Seventh Sunday of Easter Year b 2024
We witness with the Holy Spirit
We are called to bear witness to the resurrection. And the Holy Spirit strengthens our faithfulness, especially in the face of trials so that our faithfulness becomes a witness to the world.
“You too will be my witnesses because you have been with me” says Jesus (John 15: 27). Christian witnessing proceeds from a personal relationship with Christ. This explains why the disciples needed someone who had encountered Jesus to Judas’ replacement and bear witness with them. Our encounter with Jesus is the conviction behind our witnessing.
The Holy Spirit makes possible the encounter with Jesus and teaches us to live in God through love. “He who lives in love lives in God” (1 John 4:11-16). In loving others, we become co-witnesses with the Holy Spirit.
As a people who are not of this world as Jesus says in today’s Gospel, we do not live by the principles of the world but by the heavenly kingdom principle of Truth. So, sometimes, we may have to suffer hostilities because of our witnessing. But we take courage in Jesus’ unfailing priestly prayer which commends us to God for our protection. Therefore, we pray for the Holy Spirit, Our Co-witness, especially as we prepare for the Pentecost.
Happy Sunday
Fr Chinedu
PENTECOST NOVENA
Next Sunday in the Feast of the Pentecost: Our parish Pentecost Novena starts Friday 10th May and ends on Saturday 18th May. The time is 7 PM daily, except on Saturday which starts at 5 PM (an hour before our vigil Mass at 6:30). There will be an Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Novena Prayer to the Holy Spirit, Presentation of Intentions, Litany to the Holy Spirit, Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit, and more. Join us in person here in the church or https://www.annunciationchurch.org.uk/streaming
WORLD COMMUNICATION DAY
There will be a second collection for the Catholic Communication Network this Sunday.
OFFICE ABSENCE
Susan will be out of the office due to knee surgery. She hopes, all going well, to be back in July.
NEW OFFERTORY ENVELOPES
New Offertory envelopes are still available for collection after Masses today. Please, speak to the stewards or ask at the presbytery lobby for your box of envelopes you can start using them this week.
Please pick up a Parish Gift Aid Form/Standing Order Form from the back of the church if you would like to start using envelopes, please indicate in section 4 on the Gift Aid / Standing Order Form. If you would like to start paying by standing order, please complete section 5 & 6 and if you are able to Gift Aid your donations, please complete section 2.
Thank you for your continuing support.
MISSIO BOX COUNTING
If you have a red Missio box please can you bring it and give it to one of the Priests before 12th May. Thank you.
ANNUAL MASS FOR MATRIMONY
The annual Mass for Matrimony will be celebrated in the Cathedral by the Cardinal on Saturday 25th May at 2.30pm for couples celebrating significant anniversaries such as 5th , 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th and 60+. Information has now been sent to parishes by the Diocesan Co-ordinator for Marriage and Family Life, Deacon Roger Carr-Jones, about arrangements for this day and the invitation process
SOCIETY of St VINCENT de PAUL (SVP)
We are planning to start a Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) here in our parish. So, if you have been a member of SVP in the past, and would like to be part of its formation in our parish; or if you would like to join the society for the first time and are happy to be part of it, please, speak with and give your names and contact number to the priests or stewards after the masses. Thank you.
DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES
The Lourdes Pilgrimage takes place from 19th to 26th July. Join the pilgrimage as a pilgrim. Serve the pilgrimage by coming as a praying assisted pilgrim. Support assisted pilgrims by sponsoring the sick to join the pilgrimage and praying for them. For more information please go to https://rcdow.org.uk/pilgrimages/Lourdes/ or contact the Pilgrimage Office on 020 7798 9173
MEDJUGORJE IRISH CENTRE PILGRIMAGES APRIL - OCT 2024
7 Nights Apartment B&B from €273 per person sharing. Airport transfer available on request. Contact us for details and book the dates that suit you.
Tel. 020 3239 8662 or website www.med-irishcentre.com
THE DIVINE MERCY APOSTOLATE
The Divine Mercy Apostolate, London is holding a First Saturday Divine Mercy Recollection Day at the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, on Saturday 1st June 2024 from 11 am to 4:30 pm. Pls call Millie on 07957594646 for more information.
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