31st Sunday of Year B
The Commandment to love is at the forefront of our readings today, Moses tells the Israelites “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength”. Jesus repeats this same commandment when a scribe asks him “What Is the first of all commandments? But Jesus adds a second one “You must love your neighbour as yourself”. These commandments give us our two main duties as a Christian.
Sick and 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 these priests, having 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 and Retired Priests’ Fund helps cover 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 pew and in 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 our clergy: active, retired and ill. You can donate online at anytime at www.rcdow.org.uk/donations
Blessing of Graves
The Blessing of Graves at Hendon Cemetery takes place this afternoon (Sunday) at 2pm.
Baptism Preparation
The next session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised will be on Sunday 18th November at 4pm in the Dominic Room. Application forms are available in the sacristy.
Confirmations 2019
Those who are in year 10 or above are invited to apply for Confirmation. Application Forms are available in the porch and should be returned by 16th December at the latest. Sessions start in January. Bishop John Sherrington will be coming on Friday 7th June to administer the Sacrament.
Month of the Holy Souls
During November we remember all the faithful departed. Names you wish to be remembered can be placed in the Memorial Book but there is no need to re-write names you have entered in previous years. Alternatively, you can write names on a piece of paper and put it in one of the envelopes found at the back of the church.
Next Sunday we remember in particular those who have lost their lives at war and there will be a 2 minute silence during the 10.30am Mass.
The Bereavement Mass takes place on Friday 23rd November at 7.30pm, followed by refreshments.
First Communion Programme
The children have a session this morning (Sunday) at 9.15am. Next Sunday they will take part in a celebration Mass at 10.30am.
Junior Schools Admissions Meetings
The Junior Schools Admissions meeting is on Monday 19 November at 7.00pm in the school in the Meads. This is for parents who wish their child to be considered for a place in September 2019, including those who are currently in year 2 of the Infants School.
Infants and Nursery Admissions Meeting
This takes place 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 2019. This includes those who wish to move from Nursery to Reception Class.
School Signing
Fr Colin will be available to sign school forms on the following dates in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre:
Tuesday 20 November 3pm-4pm
Thursday 29 November 3pm-4pm
Thursday 06 December 3pm-4pm.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee meet on Thursday at 7.45pm in the Dominic Room.
Parish Council
The Parish Council meet on Thursday 15th November at 8.00pm in the Presbytery. Please note the change of time is because Fr Colin is attending Mass for Deceased Priests in Westminster Cathedral at 5.30pm, to which everybody is invited.
Funerals this week
The Funeral Mass of DUNSTAN NALLIAH of Gaskarth Road will be on Monday at 1.00pm. The funeral Mass for JEAN SEXTON of Montrose Avenue will be on Tuesday at 12.00 noon. The funeral Mass for CYRIL O’LEARY of Abbots Road will be on Thursday at 11.30am. His body will be brought to the church on Wednesday at 6.00pm. The funeral Mass for PETER FITZGERALD of Gervase Road will be on Thursday 15 November at 11.00am.
On each of these days the 9.00am Mass will go ahead as normal.
Also please pray for the repose of the soul of JOHN O’KEEFFE .
Catholic History Walks
A Royal Walk Sunday 18th November, 3pm. A walk around Westminster to see Catholics and Royalty, from Henry VIII and his break with Rome to the present day. We walk towards Buckingham Palace. Meet on the steps of Westminster Cathedral. Nearest Tube: Victoria. Cost: £5.00, concessions available. Please wear suitable footwear and plan for the weather. Walks may take up to 2 hours.
See the Poster on our noticeboard
E mail: chwalkslondon@gmail.com
www.catholichistorywalks.com
http://www.catholichistorywalks.com/forthcoming-walks
Lunchtime Carer Required
One of our housebound parishioners is looking for someone to come to cook lunch for her on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays. If you can help, please speak to Fr. Colin
90th Anniversary of Parish
We celebrate a special Mass for the 90th Anniversary of the parish on Sunday 25th November at 12 Noon, the Feast of Christ the King. We are having a planning meeting Friday at 7.30pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre to which everyone is invited. We need ideas for the reception which will follow the Mass. Thank you.
Bazaar Planning
Our Parish Bazaar takes place on Saturday 17th November between 12noon 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 the raffle prizes, as well as tins and cakes. Please do not leave clothes or electrical goods. Items can be left in the porch of the church or brought straight to the hall from 6pm on Friday 16 November. There will be some surprise stalls as well as refreshments. Santa’s grotto and face painting. Watch our for the posters that the children have prepared advertising this event.
ST. Michael’s Catholic Grammar School
Four-times Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ highly academic state school which accepts boys and girls into its Sixth Form has its SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING on Thursday 8th November 2018. Subject talks are from 7:00pm and the Headteacher talks at 8:30pm. A Level Results 2018: 91% A* to B and 74% to Russell Group Destinations this year. Website: www.st-michaels.barnet.sch.uk Address: Nether Street, North Finchley, N12 7NJ. If you are in Year 11 - why not continue your academic and spiritual education in the most successful Catholic Sixth Form in London?