14th March 2010
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
(Laetare Sunday)
YEAR FOR PRIESTS 2009 - 2010
Derek Hyett writes:
Coming Home
As we come to this mid-point in Lent we are given a wonderful opportunity to take a breath, stand back, and see where we’ve got to. This Sunday is traditionally called Laetare Sunday (Laetare meaning rejoice), and is also the day we recall with gratitude how the Church, our Mother, aids us in the Christian life. Of course “Mothering Sunday” has also become a day that we say thank you for our earthly mothers! So there are many reasons this weekend why we offer our thanksgiving to God for the blessings he pours out upon us. If your Lent hasn’t gone well so far, now is the time not to fear, and try again!
In the Gospel today we hear the story of the Prodigal Son, a passage which is familiar to us all. The Father, despite the wrongs of his youngest Son welcomes him back with open and loving arms. As the Father shows this non-judgemental love to his lost Son, so too does our heavenly Father. We can see this profound expression of God’s fidelity and love for us in the Sacraments, particularly the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Perhaps during this second half of Lent we might pray that the Lord will kindle our desire so that we might deepen our relationship with him. The Father calls us home to know and receive his love.
In these next few weeks there are many opportunities for us to grow in our faith. If you’ve not done so already, why not attend one of our Tuesday evening Lent Masses? It may have been some time since you made use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, if that is the case, why not come to our Parish Penitential Service on Tuesday 23rd March?
We all have need of forgiveness, and we all need to recall our place within the life of the Church. Cardinal Newman knew and rejoiced in the blessings of this love, and so I leave you with his words:
And I hold in veneration,
For the love of Him alone,
Holy Church, as His creation,
And her teachings as His own.
NEW OFFERTORY ENVELOPES
If you did not have an opportunity to collect your Offertory envelopes last weekend, they are available by name on the tables at the back of the Church.
If you signed up for envelopes last week, they are also on the tables.
Michael Maher is responsible for Planned Giving & Gift Aid in our Parish. Please speak to him today if you have any questions, or contact him on 8995-3290. You can also contact our Parish Administrator;
Sharon Bowden on 8994-2877.
LENTEN EVENING MASS
Next Tuesday there is the final Lenten Evening Mass. This week we will be hearing about St
Josemaria Escriva, the founder of Opus Dei. We are particularly pleased to welcome Fr Gerard Sheehan, a former parishioner, to celebrate this Mass and preach. The Mass is at 7.30pm.
LENT PENITENTIAL SERVICE
On Ash Wednesday as the ashes were placed on our foreheads the words: Turn away from sin and believe in the Gospel’ were addressed to us. Those words sum up what is asked of us during Lent, to repent of our sins and seek forgiveness. An
essential part of our Lenten activities then is to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, to go to confession. If we do not go to confession then we are ignoring something that is essential in our life of faith. On Tuesday 23rd March, we have an
opportunity to come together as a parish community to seek forgiveness at our Parish Lenten Penitential Service at 7.30pm. Fr James Garvey, Chaplain at London, Heathrow, Airport will give the Homily. We hope that many of you will make every effort to attend this service.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Stations of the Cross will take place each Friday during Lent, at 7.00pm.
LENTEN PROJECT
Thank you for your support for this year’s Lenten Project, so far £983.13 has been donated This year we are supporting ‘Bhola’s Children.’ We are hoping to support them by raising £25,000 which will build, and equip, two workshops. For further
information please collect a leaflet from the back of the church. If you wish to make a donation you can place it in the ‘World Hungry Box’; tax-payers may wish to ‘Gift-Aid’ their contribution and can use the Lenten Project envelopes, which should be returned to the presbytery.
‘LIVING AS ONE’
‘Living as One’ the Diocesan Lenten Programme is now under way in our parish. Small groups are meeting each week. If you would like to join a group please contact the Parish Office. If you would like to follow the daily meditations
individually booklets price £1 are available from the Parish Office.
Friday Lent Soup Lunches
Lent Soup Lunches continue. Service begins at 1.00pm in the Parish Centre. Enjoy a bowl of home-made soup with warm bread and make a donation towards the Lenten project. Volunteer cooks still needed; contact Michele Rooney on 8994 3216 or Michele@rooneyw4.net
YOUNG ADULTS IN THE WEST
Today we extend a very warm welcome to Bishop Alan and the young adults from parishes in West London. At the Sunday evening Mass, we will celebrate with the Bishop and visiting priests. All young adults 17—35ish are invited to the Parish Centre after Mass for supper, faith sharing and socialising. All young adults are welcome!
With thanks to our own Young Adults for their organisation.
Fr. David
Feast of St. Patrick
Wednesday, March 17th, is the feast of
St Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland. Masses will be celebrated at 10.00am, 12.30pm, Shamrock will be distributed at both Masses.
Feast of St. Joseph
Friday, March 19th is the feast of St. Joseph, the husband of Our Lady and Patron Saint of the
Universal Church. Masses are at 10am and 12.30pm.
