5th Sunday of Lent (Year C)
The Scribes and Pharisees bring along to Jesus a woman caught in the act of committing adultery, suggesting that she should be stoned to death. After contemplating for a moment, Jesus suggests that anyone who has not sinned should be the first to throw a stone. Nobody did so and they went away leaving the woman with Jesus, who told her to go away and not to sin any more. This scene is a lesson to us to look at our own faults before condemning others for theirs. It again shows the compassion of Jesus for the sinner. As for the woman, her life would have been changed by her encounter with Jesus.
CAFOD Emergency Cyclone Idai Appeal
If you would like to make a donation toward this appeal, there is a second collection as you leave Mass today. Our donations will give food, clean water and healthcare to people in desperate need. Gabriele, an expert working with the Church in Mozambique at this time, says ‘We know that Idai has wiped out crops and livestock, damaged water supplies and wrecked sanitation facilities, leaving vulnerable families even more exposed. With the support and generosity of the Catholic community, we can reach the people who really need urgent emergency aid’.
Day of Prayer for Survivors of Abuse
Next Friday has been designated as a Day of Prayer for Survivors of Abuse. We pray for those who bear the pain of abuse, that they may receive strength and perseverance. We pray for those who have been caught up in the circles of mistrust, silence and complicity which emanates from this abuse. We seek repentance and renewal for all who have failed in their duty to protect and respond to victims of there crimes. We pray for a renewal in the life of the Church which has become a lodging place for this evil. We pray in confidence that the Lord does not abandon his church but constantly calls us to purify our ways of life. We pray with Mary, our holy Mother, and finest expression of our Holy Mother, the Church.
No Votive Candles in Passiontide
You will notice that in the two weeks leading up to Easter, Passiontide, there are no votive candles in the church. We are using this as an opportunity to have the candle stands spruced up. When they return at Easter, Please use the new wall boxes nearby to put the money for the candles.
Baptism Preparation
There will be a preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised on Sunday 12th May at 4.pm in the Dominic Room.
Thank you for the MISSIO Red Boxes
MISSIO have written to thank the parish for our contributions to the Red Box appeal during 2018. A total of £1279-69 was donated during the year.
Holy Week arrangements
If you did not do so last week, please take a card giving the times of the services in Holy Week. There will be a Reconciliation Service on Monday 15th April at 7.30pm., when several priests will be available for confession.
Children are invited to take part in the Children’s Stations of the Cross on Good Friday at 11.30am, either acting or reading. Those interested are asked please to come to a rehearsal on Maundy Thursday 18th April from 2.30 to 4pm and again on Good Friday itself at 10am. This will take place in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre.
Arrangements for Palm Sunday
Next Weekend is Palm Sunday. Masses will start from the Canon Smyth Parish Centre with the blessing of palms. We will then process to the church . Please wave your palm in the procession, recalling the greeting that Jesus received when he made his triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Please do not park any cars to obstruct the procession. Once in the church we will have the Passion according to St Luke. We invite you to take part by reading the words of the crowd, marked ‘C’ in the booklets.
Altar Services Rehearsals
Saturday 13th April 11am (for Holy Week)
Wednesday 17th April 4.30am (for Maundy Thursday)
Friday 19th April 12.15pm (for Good Friday)
Saturday 20th April 11am (for Easter Vigil)
Choir Rehearsal
There will be a choir practice for Holy Week on Wednesday 17th April at 7.30pm in the church.
Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross this Friday takes place at St Alphage in Montrose Avenue at 7pm.
Prayer Group
The Prayer Group that the late Sr. Amy used to run on Wednesdays at 11am-12.30pm is now starting again at the home of Nora Fitzgerald. Please contact Fr Colin or Nora, if you would like to join the group. We will be covering the booklet ‘Rejoice and be Glad’ in this Lenten season. Nora’s telephone number is 0208 959 2004.
Thank you - Olive Wood Carves from the Holy Land
Thank you very much for your help and support last weekend we sold a total of £620-00.
Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal
Donations for this can be put into the Lenten Alms Box by Our Lady’s Altar. There are envelopes available for this at the back of the church.
Recommissioning of Eucharistic Ministers
At the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Maundy Thursday 18th April, after the commissioning of new Eucharistic Ministers to be recommissioned for a further year. If you cannot be present, please see Fr Colin for a private recommissioning.
St Michael's Catholic Grammar School - Pupil Premium Priority for
Year 7 Entry in September 2020
St. Michael's Catholic Grammar School is appealing to parents of Year 5 Catholic girls who may be considering applying to take the entrance tests in September 2019.
St. Michael's is expanding by an extra 32 places. Priority is going to be given to girls who are 'Pupil Premium'. This means girls who are having, or have had, free school meals because of low income or could be eligible to apply for free school meals.
If you think your daughter could be in this category and you would like to find out more about the school and how to apply, the school invites you to attend on Tuesday 14th May 2019 at 7pm in the school Hall. This is a specific evening targeted at support only for families in this category.
There is an Open Afternoon and Evening for all parents on June 27th at 3.30pm and 7pm.
Blessing of Food
For those who follow the custom of having Easter food blessed, we invite you to bring along the food for blessing on Holy Saturday 20th April at 12.30pm in the church.