Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time 01.11.2026
MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS
Sun 1st Nov All Saints
8.30 am David Challoner RIP
10 am Michele De Palma, Domenica De Palma & George Janusz, RIP
12 noon Seweryn Lissowski, RIP
Mon 2nd Nov The Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed
10 am Holy Souls
Tues 3rd Nov Feria
10 am Peter Sartori, RIP
Weds 4th Nov NO MASS
Thurs 5th Nov Feria
10 am People of the Parish
Fri 6th Nov Feria
10 am Cornelius & Mary Sullivan, RIP
Sat 7th Nov Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
5pm Giovanni Ne Grotti, Anniversary
Every Saturday: 10am – 11am - 4.30pm – 5pm: Confessions and Exposition
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
Let us keep in our prayers: Pope Leo, May Brennan, Mike O’Brien, Freya Askew, Joan Gordon, Sanjuna Madonandi Kuniyil, Ben Galligan, 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: Hil Mhilli, George O’Gorman, Kay Gallivan, Cathy Byrne, Mary Curren, Winston Delandro, Sean Howley, Gildo Fernandes, Dante Bardetti, the Holy Souls and all those whose anniversaries occur at this time or have died recently. May they Rest in Peace.
OFFERTORY COLLECTIONS
The amount for Offertory Collection of week ending 18th October will be in next week’s newsletter.
NOVEMBER: THE MONTH OF THE HOLY SOULS
November is traditionally dedicated to praying for the Holy Souls, especially our loved ones who have died. During this month, we remember them in a special way at Mass and in our personal prayers, asking God to grant them eternal rest and the joy of His heavenly kingdom.
Holy Souls envelopes are now available at the back of the church. Please take an envelope and a blank sheet of paper, write the names of those you would like remembered in prayer, place the sheet in the envelope, and return it to the Holy Souls Box at the back of the church. These names will be remembered throughout the month of November in the prayers and Masses of the parish.
A special Mass for those who have been bereaved, and whose loved ones are buried or commemorated in St Pancras Cemetery, East Finchley Cemetery, or at Marylebone Crematorium, will take place at St Mary's on Saturday 7th November at 5pm. During the Mass, each family will receive a blessed candle to take to the grave or memorial of their loved one as a sign of prayer, remembrance and Christian hope.
Our Parish Remembrance Day Mass for all those who have died as a result of war and conflict will take place on Sunday 8th November at 10.00am. At 2.00pm, Fr Peter will place a poppy wreath at the memorial within the grounds of Finchley Memorial Hospital. All parishioners are warmly invited to join him for this act of remembrance and prayer for peace.
MOBILE PHONES
“One of the most common complaints I hear is about mobile phones going off during Mass. Please remember to switch yours off, or put it on flight mode, before Mass begins. News alerts, messages, and notifications can be just as distracting as phone calls.
Normally, my asbestos ears barely notice the odd chirrup or ringtone that decides to join in with the Mass responses. Last weekend, however, even I heard them and found myself distracted.
A little preparation before Mass helps everyone to pray more peacefully. Thank you for your help.” Fr Peter.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS…. MEETING
The next meeting for adults who wish to become Catholics or have been baptised but not received the sacrament of Confirmation will take place on Thursday at 7:30pm in the presbytery (the house next door to the church). All welcome.
CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME 2027 REGISTRATION
Registration for the 2027 Confirmation Programme ends this weekend.
Candidates wishing to be confirmed should be baptised Catholics and currently in Year 9. Ideally, they should already have celebrated their First Reconciliation (Confession) and First Holy Communion.
Registration forms are available only from Fr Peter and must be collected personally at the end of one of the weekend Masses during October. Please do not leave it until the last weekend.
We encourage all young people who wish to deepen their faith and receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation to register during this period.
SAFEGUARDING
I would be grateful if all Readers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion could attend a safeguarding meeting on Sunday 15th November at 4.00pm in the Small Hall.
MAGNIFICA HUMANITAS
The Friends of Westminster Cathedral are inviting everyone on Wednesday 4 November at 6.30pm to Westminster Cathedral Hall, for a talk by Fr Hugh MacKenzie on Magnifica Humanitas. The talk will explore Pope Leo’s reflections on the distinction between human and artificial intelligence, and what the rapid development of AI means for our understanding of humanity, morality and faith. As AI increasingly shapes our studies, working lives and relationships, this promises to be a fascinating and timely discussion. Drawing on Pope Leo’s teaching, Fr Hugh will consider what makes human intelligence unique, why our God-given dignity cannot be reduced to data and algorithms, and the dangers of allowing technology to take the place of human judgement, authentic relationships or spiritual fulfilment. For further details and tickets visit https://westminstercathedral.org.uk/news-events/
FEAST OF “ALL SAINTS”
“Our Eucharistic celebration began with the exhortation: "Let us all rejoice in the Lord". The liturgy invites us to share in the heavenly jubilation of the Saints, to taste their joy. The Saints are not a small caste of chosen souls but an innumerable crowd to which the liturgy urges us to raise our eyes. This multitude not only includes the officially recognized Saints, but the baptized of every epoch and nation who sought to carry out the divine will faithfully and lovingly. We are unacquainted with the faces and even the names of many of them, but with the eyes of faith we see them shine in God's firmament like glorious stars.” Pope Benedict XVI – Homily on All Saints Day 2006
ST MARY’S CHRISTMAS FAIR - JOIN THE FESTIVE FUN!
Sunday 29 November, 11am–2pm
A huge thank you to everyone who has brought in donations for our Christmas Fair. Please keep them coming! We’d be grateful for:
• Bottles for the tombola
• Chocolates for the tombola
• Hamper baskets and hamper fillers
• Books, new toys, Christmas decorations and boxes of mince pies
There are only three more Sundays before the fair to bring donations!
If you can, taking a book or two of raffle tickets home to sell to family and friends would be a great help. First prize £300; second prize £100; third prize £75, plus many other lovely prizes. A book of five tickets costs £5. Don’t forget to fill out the register.
Have an idea for a raffle prize or a new stall, or fancy lending a hand? Please speak to Helen Doran, Nicola Hewson, Anna Maughan or Fr Peter – we’d love to hear from you! Email: Helensarahdoran@gmail.com
Our next planning meeting is 8 Nov, after the 10am Mass in the blue hall. Everyone is warmly welcome, whether you’ve helped before or would like to join in for the first time.
Thank you for your generosity and support!
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