30th Sunday in Ordinary Time 29.10.2023

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS

Sun 29th  Oct                 

8.30 am                         For a private intention  

10 am                            Sean Quigley, RIP

12 noon                         Bridget Corcoran, RIP

Mon 30th Oct                   Feria

10 am                              Jack Keane, RIP

Tues 31st Oct                   Feria                

10am                                Noreen Ellisdon, intentions

Weds 1st Nov                The Feast of All Saints

10 am                            All Saints

7.30 pm                         People of the Parish

Thurs 2nd Nov                 All Souls’ Day

10am                             Holy Souls

Fri 3rd Nov                      Feria

10 am                                 Peter Sartori, RIP

Sat 4th Nov                    31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

5 pm                                   Gerard McMahon, 1st anniversary

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

Your Prayers:

Let us keep in our prayers: Michael O’Boy, Christina Cahill, Eric Nicholas Darwent,  Therese Kemp,  John O’Shea, Bina, Noel, Jose Luis Pérez, Alice, Karina McKiernan and Izabela Lissowska  – all unwell at this time. We also pray for: Enrico Soracchi, Raymond Tissot, Sr Theresa, Antonio Ostacchini, Lilian Murphy, Martin Wyrazik, Rita Graham, Judith Agholor,  Anne Kennedy, Alan Ferrett, Zsofia Benczur –Papp, Christine Quinn, Glen Petrie, Father Mark Leenane, Mary Flannery, Rekha, Maria Merola, Catherine ‘Kitty’ Ryan, Betty Lynch, Ettore Bergonzi, Maria Lane, Maria Zerela Vargas, Helena Duckett, Philomena Brown, Dominic Clement Junior, Nigel Swainson and Piera Tomei whose anniversaries occur at this time or have died recently. May they Rest in Peace.

Offertory:

The offertory collection for the week ending 22nd  October was £813.92. Many many thanks. Please do not forget, that arranging a standing order is the easiest way to support St Mary’s.  Please contact the parish office for a Standing Order form.

Wednesday 1st November – All Saints

Wednesday 1st November is the feast of All Saints and a Holy Day of Obligation.  Mass will be at 10 o clock and at 7.30 pm.  There is also a Mass on this day at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Bow Lane at 1.30 pm.  All are welcome to attend.

The Next Men’s Group…

……is due to take place at 9am on Saturday 4th November. Breakfast will be served. The speaker will be Will Cappelli, who will once again explore Artificial Intelligence.

2024 First Communion Programme – Parents Meeting

The first meeting for Parents of children who have registered for St Mary’s First Holy Communion Scheme will be at 7pm on Tuesday 14th November in the small hall behind the church.

Presentation on Israel & Palestine:

Fr Peter writes: “With his journalistic and research background, I have asked Fr Terry if he will give a presentation on the history and present relationship of Israel and Palestine at 7:30pm on Thursday 2nd  November in the small hall. All are very welcome.”

November is the Month of the Holy Souls:

Holy Souls envelopes and blank forms are available for you to complete and return to church in readiness for November when the names of all our loved ones will be present on the sanctuary during this special month.

·       10am Mass on Sunday 12th November: Remembrance Day Mass

·       2:30pm on Sunday 12th November meet at Finchley Memorial Hospital to place St Mary’s Poppy Wreath at the FMH War Memorial.

·       Thursday 16th November at 7:30pm in the Small Hall, a meeting for those bereaved to discuss support and to finish with a prayer service remembering those who have recently died – all welcome.

Details of the cemetery Mass in St Pancras are still to be confirmed.

Sunday 10am Choir – The Return!

We are bringing back the Sunday choir for the 10am Mass. If you would like to join, come to the first practice at 9:30am on Sunday 5thNovember. All voices and styles are most welcome.

St Mary’s Christmas Fair - 2023

Our Christmas Fair will take place on Sunday 26 Nov 11am to 2pm. Something for everyone – carol singing, fiddle playing, hot food and beverages. Lots of stalls - home-bakes; tombola; arts and crafts; books; jewellery and much more. We’ve even secured a visit from Santa!  Thank you very much to those who remembered to bring donations for our Christmas Fair and empty hamper baskets.  We particularly need bottles and chocolate for the Tombola; home-baked fruit cakes; and prizes for the raffle.  This week we are appealing for volunteers to run the children’s activities stalls such as cookie decoration; glitter tattoos; etc.  Please see Fr Peter or email: Helensarahdoran@gmail.com Next planning meeting is on 5 November after the 10am mass in the blue hall. All are welcome.  If you can help us there are sign-up sheets at the church entrance.

