15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
In the coming weeks we will be presented with parables from St Matthew’s Gospel. Today we have the parable of the seed and the sower. This parable centres around how we receive God’s Word. In reflecting on this parable, we should remember that Jesus is the Word make flesh. So on accepting the word, we are accepting Jesus. The parable refers to different ways in which the Word is not received in a wholehearted manner:- when we do not understand the significance, when we do not allow the word to take root in our lives, when we allow our worries to deafen what God is saying to us. So, we need to provide rich soil, allowing the word to grow and flourish. This means having Jesus as our constant companion through life, allowing him to speak to us through the events that happen, to speak to him in prayer and to recognise Jesus Christ in others as we hope others recognise him in us.
WELCOME TO THE VINCENTIANS
In September, we will be welcoming the Vincentians Community to our parish. Burnt Oak Parish will be paired with Mill Hill Parish. Our Parish Priest will be Fr. Eugene Curran CM, who will continue as Parish Priest of the Sacred Heart Church, Mill Hill. There will be two Vincentian Priests resident in the presbytery here.
Fr. Colin will be departing on the 29th August and Fr David on 1st September. Fr David will be away in Lourdes from 21st to 28th July and having a holiday during part of August.
Baptism Preparation
There will be a preparation session for parents who wish to have their child baptised this afternoon (Sunday) at 4pm in the church.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Finance Committee meet on Tuesday at 7.30pm in the Dominic Room.
PARISH COUNCIL
The Parish Council will meet on Wednesday at 7.45pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre.
HARROW MENCAP
There will be a second collection to support the work of Harrow Mencap next weekend.
LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR
The Little Sisters of the Poor will be here on the weekend of 29th/30th July to make an appeal for their latest project.
Petitions for Lourdes
Fr David is joining the Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes between 21st and 28th July. If you would like any petitions to be presented at the grotto, please let Fr David have them by this Wednesday.
SUMMER FAYRE
Many thanks to everyone who helped, contributed or came to yesterday's Summer Fayre which was a great parish occasion.
The 13th Annual GK Chesterton Pilgrimage
“The 13th Annual GK Chesterton Pilgrimage will take place on Saturday 29th July. Bishop David Oakley of Northampton will preach at the Mass at 2.30pm at The Bridgettine Convent, Fulmer Common Road, Iver, SL0 0NR. Please send any prayer requests to; CatholicGKCSociety@yahoo.co.uk or text them to 07795205114. Details of the many different ways in which you can be involved on the day, as well as printable GKC prayer cards can be found on our website, www.CatholicGKChestertonSociety.co.uk”
Westminster Interfaith group
Because of a graduation the Westminster Interfaith group will not meet in July. Archbishop Kevin's talk is postponed to October 18th. The next meeting will be on Sept 20th at 2 pm.
THE OFFERTORY PROCESSION
It has become our practice to invite those for whom the Mass is offered or those who have arranged the Mass to bring up the Offertory gifts. If you would like to do so, please speak to one of the stewards before the Mass.
CAFOD: update on the conflict in Sudan
Violent conflict continues in Sudan and thousands of people are running out of food, water and medicine. Working as part of the Caritas network, your previous donations to CAFOD are enabling our teams to provide practical help to families who have escaped to neighbouring countries, including South Sudan. Please join Pope Francis in praying for peace in Sudan. Find out more on the CAFOD website: cafod.org.uk/news/emergencies-news/sudan-conflict
Gift Aid
We thank all parishioners who are paying by direct debit or envelopes and have signed a Gift Aid Declaration. We ask any parishioner who is a tax payer and donating through the loose plate to please consider donating instead by direct debit or envelope.
Any parishioner who has stopped being a tax payer should inform Susan or Loretta in the office.
USED STAMPS
If you have any used stamps please can you put them in the box in the porch
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