31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
Humility is indeed the path to divine exaltation.
The context of today’s first reading is that God’s people had returned from exile after the Lord had anointed a pagan King, Cyrus to overpower Babylonians and allow them to go rebuild God’s temple. Rather than rebuild the temple and encourage true worship, the religious leaders abandoned their religious duties for personal gain. Thus, the Lord said, “You did not find it in your heart to glorify God and have become the cause of scandal to my people.” In today’s Gospel, Jesus warns the religious leaders of his time who craved honour and power rather than become instruments of salvation for those entrusted to them. Jesus invited them to walk the path of humility, and reminded them that, “Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.” Here, Jesus reminds us that, not giving God glory can be a sign of pride. However, to glorify the Lord is true humility and indeed true path to divine exaltation. O Lord help us to walk the path of humility. Amen
Happy Sunday Fr Chinedu
SICK AND RETIRED PRIESTS
Today’s second collection is for the Sick & Retired Priests’ Fund. Please give generously and help ensure our sick and older priests are financially supported, having given us a lifetime of dedicated service. They have baptised us, welcomed us into the church, and offered comfort and prayer at times of sorrow. Now we have a chance to give back and ensure they have peace of mind during their senior years, when they may be facing failing health and declining mobility. You can donate by using the envelopes in the church or online at www.rcdow.org.uk/donations - the envelopes and posters feature a ‘QR Code’ that you can scan with a phone camera to give online. Thank you in advance for your kindness.
PARISH COUNCIL
The Parish Council meet on Tuesday 7th November at 7.30pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre.
Meeting for new altar servers
We are blessed with excellent servers in our parish who give faithful service throughout the year, but we are always on the lookout for other parishioners who would like to join our ‘team’. The ministry of Altar Server is open to all who have received their First Holy Communion and demonstrate a wish to uphold the aims and objectives of the Guild of St Stephen.
Anyone who meets the requirements, and is interested in becoming an Altar Server, is asked to give their name to one of the priests or an adult server and attend an initial meeting in the church on Monday 13th November at 5.30pm. All under 16s must be accompanied to the meeting by a parent/carer.
REMEMBERANCE SUNDAY 12 November
Next Sunday is Remembrance Sunday and we will remember all those who have lost their lives at war by having a 2-minute silence during the 10.30 Mass.
BLESSING OF GRAVES
Sunday, 12thClamphill, Stanmore, Sunday, 12th Milespit Hill, Mill Hill, 2.30pm
Sunday, 12th Hendon, 2.30pm Sunday, 19th Bells Hill, 3pm.
SAYING GOODBYE REMEMBERANCE SERVICE—LONDON
26th November, 2023—3.0pm at Methodist Central Hall, Westminster, This service is for anyone who has lost a baby in pregnancy, at birth or in early years. Whether the loss was yesterday or 80 years ago. This event is also for those grieving that they have never been able to conceive. For more information sayinggoodbye.org
BAPTISM PREPARATION
There will be a preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised on Sunday 12th November at 4pm in the church.
FIRST COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2024
Application forms for parents who wish their child to receive First Holy Communion next year are available in the porch. Children should be in Year 3 or above. Please return the form to the presbytery by 3rd December 2023. Sessions for parents will start in January 2024.
CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME 2024
Application forms for those in Year 10 or above who would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation next year are available at the back of the church. Please return the form to the presbytery by 17th December 2023. Sessions will start in January.
BEREAVEMENT MASS
The Bereavement Mass, at which we remember in particular those who have died in the last year, takes place on Saturday, 18th November at 3pm. Everyone is welcome.
ST JAMES’ SCHOOL SENIOR CITIZENS’ CHRISTMAS PARTY
On Wednesday 6 December at 4pm. If you would like to attend, please give Susan in the church office your name and telephone number by Friday 17th November, your name will be added to St James’ guest list, they will prepare your ticket which can be picked up from Susan in the church office the week before the event. Admission by ticket only.
Winter wonderland
Four:12’s annual Winter Wonderland Christmas meal will take place on Saturday 9th December at 7.15pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. Tickets for this, and for the Four:12 Christmas Raffle, will be on sale from the weekend of the 18th/19th November.
Jubilee 2025
Year of the Council 7th November Lumen Gentium: How the Church Looks at Herself 28th November Gaudium et Spes: How the Church Looks at the World Two online talks, Tuesday Evenings, 7.30-8.30pm, given by Fr Brian O’Mahony. For information please see the notice at the back of the church or, contact Anna, annadupelycz@rcdow.org.uk
CHRISTMAS LUNCH—CHURCHES TOGETHER in MILL HILL
If you or someone you know will be alone this Christmas, we would love to arrange to drop off a Christmas Day lunch and deliver some Christmas cheer. Please reply by 1st December to June Coombes, telephone 020 8959 1074.
Foodbank for the community
Non – perishable food is required for the foodbank, please leave your donations in one of the marked boxes in the church porch. Thank you.
Sharing Faith in the Diocese of Westminster in Autumn 2023.
“The Year of the Council”
This resource is our contribution to the first worldwide preparatory year for ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, the Jubilee Year 2025. Next year, 2024, has been designated as a Year of Prayer, with the ‘Our Father’ at its heart, and our resource for next Lent will take us deeper into that theme. But we begin here. Books are available in the porch £4.00 each. Please put money in box marked papers on the wall in the porch.
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