27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) 4th October 2020

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS

Sun 4th Oct

10 am Teresa Harrison, anniversary

11.30 am People of the Parish

Mon 5th Oct Feria

7pm Martin Gormally, RIP

Tues 6th Oct St Bruno, priest

10 am Mary Cronin, RIP

Weds 7th Oct NO MASS

Thurs 8th Oct Feria

7pm Joe Ryan, 18th anniversary

Fri 9th Oct St John Henry Newman, Priest

10 am Mary Myles, RIP

Sat 10th Oct St Paulinus of York

5pm Martha McEyeson, 1st anniversary

Please pray for the sick and those who care for them, today especially for the frail elderly and for those who work as carers.

Our Parish Finances:

Below are the “offertory Virgin Just Giving Money Page” collection totals for August. 5th August - £211:25; 12th August - £155; 19th August - £19:10; 26th August - £80. These are dramatically low figures which have slightly picked up in September. Our average offertory collection before the pandemic was £1000 per week. Your offertory collection contributes towards the running of the presbytery, church, parish centre and non-clergy salaries. The parish priest’s salary comes from baptisms, weddings, funerals and Easter & Christmas collections – all of which you are very generous.

Fr Peter and Wednesday:

If all goes to plan, I will undergo surgery on Wednesday. I would be so grateful for your prayers. During October, I will stay in touch to let you know how I am. In the mean-time, Fr Terry will be celebrating all Masses. Thank you to everyone who has given cards or gifts to help cheer me up.

First Holy Communions 2021:

Registration is currently open for anyone in Year 3 or above who would like to prepare to make their First Holy Communion in May 2021. Please email Holly for a registration form finchleyeastcat@rcdow.org.uk

As of this Sunday at 10am:

As of this Sunday, the 10am Mass will be streamed for those shielding at home. If you are able to access our Just Giving Money Page so you can be part of the offertory collection, I would be very grateful. You can access the streaming service via www.saintmarys.online

As of next Sunday!

As of next Sunday (11th October), Holly and co will stream children’s liturgy at 9am, also via www.saintmarys.online

Holy Souls Envelopes:

As we approach the month of November I have left in the church Holy Souls envelopes. This year (due to the coronavirus) please use your own paper to write the names of loved ones safe in God’s Kingdom, place them in the envelope and post through the presbytery letterbox. These names will be displayed on the sanctuary and prayed for during November – the month of Holy Souls.

Memorial fund for the family of Sinead Gunawardana RIP

Many of you will remember Sinead & Jag who moved from East Finchley to the West of Ireland with their three children to start a new life. Within days, Sinead was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer which she battled tirelessly. Sadly Sinead passed away peacefully on Thursday 24th September. Sinead was a ray of sunshine and will be missed by her many friends who have set up a fund in her memory to support Jag and the children. If you would like to donate please go to: http://Paypal.me/pools/c/8sYVcLhOVK

Lorna White RIP:

Lorna died peacefully at Nazareth House on 16th September. Her funeral was celebrated at St Mary’s on 28th September with her daughters, grandchildren and friends. Lorna was a hidden gem within the parish, running the planned giving campaign and supporting St Mary’s events with her amazing cooking skills. May she rest in peace.

Stewards:

I hope as you arrive for Mass you remember to thank our wonderful stewards. They are keeping us all safe from the virus by cleaning the church after each Mass. It would be very helpful to have a few more – the duties include welcoming and seating parishioners and after Mass helping to clean pews. Please email finchleyeast@rcdow.org.uk if you would like to join the present gallant crew.

Help protect babies with cleft lip, cleft palate and club foot

Sadly abortion is currently available in the UK, right up to birth, for babies with cleft lip, cleft palate and club foot. All of these conditions can be corrected. A cross-party group of MPs from the three largest parties in the UK Parliament have come together to bring forward the Abortion (Cleft lip, cleft palate and club foot) Bill. The Bill will change the law to clarify that cleft palate, cleft lip, and club foot are not grounds for abortion in the UK. Can you help with getting your MP to support the Bill? Please visit www.standupandsmile.org.uk to email your MP asking them to support the Bill. It only takes 30 seconds.

The Wall is almost and very nearly here….

As you know, the wall separating the car park from the High Road is splitting and leaning. Repairs are due to begin in November, and will cost £30k. So far we have raised £5000. On Tuesday, via a special video, I will launch our “wall campaign”. It will require prayer, bricks, pots, ghoulies, and 70’s outfits! It is going to be a lot of fun and before we know it, the wall will be built and hopefully paid for. Oh – and reserve the number “52” as that is very important! Confused? All will be made clear on Tuesday. I want to thank all of you who have already contributed and a special thanks to the “wall planning team” – who have worked with great enthusiasm and creativity to plan a fund raising scheme in the midst of a pandemic – oh – and that is part of Tuesday too! Make sure you tune in…