Second Sunday of Lent (A)
In the story of Jesus’ transfiguration, Peter, James and John have an experience of seeing Jesus as being truly amazing. On the mountain, Jesus shines as the true source of light and the Father affirms his delight in him and the trust he has placed in him. ‘It is wonderful for us to be here’ says Peter. We too have the joy of being in the glorified presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Although we don’t have the benefit that these three Apostles of seeing and hearing, Jesus is truly present among us and it is wonderful for us to be here.
CAFOD Lent Fast Day
There will be a second collection as you leave Mass today to collect your proceeds from CAFOD Lent Fast Day for which you can return the special envelopes. You might like to use this prayer to remember the hungry and the needy:
FAST DAY PRAYER
God of love,
Maker of all,
Transform my heart
Through my Lenten journey
Of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Help me to see the dignity
In all my sisters and brothers,
Made in your image and likeness.
Inspire me to share the fruits of your creation
So that all your people can become artisans
Of their own destiny.
Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross takes place here at the Annunciation at 7pm on Friday.
New Offertory Envelopes
The new weekly envelopes will be available next weekend and I will be saying a few words at Masses about Gift Aid and Standing Orders.
The Holy Father's Prayer Intentions for March
Pope's Prayer Intention: Support for Persecuted Christians: That persecuted Christians may be supported by the prayers and material help of the whole Church.
First Communion Programme
The First Communion children take part in a Celebration Mass at 10.30 today.
Confirmation
Confirmation candidates meet this Wednesday at 7pm in the Parish Centre.
Baptism Preparation
There will be a meeting today at 4pm for parents who wish to have their baby baptised. It takes place in the Dominic Room in the Parish Centre. Application forms can be collected from the sacristy.
Come and See - Becoming a Permanent Deacon
Men wanting to know more about the permanent diaconate are invited to come to a two hour meeting at St Edward the Confessor, 700 Finchley Rd, Golders Green, NW11 7NE on Saturday 25th March from 10am to 12. No booking needed. Wives welcome. Contact details Deacon Adrian Cullen 07961 594725 or Deacon Anthony Clark 07545 373548
Readers Rota
Can all those Readers who do not receive their rota by email, please pick up their copy at the back of the Church today.
A Day With The Lord
We are having a Day of Exposition on Friday 31st March starting after the 9am Mass and concluding with Benediction at 6.30pm. Please sign up for one or more half-hour slots on the sheet at the back of the Church. After Benediction, Stations of the Cross will follow at 7pm.
Guests For Ordination
In light of his upcoming ordination, Deacon Carlos would like to ask if parishioners would be willing to offer accommodation for his guests coming from overseas for a few days. If anyone is willing to offer any space or room, please let Carlos know. If anyone is willing to offer assistance in order to collect guests from the airport, please give your details to Deacon Carlos. On behalf of his guests, Deacon Carlos appreciates you for this act of charity.
His ordination is at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 24th June and his first Mass will be here at the Annunciation on Sunday 25th June.
Stopping Abortion
1967 - 2017: 8.7 million babies killed by abortion. SPUC will be holding a meeting in the area Monday 27th March 7.30pm, All Saints Church, Parish Room, Kenton Rd, Harrow, HA3 0UQ. All are welcome. For more details please contact Katherine Hampton at SPUC on telephone 0207091 7091.
Feast Of The Annunciation
The Feast of the Annunciation falls on a Saturday this year, but we have decided to have our main celebration on Friday 24th March with a Mass at 7.30pm followed by a get-together in the Parish Centre. For this we invite you to bring along a dish of food (including meat dishes—we are dispensed from abstaining from meat that Friday as we are celebrating a Solemnity). We will provide the drink. There will also be a Mass of the Annunciation at 10am on Saturday 25th March.
Lenten Discussion Groups
This Lent’s discussion leaflets are entitled ‘Meeting Mercy’. They will help to take us deeper into the Sunday Gospels of five weeks of Lent. The text of the Gospel is not contained within the leaflet so you will need to use it in conjunction with a Bible or the Sunday Mass leaflet. The leaflets are free and can be found in the porch. There will be three groups meeting in the parish:-
Wednesdays 11am in Dominic Room
Sheelagh Benson’s Group 0208 952 0016
Vince Randall’s Group 0208 952 6994
St Joseph’s Day
As 19th March falls on a Sunday, the Feast of St Joseph is transferred to Monday 20th March.
Parish Council
The new Parish Council meets on Thursday at 7.45pm in the presbytery.
WATCH THIS SPACE - J.D.S
Old Sayings and their Historical Background.
Lead cups were used to drink ale and whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of “Holding a Wake.”