Two very popular saints whose great memory we venerate in the Church.
Pastoral Letter
Next weekend there will be Pastoral Letter from Archbishop Vincent Nichols which will be read at all Masses. You can also collect a copy from the back of the Church after all Masses.
YEAR FOR PRIESTS
The year for priests continues until the feast of the Sacred Heart this year. During this time both Pope Benedict and Archbishop Vincent have asked that the lay faithful pray particularly for their priests. Here in our Diocese the Archbishop has asked that the people of the Diocese pray for their priests before the Blessed Sacrament each week. In this Parish the time set aside for that prayer is the final hour of adoration each Wednesday, from 4.00pm to 5.00pm. We hope that many of you will heed this call of the Holy Father and our Archbishop.
A PRAYER FOR OUR PRIESTS
Heavenly Father,
Grant that our priests be strengthened and healed by the power of the Eucharist they celebrate. May the Word they proclaim give them courage and wisdom.
We pray that all those whom they seek to serve may see in them the love and care of Jesus, our eternal high priest, who is Lord for ever and ever Amen.
Mary, Mother of the Church, look tenderly upon your sons, our priests.
Joseph, Patron of the universal Church,
pray for us.
MINISTERS OF COMMUNION
An important ministry in the Parish is that of
taking Holy Communion to the sick and housebound on a Sunday, and also on weekdays. Thank you to those who have volunteered. We were
hoping that some of our existing ministers might have taken on this responsibility as it will take a little time to train the new ministers.
This is not a particularly time-consuming activity, and it need not be every week as there is a rota of ministers. This obviously is such an important ministry, so we would be very grateful to hear from existing Ministers of Communion who would be willing to assist. Anyone who is willing please contact the Parish Office.
Pray and Play
In the Catholic Centre, Dukes Ave, during the 9.45am Mass. (term time only) Children's liturgy for 2 to 4 year-olds. Parents can leave the
children while they attend Mass in the Church.
Tea & Coffee after 9.45am Mass
Tea and coffee will be served in the Parish
Centre after the 9.45am Mass today.
Youth Club Dates
Friday 19th March Year 6
Friday 26th March Year 5
Youth Club will then close for Easter
Flowers in Church
There will be No flowers in the Church during Lent until Easter Sunday. If you would like to give a donation towards the Easter flowers, please put your donation in the box marked ‘Flowers’ at the back of the Church.
St. Patrick’s Day
On Wednesday 17th March there will be music by Mick Lee in the Parish Centre from 8.00pm
The Repository
On sale this week St. Patrick’s Day cards, 2010 Diaries, Easter cards also other religious items. The Repository is open after all Sunday morning Masses and after the 10am Mass most
mornings Monday - Friday.
ST PATRICK’S DAY, SOHO SQUARE W1
On 18th March St Patrick’s will be closing for one year of works. This means that our celebration of our Patron will be the last public Mass in the church. All are welcome to celebrate the Feast of Patrick on 17th March at St. Patrick’s Church, Soho. There will be a Vigil Mass at 6pm on 16th March and then Mass on Wednesday 17th March at 8am, 12.45pm and 6pm. Shamrock will be blessed and distributed at all Masses.
Faith in the Academy
Archbishop Vincent Nichols will deliver the annual University Catholic Lecture to the title ‘Faith in the Academy’ at the Jeremy Bentham Room,
University College London, Gower Street WC1 on Tuesday 23rd March at 6.30pm. All welcome. For more info please visit www.universitycatholic.net or contact Chris Castell (chris@universitycatholic.net)
The Beginning Experience Are holding a weekend for those who find themselves alone again through bereavement, divorce or separation. This will take place from 26th to 28th March at The Emmaus Centre, West Wickham. For details tel: Nicky on 01296 488289
Administrator—St. Francis of Assisi,
Notting Hill
An Administrator is required to provide support to the Parish Priest in the running of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Notting Hill. The post will
commence in April 2010.
Hours of work: 20 hours per week, 9am—1pm, Monday-Friday (flexible)
Salary: £9-11 (neg) per hour.
Closing date: 24th March 2010. Interview date: 26th March 2010.
For a full job description and application pack, please visit the Diocesan website at www.rcdow.org.uk or apply in writing to: juliedauncey@rcdow.org.uk
Please keep in your Prayers:
Those who are sick:
Tina Molton, Miranda Casciello, Lee Jansen, Tina Cole, Maura Nelson, Mohammed Ikran, Felicity Madden, Eamon McGuinness
Recently Died
Bob Barry, Margaret Yates, Julia Connelly
Those whose Anniversaries occur at this time:
Joan Leete, John & Mary McCaull, Philip Barr, Rosa & Amerigo Cattini, Kate & Tom O’Neill, Martin Hall, Eileen McSweeney, Maureen & Michael Devine, Michael McDermott, Chloe Pearson, Sebastiao Martires Correia, Patrick, Mary & Sarah Kelly