The Ascension of the Lord (28th May)
We have two accounts of the Ascension in today’s readings. The accounts appear right at the end of St Matthew’s Gospel and right at the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles, illustrating that the Acts of the Apostles overlaps with the Gospels. The Acts of the Apostles sees the apostles putting into action the instructions which Jesus left and recorded in the Gospels. Jesus’ last words to the apostles before he ascended into heaven were ‘Go make disciples of all the nations and baptise them.” After Pentecost, the apostles set out to carry out these instructions.
Pentecost (4th June)
Today we celebrate the Feast Of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came down on the Apostles and gave them the gifts they needed to carry out the instructions that Jesus had left them—to go out and make disciples of the nations. They had been praying intensely for that moment and now their lives were transformed from timid followers of Christ to bold proclaimers of the Good News. The Holy Spirit comes to us in so many ways. May today’s Feast help us to be more aware of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Prayer of the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit come into our lives.
Open our ears: To hear what you are saying to us
In the things that happen to us
In the people we meet
Open our eyes: To see the needs of the people round us.
Open our hands: To do our work well, to help when help is needed.
Open our lips: To tell others the Good News of Jesus
To bring comfort, happiness and laughter to other people.
Open our minds: To discover new truth about You and the world.
Open our hearts: To love you and our fellow men and women
As you have loved us in Jesus.
To you with our Father and the Son, one God, all honour and praise shall be given now and forever. Amen.
ST. ROSE’S CHAPEL & PRAYER GARDEN,
160, ANSON RD, NW2
On Sunday, 28th May from 3.00pm to 4.00pm there will be exposition of The Blessed Sacrament, Rosary and a May Procession in Honour of Our Lady. All welcome.
Appeal From The Little Sisters of the Poor
The Little Sisters of the Poor will be here on the weekend of 10th/11th June to make an appeal. They run homes for the care of the sick and elderly, the nearest to us being in Stoke Newington and Vauxhall.
The International Mass
The International Mass takes place at 6.30pm on 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. Please come to the sacristy five minutes before Mass starts. The readings, Bidding Prayers, and hymns will be in different languages. Following the Mass there will be a reception in the Parish Centre to which we invite you to bring along an international dish. We will provide the drink.
First Communion Celebration
There will be an extra Mass on Sunday 28th May at 3pm for all the children who have received First Holy Communion over the last three weeks. We invite them to come in their First Communion clothes. The Mass will be followed by a party in the Parish Centre, and photos can be collected from the Dominic Room.
Come & See Evening
Over the past years we have had several adults each year coming forward to be baptised or to be received into the Catholic Church as well as baptised Catholics who have not received the other Sacraments. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) sessions start in the autumn, but we have a Come & See evening on Tuesday 20th June at 8pm. If you know of anyone who is interested, please bring them along on that evening. It will take place in the stage area of the Parish Hall, enabling us to have some refreshments at the same time.
No Deborah Lodge Mass
There will be no Mass at Deborah Lodge in June.
World Communication Day
Sunday 28th May is World Communications Day and there will be a second collection for Catholic Communications. In his message for World Communications Day, Pope Francis says: “we have to break the vicious circle of anxiety and stem the spiral of fear resulting from a constant focus on “bad news” (wars, terrorism, scandals and all sorts of human failure) This has nothing to do with spreading misinformation that would ignore the tragedy of human suffering, nor is it about a naïve optimism blind to the scandal of evil.” In our task as “Missionary Disciples” we all have our part to play and a mandate to both live and communicate the Gospel to all people using all the means at our disposal. In this digital age of immediate communication, never before has it been so necessary that we”...contribute to the search for open and creative style of communication that never seeks to glamourize evil but instead to concentrate on solutions and to inspire a positive and responsible approach…”
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.
There will be a Holy Hour on Friday 23rd June between 7 and 8pm to pray for and with Deacon Carlos on the eve of his ordination.
General Election Day
As there will be many people coming to vote on Thursday 8th June in the Parish Centre, we plan to open the doors of the church, encouraging people to come in for a moment. We would like parishioners to be available in the church to welcome people and hand out leaflets. If you are able to do so, please put your name and phone number on the sheet at the table at the back of the church.
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children have sent us some leaflets for us to decide how we might vote on Election Day, considering the candidate’s views on life issues. Please take one from the table at the back of the church.
There is also material from the Bishops of England and Wales relating to voting at the General Election. It is available at the back of the church.
Cake Sale
The cake sale for the past two weeks raised £146.15 for Childreach International Charity. Thank you for your wonderful support and generosity.
TakeHomeNews
This newsletter covers two weeks. The next newsletter will be on 11th June.
Annunciation Junior School
We congratulate all those involved at the Annunciation Junior School who have worked so hard to enable the recent Ofsted inspection to be given a ‘good’ rating.
Leicester Square // 9th and 10th June
Discover world-class music, inspiring talks, uplifting performances, family activities, and dancing crowds all spread across the gorgeous Leicester Square Gardens. Spirit in the City festival has something for all tastes and every age. Don’t know where to start? Don’t worry! Just start exploring and you’ll soon find your favourite spot. Each stream has its own character and vibe for you to enjoy with your friends and family. You’re most welcome!
WATCH THIS SPACE - J.D.S
It was Christmas, and the judge was in a benevolent mood as he questioned the defendant. “What exactly is it you’re charged with?” he asked. Doing my Christmas shopping early,” replied the defendant. “That’s not an offence,” said the judge, “How early were you doing this shopping?” “Before the store opened.”
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The judge said to the defendant “I thought I told you I never wanted to see you in here again.” The defendant replied, “That’s what I told the police, but they wouldn’t listen.