Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 06.09.2026

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS

 Sun 6^th​​

8.30 am​ People of the Parish

10 am​ Melita Caiado e Gonsalves, RIP

12 noon​ Lillian Murphy, RIP

Mon 7^th Sept        ​Feria

10 am​ A private intention

Tues 8^th Sept​ The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

10 am​ Al Noonan, RIP

Weds 9^th Sept​ NO MASS

Thurs 10^th Sept​ Feria

​10 am​​​ Holy Souls​

Fri 11^th Sept​ Feria

10 am​ Sister Avis, RIP

Sat 12^th Sept​ Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

5pm​ Christina Onisiforou and Savvas Onisiforou, intentions

Every Saturday: 10am – 11am - 4.30pm – 5pm: Confessions and Exposition

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

Let us keep in our prayers: 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:  Paul Camfield, Praxide Perera, Al Noonan, Hilary Oldham, the Holy Souls andall those whose anniversaries occur at this time or have died recently. May they Rest in Peace.

AUGUST OFFERTORY COLLECTIONS

Offertory Collection as follows:

For week commencing 19^th July Offertory was £1008.24; Contactless was £209.94.  

For week commencing 26^th July Offertory was £ 485.75 and Contactless was £122.43.

For weeks commencing 2^nd August Offertory was £541.14 and Contactless was £169.61.

For week commencing 9^th August Offertory was £546.64 and Contactless was £76.20.

For week commencing 16^thAugust Offertory was £474.05 and Contactless was £97.83.

For week commencing 23^rd August Offertory was £1426.75 and Contactless was £115.55.

For week commencing 30^th August Offertory was £553.39 and Contactless was £77.19.

July 2026: Standing Orders were £5,303.00, Online Donations were £589.85 and Stripe Donations were £54.65.  

Thank you for your generosity.

St MARY’S MASS FOR CHILDREN AND STUDENTS BEGINNING OR RETURNING TO SCHOOL, COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY:

The distribution of St Francis medals will take place at the 10:00am Mass on Sunday 13th September.

ALL Welcome.

FINCHLEY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OPEN EVENING

Finchley Catholic High School are holding their annual Open Evening for prospective parents on Tuesday 29^th 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 29^th September.  Open Mornings are on Tuesday 13^th and Thursday 15^th October.  Coffee mornings will be held on Wednesday 21^stand Thursday 22^nd October.  For further information, please visit the school website www.lasainteunion.org.uk or call 0207 428 4600.

BISHOP DOUGLASS SCHOOL OPEN EVENTS

There will be an Open Evening on Wednesday 16^th September from 5 – 7.30 pm.  Headteacher’s presentation will take place at 5.15 pm – 6.45 pm.  Curriculum Showcase will be on Thursday 15^th 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.

ALTAR SERVERS' BOWLING TRIP:

For all new and existing altar servers, the bowling trip will take place on Sunday 13th September. Meet at St Mary's at 2:30pm. A chance for Fr Peter to regain his bowling crown from the servers!

SPECIAL MASS IN HONOUR OF SR AVIS BALDWIN RIP:

A Mass to pray for the repose of Sr Avis's soul and to celebrate her life as our former Parish Sister will be held at 10:00am on Sunday 20th September.

ST MARY'S YOUTH CLUB:

A provisional date has been set for the launch of St Mary's Youth Club on Thursday 24th September, from 7:30pm to 9:00pm. The invitation is open to all those attending secondary school.

YVONNE

Fr Peter writes: “The parish is blessed to have Yvonne as our Administrator. From Tuesday, she will be away recovering from some minor surgery. Although the procedure is considered minor, her recovery may take up to 12 weeks. I would therefore be grateful for your patience during this time, as we may need to slow down some parish administration while Yvonne is absent.

Debbie Lissowski has very kindly agreed to take on some of Yvonne's responsibilities during her recovery, for which we are most grateful. Please keep Yvonne in your prayers, and pray that she may make a swift and full recovery.”

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.

CAFOD THIRD WORLD DEBT PETITION

Low income countries are being forced into a deepening debt crisis. Money that should be spent on food, health care and education is being diverted to repay crippling debt. Please sign the petition at the back of the church to urge the UK Government who will be chairing next year's G20 to rectify this injustice.

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.

The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Tuesday 8 September

Each year on 8 September, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, giving thanks for Mary's birth and for God's preparation of her unique role in the work of salvation.

Unlike most saints, whose feast days mark their death, the Church celebrates the birth of only three persons: Jesus Christ (25 December), St John the Baptist (24 June), and the Blessed Virgin Mary (8 September). This highlights Mary's special place in God's plan. From the beginning of her life, she was chosen to be the mother of the Saviour.

The Gospels do not record Mary's birth. The tradition that her parents were Saints Joachim and Anne comes from ancient Christian writings. What matters most is what Mary's birth signifies. Her arrival marks the beginning of a new chapter in salvation history, preparing the way for the coming of Christ.

The feast reminds us that God works patiently through history to fulfil his promises. Mary's birth gives hope because it shows that God is always at work, often quietly and unseen, bringing his plans to completion.

For us, this feast is also an invitation to reflect on our own calling. Just as Mary responded to God with faith and trust, each of us is called to play our part in his plan. Her example teaches us to say "yes" to the Lord, even when we cannot see where that path will lead.

As we celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, let us thank God for the gift of Our Lady, ask her intercession for our parish and families, and pray that we may imitate her faith, humility and obedience to God's will.