5th Sunday of Easter (Year C)
St John’s Gospel is very deep so it is good to concentrate on just small sections of it. Today’s Gospel passage which comes from Jesus’ Final Discourse is just 5 verses long. It refers to the glorification of God through the action of Jesus Christ. Jesus brings glory to the Father by offering up himself as a sacrifice for His people. Jesus was pointing to his impending death and resurrection. During Eastertide, this is a constant theme in our minds. Jesus leaves his disciples with a new commandment—to love one another as he has loved us. If everyone followed this commandment, what a better world we would be living in. But we can play our part in making the world better by our own obedience to this commandment.
Priest Training Fund
Today’s second collection will support the Priest Training Fund. This fund pays for the priestly formation of men for the Catholic priesthood. There are currently 45 men studying at Allen Hall seminary, 27 of whom are for our own Diocese, and last year eight men ordained to the priesthood to serve as our future priests. The fund also supports the ongoing enrichment and formation of our ordained priests. Your gift ensures we can provide training for these men responding to Christ’s call to dedicate their lives to serve God’s people. Please be as generous as you can. Please also pray for vocations and for all our priests. If you do not have a donation leaflet, plenty are still available at the back of the church. You can donate online anytime at www.rcdow.org.uk/donations
New Chalices
You may have noticed last weekend that we now have 2 new chalices. These have been acquired by your donations to the 90th anniversary booklet and generous separate donations. We also have a new chalice from Padua which we will be using at weekday Masses, donated by a parishioner. Thank you to one and all.
First Communion
Today our final group of children will make their First Communion at the 10.30 Mass. Next Sunday all the children will take part in a Celebration Thanksgiving Mass at 3pm, followed by a party in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. Children are invited to come in their First Communion clothes.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee meet on Thursday at 7.30pm in the Dominic Room.
Lately Dead
Please pray for the repose of the souls of MAURICE O’FLYNN of Orange Hill Road, whose funeral has already taken place and ROBERTA MAHER of Gervase Road. May they rest in peace.
Confirmation Programme
There will be a Reconciliation Service for confirmation candidates on Wednesday at 7pm in the church. Parents and sponsors are invited to come along as well. The Sacrament of Confirmation will take place on Friday 7th June at 7pm, with Bishop John Sherington here.
Ascension Day
Please note that Ascension Day is a Holy Day of Obligation and will be celebrated on Thursday week. 30th May, with Masses at 9am and 7.30pm.
Repository
Communion & Confirmation cards and gifts are now available, also copies of the parish 90th anniversary booklet.
Christus Vivit: Echoes from The Youth Synod—Reflections for Young Adults
A further meeting of young adults at Archbishop's House will take place on Tuesday 21st May, 6.30pm. These meetings are an opportunity for young adults to come together following the Synod of Bishops meeting on youth last October, pray, have input from one of our diocesan bishops, reflect and discuss the place of faith in the life of young people. Bishop John Wilson will be leading our reflections, this time focusing on the recently published exhortation from Pope Francis addressed to young people. All young adults are invited to attend. Please let us know your intention to attend by emailing youth@rcdow.org.uk. For more details, go to www.dowym.com/events
Who cares? Responding to the cry of the Earth – Wednesday 29th May
Caritas Westminster invites you to an evening of practical suggestions for how your parish can respond to the environmental crisis. There will be contributions from local and national organisations including CAFOD, CaFE, the Felix Project and more. The event will be on Wednesday 29th May, from 6:30pm-8:30pm, with refreshments from 6pm, at Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street, London, SW1P 1QN. To get your free ticket, email caritaswestminster@rcdow.org.uk, call 020 7931 6077, or search the event title on Eventbrite.
Caritas Volunteer Fair – Saturday 8th June
The Caritas Volunteer Service will be holding its annual Volunteers’ Fair showcasing volunteering opportunities from across the Diocese. Those attending will have the chance to chat with different charities and find out more about their work and the roles available and hear talks and testimonials from different organisations. The event will be on Saturday 8th June, from 1:00-3:00pm, at St Aloysius’ Parish Hall, Phoenix Road, Euston, NW1 1TA. To get your free ticket, email caritaswestminster@rcdow.org.uk, call 020 7931 6077, or search the event title on Eventbrite.
Rediscover Your Marriage
Retrouvaille (pronounced retro-vi with a long i) simply means 'rediscovery'. The programme offers the chance to rediscover yourself, your spouse, and a loving relationship in your marriage. 10s of 1000s headed for divorce have successfully saved their marriages by attending and using the tools provided. There is no group therapy or group work
For confidential information about ‘Retrouvaille’ or to register for the programme commencing with a residential weekend on……7th – 9th June 2019
Call or text 0788 7296983 or 0797 3380443 – or Email retrouvailleukinfo@gmail.com - or visit www.retrouvaille.org.uk
Fr Jozef Urbanic
Fr Jozef Urbanic, has requested prayers for his young people wo will be making their Confirmation today.