Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 27.09.2026
MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS
Sun 27th Sept
8.30 am Mary Spellman, Anniversary
10 am Roland De Souza, RIP
12 noon Philippa Knox, Anniversary
Mon 28th Sept Feria
10 am Holy Souls
Tues 29th Sept Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels
10 am John & Kathleen Farrelly, RIP
Weds 30th Sept NO MASS
Thurs 1st Oct Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus
10 am Matthias Mayonne, RIP
Fri 2nd Oct Holy Guardian Angels
10 am People of the Parish
Sat 3rd Oct Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
5pm Maria Luis, intentions
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: 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 20th September was £696.15. Contactless was £254:50. Thank you for your generosity.
BARNET DEANERY SYNODAL STUDY GROUP
The next step in our Barnet Deanery Synodal journey is to discern how we can start to work together? We will begin a “Big Conversation” Saturday 3rd October 2026 – 2.00-4.00pm
St. Anthony’s Church, 5 Garratt Rd, Edgware, HA8 9AN
Our question will be: “How can we make our Catholic Parish communities, more meaningful, better connected and grow together through a shared project between our parishes”
Recently Confirmed? School Yr9 of above? Please join us to offer a fresh and youthful perspective. For more information, please contact Chris Rosser: chrisrosser@btinternet.com
NEXT WEEKEND IS THE CAFOD FAMILY FAST APPEAL.
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.
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.
FINCHLEY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OPEN EVENING
Finchley Catholic High School are holding their annual Open Evening for prospective parents on Tuesday 29th September from 5 pm to 7.30 pm. For further information, please visit the school website www.finchleycatholic.org.uk or call 0208 445 0105.
LA SAINTE UNION CATHOLIC SCHOOL
La Sainte Union Catholic School for Girls is holding its Open Evening on Tuesday 29th September. Open Mornings are on Tuesday 13th and Thursday 15th October. Coffee mornings will be held on Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd October. For further information, please visit the school website www.lasainteunion.org.uk or call 0207 428 4600.
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.
As you know, I have "asbestos ears" and do not mind the occasional charismatic moment from our younger parishioners during Mass. However, please be mindful of the sanctuary and the very real dangers posed by candles and other liturgical furnishings.
St Mary's is very fortunate to have Eimir Reed as our Parish Safeguarding Representative. If you have any safeguarding concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact her.
BOILER NEWS!
It is unusually warm at the moment! As a result, Fr Peter and the sacristans will finally be shown how to operate our new shiny boiler on Thursday 1st October.
Once they have learned where to feed the coal, how to stoke the grates, and which gaskets need attention, we will be ready for the official inauguration of the system.
An announcement will be made next weekend about the Official Boiler Switch-On Ceremony, followed by tea, cakes, and, we hope, a demonstration that modern technology really can work in a parish setting. The final total of the Boiler Fundraising Appeal will also be revealed.
ST MARY’S SVP FILM & SOCIAL EVENING SATURDAY 3RD OCTOBER AT 6PM
The SVP are once again hosting a social evening to help to raise funds for its activities helping individuals and families in need especially this year at Christmas time. A hot home-made supper [meat and vegetarian options available with prior booking] will be served at 6pm followed by a film. Tickets available from SVP members before and after masses for weekends 12th, 19th and 26th September. Price £15 per person includes supper, soft drinks and ice creams. Bring your own alcohol.
REGISTRATION FOR FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2027
Registration for the First Holy Communion Programme is now open for children in Year 3.
Please note: At least one parent must be a Catholic.
For further information and registration, please see Fr Peter after one of the weekend Masses.
REGISTRATION FOR RCIA
Registration for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is now open.
RCIA is for:
• Adults who wish to be baptised into the Catholic Church;
• Baptised Catholics who have not yet received First Holy Communion and/or Confirmation;
• Baptised Christians from other traditions who are interested in becoming Catholic.
For further information and registration, please see Fr Peter after one of the weekend Masses.
SECONDARY SCHOOL TRANSFER FORMS
Fr Peter will sign all secondary school transfer forms and Catholic Certificates of Attendance only after weekend Masses. Thank you.
NEW ANNUAL DIOCESAN PARISH COUNT
Continuing for the following two weekends, the Diocese will conduct its annual count of Mass attendance. Everyone attending Mass will be included in the count.
These figures are important because they help the Diocese understand patterns of worship, plan future pastoral provision, and inform decisions regarding clergy appointments and numbers across the Diocese.
With a new Archbishop now leading the Diocese, and with the possibility that parishes may be paired together in the future, it is especially important that St Mary's provides figures that accurately reflect the true vitality and size of our parish community. At this time of year, some families find that Sunday sports fixtures, drama clubs, and other activities can compete with Mass attendance. If you are able, please make every effort to attend Mass during the counting period so that our parish is represented as accurately as possible.
Thank you for helping ensure that the Diocese receives a true picture of the life of St Mary's Parish.
Comments