Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 31.08.2025

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS

Sun 31st August

8.30am People of the Parish

10am Patrick Griffin, intentions

12pm Maggie Carter, anniversary

Mon 1st Sept Feria

10am Tony Newman, RIP

Tues 2nd Sept Feria

10am Sister Teresita, RIP

Weds 3rd Sept NO MASS

Thurs 4th Sept Feria

10am Chris Duffy, RIP

Fri 5th Sept Feria

10am A private intention

Sat 6th Sept Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

5pm Sister Teresita, 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: Thomas Holloway, Kitty

O Dowd, 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 27th July was £400.89 and Contactless was £150.35.

• The offertory collection for week ending 3rd August was £560.85 and Contactless was £92.42

• The offertory collection for week ending 10th August was £528.40 and Contactless was £109.15.

• The offertory collection for week ending 17th August was £497.13 and Contactless was £111.12

• The offertory collection for week ending 24th August was £1643.35 and Contactless was £161.24

• July 2025: Standing Orders were £3,364.00; Online Donations were £225.00 and Stripe Donations were £24.44. 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

PARISH HALL BOOKINGS:

Fr Peter writes: “One wonderful way to support St Mary’s is by recommending our parish centre

for events such as meetings, funeral receptions, and celebrations. While we’re unable to host

children’s birthday parties unless the family are parishioners, we warmly welcome other

gatherings.

Like many public institutions, we face rising energy costs—last year, electricity expenses for the St Mary’s site totalled £9,299. By promoting our halls for hire, you can help us offset these costs and ensure our parish continues to thrive.

A heartfelt thank you to Rachel Pieres, who kindly introduced the Calabir Women’s Organisation to our parish centre. Thanks to her, they now regularly book the space for meetings and celebrations. It’s a wonderful example of how sharing a good word can make a lasting impact.

BLESSED CARLO ACUTIS

The Catholic Church joyfully announces the forthcoming canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis, to be held on 7 September 2025 in Rome, presided over by Pope Leo XIV. Carlo, who passed away in 2006 at the age of 15, will become the first millennial saint, recognized for his deep devotion to the Eucharist and his pioneering use of technology to evangelize through his online catalogue of Eucharistic miracles. Carlos was born in Fulham and raised in Italy. This historic event will also include the canonisation of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901 - 1925), uniting two young laymen from different eras who exemplified holiness in everyday life. Pilgrims from around the world are expected to gather in Rome and at local shrines to celebrate this momentous occasion. Both Vatican News and EWTN are expected to livestream the Canonisation Mass. A relic of Saint Carlos will be brought for veneration to Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 11th October.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

The parish finance committee will meet at 7:30pm on Tuesday 9th September in the presbytery.

WELCOME BACK

Welcome back to the parish after what I hope was a restful and peaceful summer.

As we begin the autumn season together, I’d love to take a moment to thank all of you who give your time and energy to support St Mary’s. Whether you help behind the scenes or out

front, your generosity makes all the difference.

To show my appreciation, I’m inviting all volunteers to join me at the presbytery for a simple cheese and wine gathering (very

retro) on Sunday 14th September at 5pm. It’ll be a relaxed chance to reconnect, share stories, and look ahead to the coming months.

I’m really looking forward to seeing you there.

Fr Peter

SPECIAL BLESSING FOR THOSE STARTING OR RETURNING TO SCHOOL

OR UNIVERSITY:

At the end of the 10am Mass on Sunday 7th September, Fr Peter will bless the uniforms

(or any school equipment) of those beginning a new school, starting a new year,

returning to college, or beginning university. Traditionally, Fr Peter also gives out

medals to be sewn into uniforms, carried in pockets, or worn.

SVP – SOCIAL EVENING – SAVE THE DATE!

The SVP are planning a social evening with a hot, home-made supper on Saturday 11th

October at 6 pm. Full details and ticket sales will take place in September so more

news then.

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. The

retreat week will once again be hosted by Our Lady and will take place from Sunday

12th October to Friday 17th October.

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 30th SEPTEMBER 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.

Finchley Catholic High School – Open Evening

Tuesday 30th September 2025: 5pm to 7:30pm