Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 26th September 2021
MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS
Sun 26th Sept
8.30 am Mary Spellman, 3rd anniversary
10 am Sinead Gunawardana, 1st anniversary
12 noon Benny Fitzsimons, anniversary
Mon 27th Sept St Vincent de Paul, Priest
10 am Funeral Mass for Maria Zanelli, RIP
Tues 28th Sept Feria
10 am Michael Kennedy, RIP
Weds 29th Sept
NO MASS
Thurs 30th Sept St Jerome, Priest and Doctor
12 noon Funeral of Rosalia Fiori, RIP
7 pm Pat McMahon, RIP
Fri 1st Oct St Therese of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor
10 am Yvonne Merola, intentions
2 pm Funeral of Patrick Kamara, RIP
Sat 2nd Oct 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
5 pm Edward Clem Dooley, anniversary
Please pray for the sick and those who care for them, today especially for the frail elderly and for those who work as carers
Your Prayers:
Let us keep in our prayers: Kathleen Lancaster, Denis Leenane, John O’Shea, Rekha, Bina, Gale Yates, Jose Luis Pérez, Alice, Michael O Boy, Lilian Murphy, Karina McKiernan Father Robert Plourde and Izabela Lissowska – all unwell at this time. We also pray for Sinead Gunawardana, Maria Zanelli, Patrick Kamara, Arthur Palmer, Noel Ryan, Donato Merola, Aurora Lobo – Buckland, Larry Tuohy and Monica Thomson who have all died recently. May they Rest in Peace. We remember their families and all those bereaved. We continue to pray for those around the world battling the coronavirus.
First Holy Communion Celebrations:
Fr Peter writes: “Congratulations to Emily, Wiktoria, Oskar, Matteo, Joseph, Toby, Callum, George, Jack, Paddy, Natalia, Grace, and Callie, who all made their First Communions last weekend. A special thank you to Holly for preparing the children and supporting their parents, and thanks to Tom and Oscar who were valuable helpers. Details for registration for next year are also in this week’s newsletter…
Offertory Collection
Fr Peter writes: “The offertory collection in church for week ending 19th Sept - £803.87 All contributions are greatly received and I am very grateful for your continued support at this difficult time. Please do not forget, that arranging a standing order is the easiest way to support St Mary’s.
Important Request from Bishop John:
In the next weeks, we face an unprecedented attack on the sanctity of life with Baroness Meacher’s ‘Assisted Dying Bill 2021’ which received its 1st Reading in the House of Lords, and is due its 2nd Reading with full debate on Friday 15th October. The term ‘Assisted Dying’ is euphemistic; the truth is that this bill seeks to introduce Assisted Suicide. If legalised, this Bill would allow a terminally ill adult with less than six months to live to be assisted in committing suicide. Many voices from the world of disability rights and other allies are also very fearful and fighting this bill. There are a number of important actions in the next weeks. First, to pray that the Bill will be defeated. Second, to write to Peers from your personal experience and share stories which will argue the reasons for opposing the Bill as well as narrate the importance of precious time during the final stages of life. Healthcare and legal professionals should write giving reasons why they oppose the Bill. This needs to be done before the Second Reading on 15th October. Third, to engage and share stories and reasons against the Bill on social media.
Parish Centre Renovations:
Repairs to the back of the hall have begun. Please be mindful of the building materials as you leave the church via the Sacred Heart exit. The hall has also new Fire Alarms.
An additional time for Confessions & Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament:
From this weekend Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions will be available on Saturday’s from 10-11am and 4:30pm to 5pm: an ideal chance to spend time with Jesus and gain forgiveness. With the help of an electric fan, the confessional will be available.
Secondary School Transfer Forms:
Fr Peter writes: “If your child needs their Catholic Certificates of Practice” stamped and signed, please attend one of the Sunday Masses with your child, bringing their secondary school transfer forms. Please make sure you have completed address and dates of birth before coming to see me.”
Registration for First Holy Communion 2021/22
Registration for the next round of First Holy Communion preparation classes is now open. If your child in in Year 3 or above and you would like them to prepare to make their First Holy Communion next year, please email Holly finchleyeastcat@rcdow.org.uk for an application form. Classes will be on Sunday mornings in term time.
COP26 and St Mary’s young people
World leaders will be travelling to Glasgow in November for the UN Climate Change Conference COP26. This meeting is the most important meeting of its kind since the Paris Agreement was adopted in 2015. Pope Francis will be attending and speaking at the conference, describing it as a “critical moment” and warning of the urgency of environmental sustainability, its impact on poverty, and the importance of global cooperation. Pope Francis has called on us all to pray for and about this meeting and has urged everyone to play their part in safeguarding the future of the planet: “We must decide what kind of world we want to leave to future generations. We must choose to live differently; we must choose life.”
To support this call to prayer and action we are proposing a walk from St. Mary’s to Westminster Cathedral for our young people after the 10am Mass on Sunday 7th November, while the COP26 conference is running. Along the way we’ll stop for lunch, have further breaks, chat and reflect on the environment and ways we can be better stewards of our planet. At some point we will need to encourage Fr Peter to keep walking. When we reach the Cathedral we will light candles and pray for all world leaders attending COP26. The Confirmation group, “Incensed group” and anyone of secondary school age is invited, there will be a sign-up sheet in the porch. We will also need a few adults to volunteer to accompany us, please email Holly finchleyeastcat@rcdow.org.uk if you would like to help.
Ways to financially support St. Mary’s:
BY STANDING ORDER:
If you would like to donate on a regular monthly basis, please consider setting up a standing order via your bank. Contact the parish office on 0208 883 4234 or finchleyeast@rcdow,org.uk to obtain a form.
OR
BY CREDIT/DEBIT CARD:
You can donate by credit or debit card via our Diocesan website: https://parish.rcdow.org.uk/finchleyeast/donate/
If asked to add a reference, please use ‘Collection’.
OR
BY BANK TRANSFER:
You can arrange a bank transfer, either online or in person at the bank. Please instruct your bank to use the following as a reference:
Your surname and your initials, followed by the word “Collection”
e.g. Smith J. – Collection
St Mary’s bank account details are as follows:
Account Name: WRCDT – Finchley East
Sort Code: 40-05-20
Account Number: 71265733
Bank: HSBC
OR
BY THE ‘JUST GIVING PAGE’:
A Just Giving page has been set up for St. Mary’s. You can donate by going to the following link and clicking on “Make a donation”:
OR:
BY CHEQUE:
Cheques should be made out to “WRCDT – Finchley East” and can be posted to the parish office at: 279 High Road, East Finchley, N2 8HG
-or dropped through the presbytery letterbox with a note saying “Offertory Collection”
OR:
BY WEEKLY NUMBERED ENVELOPES:
Many of you already contribute via the weekly numbered envelopes system. If you would like to contribute this way, and are not already doing so, please let the office