Easter Sunday
The Lord is Risen! Today we rejoice that Jesus has risen from the dead to bring us new life, new hope and new purpose. We can sing ‘Alleluia’ and share our joy with those who have not heard the Good News. During Masses today we will renew our baptismal promises and be sprinkled with the new Easter water.
Second Sunday of Easter (23rd April)
We can be uplifted by reflecting on Jesus’ appearance after he had risen from the dead. There are two in today’s Gospel. On Easter night, the disciples had locked themselves away for fear of the Jews. Jesus appeared to them and gave them the power to forgive sins. Thomas was not there on this occasion and he refused to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead unless he could see for himself. It was on the eighth day, the equivalent of today, that Jesus appeared again, this time with Thomas present. Thomas’ words ‘My Lord and my God’ are words we can whisper to ourselves when Jesus appears to us at the Consecration of the Mass.
Divine Mercy Sunday
Divine Mercy Sunday is celebrated on the second Sunday of Easter each year, this year on 23rd April. It is a day to pray that the Lord will have mercy on us and all sinners. One way of praying is to say the Chaplet to the Divine Mercy using a rosary:
Begin with: Our Father, Hail Mary, The Apostles’ Creed
Then, on the five large beads:
Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity
Of Your dearly beloved, Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ,
In atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
On the ten small beads:
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion,
Have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Conclude with (say 3 times):
Holy God, Holy Might One, Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Baptism Preparation
There will be a session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised on Sunday 7th May at 4pm in the Dominic Room. Application forms can be collected from the sacristy.
Many Thanks
Many thanks to all those who have worked so hard to make our Holy Week services so special. This includes those who have worked behind the scenes-cleaning, decorating, flower-arranging and preparing the church—as well as those involved in the liturgical ministers as readers, altar servers, Eucharistic Ministers, musicians and choir.
St George’s Day
St George’s Day will be celebrated on Monday 24th April, when there will be Mass at 7.30am but no Communion Service at 9am.
Novena & Holy Hour
There will be no Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Tuesday 18th April or Holy Hour on Wednesday 19th. We resume on Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th respectively.
Confirmation Programme
Confirmation candidates have their next session on Wednesday 26th April at 7pm in the Parish Centre.
TakeHomeNews
This newsletter covers two weeks. The next Takehomenews will be on 30th April.
The Easter Garden
We thank the Monday Club for preparing the Easter Garden, which can be found on the left-hand side of the church. Do go along and reflect on the Easter story.
No Friday Abstinence
There is no need to abstain from meat on 21st April, Easter Friday, as we are still celebrating the Easter Octave.
Your Clergy
Fr Colin will be away on retreat from Monday 17th to Friday 21st April. Mgr Canon Harry Turner will celebrate Mass at 9am on these days. (There is no 7.30am Mass on Easter Monday). Deacon Carlos goes away on Sunday 23rd April until Tuesday 2nd May.
Dates of First Communion
The children will make their First Holy Communion on Sundays 7th, 14th, and 21st May at the 10.30am Mass. These Masses will be very crowded so some may prefer to attend a different Mass on these Sundays.
Ordination Gift
The Parish Finance Committee have approved that we hold a collection to present a gift to Deacon Carlos on his ordination to the priesthood. Gift envelopes will be available from the weekend of 23rd April. Deacon Carlos will be ordained at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 24th June at 10.30am. His first Mass will be here at the Annunciation on Sunday 25th June at 12 noon.
International Mass
After the successful International Mass last year, we are holding another one on Saturday 3rd June at the 6.30pm Mass, the Vigil of Pentecost. We invite people to come in their national costume and children to carry their national flag in the opening procession. If there is any group who would like to sing a hymn at the Mass, please let Fr Colin know. We are also looking for readers to do Bidding Prayers in different languages. We also would like to have a display of the Lord’s Prayer in different languages. The Mass will be followed by a reception in the Parish Centre to which we invite you to bring along a dish of food.
Barnet Unity Festival of Faith & Culture
This takes place at Burnt Oak Leisure Centre in Watling Ave on Sunday 14th May between 12 noon and 5pm. There is free entry to this family fun day with music, dance, drama, food stalls, children’s entertainment and much more. At 4pm, representatives of the various faiths will be making a united pledge.
WATCH THIS SPACE - J.D.S
It was the first day of Christmas and all police celebrations in the town were put on hold when they had to investigate a shooting in a park. Officers combed the ground in search of evidence relating to the gun but could find nothing until one keen young detective started looking in the only deciduous tree in the park – a huge oak that, because it was winter, had lost all its leaves. Sure enough, within a couple of minutes he had found the spent bullet casing from the shooting – crucial evidence that would enable forensics to identify the make of gun. “How did you know where to look?” asked his senior officer. “It was obvious when you think about it,” replied the young detective, “What do you associate with the first day of Christmas? A cartridge in a bare tree.