17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
We have three more parables in today’s Gospel. The first two– the treasure hidden in the fields and the pearls – remind us of the great value of God’s kingdom. It is wise to give up everything else in order to attain the kingdom of heaven. Our first reading from the first book of Kings demonstrates how wisdom is the greatest gift. King Solomon was praised by God for choosing the gift of wisdom when he was asked what he would like from the Lord. He chose wisdom rather than long life for himself, or personal riches, or power over his enemies. The third parable today is that of the dragnet. It sorts our last week’s parable of the wheat and the darnel. It is expressed in terms of good fish being separated from the bad ones, and is a vision of what judgement day will be like. Good ones are put in a basket while the bad ones are thrown into the blazing furnace.
FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION –6th AUGUST
Next weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration. The Gospel of the Transfiguration is used on the 2nd Sunday of Lent each year as an uplifting moment as we start our penitential journey towards the Resurrection. This day gives us an opportunity to put ourselves in the privileged position of the three Apostles who were there at the top of the mountain. They saw and they heard. They saw Jesus Transfigured in a bright light. They saw Moses and Elijah, representing the Law and the Prophets. They heard the voice of the Father announcing ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.’ This was an endorsement to those apostles that they had made the right choice in abandoning their fishing nets to follow Jesus. May this day be an endorsement to us on our Christian Journey.
THE ASSUMTION OF OUR LADY—TUESDAY 15th AUGUST
We celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady on Tuesday 15th August. It is a Holy Day of Obligation and Masses will be at 9am and 7.30pm.
The Gospel for this day is the account of the Visitation of Our Lady to her cousin Elizabeth during which she proclaims that great prayer which we know as the Magnificat. Mary recognised the great privilege that she had been given. From a lowly position, she had been put on high. On the Feast of the Assumption we share the joy that Mary had been assumed into heaven, a sign of hope for us on our pilgrim journey.
VISIT FROM BISHOP JOHN SHERRINGTON
Bishop John Sherrington will celebrate the 9am Mass on Sunday 6th August, the Feast of the Transfiguration.
YOUR PRIESTS
Fr David will be away from the 3rd to 29th August and leaving the Parish for Palmers Green on 1st September. Fr Colin will leave the parish on 29th August. Both Fr Colin and Fr David will return for a farewell Mass on Saturday 14th October at 2pm.
From September, Fr Eugene Curran CM will be our Parish Priest. and will continue to reside in Mill Hill Parish. The two resident priests in Burnt Oak will be Fr Chinedu Enuh CM and Fr Ufayissa Dea Madalcho CM
LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR
Today we welcome the Little Sisters of the Poor who will be making an appeal for their latest project.
MASSES ON MONDAYS
Tomorrow Monday 31st July there will be Masses at 7.30am and 12 Noon. For the Mondays in August, Mass will be at 7.30am only. From September the Monday Mass will be at 9am as on Tuesdays to Fridays.
FUNERAL OF DWIGHT HERNAEZ
The funeral of DWIGHT HERNAEZ will be on Tuesday 1st August at 11am. May he rest in peace. The funeral Mass is in addition to the 9am Mass that morning.
TAKEHOMENEWS
This is the final newsletter before taking a break in August.
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.
BAPTISM PREPARATION
There will be a preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised on Sunday 17th September at 4pm in the church.
Flower Arranging
We are very grateful to those who arrange the flowers in the church. However, we do need more flower arrangers to join the rota. No experience is required. If you would like to help, please speak to Emilia or one of the priests.
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. Hinsley Room, Morpeth Terrace, SW1 1EN For more details contact John Woodhouse woodhousesopten@btinternet.com
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. Just leave a border around them. They will go to the Royal National Institute of the Blind.
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