Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
Choosing God Every Moment
In today’s first reading, at the feast of the renewal of the covenant in Shechem, Joshua reminded the people of God’s goodness. Then he said to them, “Choose ‘today’ whom you wish to serve. As for me and my household, we shall serve the Lord”. Joshua wanted their choice to be a response to God’s goodness to them.
However, our commitment to God can be very challenging. It requires patience and humility, especially when human reason fails and faith summons us.
In this Sunday’s Gospel from John 6, Jesus taught the people about the Bread of Life. They got offended and started walking away. With faith, humility and patient openness, each was then left to make a choice, to stay or walk away. Thus, Jesus asked the twelve, “Are you also going away with them?” Simon Peter, responded, “Lord who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life….”.
We too are invited to choose God at every moment. Yes, we often fail in this commitment to our relationship with God. But the Lord sees our sincere efforts and supports us through the Holy Spirit which gives life even when the flesh fails. We therefore pray that the Holy Spirit may help us to constantly choose God every moment and in every area of our lives.
You can access Fr Chinedu's full audio reflection on Purifying Word or Spotify
Happy Sunday
Fr Chinedu
BAPTISM PREPARATION
There will be a preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised on Sunday 1st September, at 4pm in the church.
LAST FRIDAY OF PRAYER AND ADORATION
There will be an evening of prayer and adoration on Friday 30th August 6-8 pm. There will be Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and Intercessory Prayers for various intentions. All are welcome.
DIOCESAN RETREAT FOR CATECHISTS
There will be a retreat for catechists on Saturday 19th October, 10 am to 3:30 pm in Welwyn Garden City. Location TBC. Tea and coffee are provided. Please, bring with you a packed lunch. Suggested donation: £10. To register email: catadmin@rcdow.org.uk . Include the name of your parish.
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.
Those who would like to become altar servers are invited to attend two training sessions – the first on Monday 23rd September at 5.30pm and the second on Saturday 28th September at 11.30am. Both sessions will take place in the church and will last approximately one hour. Prospective servers must attend both sessions and those under the age of 16 must be accompanied to the first session by a parent/carer.
ALB AMNESTY!
If there are any albs or cinctures hiding in the homes of former altar servers, could they please be returned to the parish so they can be given to current and/or new servers. Thank you.
SYNODAL CONVERSIONFOR THE SAKE OF MISSION
A multi-parish day of reflection, discernment, and action to prepare for the October 2024 Synod Assembly in Rome.
SATURDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2024, 10.00 for 10.30 - 16.00 London Jesuit Centre, 114 Mount Street W1K 3AH
Tea / Coffee etc available … Bring-&-Share Lunch.
REGISTRATION - before 12 September: FarmStreetOffice@rcdow.org.uk
AND/OR FURTHER DETAILS 020 8986 0807
READERS,EUCHARISTIC MNISTERS & COUNTERS
The Diocese has asked for the above people to complete the Rota Consent Form. They can be found on the table in the porch. Please complete and return in the brown envelope marked Susan Office and give it to one of the priests.
RECENTLY DECEASED
Please remember in your prayers BERNADETTE SULLIVAN Her funeral Mass will take place here on 13 September at 11.30am. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace.
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 one of the priests.
FOUR:12 QUIZ NIGHT HAS RETURNED
You are invited to enjoy an evening of fun trivia. Friday 11 October 2024, doors open 7pm. Entry is only £10/adult and £5/child (under 16). Admission includes fish and chips. Sign up today by visiting four12.co.uk/quiz
TREASURE OF THE HEART
You are cordially invited to the official launching of ‘Treasure of the Heart: The Ultimate Drive to Living the Faith’ by Fr Chinedu Enuh.
Launch Date: 31st August 2024
Time: 1 pm -6 pm and 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Venue: Canon Smyth Parish Centre ,
Annunciation Church
4 Thirleby Road,
Burnt Oak,
HA8 0HQ All are welcome.
If you wish to listen to Fr Chinedu's song please click here
FOODBANK FOR THE COMMUNITY CLOSED UNTIL SEPTEMBER
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