29th Sunday of Year A (22nd October)
The Pharisees try to trap Jesus in today’s Gospel when they ask him: Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not? As so often happens, Jesus has the perfect answer: Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. Give back to God what belongs to God. Jesus expects us to abide with the rules and regulations of the state to which we belong. It is only if that state goes against the law of God that the Christian should make an objection.
30th Sunday of Year A (29th October)
The Pharisees put another question to Jesus in today’s Gospel. What is the greatest commandment of the Law? Jesus replies that the first is that you must love the Lord your God and the second is that you must love your neighbour as yourself. Love indeed is a gift from God because God is love. This means that we should be imitators of Jesus Christ, who loves us so much even to the extent of dying for us.
All Saints Day (Wednesday 1st November)
This is a Holy Day of Obligation, when we are expected to attend Mass to give praise to God for inviting those who have lived the Gospel with joy and hope to join him in heavenly glory. Masses in the church will be at 9am and 7.30pm. There will also be Mass in the Annunciation Infants School at 11am and in the Annunciation Junior School at 2pm.
World Mission Sunday (22nd October)
World Mission Sunday is your chance to support missionaries and the Church in proclaiming the Gospel of peace to those who suffer around the world. By supporting Missio, the Pope’s official charity for overseas mission, you will be sharing the peace and love of Christ with all people by helping everyone in need, regardless of background or belief. Today, your prayers and your donation will help a spirit of peace across South Sudan and around the world. Please give what you can, and if possible, please use the Gift Aid envelopes if you are a taxpayer. Thank you.
A Message From Mary’s Meals
A very big thank you to the Annunciation Church, 950kg of unwanted clothes was collected, £445.31 in cash donations, making a total of £977.31. The amount will feed 70 children every day for a whole year, but they will get an education too.
Thank you.
Month of Holy Souls
November is the month to pray for all the faithful departed, including our relations, friends and the forgotten souls. All Souls Day is on Thursday 2nd November when Masses in the church will be at 9am and 7.30pm.
The Remembrance Book is on a table near the statues. You can write the names of those you wish to be remembered in this book, but there is no need to rewrite names you have entered in previous years. The book will be placed at the front of the altar during November.
Alternatively you can write names on a piece of paper and put it in one of the envelopes available in the porch. These names will be placed in a box in front of the altar during November. There will be several Masses for the Holy Souls during the month.
The Bereavement Mass takes place on Friday 24th November at 7.30pm.
First Communion Programme
The next session for parents of First Communion children will be on Tuesday 31st October at 7.45pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. The children have their next session on Sunday 5th November at 9.15am.
Confirmation 2018
Those in Year 10 or above are invited to join the Confirmation Programme. Application forms are available in the porch and should be returned by Sunday 17th December at the latest. Sessions for candidates will start in January. The date of the Confirmation has been fixed for Friday 25th May at 7pm.
Baptism Preparation
On Sunday 19th November at 4pm in the Dominic Room, there will be a preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised.
Application forms are available in the sacristy.
TakeHomeNews
This newsletter covers two weeks. The next Takehomenews will be on 5th November.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee meet on Friday 3rd November at 7.30pm in the Presbytery.
Annunciation School Admissions Meetings
The Infants School will be having their annual admissions meeting in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre on Wednesday 8th November at 7.30pm. Parents are invited to attend this meeting if they wish their child to be considered for a Nursery or School Place at the Infants School in September 2018. This would include those who wish to move from the Nursery to Reception Class.
The Junior School will be having their Admissions Meeting on Monday 20th November at 7pm. This will take place in the school itself in The Meads. This is for parents who wish their child to be considered for a place in September 2018, including those currently in Year 2 of the Infants School.
Clocks Going Back
Clocks and watches should be put back one hour on the night of Saturday 28th October.
GOOD NEIGHBOUR SCHEME FOR MILL HILL & BURNT OAK
FILM AFTERNOON “Educating Rita”
Wednesday 25nd October 2017. Doors open 2pm, film commences 2.15pmTrinity Church Mill Hill Broadway. Donations welcome
Next film: November 22nd………The Fourth Protocol, a cold war thriller starring Michael Caine and Pierce Brosnan.
Love & Say It With Your Life
Copies of the latest prayer discussions booklet are available in the porch, price £1.50. You can either use it individually, get a group of people together or join Vince Randall’s group, contact 0208 952 6994.
Planning the Bazaar
If you have any ideas or can offer your help at the Parish Bazaar (Sat 18th November), please come along for a chat and refreshments on Wednesday 1st November at 8.15pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. This follows the 7.30pm Mass in the church for All Saints.
Mass Count
The number of people at Mass last weekend was 736. We have our final count this weekend (21st/22nd October)
WATCH THIS SPACE: BY J.D.S.
A teacher asked her class “What was Jesus’ mother’s name?” one child answered “Mary” The teacher then asked “Who knows what Jesus’ father’s name was?”
Another child ventured, “Verge?” Confused the teacher asked, “Where did you get that?” He replied hesitantly, “Well, you know they are always talking about Verge n’ Mary.”
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This is for cat lovers. Dogs have owners. Cats have staff.