Christmas Fair Raffle Tickets

Please look out for raffle ticket sellers after mass. 1st prize £100; 2nd prize £75; 3rd prize £50 and many other prizes. A book of 5 tickets cost £5.  For those who have books of tickets to sell, please remember to return the stubs and cash to the sacristy. The person who sells the most raffle tickets will have dinner cooked for them by Fr Peter.

Job Opportunity: St Mary’s Parish Hall Caretaker

We are seeking a dedicated and reliable individual to join our team as a Parish Hall Caretaker. This is a part-time position, requiring 5 hours per week. Hours are negotiable. Key Responsibilities are ensuring the cleanliness and tidiness of the halls, performing minor maintenance tasks, and setting up spaces for events. The successful candidate will be compensated at a rate of £11.65 per hour. If you have a keen eye for detail, take pride in maintaining a welcoming environment, and enjoy contributing to your local parish, this could be the perfect role for you! Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Fr Peter on 0208 883 4234. We look forward to welcoming you to our team! 

Confirmation Meal – Candidates of 2023

Just a reminder to Confirmation families of 2023 that the “Thank You Meal” for their catechists is set for Thursday 9th November at 7:30pm in the small hall. The class of 2023 are invited to bring food (they have cooked) to thank Holly & John.

Save the Date: St Mary’s ‘Young Parishioners’ “See the Christmas Lights Trip”

For those at Secondary School, a chance to go into London and see the Christmas Lights: Sunday 10th December – beginning at 3:30pm. Hot chocolate, marshmallows and Maltesers on the Regents Street, Bond Street, St Christopher’s Place, Covent Garden and Selfridges experience.   Slightly more details to follow.     

Altar Servers Bowling Trip:

Fr Peter would like to thank all those servers who joined him at the Hollywood Bowl last Sunday. Even though he scored the most points (!!!) his courageous team were out bowled by the other servers – who were equally brilliant. A re-match is being organized.                

 Time & Talent Survey:

Fr Peter is working through your volunteer forms to help with St Mary’s parish life. In the next week or so he might call or email you to join a group or form a committee.

October is Black History Month:

Black History Month is an annual observance originating in the United States. The first Black History Month took place in the UK in the 1980’s. This year, we are invited to take a close look at Black Catholic figures who inspire us in our faith today………

St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430) was a bishop of modern-day Algeria in northern Africa. He was known as a defender of Christianity who worked throughout his life to convert others to his faith. He was also a writer who lived a mostly monastic life.

St. Martin de Porres (1579-1639) is perhaps the best-known black Catholic from the Western Hemisphere. His father was a Spanish nobleman, his mother a black former slave. De Porres worked on behalf of the poor throughout his life. He was canonized in 1962 during the height of the Civil Rights Movement.

Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary School, Bow Lane, Finchley.

Our Lady of Lourdes Primary school, Bow Lane N12 0JP, is having an open day on Wednesday 22nd November at 9.30/1.30 and 7pm for prospective parents for Reception in September 2024. No need to book in advance, just turn up.

Our Lady of Lourdes School, Bow Lane N12 – Applications for Nursery and Reception

Applications for Reception and Nursery Applications are invited for the Reception Class for September 2024 – this is for children born between 1st September 2019 and 31st August 2020. The deadline to return this to the school office is 15th January 2024. The forms are available to download on the school website. Please also be advised that you must also complete a CAF (Common Application Form) from Barnet - the on-line system is already open. Applications are invited for the Nursery for the Academic Year starting September 2024. This is for children born between 1st April 2021 and 31st March 2022. The deadline to return this to the school office is 31st January 2024. Please contact the school office or visit the school website for an application pack.

Sick and Retired Priests – Second Collection

The second collection next week will be for the sick and retired priests of our Diocese.  Most priests offer their resignation at 75, but many continue to serve in our schools, hospitals, hospices and parishes.  Last year the Diocese of Westminster provided care to 82 retired priests at a cost of £850,000.  There will be envelopes at the back of the church.  Please take one home and bring it back next week with your donation.  You can also donate online at www.rcdow.org.uk/donations .You can also scan the QR code on the envelopes with your phone to donate online.  Many thanks for your support.

Year 6 Secondary School Transfer Forms:

Fr Peter will sign any secondary school transfer forms and Catholic certificates of practice after weekend Masses. He is not able to sign forms if you and your child have not been attending Mass. Please ensure that all parts of the application form or certificate have been completed (other than Fr Peter’s section).