Third Sunday of Easter 04.05.2025

The Conclave: How the Next Pope is Chosen

On WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, cardinals from around the world will gather in the Vatican to begin the conclave, the sacred and secretive process of electing the next pope. This tradition, steeped in centuries of history, follows a structured set of rules and prayers.

THE PROCESS

Mass for the Election of the Pope – The conclave begins with a solemn Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, invoking the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Entering the Sistine Chapel – The cardinal electors (those under 80 years old) process into the Sistine Chapel, where they will remain until a new pope is chosen.

Swearing the Oath – Each cardinal takes an oath to uphold the election’s integrity and secrecy.

Voting Begins – The cardinals cast their votes in multiple rounds, aiming for a two-thirds majority to elect the new pope.

Smoke Signals – After each vote, the ballots are burned. Black smoke means no decision has been reached, while white smoke announces that a new pope has been chosen.

The Announcement – Once elected, the new pope accepts his role and chooses a papal name. Shortly after, he is introduced to the world with the famous words: “Habemus Papam” (“We have a pope”).

This sacred process ensures that the Church is guided by prayer and discernment in selecting the successor to Peter the Fisherman

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS

Sun 4th May​​

8.30am​ Patrick Noel Louis-Auguste, 1st anniversary

​10am​​​ Sister Sheila, anniversary

12noon​ Thomas Murphy and Christy Prenderville

Mon 5th May        ​Easter Feria

10am           ​Patrick Noel Louis-Auguste, 1st anniversary

Tues 6th May​ Easter Feria

10am​ Mary Rose Maguad, 1st anniversary

​Weds 7th May​​ Easter Feria

​​​​NO MASS

Thurs 8th May​ Easter Feria

10am​ People of the Parish​

Fri 9th May​ Easter Feria

10am​ Mariella and Phillipe Molette

Sat 10th May​Fourth Sunday of Easter

5pm​ Sveta Valeri, RIP

4.30pm – 5pm: Confessions and Exposition

YOUR PRAYERS:

Let us keep in our prayers: 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: Pope Francis, Ray Bates, Canon Bernard Scholes, Sveta Valeri, James Corr, Maud Holloway, Una Murphy, Mary Drumm, Kitty Heenan, Fr Sean Carroll, Fr David Barnes, Gerry Stenson, Luis Goncalves, Arcangela Moretto, Patrick Jean Noel Louis-Auguste, Jose Barreto, Gianpiero Gallian, Mary Teresa Foran, Martin Flanagan, Noeleen Hare, Noreen McGlynn, James McCormack, Giulia Mortali, Gino Tomei and Raymond Bates whose anniversaries occur at this time or have died recently. May they Rest in Peace.

PARISH QUIZ NIGHT

Fr Peter writes “Out of respect for the conclave, I have decided to defer next Saturday’s parish quiz to a later date.”

OFFERTORY COLLECTION

The offertory collection for week ending 27th April was £856.02 and Contactless was £176.03.

Standing Orders, Online and Stripe will be communicated one month in arrears.  Thank you for your generosity

ST MARY’S LENT COURSE – 2025

“WHEN YOU PRAY” CONTIUES AFTER EASTER!……for 2 more sessions….

Monday 19th May and Monday 26th May.

Each session is an hour, beginning at 7:30pm and occurs in the small hall

PRIESTS’ TRAINING FUND – SECOND COLLECTION

Next Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday, the day we pray for priests and for

vocations to the priesthood. The annual collection for the Priest Training

Fund will also take place next weekend. This fund pays for the priestly

formation of men for the Catholic priesthood. There are currently 50 men studying at Allen Hall seminary, 13 of whom are from our own Diocese. 2 of these are deacons. We also have 2 seminarians at the English College in Valladolid. Last year 3 deacons who studied at Allen Hall were ordained priests. This fund supports the ongoing enrichment and formation of our ordained priests. Your generous donation helps ensure we can support these men who are called to be like Christ the Good Shepherd. Donation envelopes are available at the back of the church. Please take one home, read the information, and bring it back next weekend with your donation. Please continue to pray for vocations and for our priests. You can also use the QR code to make your donation online or visit www.rcdow.org.uk/donations. You might also notice a familiar face on the campaign poster and envelopes! Thank you for your generosity.

FUN AFTERNOON LOOKING FOR STATUES IN THE CITY SUPPORT A WORTHY CAUSE: SATURDAY 17TH MAY

The Aysanew Kassa Trust is raising funds for their work supporting the education of the children of Azezo, Ethiopia, including the care and education of 70 blind children at a school for blind children run by Catholic nuns.  The charity is an East Finchley-based charity run by, among others, St Mary’s parishioners Jean Bailey and Daniel Servini. We are offering another fun afternoon (our fourth) starting at 11.30/12 noon on Saturday 17th May, walking the streets of the City of London, exploring and looking for statues.  The walk starts at Deutsche Bank, near Moorgate Station and finishes close by.  Each adult is asked to donate £30 whilst accompanied children are free.  For more information and/or to book a place, contact:  Jean Bailey on 07484889062 or Daniel Servini on 07858963528.

CONCLAVE MASS _ WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL

There will be a Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit celebrated in Westminster Cathedral on Tuesday, 6 May, at 5.30pm to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit on the Cardinals gathered in Rome before the Conclave starts on Wednesday. The principal celebrant of this Mass will be His Excellency the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendia

A PANEL DISCUSSION EXPLORING THE MORAL AND SPIRITUAL CHALLENGES OF THE AI ERA FOLLOWED BY AN OPPORTUNITY FOR Q&A.

Sunday 18 May 2025, 3-5pm Farm Street Church, 114 Mount Street, W1K 3AH

You are welcome to come to this unique event to hear from experts discussing Faith and Ethics in a time of technological transformation. The experts are: Fr. Michael Baggot, Invited Professor of Theology at Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas, Rome; Matthew Harvey Sanders, CEO of Longbeard, Creator of Magisterium AI; Jen Copestake, Correspondent CGTN Europe; Fr Dominic Robinson SJ, Parish Priest Farm Street Church. Free to attend but please register your place by emailing farmstreetoffice@rcdow.org.ukLivestreaming available by visiting

https://www.farmstreet.org.uk/livestream'

BELATED THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT DURING THE EASTER TRIDUUM

As we reflect on the grace and joy of the Easter season, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped make the Triduum celebrations so meaningful. Whether you assisted with preparations, participated in the liturgies, or supported St Mary’s in any way, your contributions were truly appreciated.

A special thanks goes to John C for his dedication in preparing those who were baptized or confirmed at the Easter Vigil, Helen T for her expert coordination of the choir, Holly for presiding over the family stations of the cross, Lisa R for the beautiful temporary stations displayed in the church, and Marie J and Marie G for their work in adorning the church with stunning flowers and decorations. Your efforts have truly enriched our community, and I am deeply grateful.

Thanks to everyone for your Easter offertory gifts and for your dedication and service to this parish. May the blessings of Easter continue to shine in your hearts!

Fr Peter

“It often happens that I wake up at night and begin to think about the serious problems afflicting the world and I tell myself, I must talk to the pope about it. Then the next day when I wake up I remember that I am the pope!”

Pope John XXIII