15th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year A)
The parable of the seed and the sower is a lesson for us on how we respond to the word of God. For most of us, our spiritual lives have ups and downs. There are times when we respond to God’s word and carry out our resolutions to do good. There are other times when we are distracted by other concerns that the word of God takes a back place—like the seed that fell on thorns. We need to provide rich soil for the word of God to flourish in our lives. We do that by receiving the Sacraments regularly and by imitating Christ in his love.
Harrow Mencap
Today we welcome members of Harrow Mencap who will be taking up a second collection for their work. This organisation provides opportunities, resources and support for people with learning difficulties in the area.
Your Priests
Fr Carlos will be making a brief return this week and will celebrate a 9am Mass on Monday. This is in addition to the 7.30am Mass. Fr Carlos will return at the end of August and be around until he moves to Bishop’s Stortford in September.
Fr Jozef Urbanic arrives at the end of this month and will be here during August while Fr Colin is away.
Dominican Mission Appeal
Next weekend we welcome Fr Matthew Jarvis who will be making an appeal for the Dominican Foreign Missions. Fr Matthew is currently based in Oxford.
Fr Colin’s Celebration
In September, I will have completed 10 happy years in Burnt Oak. To celebrate this and my 30 years in the priesthood, we are having a special Mass at 6.30pm on Saturday 9th September. This will be followed by a get-together in the Parish Centre. As on previous occasions, we invite you to bring along a dish of food. We will provide drink.
Tuesday Novena & Wednesday Holy Hour
The Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help will take place this Tuesday at 7pm, and then take a break, resuming on Tuesday 12th September.
The Holy Hour will take place this Wednesday from 9.30 to 10am, and then take a break resuming on Wednesday 13th September.
Charity Walk For The Poor
On 17th September, thousands of people across the globe are doing a charitable 5km walk to fund and send over 1000 poor children to school for a year. Last year, the walk for London was held in Richmond Park and the registration fee was set at £10 for adult walkers and £5 for children. More details can be found on the website http://cfcancop.org/home.aspx. The walk is being organised by ‘Couples for Christ’ and its Family Ministries.
First Communions in 2018
Application forms are available in the porch for parents who wish to apply for their child to join the First Communion programme.
Forms should be returned by 10th September at the latest. The child should be starting in Year 3 or above next September. There will be an introductory meeting for the parents who have applied for their child on Tuesday 26th September at 7.45pm in the Parish Centre. There will then be 7 sessions for parents and 7 sessions for children during the course of the programme, starting on Tuesday 3rd October for parents (7.45pm) and Sunday 8th October (9.15am) for children.
RCIA Sessions
Sessions for those adults who are considering baptism, reception into the church or confirmation start on Tuesday 10th October at 8pm, upstairs in the Parish Centre. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process whereby adults journey in the faith toward receiving the Sacraments and become full members of the Catholic Church. Please let those interested know about this or you may like to introduce them to Fr Colin.
TakeHomeNews
Next Sunday will be the last newsletter until
Sunday 10th September.
GOOD NEIGBOURS SCHEME
FILM AFTERNOON GOLDEN YEARS
Wednesday 26th July 2017. Doors open 2pm, film commences 2.15pm
Trinity Church Mill Hill Broadway
Light refreshments served at the end. Donations welcome
PARISH GIFT
In September we will be celebrating Fr Colin’s ten years with the Parish and thirty years of priesthood. Many of you have expressed that you would like to donate towards a gift for Father, so envelopes (Parish Gift) are available at the back of the church to put into the collection box. Thank you.
GOOD NEWS
Martine Hardwicke & Sean O’Flynn previously parishioners of this parish are opening a pub on 3rd August called the Rose & Crown, Tewin, AL6. Would love to see old friends and new.
WATCH THIS SPACE: BY J.D.S.
Two Australian bushmen were riding through the outback when they came across a watering hole and saw a guy in the jaws of a crocodile, already half devoured so that only his head and upper torso were visible. One bushman nodded to the other and said, “He must be one of those flash city types – he’s even got a Lacoste sleeping bag!” `