23rdSunday in Ordinary Time 04.09.2022

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS

Sun 4th Sept

8.30 am  Betty Murray, RIP                    

10 am  Raymond, RIP

12 noon  Michael and Bridget Courtney, intentions

Mon 5th Sept   Feria    

10 am     Brian Lynch, RIP

Tues 6th Sept     Feria

10am  Holy Souls

Weds 7th Sept                 

NO MASS.

Thurs 8th Sept      The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

10am   A private intention

Fri 9th Sept      Feria

10 am   People of the Parish

Sat 10th Sept   24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

5 pm   Noreen McGlynn, intentions

10am – 11am; 4:30pm – 5pm: Confessions and Exposition.

Your Prayers:

Let us keep in our prayers: Eric Nicholas Darwent,  Therese Kemp, Frank Kilbride,  John O’Shea, Rekha, Bina, Gale Yates, Jose Luis Pérez, Alice, Michael O Boy, Lilian Murphy, Karina McKiernan, Izabela Lissowska and Florida Regina Karawgodage  – all unwell at this time.

We also pray for: Gino Tomei, James Meally, Peter Sartori, Noel Ryan, Donato Merola, Aurora Lobo–Buckland, Christine Pavlou, Tom Lohan, Siobhan Lynch,  Dennis Lennane, Susan Wren, Geraldine Day, Catherine Kelly, Josephine Okuyiga, Erlinda McAviney, Betty Murray, William Comey and Jane Ikwueke, whose anniversaries occur at this time or have died recently. May they Rest in Peace.

Offertory:

The offertory collection for the recent weeks are as follows: Week ending 31st  July was £  922.09  Week ending 7thAugust was £ 560.85. Week ending 14th August was  £ 517.36. Week ending 21st August was: £731.07. Many thanks. Please do not forget, that arranging a standing order is the easiest way to support St Mary’s.

We Step Forward into our 125th Year:

Sadly, it is time to pack away the buckets, spades, sarongs and sun cream. We are about to enter Autumn. The plus side of September is welcoming you back to St Mary’s and planning our 125th year as a parish and 70th in the present church. We have much to do! To kick start the celebrations I want to appeal for some volunteers in three particular areas. If you are able to help, you would provide a wonderful support…

1.     Children’s liturgy at the 10am Mass on Sunday: If you are a teacher, a retired teacher or used to working with children, it would be great if you could help Holly with children’s liturgy. The more involved – the easier the effort. You must have a DBS, or be prepared to let the parish apply for one. Please see Fr Peter or Holly. 

2.     Teas & Coffee’s after the Sunday 10am Mass: This has been a lovely tradition and there are already volunteers who set up refreshments and clear away after the Sunday 10am Mass. If you could join the team, it would be great. Please see Fr Peter or Holly

3.     Monday morning counters: If you are good with figures (money – not body shapes) and can spare a Monday morning, there are vacancies to join our collection money counter team. Ideally, this would suit a home manager who can spare the odd Monday morning, or a retiree good at sudoku. Please see Fr Peter.  

The ultimate way to celebrate our remarkable parish anniversaries is to be mindful of each other. The autumn and winter ahead will be a challenge for everyone, and if we can share the odd meal or keep an eye on those who are vulnerable, we will be continuing in the long tradition of being a Eucharistic parish – one that sacrifices and shares.                                                                     

Just a reminder…..

·       Baptisms – please contact Fr Peter if you want your child baptised. At least one parent must be Catholic.

·       Marriages – for those intending to marry in church (here or abroad) you must contact Fr Peter at least six months before the wedding date.

·       Admission to hospital - In light of data protection please indicate on entering hospital that your details are to be passed to the RC Chaplain.  Also state that you would like the RC Chaplain or Fr Peter to visit you.

St Mary’s Allotment Opportunity:

Fr Peter writes “Directly behind the church is a raised strip of land which is crying out for cultivation. It would make an ideal allotment, possibly two. It has good light and water is accessible via a handy tap on the wall. A very kind parishioner is offering a grant of £300 to buy compost, fertilizer, seeds and other utensils to get the project started. It would be wonderful if at least half the vegetables grown were contributed to the foodbank. If anyone with experience, or someone who wants an outdoor challenge and interest would like to take on the project, or be involved, please see me. Stop Press – so far 6 of you have volunteered – we meet next Sunday, after the 8:30am Mass to begin.”

City of London clocks

Do you know how many clocks are around the City of London? The Aysanew Kassa Trust are raising funds for their work supporting the education of the children of Azezo, Ethiopia and are offering a fun afternoon on Saturday 17th September walking the streets of the City to find the clocks! So, a great exercise after your holidays. You will be met in Fleet Street [you can start anytime between 11.30am and 12.30]and given your pictures of clocks and off you go with your instructions. We will then meet at a hostelry between 3pm and 4pm. The winner will be awarded a prize. Each adult participating will pay a donation to the charity of £30. For more information and to book a place contact Jean Bailey 07484889062 or Pietro Servini 07706608742 website aysanew.org

“Let Us Dream – the sequel to the sequel”

Fr Peter writes: “As promised, I have arranged for Deacon Patrick Van Der Vorst to give his talk postponed in July and for Dr Bridie Stringer to return to continue her presentation on “Women in the Church”. Dr Bridie will present on Saturday 8th  October. As her subject area needs discussion and debate, I have arranged that she comes for the whole day. I will give a start and finish time next weekend.  Deacon Patrick is in the midst of his seminary studies in Rome, but will add to our enjoyment of Advent by coming to talk to us on “The Eucharist and Art” on Monday 19thDecember at 7:30pm. I am sure he will relate it to Christmas, and we can retire into the hall for mince pices and mulled wine after his presentation.

MASS WITH BLESSING OF SCHOOL UNIFORMS

Sunday 4th September - 10am

To mark the start of the new school year all parish children are invited to bring or wear their new (or old!) school uniforms to this Mass where they will receive a blessing to take with them into their new classes and schools for the coming year.

REGISTRATION FOR FIRST COMMUNION, CONFIRMATION AND RCIA 2023

From Monday 12th September - further details will be in the newsletter

• If your child is in Year 3 or above and you feel they are ready, you are invited to register them to prepare for and make their First Reconciliation and First Communion.

• Young people in Year 9 or above, would you like to prepare to get Confirmed in 2023?

• If you are an adult who would like to know more about the catholic faith or become a catholic or if you are already a baptised catholic but have never completed your formation and would like to prepare for First Communion or Confirmation, please get in touch with Holly at finchleyeastcat@rcdow.org.uk

WELCOME BACK SUNDAY

Saturday 17th Sept at 5pm and Sunday 18th Sept at 8:30am, 10am and 12noon

A weekend to welcome everyone back from the Summer break, including all new parishioners and also our new Deacon, the Reverend Domagoj, who will be joining our parish for this final year of his preparation for the priesthood. There will be teas and coffees after every Mass with everyone invited to come along, catch-up and say hello!

AN AFTERNOON OF RAFT BUILDING AND RACING - INCENSED REBORN!

Sunday 18th September - for any young parishioners aged 10+

We are inviting all parish young people aged 10+ to join us for an afternoon of raft building and racing. It will be a chance to get together, meet new and old friends and restart the Incensed youth group.