15th Sunday of Year B
Jesus sends his apostles out in pairs to bring the Good News to the surrounding districts, by preaching repentance, casting out devils, anointing the sick and curing them. This must have been a challenge for them but this is the mission that they would continue on their own when Jesus left them. On this occasion, Jesus gave them strict instructions as to how they should present themselves. They should not present themselves as men of wealth but of poverty, being dependent on the generosity of others to continue their mission.
International Mass
Today we will be having our annual International Mass at 12 noon. Some of the readings, prayers and hymns will be in different languages. Children will be taking part in the opening procession carrying their national flag. Afterwards, we will be having a reception in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre with a barbecue and also international food. This occasion is one way we can celebrate the multicultural aspect of our parish, with people of so many different backgrounds and nationalities settling in Burnt Oak.
Harrow Mencap
There will be a collection for Harrow MENCAP after Masses this weekend. This organisation provides opportunities, resources and support for people with learning difficulties in the area. Some of the group will join us for the reception after the International Mass.
Weekday Masses
As Fr Colin is away from Sunday afternoon until Wednesday, Mgr Canon Harry Turner will celebrate Masses at 9am on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. There will be no 7.30am Mass this Monday.
Novena & Holy Hour
The Tuesday Novena is now taking a break and will resume on 11th September at 7pm. The Wednesday Holy Hour resumes on 12th September at 9.30am.
RCIA Sessions
Sessions for those adults who are considering baptism, reception, into the church or confirmation start on Tuesday 9th October at 8pm, upstairs in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process whereby adults journey in the faith towards 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.
90th Anniversary of Parish
On 15th December 1928, the Annunciation was completed and was solemnly blessed by Fr Goggin, the Area Dean. It was used for the first time the next day.
To commemorate this anniversary, we are having a special Mass on Sunday 25th November at 12 Noon. This will be followed by a reception in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. We hope to produce a slide show with photographs from the past. If you have any yourself and are prepared to lend them to us, please let Fr Colin know. We also intend to produce a 90th anniversary booklet, with memories of parishioners. If you would like to write a small piece for this booklet, please let Fr Colin know. They can be memories of the distant past or more recent memories. Thank you.
Four:12 Lourdes Group
Our Four:12 Lourdes Group will be setting off on Friday to join the Westminster Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage. They would like to thank everyone who has supported their fundraising and offered messages of support in advance of the pilgrimage.
You can keep up to date with their progress while they are away via their Facebook (Four:12UK) and Twitter (@Four12UK) pages, and you can also view daily reports on the diocesan website and video footage of the Grotto and main processions via www.lourdes-france.org/en.
Please keep the group and those they will be caring for in your prayers; they will pray for you.
First Communions in 2019
If your child is starting in Year 3 or above in September and would like to receive First Holy Communion next year, please take an application form from the porch and return it to the presbytery by 16th September at the latest. Application forms cannot be accepted after this date.
Baptism Preparation
The next session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised will be on Sunday 16th September at 4pm in the Dominic Room. Application forms can be collected from the sacristy.
Petitions for Lourdes
A reminder that the last day for handing in petitions for the Grotto at Lourdes is today (Sunday).
Disability Access
There is a disability access to the church, using the slope to the left of the steps at the entrance to the church. Similarly, there is also a disability access to the Canon Smyth Parish Centre.
Loop System
If you are hard of hearing and have a hearing aid you can turn it to T and the microphone will come through our loop system. If it does not work, please let us know as it may be something wrong with our system.
St James’ Catholic High School Open Evening
Prospective parents and students are invited to view the school on Wednesday 19 September 2018 between 5:30pm – 8pm (final admission at 7:30pm). There will be a talk by the Headteacher in the Hall at 6pm and again at 7pm. Parking on-site will be available. Open mornings will also take place by appointment, during the week commencing Monday 8 October between 9:30am and 10:30am. Parents are welcome to come and view the school at work, to meet students and senior staff.Please contact the school on 020 8358 2800 for further details or email admin@st-james.barnet.sch.uk
Answerphone
If you are leaving a message on the parish answerphone and want us to ring you back, please leave your telephone number as we have no means of knowing the number you have rung from. Please leave your number slowly and clearly. Last week, I had a message which I had to listen to three times but still could not decipher the number.
Walk to Church Sunday
Many thanks to all those who took part in the Walk to Church Sunday on 24th June. A total of 414 parishioners took part as follows:
57 at Sat 6.30pm Mass, 108 at 9am, 135 at 10.30 and 114 at 12 noon.
This was our small way of cutting down on carbon emissions.
Many thanks to Joey Flores, the Justice & Peace representative of the Parish Council, who organised this event together with members of the Filipino choir. They provided free fruits and took the blood pressure and weight of any parishioner who wished. They provided health information booklets, copies of which are still available free in the church porch. ‘Cut Down on Salt’, ‘I’ve got my Blood Pressure under control’, and ‘How I’ve reduced my Blood Cholesterol’.