please see Fr Peter after Mass.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2026

If your child is going to be in Year 3 in September and has received a Catholic baptism, they can apply for next year’s First Holy Communion Programme. The date for next year’s First Holy Communion Mass has been provisionally set for Sunday 7th June (although this may change if Fr Peter is required to attend a diocesan event). If you would like to register your child, please see Fr Peter after Mass, and collect an application form. CLOSING DATE FOR REGISTRATION IS 30thSEPTEMBER 2025.  

CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME 2026

The parish Confirmation Course for 2026 will soon be open for registration. This 8-week course is open to young adults in year 9 at secondary school who have been baptised and made their First Holy Communion. Please see Fr Peter after Mass if you are interested.

Fr Peter writes: “One lovely way to support St Mary’s is by recommending our parish centre as a welcoming venue for gatherings—whether it’s meetings, funeral receptions, or joyful celebrations. While we’re only able to host children’s birthday parties for parishioner families, we’re delighted to accommodate many other events.

Our parish, like many community spaces, is navigating rising energy costs. Last year, electricity expenses at St Mary’s reached £9,299, and gas costs for 2024 were £8,377.23. This year, our gas bill so far stands at £7,524.61.

By spreading the word about our halls for hire, you’re helping us meet these challenges and ensuring that St Mary’s remains a vibrant, welcoming place for all. Every booking makes a difference—and I am so grateful for your continued support.”

ST MARY’s PARISH RETREAT WEEK 2025

After the success of last year's Parish Retreat Week, Fr Peter has already begun organising another, which will take place in the autumn. This year's theme will focus on the Jubilee Year, “Pilgrims of Hope”, and Fr Peter has started arranging speakers. These include (so far) Fr Terry Tastard, Fr Peter Harris and Fr Richard Nesbitt. The retreat week will once again be hosted by Our Lady and will take place from Sunday 12th October to Friday 17th October.

NURSERY PLACES at OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL

Our Lady of Lourdes school, Bow Lane, N12 still has places for its Nursery and Reception classes so please apply to the school office if you would like to join us.

Our next Open Day if you would like to view our school is on 24th September, details on the website.

ST MARY'S CHILDREN’S CHOIR

We are pleased to announce that the children’s choir initiative that some of us have been discussing and praying about is starting on Sunday 21 September 2025. We invite all children between the age of 4 and 16 who love to sing or would like to give it a try to join us on Sundays just after the 10am mass or before the 12pm mass. We will meet at tea & coffee in the Church Hall at the end of the 10am mass to start at 11:20 and finish just before 12pm. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian If you/your child is interested, please write your family name and age of child/ children on the list at the back of the church

Happy singing! Raïssa, Jen, Mag and Holly.