Fifth Sunday of Easter
Today’s Gospel passage is part of the Final Discourse that Jesus gave at the Last Supper. There are several important messages that Jesus wanted to leave with his disciples, one of which was the new commandment—to love one another just as I have loved you. This should be our agenda for life; to imitate Christ in his love for us by loving and caring for our neighbour. The Year of Mercy provides us with an extra encouragement to follow this commandment.
Collection for the Ukraine
Today there will be a second collection as you leave for the peoples of the Ukraine. Pope Francis has launched this humanitarian initiative in all the Catholic Churches in Europe this weekend. Millions of Europeans have endured an undeclared hybrid war dragging on for two years. The war has claimed almost 10,000 lives. Tens of thousands are injured, hundreds of thousands traumatized.
First Communion
Next weekend we have the first of three sets of First Holy Communions at the 10.30 Mass. Please pray for the children who will receive the Sacrament for the first time and that they will do so every Sunday for the rest of their lives. We thank the parents and catechists who have guided them to the Sacrament.
There will be a rehearsal for the children who will receive First Communion next weekend on Friday at 6pm.
Please note that the 10.30 Mass on the next three Sundays will be very crowded, so you may prefer to attend a different Mass on those weekends– 1st, 8th, and 15th May.
Evangelisation
There will be a meeting for our Evangelisation Team on Thursday at 7.30pm in the Dominic Room.
One of the projects we are undertaking is signposting. We plan to have a notice board on the grass bank overlooking the corner of Gervase Rd. In addition, we can be human signposts, pointing people towards the church through our encouragement and example. On Thursday 5th May, our Parish Centre will be used as a polling station. We would like to encourage pollsters to come in and see our church while they are here. They may live nearby, but never been inside the church. If you have an hour to spare on that day to be around the church to answer any questions and hand out leaflets, please put your name and telephone number on the sheet at the back of the church.
Another initiative we are planning is to hold House Masses around the parish. If you would like to host a house Mass for your family and for those in your immediate neighbourhood, please speak to Fr Colin or Fr David.
Confirmation Programme
On Wednesday, there will be a meeting for parents of Confirmation candidates at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre. The next session for candidates will be on Wednesday 4th May at 7pm.
May Procession
Our annual May Procession will be on Sunday 29th May at 3.30pm, starting in the church.
Priest Training Fund
Many thanks for your contributions to last Sunday’s second collection for the Priest Training Fund. It’s not too late to make a donation if you wish. Envelopes are available at the back of the church. Please continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood.
Help Required
An elderly parishioner requires somebody to help around the house for an hour, 3 days a week. If you can help, please speak to one of the priests.
Annual Migrants Mass
Cardinal Vincent invites you to join him at the annual Mass for Migrants in honour of St Joseph the Worker on Bank Holiday Monday 2 May at Westminster Cathedral. The banner procession will begin at 10am. All are welcome
Pope Paul Catholic School,
Potters Bar
Invite applications for the post of Deputy Headteacher. Closing date: Monday 16th May. Interviews: Thursday 19th May or Friday 20th May Visits to the school are welcomed. Please contact Mrs C Lennox, on 01707659755. to Application forms by emailing admin@popepaul.herts.sch.uk
Baptism Preparation
The next session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised will be on Sunday 8th May at 4pm in the Dominic Room in the Parish Centre. Application forms can be collected from the sacristy.
Easter Garden and Path of Mercy & Hope
The Dominican Sisters at St Rose’s, 160 Anson Road, welcome everyone to come and pray in the Easter Garden and walk the Path of Mercy and Hope. The garden is open from 7.30 am to 7.30 pm. There will be Adoration with prayer and reflection every Thursday from 7.00pm to 8pm in St. Rose’s Chapel.
Altogether Better Burnt Oak
Altogether Better Burnt Oak (ABBO) arranges the annual parade and festival which this year takes place on Saturday 17th September. If you would like to be involved in the planning of this, you are welcome to attend meetings at Edgware Community Hospital on Thursdays at 4.30pm.
Photos From International Mass
We would like to put photographs from the International Mass on 4th April on our website. If any family has any objection to their child’s photo going on the website, please let one of the priests know by the end of the month. If there are no objections we will go ahead.
PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD
God our Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit
Draw from the disciples in this Diocese,
The men you wish to be with Christ to serve your Church as priests,
To proclaim the Gospel, to teach the Faith, to celebrate the Sacraments
And minister to your people with mercy.
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our Blessed Lady Immaculate, Patroness of our Diocese, pray for us.
St John Vianney, Patron of Priests, pray for us.
St Thomas of Canterbury, Patron Saint of English Clergy, pray for us.
St John Southworth, Martyr of our Diocese, pray for us.
GOOD NEIGHBOUR SCHEME FOR MILL HILL & BURNT OAK FILM AFTERNOON
Wednesday 27th April 2016. Doors open 2pm, film commences 2.15pm
Trinity Church Mill Hill Broadway Donations welcome
The Cruel Sea
A classic war film about life on a warship during World War 2 starring Jack Hawkins, Donald Sinden, Denholm Elliot and Virginia Mckenna.. Future dates for film afternoons are as follows: May 25th, June 22nd. It is hoped to show “Forest Gump” on May 25th.
WATCH THIS SPACE—J.D.S.
This happened to an Englishman in France who was totally drunk. The French policeman stops his car and asks the gentleman if he has been drinking. With great difficulty, the gentleman admits that he had been drinking all day, that his daughter got married in the morning to a French man, and that he drank champagne and a few bottles of wine at the reception and a few glasses of single malt thereafter. Quite upset, the policeman proceeds to breath test him and asks the Englishman if he knows under French Law why he has just been arrested. The Englishman answers with humour “No! Do you know that this is a British car and that my wife is the driver….on the other side?