31st Sunday of Year A
Today’s readings focus on the failures of religious leaders to live up to their calling. In fact all of us fall short in our service of God and each other. We are encouraged today to reflect God’s own love and compassion and to serve the Lord in humility and faithfulness.
Sick & Retired Priests’ Fund
Next week our parish will take up a second collection to support the sick and retired priests of the Diocese of Westminster. Your generous donation helps ensure that priests, who have followed their vocation and given their lives to the Church, are cared for and supported when they are sick and when they retire. The Sick & Retired Priests’ Fund helps cover the medical, housing, convalescence, and personal needs of these priests, as well as helping them in an emergency. They have been here for us; let us be there for them. Donation leaflets are available in the pews and at the back of the church today. Please take one home, read about this important work, and bring it back next weekend with your donation. Please continue to pray for the wellbeing of all of our clergy—active, retired and ill.
Annunciation Schools Admission Meetings
The Annunciation Infants School will be having their annual admissions meeting this Wednesday at 7.30pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. 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 Annunciation 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.
Father Colin will be available to sign school forms at the following times in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre:
Tuesday 21st November 3-4pm
Thursday 30th November 3-4pm
Thursday 14th December 3-4pm
Saturday 6th January 12-1pm
Bereavement Mass
This will take place on Friday 24th November at 7.30pm. There will be refreshments in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre afterwards.
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.
First Communion Programme
Today the children have a class in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre at 9.15am. Next Sunday they will be taking part in a Celebration Mass at 10.30am.
World Day For The Poor
Pope Francis has called us to observe 19th November as the World Day for the Poor. As our contribution to that, we are suggesting you bring items to the church that day to be passed on to the local Foodbank in Colindale.
Red Missio Boxes
Thank you to all those who contribute to the missions by using the Red Missio Boxes. When you return the boxes, the money is counted, so please collect the emptied box from the back of the church. Thank you.
Parish Council
The Parish Council meet on Thursday at 7.45pm in the presbytery.
Parish Bazaar
Our Parish Bazaar takes place on Saturday 18th November between 12 Noon and 3pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. You are invited to bring along any unwanted gifts you have for the tombola, bottles for the bottle stall and donations for prizes for the raffle. There will be some surprise stalls as well as refreshments, Santa’s grotto and face painting. Children are invited to come in fancy dress with a Christmas theme and there will be prizes for the winners of two groups—Reception to Year 2 and Year 3 to Year 6. Watch out for the posters that the children have prepared advertising this event.
Mass Count
The number of people present on the weekend of 21st/22nd October was 592 giving an average of 679 over the 4 weeks, 19 more that the equivalent 4 weeks in 2016.
Lately Dead
Please pray for the repose of the souls of Luisa Mohamed of Field Mead and Conception Vazquez of Stag Lane whose funerals have already taken place, and of Evelyn Graney of Abbots Rd whose cremation take place on Monday.
Rememberance Sunday
Next Sunday is Rememberance Sunday when we pray for all those who have lost their lives at war. We will pause for two minutes silence during the Bidding Prayers at the 10.30 Mass.
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.
The Good Neighbours Scheme
We are committed to helping our senior neighbours in the community, giving them social interaction through our lunch clubs, helping food shop through our shopping bus, giving company through our befriending service and practical help like lifts to doctors or hospital visits. If you have a few hours to spare for serving lunches, driving, escorting or befriending then we would love to hear from you. Phone Cheryl or Lorraine on 0208 906 3340. Website www.thegoodneighbourschememhbo.com.
Counters Rota
The new counters rota for 2018 is now available at the back of the church, please collect your envelope today.
WATCH THIS SPACE: BY J.D.S.
Six year old Angie and her four year old brother Joel were sitting in church. Joel giggled and talked out loud. Finally his big sister had enough. “You’re not supposed to talk out loud in church.” Father said, “ before Mass we talk to God, after Mass we talk to each other.” “Why? Who’s going to stop me?” Joel demanded. Angie pointed out to the back of the church and said, “See those two men standing by the door? They’re hushers.”