Fifth Sunday of Easter
It is very easy for us to look at Jesus in an image, an icon, or even the crucifix and say ‘This is God.” But how often so we think of God the Father when we have no image? It becomes quite difficult. Today’s Gospel, however, reminds us that it is only through Jesus Christ, who became man, suffered death, and rose from the dead, that we can recognise God the Father’s love, mercy and his presence in and among us. This is the Easter message of joy that continues to resonate in our daily lives.
Priest Training Fund
Thank you for your generosity to the Priest Training Fund collection last weekend, which amounted to £530.10. 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 more vocations to the priesthood. Copies of ‘Seminary News’, a newsletter from Allen Hall, the Diocesan Seminary are available in the front porch.
May Procession
On Saturday we have our annual May Procession. This will take place after the 10am Mass at about 10.30. We will process to the shrine of Our Lady where there will be the crowning of the statue and the Rosary. We will then return to the Church for Benediction. There will be refreshments in the hall afterwards.
No Novena on 23rd
There will be the Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Tuesday at 7pm as usual, but not on Tuesday 23rd May as a Confirmation rehearsal is taking place in the church.
Eucharistic Ministers
New Rota is now at the back of the church for all Eucharistic Ministers, please pick up today.
Cake Sale
There will be a Charity Bake Sale after the 10.30am Mass in the Parish Hall this Sunday and next Sunday. All proceeds will go to the children’s charity Childreach International.
Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions for May
Pope Prayer Int: Christians in Africa. That Christians in Africa, in imitation of the Merciful Jesus may give prophetic witness to reconciliation, justice, and peace.
Barnet Unity Festival of Faith & Culture
This takes place today (Sunday) at Burnt Oak Leisure Centre in Watling Ave, between 12 noon and 5pm. This is a family fun day with music, dance, food stalls, children’s entertainment and much more. Entrance is free but you need to register for a free ticket by contacting www.cbfestival.co.uk.
Refreshments will be available throughout the day. At 4pm, representatives of the various faiths will be making a united pledge.
Further details at www.barnetmultifaithforum.org
The International Mass
The International Mass will take place at 6.30pm Saturday 3rd June, the Vigil of Pentecost. On that evening, we invite you to come in your 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. The Mass will be followed by a reception in the Parish Centre to which we invite you to bring along a dish of food. We will provide the drink.
Parish Council
The Parish Council meet on Thursday at 7.45pm in the presbytery.
First Communion
The second group of children will be receiving their First Holy Communion at the 10.30am Mass today. Please pray for all the children in our parish who are making an important step in their sacramental lives. We pray also for their parents that they will bring their children to Mass every Sunday to receive the Lord. Those who are receiving Holy Communion for the first time next Sunday are reminded of the rehearsal on Friday at 6pm in the church.
Confirmation Programme
On Wednesday, there will be a Reconciliation Service for Confirmation candidates at 7pm in the church. Rehearsals for the Confirmation candidates will be on Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 24th May at 7pm in the church. Confirmation will be ministered by Bishop John Sherrington at 7pm on Friday 26th May.
Ordination Gift
If you would like to contribute to an ordination gift to Deacon Carlos, please use a ’Parish Gift’ envelope at the table at the back of the church and put it in the collection. 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.
Nursery Places
The Annunciation Catholic Infant and Nursery School has places available in the afternoon Nursery Class in September 2017. If your child was born between 1 September 2013 and 31 August 2014 they are entitled to a Nursery place. If you are interested please contact the school on 020 8959 2325 or pop in for an application form. We are right next door to the Church.
SPEC
We have been actively encouraging young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 to consider spending a year here at SPEC as one of our Volunteer Missionaries and I am excited to be able to advise that we only have two missionary spaces remaining. We also consider ourselves a Formation House and throughout the year we provide our missionaries with upwards of 30 days of religious formation, 4 weeks of ministry training and 2 community retreats. As a consequence of this developmental activity, our missionaries gain the best possible foundation to the sharing of the gospel. Combine this important work, with the skills gained in designing and delivering retreats and the missionaries become exceptionally accomplished and rounded individuals. If you would like more information, please contact Philip Ross philross@rcdow.org.uk
T: 0207 529 8633.
WATCH THIS SPACE - J.D.S
A woman was anxiously awaiting for her twenty year old daughter’s return from a year of overseas travel. As the passengers came through the door into the airport arrivals lounge, the mother noticed that right behind her daughter was a man dressed in feathers with exotic markings all over his body and carrying a shrunken head. Seeing her mother, the daughter ran up to her, flung her arms around her and then introduced the strange looking man as her husband. The mother then threw up her hands in horror, “You never listen to me, darling!” she screamed “You never listen! I said for you to marry a RICH doctor. A RICH doctor.”