25th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME ( C )
The parable of the dishonest steward may seem somewhat confusing when the steward was praised for his astuteness. How can it be right to reduce the debts of his master’s debtors. We live in a world where money is at the centre of everything. Even the Church spends time and energy raising funds for various projects. However Jesus is teaching as through this parable that such values as integrity, compassion and trust have great weight. We can ask ourselves what we trust, who do we trust and what can we be trusted with.
EVANGELII GAUDIUM SUNDAY
Today is Evangelii Gaudium Sunday, formerly called Home Mission Sunday. Evangelii Gaudium is the title of the document recently produced by Pope Francis on the Joy of the Gospel. This Apostolic Exhortation celebrates the beauty of our faith. It encourages us to witness to the fullness of life in Christ. When we talk about missions, our minds tend to think about the missions overseas where magnificent projects have been carried out over the years to bring the faith to lands where Christianity was unheard of. Men and women have dedicated their whole lives to this. Today we focus on the mission to bring the Good News to our own land, to those who have not heard it or lost their interest in it. Each of us has the role of being a missionary, a home missionary and we do that with joy and enthusiasm. In these times, people are in desperate need for good news, with so much bad news floating around. As well as our own efforts, the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales initiate various projects to spread the joy of the Gospel and it is for those that we will have our second collection after Masses today.
INTERNATIONAL MASS
Next Sunday we have our International Mass at 12 noon. It will be an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of our parish with so many of us originating from different parts of the world. Burnt Oak is truly blessed in having such a wide range of countries represented in our congregation. Quite appropriately, it coincides with the Day of Prayer for Migrants and Refugees, when we pray for those forced away from their homeland for whatever reason to try to settle in a strange country. At the 12 Noon Mass next Sunday, we invite children to carry a national flag in the opening procession, which can be placed near the altar and collected (if it is your own) after Mass. We will have at least one of the scripture readings in a different language and the Bidding Prayers will be in different languages. We are hoping that some of the songs and hymns will be international.
The Mass will be followed by a reception in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre to which we invite you to bring along an international dish. We will provide the drink. We thank everyone helping to make this event a success and we will need some help cleaning away the hall afterwards. Many thanks.
Mass count
This weekend and for the following three weekends, we will be counting heads at Masses.
BAPTISM PREPARATION
There will be a preparation session this afternoon (Sunday) for parents who wish to have their baby baptised at 4pm in the church.
MISSIO RED BOXES
Thank you all those who have recently returned their Mission Red Boxes. A total of £152.08 was sent on to Missio.
The next count will be made in January, so please do not return your boxes until nearer that time. Many thanks.
SHEILA MORRISON RIP
Please pray for the repose of the soul of SHEILA MORRISON who died on 29th August. Her funeral Mass will take place at 10.30am at Our Lady of Dolours Church, Egerton Gardens, Hendon, on Saturday 1st October and her body brought to that church on Friday 30th September at 6pm.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Finance Committee meet this Thursday at 7.30pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre.
PARISH COUNCIL
The Parish Council meet on Thursday 29th September at 7.30pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA)
If you know of any adult who is interested in becoming a Catholic or baptised Catholics who have not received the other Sacraments, please invite them along to a meeting on Tuesday 11th October at 8pm for an hour in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. The sessions will continue on Tuesdays through to Eastertide next year. Any parishioner who is interested in discovering more about their faith is welcome to join these sessions.
FIRST COMMUNION PROGRAMME
The 2023 First Communion Programme will start in January. Application forms will be available next month to be returned by Christmas.
NEW ALTAR SERVERS
If there any children who have made their First Holy Communion and would like to become an altar server, please come along to the church with your parents on Saturday 8th October at 11am.
CAKE SALE
There will be a Cake Sale after Masses on Sunday 2nd October (between 9am and 1.30pm). All funds raised will go towards Macmillan Cancer Support.
PRAYER FOR HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II RIP
ALMIGHTY GOD, YOU ARE THE AUTHOR AND SUSTAINER OF ALL HUMAN LIFE,
GRANT THAT YOUR SERVANT, ELIZABETH OUR QUEEN,
WHOM YOU GRANTED A LONG AND HAPPY REIGN AS MONARCH OF THESE LANDS, MAY BE FORGIVEN HER SINS
AND REWARDED WITH THAT ETERNAL LIFE PROMISED TO ALL THOSE BORN AGAIN IN THE WATER OF BAPTISM AND POWER OF YOUR SPIRIT.
WE ASK THIS THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN
MAY SHE REST IN PEACE.
SIGNING SCHOOL FORMS
Fr Colin will be available to sign school application forms on Wednesday 28th September between 4 and 5pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre.
RAFFLE PRIZES NOT COLLECTED
The following raffle ticket numbers are still not collected:
White Tickets 759, 712, L PALARCA, 812, 594
Yellow Tickets 1519, 504
Prizes are available after Mass in the Sacristy.
SATURDAY 17 September
10.00 am: MARIANI REBELLO RIP ANNIV
6.30 pm: JOSIE & MICHAEL GALLAGHER
DIAMOND JUBILEE
SUNDAY 18 September
9.00 am: MARTIN MUNNELLY RIP ANNIV
10.30 am: PRO POP
12.00 Noon: MARTIN MUNNELLY RIP ANNIV
MONDAY 19 September
730am: Jim MCINTYRE RIP
TUESDAY 20 September
9.00am: Jim Moore RIP anniv
WEDNESDAY 21 September
9.00am: JUDITH MOOR BIRTHDAY INTS
THURSDAY 22 September
9.00 am: Sean Patten rip
FRIDAY 23 September
9.00 am: Andrew Durcan rip
SATURDAY 24 September
10.00 am: Paul Carey spec ints
6.30 pm: Kurt Baldwin rip
SUNDAY 25 September
9.00 am: Martin Patten rip 3rd anniv
10.30 am: PRO POP
12.00 Noon: JOEY FLORES BIRTHDAY
THANKSGIVING
Comments