TAKEHOMENEWS SUNDAY 6 APRIL 2025

6 April  Fifth Sunday of Lent Year C 2025

God’s Mercy and the Call to Holiness

In today’s Gospel, the Scribes and Pharisees bring before Jesus a      woman allegedly caught in adultery, demanding her condemnation to trap him. Yet, in their zeal to condemn, they overlook a fundamental truth about God’s justice: ‘God is merciful and slow to anger.’

Jesus responds, “Let the one without sin be the first to throw a stone.” Confronted with their flaws, the reality of their sinfulness, they walked away. Jesus does not condemn the woman (Jn 3:16) but calls her to transformation as he calls each of us today: “Go and sin no more.” God’s constant forgiveness does not endorse sin, but calls us to a new life that forgets the past and looks to the future with unfailing hope.

Therefore, God tells his people in today’s first reading, “Forget the things of old… I am doing a new thing.” God’s mercy is not just about forgiving the past. It is principally about leading us to what St. Paul calls in today’s second reading, “The surpassing worth of Knowing Christ  Jesus my Lord; an experience that makes the crosses of our faith life-giving.

As we prepare for Easter, may we not focus on our past failings, but embrace God’s mercy and the blessed hope set before us, extending it to others, and walking in the freedom of God’s love.

Happy Sunday  Fr. Chinedu

CARDINAL’S PASTORAL LETTER

A copy of the Cardinal’s pastoral letter is at the back for you to take home.

NEW OFFERTORY ENVELOPES

New Offertory envelopes are still available for collection after Masses today.  Please, speak to the stewards or ask at the presbytery lobby for your box of envelopes you can start using them now.

Please pick up a Parish Gift Aid Form/Standing Order Form from the back of the church if you would like to pay by standing order.

LENTEN REFLECTION AND STATIONS OF THE CROSS

During this Lenten season, there will be a Lenten Journey Reflection on Fridays, followed by the Stations of the Cross. The time is 7pm.

RCIA SCRUTINIES

Eric’s Third scrutiny will be today  at  the 10:30AM Mass.  Please, keep him and his family in your prayers as he  continues in his  preparation for the reception  of the sacrament at  the Easter Vigil. 

HOLY WEEK ARRANGEMENTS

Please take a card giving the times of services for Holy Week and Easter.

Parish Reconciliation (Penitential) Service: Wednesday, 9th April. Time: 7 pm

Please note that confessions will be heard after Masses on Monday to Wednesday, and between 10.30 and 11.30am on Maundy Thursday and Holy Saturday.

Please note that there is no 6.30pm Mass on Holy Saturday, 19th April.  The Easter Vigil starts at 8.30pm.

RECENTLY DECEASED

CHARLES ONUMA, his funeral mass service will be on  Friday 11 April at 2.30pm may his soul and the souls of all the departed rest in peace.

 BAPTISM PREPARATION

There will be a preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised, today 6th April at 4pm in the church.

2025 WEDDINGS

If you are planning to get married this year please get in touch with  one of the priests here, at least 6 months before the date of the wedding.

CARDINAL'S LENTEN APPEAL 2025

This Holy Year invites us to be ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. We invite you to     consider supporting work being done in the Diocese of Westminster to bring hope into many lives.

SACRED HEART LANGUAGE COLLEGE TEACHER OF R.E.

Application is by completion of Catholic Education Service documents which are available from the TES or from our websites: www.tshlc.harrow.sch.uk or www.blessedholyfamily.co.uk