Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time 12.10.2025

RETREAT WEEK MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS

Sun 12th Oct​​​

8.30am​ Joan Whelan, RIP

10am​ Roy Dennison, RIP

12pm​ Philippa Knox, anniversary

Mon 13th Oct       ​St Edward the Confessor, Patron of the Diocese

7pm               People of the Parish

Tues 14th Oct​ Feria

7pm                ​Maud Holloway, RIP 

Weds 15th Oct​ Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church

​7pm​​​ Lipner Family, intentions

Thurs 16th Oct​ Feria

7pm​ Mary McNally, anniversary

Fri 17th Oct​ St Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr

10am                  A private intention

Sat 18th Oct​Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

5pm​ Tom Holloway, RIP

Every Saturday: 10am – 10:30am - 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: Luis Pires, Marie Arlette Angeline, Sarah Burzio, 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 5th October was £1344.17 and Contactless was

£293.98. For September 2025, Standing Orders were £3,596.00, Stripe was £24.75 and Online donations were £65.00. Thank you for your generosity.

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.

ALTAR SERVERS MEETING

Meeting for existing and new altar servers at 11am on Saturday 18th October. Just for an hour, to register for the Guild of St Stephen and to run through some new ideas.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION COURSE 2025-26

A mandatory meeting for families registered for the First Holy Communion Course will take place on Tuesday, 21st October at 7:30pm in the hall. The meeting will last approximately one hour.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION ENROLMENT MASS:

The First Holy Communion Enrolment Mass will be held on Sunday, 9th November at 10:00am.

BISHOP DOUGLASS CURRICULUM SHOWCASE

On Thursday 16th October, between 4.15 and 5.45 pm, the school will hold an afternoon of taster lessons and activities for both parents and pupils to enjoy.  This is open to all Year 5 and 6 pupils and their families.  Register your place for these events via the school website.

SAVE THE DATE - ST MARY’S CHRISTMAS FAIR - 2025

Our Christmas Fair will be held on Sunday, 30 November, from 11am to 2pm.

A reminder that the first planning meeting will take place today after the 10am mass in the blue hall. Everyone is warmly welcomed to come along.

If you have any ideas for stalls or would like to help out, please speak to Helen or contact her at Helensarahdoran@gmail.com or speak to Fr Peter – we’d love to hear from you! Thank you for your support.  

PARISH COUNCIL:

The next parish council meeting will be at 4pm on Sunday 19th October in the presbytery.

St Mary’s Parish Retreat: “Pilgrims of Hope.”

Sunday 12th – Friday 17th October.

Join us for a week of prayer, reflection, and renewal as we journey together with Our Lady in hope during this Jubilee Year.

Retreat Schedule.

Sunday 12th October: 6:00pm – 6:30pm.

Opening Session of Prayer to Our Lady.

Monday 13th – Friday 17th October.

7:00pm – Mass every evening.

7:30pm – 8:00pm – Prayer to Our Lady.

Including “Pilgrims of Hope” Homily by Visiting Priest.

Visiting Priests (In no particular order).

• ​Fr Stephen Wang - Faith & Prayer – Part 1

• ​Fr Peter Harris – Jubilee & Hope

• ​Fr Terry Tastard – Faith & Prayer  Part 2

• ​Fr Richard Nesbitt – Signs of Hope in Creation.

• ​Fr Peter Michael Scott – Endurance & Perseverance

All are welcome. Come as you are.

Let us walk together with Our Lady as “Pilgrims of Hope.”

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.

ANNUAL PARISH MASS COUNT.

Each year, the Diocese of Westminster asks us to record how many people attend Mass. This annual count is an important way for our Bishops to understand how engaged our parish communities are across the diocese. These figures play a key role in diocesan planning—especially when it comes to decisions about replacing parish priests, including the age and availability of clergy, and how many weekend Masses are needed. With fewer vocations and many priests nearing retirement, the diocese may also look at whether parishes need to partner with neighbouring communities and share a priest. The count finishes this weekend.

CHILDREN & HALLOWEEN

As Halloween approaches, let us remember that 31st October is not just a day of costumes and sweets—it’s also a beautiful opportunity to share the joy of Heaven with our children and community.

While popular culture may focus on witches, ghouls, and ghosts, we know that Heaven is filled with angels, saints, and holy souls. This year, why not encourage your child to be a little countercultural and dress up as a favourite saint or a radiant angel? It’s a gentle way to witness the light of Christ in a world that often celebrates the shadows.

Begin the day with prayer, asking God to bless you and your children with His peace and presence. Let it be a day of joy, reflection, and gentle evangelisation—reminding others that holiness is beautiful, and Heaven is real.

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. If you are interested, please come to a meeting at 7:30pm on Thursday 23rd October in the house next door to the church.

CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME 2026

The parish Confirmation Course for 2026 is now 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 for a registration form.