St Mary's East Finchley N2 8HG

Jesus says that he is the vine, we are the branches. It is a powerful metaphor, that is to say, it is an image that invites us to explore deeper realms of meaning. It speaks to me first of all of life. We think of the sap, the juice of life, coursing through a vast vine, from its gnarled trunk to its new, green tendrils. This is us. The life within us is Christ himself. There is no place where our life ends and his begins. The life-force of the Saviour flows gently thro

Baptism ask God’s blessing on Chloë Abigail Warnakulasuriya who was baptised Saturday 28th April. Looking ahead: The solemnity of the Ascension this year is on Thursday 10th May, a holy day of obligation, with Masses at 10 am and 7.30 pm. Parish Meet & Greet This has been postponed until there is fair weather later in the year. Supporting Refugees: Eggs Please! Please help us support the local drop-in centre for destitute refugees and asylum seekers by bringing 6 or more hard

In today's gospel reading (John 10.11-18) Jesus speaks of himself as the Good Shepherd. How appropriate, then, that the Church invites us today to think about vocation. Everybody is called to Christian living. When we were baptised, the priest anointed our heads with holy oil and said, 'God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ … now anoints you with the chrism of salvation. As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet and King, so may you live always as a member of his body, sha

Pray for the sick esp. Eddie Caddle, Carmel Bates, Cathy Walker, Finola Hickey, Bridget O’Donnell, Kelly-Marie O’Donnell, Simon O’Donnell, Pat Gleeson and Mary Myles. Parish Collection: Last week’s collection came to £941.43. Many thanks. Parish Meet & Greet There will be a special chance to have a cup of tea and meet fellow parishioners and the parish team next Sunday 29th April, outside church after all Masses. We look forward to seeing you there! Priest Training Fund – S

I sometimes wonder if there is an element of playfulness in the resurrection appearances of Jesus. Certainly there seems to be a touch of humour in the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Trudging along they are talking earnestly to the stranger about the events that brought Jesus to death on the cross. They then go on to tell him that some women of their company found the tomb of Jesus to be empty. But all the time, as we know, it is he to whom they are talking as

Pray for the sick esp. Eddie Caddle, Carmel Bates, Cathy Walker, Finola Hickey, Bridget O’Donnell, Kelly-Marie O’Donnell, Simon O’Donnell, Pat Gleeson and Mary Myles. Baptism Ask God’s blessing on William John Fernandes who was baptised here yesterday – Saturday 14th April 2018. Parish Collection: Last week’s collection came to £1161.70. Many thanks. Holy Week and Easter Many thanks to all who have helped us celebrate Holy Week and Easter so worthily in the parish – our sacr

The other day I had a routine blood test. The phlebotomists who take the blood are very skilled. In truth, you hardly feel a thing. I am well used to it, and I don’t have a problem with needles. Even so, I found myself tensing and counting the phials of blood as they filled up. Two … three … four … did it really need that many, I wondered, wishing that the whole affair would be over as soon as possible. Pathetic, I know, but a perfectly human reaction. Generally we are queasy

Pray for the sick esp. Eddie Caddle, Carmel Bates, Cathy Walker, Finola Hickey, Bridget O’Donnell, Kelly-Marie O’Donnell, Simon O’Donnell, Pat Gleeson and Mary Myles. Funerals John Bates The Funeral Mass for John Bates will be here on Tuesday 10th April at 10 am, followed by cremation at Islington Crematorium. John Harrington The Funeral Mass for John Harrington will be here on Tuesday 10th April at 7 pm, followed by repatriation of his body to Ireland. Easter Collection: The

30 children and their families came out on Easter Monday for our annual young people's Easter afternoon. They went on a picture hunt around the car park and parish gardens to find that Jesus promises EVERLASTING LIFE at Easter and honed their skateboarding skills with the team from Skates & Ladders. After a rainy start even the sun was smiling at the end!