Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time 11.10.2026
MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS
Sun 11th Oct
8.30 am People of the Parish
10 am S. Donato, Thanksgiving
12 noon Lillian Murphy, RIP
Mon 12th Oct Feria
10 am Mary O’Brian
Tues 13th Oct St. Edward the Confessor
10 am Kathleen Lancaster intentions
Weds 14th Oct NO MASS
Thurs 15th Oct St. Teresa of Jesus
10 am Rose O’Duffy RIP Funeral
Fri 16th Oct Feria
10 am Sen & family Intentions
Sat 17th Oct Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
5pm Private Intention
Every Saturday: 10am – 11am - 4.30pm – 5pm: Confessions and Exposition
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
Let us keep in our prayers: 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: 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 Offertory Collection for week ending 4th October was £1430.56. Contactless was £189:50. Thank you for your generosity.
CATHY BYRNE (nee O’BOY)
Cathy died peacefully last Wednesday surrounded by her family. Cathy is sister to Fr Michael O’Boy and a member of our parish SVP group. She was a joyful, kind, generous person with an infectious smile. Her funeral will be on Wednesday 14th October at 11am at St Albans, Nether Street. Let us pray for her husband, children, father and siblings. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS…. MEETING
The first meeting for adults who wish to become Catholics or have been baptised but not received the sacrament of Confirmation will take place on Thursday 15th October at 7:30pm in the presbytery (the house next door to the church). All welcome.
ALTAR SERVERS MEETING
All current and prospective Altar Servers are invited to a meeting on Saturday 17th October at 11.00am in the church. We will discuss the awarding of medals, a possible trip to Westminster Cathedral, and continue our server training.
New servers are especially welcome. We look forward to seeing you there.
SECONDARY SCHOOL TRANSFER FORMS
Fr Peter will sign all secondary school transfer forms and Catholic Certificates of Attendance only after weekend Masses. Thank you.
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.
"Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen."
ST MARY’S CHRISTMAS FAIR - JOIN THE FESTIVE FUN!
SUNDAY 29 NOVEMBER, 11AM–2PM
Could you help by donating bottles, chocolates, home-bakes, hamper baskets or goodies to fill our hampers? Every donation, large or small, will be warmly appreciated.
There are only six more Sundays before the fair! With half-term holidays approaching, please bring your donations as soon as you can. Home bakes will, of course, be very welcome nearer the day!
From next weekend, please look out for our raffle ticket sellers. If you can, taking a book or two 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.
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 on Sunday 18 October, after the 10am Mass in the blue hall. Everyone is warmly welcome.
SERVANT OF GOD SISTER THEA BOWMAN
As we celebrate Black History Month, we give thanks for the rich contribution that Black communities have made to the life of the Church throughout history and continue to make today. This month is an opportunity not only to remember the past but also to celebrate the gifts, faith and witness that enrich our parish and society. One inspiring figure is Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman (1937-1990), an American religious sister, teacher and evangelist whose joyful faith and powerful witness helped many people see the beauty of the Catholic faith. Despite suffering from cancer in the final years of her life, she continued to proclaim the Gospel with courage, hope and joy. The title “Servant of God” is the first official stage on the Church’s path to sainthood, given when a person’s life and holiness begin to be formally investigated. Sister Thea’s cause for canonisation is progressing, and her example continues to inspire Catholics around the world. Her words remain a challenge and an encouragement: “If we walk together, children, we’ll get there.” May her witness help us to build a Church where every person is welcomed, valued and able to share their God-given gifts.
CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME 2027 REGISTRATION
Registration for the 2027 Confirmation Programme will take place during the month of October.
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 OF CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS AT ST MARY’S
Fr Peter writes: “I am sure we would all agree that proper safeguarding policies and procedures must be followed to ensure the safety and well-being of children and vulnerable adults. Over the coming weeks, I will be asking all parish volunteers to undertake some mandatory safeguarding training.
As a first step, I would be grateful if all Readers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion could attend a safeguarding meeting on Sunday 18th October at 4.00pm in the Small Hall.
Safeguarding is the responsibility of us all. We can each play our part by ensuring that children are not allowed to go unaccompanied to the toilets in the church porch, by taking care in the car park, and by parents keeping a watchful eye on their children both in church and around the parish centre. These simple measures help to ensure that St Mary's remains a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
ST MARY’S YOUTH CLUB
After an administrative hitch and a few teething problems in the Parish Centre, St Mary’s Youth Club will finally open its doors on Thursday 22nd October from 7.30pm to 9.00pm.
For the time being, Fr Peter invites those who were confirmed in 2025 and 2026 to come along for an evening of pizza, planning, and sharing ideas about the future of the Youth Club. There will, of course, be pizza to eat and, if our pizza chef and oven are both fully operational, the opportunity to make your own pizzas as well!
We look forward to welcoming you. 🍕
BISHOP DOUGLASS SCHOOL OPEN EVENTS
There will be a Curriculum Showcase on Thursday 15th October 4.15 – 5.45 pm and if you would like a Guided Tour, sign up on the school website to see the school in action during the day. For further information, please visit the school website www.bishopdouglass.barnet.sch.uk or call 0208 444 5211.
OUR LADY OF LOURDES NURSERY AND PRIMARY SCHOOL
(Bow Lane, Finchley, London, N12 0JP) warmly invites all prospective parents to our upcoming school tours on:
• Wednesday 14th October 2026 at 9.30am and 6pm
• Wednesday 4th Nov at 9.30am
If these dates are not convenient, please do contact the school office to arrange a tour for another time (tel: 02083461681 email: office@olol.barnetmail.net). We look forward to welcoming you all.
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