Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time 19th September 2021
MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS
Sun 19th Sept
8.30 am Gbolahan Akingbogun, RIP
10 am For our First Holy Communion children
12 noon For our First Holy Communion children
Mon 20th Sept
12 noonFuneral Mass for Monica Thomson RIP
Tues 21st SeptSt Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
10 amCanon Mehall Lowry
Weds 22nd SeptNO MASS
Thurs 23rd SeptSt Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest (Padre Pio)
7 pmPat Griffin, intentions
Fri 24th Sept Our Lady of Walsingham
10 amMargaret Harper Soaft, RIP
Sat 25th Sept26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
5 pm Eugenio Goncalves, RIP
Please pray for the sick and those who care for them, today especially for the frail elderly and for those who work as carers
Your Prayers:
Let us keep in our prayers: Kathleen Lancaster, Denis Leenane, John O'Shea, Rekha, Bina, Gale Yates, Jose Luis Pérez, Alice, Michael O Boy, Lilian Murphy, Karina McKiernan Father Robert Plourde and Izabela Lissowska – all unwell at this time. We also pray for Arthur Palmer, Noel Ryan, Donato Merola, Aurora Lobo - Buckland, Larry Tuohy and Monica Thomson who have all died recently. May they Rest in Peace. We remember their families and all those bereaved. We continue to pray for those around the world battling the coronavirus.
Monica Thomson RIP
Monica’s Requiem Mass will be at 12noon on Monday 20th September at St Mary’s. There will be a small reception in the hall afterwards. All family and friends are welcome to attend. May she rest in peace.
No 10 am Mass on Monday 20th September 2021
First Holy Communion Celebrations:
Fr Peter writes: “This year’s First Holy Communions will be celebrated at the 10am and 12noon Mass on Sunday 19th September. Their Mass of thanksgiving will at 10am on Sunday 26th September. On these weekends you may like to attend the 5pm Mass on Saturday or 8:30am Mass on Sunday.
Finchley War Memorial:
Fr Peter writes: “If you would like to attend the dedication ceremony of the new Finchley War Memorial situate in the grounds of Finchley Memorial Hospital at 3pm on Sunday 26th September please let me know. I shall be attending along with local faith leaders and ministers.”
An additional time for Confessions & Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament:
From Saturday 25th September Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions will be available on Saturday’s from 10-11am and 4:30pm to 5pm: an ideal chance to spend time with Jesus and gain forgiveness.With the help of an electric fan, the confessional will be available.
Offertory Collection
Fr Peter writes: “The offertory collection in church for week ending 5th Sept - £855.75 and for the week ending 12th Sept - £768.54. All contributions are greatly received, and I am very grateful for your continued support at this difficult time. Please do not forget, that arranging a standing order is the easiest way to support St Mary’s.
“People say, what is the sense of our small effort? They cannot see that we must lay one brick at a time, take one step at a time. A pebble cast into a pond causes ripples that spread in all directions.
Important Request from Bishop John:
Threat of the introduction of assisted suicide In the next weeks, we face an unprecedented attack on the sanctity of life with Baroness Meacher’s ‘Assisted Dying Bill 2021’ which received its 1st Reading in the House of Lords, and is due its 2nd Reading with full debate on Friday 15th October. The term ‘Assisted Dying’ is euphemistic; the truth is that this bill seeks to introduce Assisted Suicide. If legalised, this Bill would allow a terminally ill adult with less than six months to live to be assisted in committing suicide.
Those in favour of the bill are making good use of language to confuse the issue and call it a compassionate and caring approach in order to redefine the question and obscure the actual reality and consequences of such legislation. As Pope Francis has said, ‘Physician-assisted suicide is part of a “throwaway culture” that offers a “false compassion” and treats a human person as a problem… True compassion does not marginalize anyone, nor does it humiliate and exclude – much less considers the disappearance of a person as a good thing.’ He criticised ‘those who hide behind an alleged compassion to justify and approve the death of a patient.’
Importantly, at this stage we need to argue the dangers of the introduction of Assisted Suicide, which include the safety of people who are vulnerable due to external pressures, and the later liberalisation of the law which is evidenced by other countries which have introduced Assisted Suicide. Many voices from the world of disability rights and other allies are also very fearful and fighting this bill.
There are a number of important actions in the next weeks. First, to pray that the Bill will be defeated. Second, to write to Peers from your personal experience and share stories which will argue the reasons for opposing the Bill as well as narrate the importance of precious time during the final stages of life. Healthcare and legal professionals should write giving reasons why they oppose the Bill. This needs to be done before the Second Reading on 15th October. Third, to engage and share stories and reasons against the Bill on social media.
To ensure that as many Peers as possible are contacted, they recommend that individuals select a Peer who has the same initials (first and/or last name) and write to to that Peer. Personal stories can be uploaded at https://righttolife.org.uk/mystory; Right to Life UK will ensure these stories are distributed widely to Peers.
Each one of our thoughts, words and deeds is like that. No one has a right to sit down and feel hopeless. There is too much work to do.”
Dorothy Day.
CAFOD Emergency Afghanistan Appeal:
Fr Peter writes: “the complicated situation in Afghanistan continues and CAFOD has just launched an emergency appeal to support refuges and humanitarian projects which remain in the country. The easiest way to donate to CAFOD and its emergency appeal is to follow the link:
Otherwise, please hand in your donation at Mass in an envelope titled “CAFOD EMERGENCY APPEAL / AFGHANISTAN”.
Secondary School Transfer 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 secondary school transfer forms. Please make sure you have completed address and dates of birth before coming to see me.”
Cardinal Vaughan Open Evenings
Please note that there is no need to book for these events. Year 7 Open Evening - Thursday 23rd September 2021. The Head will speak at 4.30pm and at 6.00pm. The last tour of the school will take place at 6.15pm. Year 12 Open Evenings - Thursday 7th and Tuesday 12th October 2021 at 5.00pm. The Head will speak at 5.00pm. The last tour of the school will take place at 6.00pm.
Finchley Catholic High School – Open Mornings
Open mornings: Wednesday 29th September and Tuesday 5th October – by appointment only. For further information, please visit www.finchleycatholic.org.uk.
Bishop Douglass School
CURRICULUM SHOWCASE – Tuesday 12th October 5-6 pm (Taster lessons for pupils in Year 4/5/6. Bring your family and friends with appropriate aged children.
Parish “In Council”:
Fr Peter writes: “A big thank you to those who attended our first “Parish In Council”. A number of issues were discussed including repairs to the outside of the parish hall, replacement of the presbytery boiler and latest news on the wall. Various suggestions were raised which mainly focussed on future parish social events. Adult, youth and child formation were also talked about. The next step is bringing these proposals to the parish council.”
Canon Mehall Lowry
Fr Peter writes: “Congratulations to Canon Mehall (a vocation from this parish) who celebrates 30 years of being ordained a priest on Tuesday. The 10am Mass on Tuesday will be for his intentions.”
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