Second Sunday of Lent 05.03.2023

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS

Sun 5th Mar

8.30 am People of the Parish

10 am Rita Doran

12 noon Sue Harris, RIP

Mon 6th Mar Lent Feria

10 am Timothy Appiah, RIP

Tues 7th Mar Lent Feria

10am Patricia Caddle, RIP

Weds 8th Mar NO MASS

Thurs 9th Mar Lent Feria

10am Tommy McGovern, RIP

Fri 10th Mar Lent Feria

10 am Donald and Therese Alagiah, RIP

Sat 11th Mar 3rd Sunday of Lent

5pm Tommy McGovern, RIP

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

Your Prayers:

Let us keep in our prayers: Christna Cahill, Eric Nicholas Darwent, Therese Kemp, John O’Shea, Rekha, Bina, Noel, Jose Luis Pérez, Alice, Lilian Murphy, Karina McKiernan and Izabela Lissowska – all unwell at this time. We also pray for:: Gino Tomei, James Meally,Peter Sartori, Noel Ryan, Donato Merola, Siobhan Lynch, Dennis Lennane, Susan Wren, Geraldine Day, Catherine Kelly, Josephine Okuyiga, Jane Ikwueke, Maureen O Sullivan, Patrick Reilly, Ann Gourdarznia, Nina Cole, Lorenzo Marcantuono, Pat McMahon, Michael Walsh Esther Ampomah Arhin, Peter McHugh, Marguerite Kyunga, Kathleen Molloy, Maria Pini, Madeleine Melling, Jenifer Danvers, Enrico Soracchi, Raymond Tissot, Sr Theresa, and Patricia Caddle whose anniversaries occur at this time or have died recently. May they Rest in Peace.

Offertory:

The offertory collection for week ending 26th February £844.19. 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.

Our Lady of Lourdes Lent Prayer Group:

Every Tuesday morning during Lent at 8:15am, either Fr Peter, Deacon Dom or Holly will lead a 20-minute prayer session for parents and staff at Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School. These sessions will include some guidance about prayer and an opportunity to pray. Come to the school reception on Tuesday at 8:10am to be told where to go.

Annual Mass of Thanksgiving for the Sacrament of Matrimony

Westminster Cathedral, Saturday 13th May 2023 at 2:30pm.

The Cardinal is inviting to this Mass all couples in the Diocese, who are celebrating their 5th 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th (and every year over 60) wedding anniversary of Catholic marriage in 2023. If you are celebrating an anniversary, please give your parish clergy, by 21st April, the following details: husband and wife’s names, wedding date, full postal address and email (or telephone number, if no email).

During Lent….why not…

During lent, why not go to a 10am week-day Mass. If you are dropping the children off from school or WFH (and can pop out for half an hour), it is an ideal way to encounter Christ in a quieter way than at a weekend Mass. Before each weekday Mass there is a half hour period of silent prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament……why not come to that or do both!

Nursery and Primary School Application Forms:

Fr Peter writes: “If your child needs their Catholic Certificates of Practice” stamped and signed, please attend one of the Sunday Masses with your child, bringing their nursery or primary school application forms. Please make sure you have completed address and dates of birth before coming to see me.”

Talk about the Jewish Feast of Passover – Rabbi Yossi Fachler:

Fr Peter writes: Rabbi Yossi is a good friend and worked with me at St Joseph’s hospice. He is a wonderful speaker and has agreed to talk to the parish about Passover at 7:30pm on Tuesday 28th March in the small hall. All are very welcome.

How to support St Mary’s Parish Financially, without spending money….

There are three ways you can non- financially support St Mary’s:

· If you are a UK tax payer you can fill out a gift aid form and we can claim a contribution from your standing order and offertory envelopes.

· If you are making a will, you can leave St Mary’s a legacy. The legacy must be for St Mary’s Catholic Parish, East Finchley, charity number 233699.

· Advertise and speak to your friends about hiring one of the parish halls for receptions, parties and meetings. The rates are good at £40 an hour, and they have access to a car park.

Any questions, please ask the parish office.

From Fr Peter – last chance to volunteer for….

A Choir for the Easter Celebrations:

Fr Peter writes: I would love this to happen. I torture your ears every Sunday with my attempts to sing, and it would be great if a group could be formed to lead the congregation on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter weekend. Helen and Liz are wonderful exponents of singing, so we are lucky to have their expertise. If you would like to sing (or play an instrument) please email me or add your name to a list at the back of the church.

A “Men’s Group”:

A monthly gathering for Saturday brunch or a long walk would be an ideal opportunity to come together and chew over some Christian issues (or not). No agenda is needed, just a chance to see that others have the same or different needs as yourself. I ran a group in my last parish, and it was great fun. We made breakfast once a month and talked over a considerable number of topics. I am more than happy to start a group using the presbytery kitchen and dining room. Sign the list at the back of the church or email.

Hosting “Teas & Coffees” after Sunday’s 10am Mass:

A while back I asked for volunteers and only two people added their names. So, I have let you step in (and those who have volunteered have been brilliant) and host each Sunday after the 10am Mass. It would be good to have a proper rota, as the “10am Sunday Mass refreshments” is a nice community event. The more who sign, the less times your name will appear to host. If you would like to regularly help, please email me or add your name to a list at the back of the church.

Be a Part-time Weekday Presbytery Volunteer:

I need volunteers who can answer the presbytery door and phone between 11am-2pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. I need someone unfazed by a barky dog who can multi-task if door, phone, priest and Otto create havoc at the same time. If you are happy sitting in the dining room or kitchen armed with a notebook and are calm – you are ideal. The role requires trust and confidentiality. Tea and coffee on tap. If you would like to regularly help, please email me or add your name to a list at the back of the church.

St Mary’s Allotment Scheme:

Ideal if you want to help cultivate the strip of land behind the church to grow vegetables which can be given to the Foodbank. A small group is already at work, but they need more volunteers. If you would like to regularly help, please email me or add your name to a list at the back of the church.