THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST (CORPUS CHRISTI) (A)
Jesus’ teaching on the Eucharist is presented to us in Chapter 6 of St John’s Gospel. It starts with the account of the miracle of the feeding of the multitudes. In today’s extract from this chapter, Jesus is stressing that the Eucharist is the means to life, eternal life. Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever. Yesterday, over 40 of our children received Holy Communion for the first time. This was a great day for them and their families. Each time we receive Holy Communion we are making a step towards the eternal life that Christ has prepared for us. Today’s Feast provides us with another opportunity to thank God for the great gift of the Eucharist. Today’s Feast is called Corpus et Sanguis Christi, the Body and Blood of Christ. Blood is the life—giver. Remember when we receive the host at Holy Communion, we receive Christ in his fullness—Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.
Recommissioning of Eucharistic Ministers
This will take place after the homily at Masses today. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are asked to come forward to renew their commitment. We thank them for this important ministry in the parish.
PARISH COUNCIL
The Parish Council meet on Thursday at 7.30pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre.
SUMMER FAYRE
Our Summer Fayre takes place on Saturday 15th July. Between 12 noon and 3pm. There will be Games, Tombola, Toys, Cakes, Plants, Bric-a-Brac, Face Painting and several other stalls.
There will be plenty of food and drink available.
We are looking for volunteers to assist at the stalls, and also helpers to set things up on Friday evening. If you are able to help in any way, please speak to one of the priests.
Donations of toys, bric a brac, drinks, baked cakes, plants etc. can be brought to the Parish Centre during Office Hours or brought to the Presbytery. Thank you.
A DAY FOR LIFE
Next Sunday is a Day for Life. The theme this year is ‘Listen to Her’ and focuses on post-abortion trauma and the impact of abortion primarily on women, men and others.
The 2023 Day for Life is unique in that the bishops have given it over to a Catholic woman who has had an abortion to share her experiences. Often the voices of women who have had an abortion are silent in the church and in society. The hope is that it will break this silence and offer further opportunities for healing and reconciliation.
Rachel’s Vineyard is a healing ministry for those who are suffering from the trauma of abortion or have been closely connected to somone who is. Rachel’s Vineyard recognises that abortion impacts the wider family and community. The organisation also supports those that have worked in the abortion industry and struggle with the part they have played in abortion decisions.
A PRAYER FOR LIFE
O Mary bright dawn of the new world, Mother of the living, to you do we entrust the cause of life. Look down, O Mother, upon the vast numbers of babies not allowed to be born, of the poor whose lives are made difficult, of men and women who are victims of brutal violence, of the elderly and the sick killed by indifference or out of misguided mercy. Grant that all who believe in your Son may proclaim the Gospel of life with honesty and love to the people of our time. Obtain for them the grace to accept that Gospel as a gift ever new, the joy of celebrating it with gratitude throughout their lives and the courage to bear witness to it resolutely, in order to build, together with all people of good will, the civilization of truth and love, to the praise and glory of God, the Creator and lover of life. AMEN.
The Universe Catholic Weekly
Since COVID a digital version of the Catholic newspaper, the Universe has been produced instead of a hard copy. But now they have resumed producing the hard print copies and a sample of this can be found on the table in the porch. Please have a look at this and see whether you would like to receive a regular copy of the Universe. Please let us know. We would need to receive at least five people interested for us to go ahead with this venture.
WESTMINSTER DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES
This takes place from 21st to 28th July. Please see the Tangney Tours poster in the church for details and ask one of the priests for an application form if you are interested in going.
St Edward the Confessor Lourdes Pilgrimage
24th – 29th July We have just 2 places left for 2 people sharing a room on our trip to Lourdes. 5 nights full board. 4 star hotel. Fly BA to Toulouse. £750 per person sharing. Insurance is extra. Please contact the parish office at Golders Green 0208 455 1300 or email goldersgreen@rcdow.org.uk
BARNET If you enjoy helping people and making a difference in your local area, we would love to hear from you. We have a variety of volunteer roles available including front of house, early years and community activities. Hours can be agreed to suit weekly or ad-hoc availability. For more information, please email mill.hill.library@barnet.gov.uk or visit us during our opening hours.
St Michael's Catholic Grammar School - Open Evening for Secondary Transfer - Monday 26 June 2023
Parents and girls who are interested in taking the entrance tests for St Michael's Catholic Grammar School are invited to visit the school for a guided tour on Monday 26 June between 5pm and 7pm. Headteacher talks will be held at 5pm, 6pm and 7pm in The Chapel.
We have 128 places in each year and are historically heavily oversubscribed with girls who meet the criteria of Catholic girls from a Practising Catholic family who have made their First Holy Communion in the Catholic Church. Priority for up to 32 places is given to girls who are registered as Pupil Premium with their primary school. Full details of the Admissions Policy can be found on the School's website https://www.st-michaels.barnet.sch.uk/home/admissions/.
The online application to apply to sit the entrance tests for entry in September 2024 is now available https://www.st-michaels.barnet.sch.uk/home/admissions/admissions-2024-25/. The deadline for applications to be completed and Certificate of Catholic Practice provided to the School is 4pm on Tuesday 4th July 2023.
Foodbank for the community
Items for the Foodbank can be left in the box in the church porch. Many thanks for your generosity.
Director of Education at St Mary’s, East Finchley
Do you have experience working in Christian education and youth work? Would you like to make a real difference, using your skills to support a parish community?
St Mary’s Director of Education post is a pivotal one within the parish. You will work closely alongside the parish priest, to manage, develop, support and co-ordinate catechetical and sacramental programmes to facilitate growth in the spiritual and catechetical life of the parish. This is a paid part-time post of 15 hours a week. If you think you could be the next Director of Education at St Mary’s, please visit: https://jobs.rcdow.org.uk/director-of-education-youth-work-east-finchley-parish/, where you will be able to apply directly. Also – have a chat with Fr Peter Scott, the PP on 0208 883 4234.
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