The Epiphany of the Lord 05.01.2025

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS

Sun 5th Jan​​

8.30am​ Wolfgang Stange, RIP

​10am​​​ Clare O’Dowd, RIP

​12noon​​​ Bill Keane, RIP

Mon 6th Jan        ​Christmas Feria

10am         ​Gerry Stenson, RIP

Tues 7th Jan​ Christmas Feria

10am​ A private intention

​Weds 8th Jan​​ NO MASS

Thurs 9th Jan​ Christmas Feria

10am​ Nancy O’Shaughnessy, anniversary

11.30am​ Funeral Mass for James McCormack, RIP

Fri 10th Jan​ Christmas Feria

10am​ Brenda Clarke, intentions

Sat 11th Jan​ The Baptism of The Lord

5pm​ Tom Lohan, 3rd anniversary

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

YOUR PRAYERS:

Let us keep in our prayers: Julius Lipner, Kitty Heenan, David Ryan, Margaret Ryan, Michael O’Boy, Christina Cahill, Eric Nicholas Darwent, Therese Kemp, Jose Luis Pérez,  Karina McKiernan, Jonathan Heller, Izabela Lissowska and Sveta Valeri – all unwell at this time. We also pray for: Gerry Stenson, Kwok Chui Tsui, Yuen Kuen Tsui,  Rodolfo Icban, Luis Goncalves, Sean Duffy, John O Shea, Arcangela Moretto, Gino Tomei, Lucia Josephine Rayappu, Rose McGrory, Patrick Jean Noel Louis-Auguste, Eddie Maher, Anne Gorman, Agnes Day, Jose Barreto, Peter Krausher, Phyllis Conroy, Michael McLoughlin, Renza Mortali, Piera Tomei, Robert Quiambao Tolentino, Helen Murphy, Danny Pasumala, Gianpiero Gallian, Mary Teresa Foran and James McCormack whose anniversaries occur at this time or have died recently. May they Rest in Peace.

FUNERAL MASS FOR JAMES MCCORMACK RIP

The Funeral Mass for James McCormack, RIP, will be celebrated at St Mary’s on Thursday at 11:30pm.  Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.  May he rest in peace.  Amen.  Let us keep James and his family in our prayers.

CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS & OFFERTORY

The collection at all Christmas Masses amounted to £2,641.89 (not including Contactless). The offertory collection for the week ending 22nd December - Offertory Collection was £615.51 and Contactless for week ending 22nd December was £75.71.  Week ending 29th December – Offertory Collection was £420.22 and Contactless for week ending 29th December was £100.28.  Many thanks for your generosity.

WEEK DAY MASSES

All weekday Masses until 14th January will be celebrated in the church. After 14th January they will return to the meeting room in the presbytery. Many thanks.

THURSDAY PRAYERS AT 12PM

From January 9th there will be a short prayer meeting each Thursday, in the meeting room in the Presbytery.  Four parishioners will take it in turn to lead, and the format may vary from week to week, but all sessions will provide a quiet time of prayer and reflection.  The sessions will last about 20 minutes.  You are warmly invited.

Dear Parishioners,

I wish to express my deepest gratitude for the wonderful Christmas gifts, encouragement, and unwavering support you have shown me. Your kindness and generosity have deeply touched my heart.

As some of you know, very soon, I will begin “Part one” of my medical treatment, so unfortunately this weekendI will be unable to greet you after Mass. Please keep me in your prayers as I navigate this journey.

While I am away, Fr Denis and other supply priests will preside at Masses. I would be grateful if you would be extra patient with the parish office as January entails the compilation of parish accounts for the diocese – a complex task. We are blessed to have Yvonne who undertakes this responsibility.

With heartfelt thanks and blessings……………………………………………. Fr Peter.

🎱B-I-N-G-O is back at St. Mary’s!

Mark your calendars for Saturday 1st February, because we’re thrilled to announce our Annual Bingo Night is coming soon! This year, we’re teaming up with the amazing new Confirmation Group to make it bigger, better, and more exciting than ever.

Tell all: gear up, because this will be an incredible opportunity to get involved to share joy and make yousmile!

🎱🔢 Stay tuned for more details, and don’t forget to save the date. Wishing everyone a blessed and New Year! 🎱🔢

Let’s make this a night to remember!

OUR LADY OF LOURDES RC PRIMARY SCHOOL

APPLICATIONS FOR RECEPTION AND NURSERY

Applications are invited for the Reception Class for September 2025 –this is for children born between 1st September 2020 and 31st August 2021. The deadline to return this to the school office is 15th January 2025. 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: https://www.eadmissions.org.uk/

Applications are invited for the Nursery for the Academic Year starting September 2025. This is for children born between 1st April 2022 and 31st March 2023. The deadline to return applications to the school office is 31st January 2025. Please contact the office or visit the school website for an application pack.

IMPORTANT! If you need the Certificate of Catholic Practice form signed as part of your school application, please see Father Peter after one of the Sunday Masses. Please be aware that Father Peter WILL NOT be available after 7th January for signing these forms.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PARENTS MEETING:

There is a mandatory meeting of all First Holy Communion Parents in the parish hall at 7:30pm on Tuesday 7th January. First Holy Communion classes for all children registered begin Tuesday 14th January.

SENIOR CITIZENS LUNCH

The senior citizens lunch will be on Sunday January 26th at 1pm in the parish hall. If you wish to attend please put your name on the list in the church porch and indicate if you have any dietary requirements. Many thanks to Helen Tierney who has kindly agreed to provide sing-along music after the meal.

JUBILEE YEAR 2025

Dear Parishioners,

I am delighted to announce that the year 2025 has been proclaimed as a Jubilee Year by the Holy Father. A Jubilee Year, also known as a Holy Year, is a special time of grace, forgiveness, and renewal. It is an opportunity for us to seek reconciliation, engage in acts of charity, and deepen our spiritual lives.

Theme: The theme for the 2025 Jubilee Year is "Pilgrims of Hope." This theme encourages us to journey together in faith, to support one another, and to be a source of hope for the world. The theme highlights the importance of hope in a world facing challenges such as war, the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the climate crisis

Special Activities:

So far….

• Pilgrimages: The Diocese has designated Westminster Cathedral and the Catholic National Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady at Walsingham as pilgrimage sites for the Jubilee Year. We will try to visit one or both during the year.

• Sacrament of Reconciliation: Special attention will be given to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, encouraging us to seek God's mercy and forgiveness.

• Acts of Charity: to encourage acts of charity and service, following the example of Christ in serving the poor and those in need. Jubilee Bingo: We give the Jubilee a “St Mary’s” flavour by raising money for charity playing parish Bingo with our Confirmation candidates on Saturday 1st February! More details to follow.

• Catechesis and Formation: Programs and resources will soon be available to deepen understanding of our faith and the meaning of the Jubilee Year. We will engage with one of these formation programmes during Lent

• Jubilee Mass: Our own special St Mary’s Jubilee Mass will be celebrated at 11am on Sunday 29th June 2025. Significant birthdays, wedding and ordination anniversaries, will be the jubilee flavour of the day!

Let us embrace this Jubilee Year with joy and devotion, renewing our commitment to living out the Gospel in our daily lives. Together, let us become true pilgrims of hope, bringing light and love to the world.

May God bless us all during this Holy Year………………………………………Fr Peter.