Corpus Christi
Today’s Feast Day is popularly known as Corpus Christi, but the official title is ‘The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ’. At one time, the Feast of the Body of Christ (Corpus Christi) was quite separate to the Feast of the Most Precious Blood, which was celebrated on 1st July. As Westminster Cathedral is dedicated to the Most Precious Blood, the Dedication of the Cathedral is till kept on 1st July. Today we celebrate the great gift that we have received of Jesus Christ, his Body and Blood. We need always to appreciate that it is really Jesus we receive, his Body in the Host, his Blood from the Chalice. That is why we genuflect when we come into Christ’s presence in the tabernacle when we enter the church. Jesus is the living bread that has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats His flesh and drinks His blood has eternal life.
Ordination Day
On Saturday, Deacon Carlos will be ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Nichols at Westminster Cathedral at 10.30am. Parishioners are invited to go along to this special occasion which will include the ordination of six others. The morning Mass and Confessions are cancelled on this day at the Annunciation. Fr Carlos will celebrate his first Mass here at the Annunciation at 12 noon next Sunday. This Mass is likely to be very crowded so please be alert to the directions of the fire wardens/ushers. The Mass will be followed by a reception in the Parish Centre to which everyone is invited. We will be providing food but if you would like to donate anything, please only finger food, ie: sandwiches, sausage rolls, spring rolls, sausages or chicken nuggets or anything which does not need a knife or fork. Alternatively, please bring a cake or fruit or something that could be used for a sweet. During the reception, there will be a presentation to Fr Carlos. If you would like to contribute to this, please use ‘The Parish Gift’ envelopes at the back of the church, but please return it by today, 18th June.
On the evening before the ordination, Friday 23rd June, there will be a Holy Hour to pray for vocations and for Fr Carlos as he starts his priesthood at 7pm. This will be followed at 8pm by a rehearsal for the choirs involved in the first Mass.
Peter’s Pence
Next weekend there is the annual collection for Peter’s Pence, a collection that is taken all around the world for the Vatican to distribute to various charitable causes.
Feast of the Sacred Heart
Friday is the Feast of the Sacred Heart. Being a Solemnity, there is no need to abstain from meat on this day.
Come & See Evening
If you know of anyone who is thinking of becoming a Catholic or an adult baptised Catholic who has not received the other Sacraments, please bring them along to a Come & See Evening on Tuesday at 8pm in the stage area of the Parish Hall. The RCIA sessions start in October. This is an introduction for those who want to know what it is all about.
Clergy Appointments
Fr Carlos has been appointed as Assistant Priest in Bishop’s Stortford, which also includes churches in Sawbridgeworth and Much Hadham. He will take up his appointment in September. We are pleased to announce that another deacon will be coming to Burnt Oak in September. He is Rev Ronald Seery who has been studying at the Beda College in Rome. Other appointments recently announced include Fr David Burke who is moving from Tottenham to be Parish Priest of Berkhamsted and Tring, and Fr Oscar Ardila who is moving from Fulham to be Assistant Priest in Crownhill, Plymouth.
Monday Masses
Tomorrow Monday, Mass will be at 7.30am only. There will be no Communion Service at 9am as Deacon Carlos is away on retreat. On Monday 26th June, there will be Masses at 7.30am and 9am. On Monday 3rd July, Mass will be at 9am. From Monday 10th July, Monday Masses will be at 7.30am only. The 9am Communion Service will resume when the new deacon arrives in the autumn.
Baptism Preparation
There will be a preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised on Sunday 9th July at 4pm in the Dominic Room in the Parish Centre. Application forms can be collected from the sacristy.
First Communions in 2018
Children who will be entering Year 3 or above in September are invited to join the First Holy Communion programme which starts in September. Blue application forms are available in the porch and these must be returned by 10th September at the latest.
Day For Life
Each year Day for Life provides an opportunity to reflect on the dignity of every human person, both young and old, and to pray for and support all life from conception to natural death. This year’s Day for Life is dedicated to those who have lost a child and for those women who are anxious about their pregnancy. Please take a prayer card from the back of the church.
Please pray for the parents and family of stillborn baby Djef Flavian Junior Mapalou-Moussirou for whom Mass will be said on Wednesday at 10.30am. This will be in addition to the 9am Mass that morning, but there will be no Holy Hour.
Readers Rota
Could all those readers that do not receive their rota by email collect their new one at the back of the church today.
National Day of Prayer and Fasting for life, Wednesday 21st June 2017
On the vigil of Sts. John Fisher and Thomas More, please Pray and Fast for the end of abortion in this country. Thousands of babies are saved from abortion each year by Catholic, Pro-Life work, backed up with your Prayer and Fasting. www.goodcounselnetwork.com
Four: 12
The Summer edition of Four:12's Family Quiz Night will be
on Friday 30th of June 2017 in the Parish Hall. Doors open at 7pm.
£6/adult & £3/child (under 16).
Refreshments (fish & chips)
will be served.
Book your places by speaking to Arinze or Kenneth by emailing
Four12.oak@gmail.com.
Finance Committee
The next Finance Committee Meeting will be on Tuesday 27th June. It takes place in the Presbytery at 7.45pm.
WATCH THIS SPACE - J.D.S
Continue from last week…..The lady attached a note to the collar of the cat, the note read, ‘I would like to know who owns this lovely old cat and ask if you are aware that most afternoons your cat comes to my house for a nap.’ The next day the cat arrived for its daily nap with a different note attached to its collar, it read ‘It lives in a home with six children-two under the age of three. He’s trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow.’