Third Sunday of Ordinary Time (A)
Both the First Reading and Gospel echo the message of the great season of Christmas, which we have just celebrated: ‘The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light.’ At Christmas, we saw this light made visible in the infant Jesus, but now the light has aged 30 years on. And he announces to us that the kingdom is at hand. The kingdom is here, present before us. Christ is among us. What are we to do then? Are we prepared to received this light? How do we do it? Jesus puts it simply, “Repent, for the kingdom is close at hand.”
No Communion Service this Monday
Deacon Carlos will be away for a few days this week, so there will be no Communion Service this Monday. There will be Mass as usual at 7.30am.
No 10am Mass this Saturday
Fr Colin is on the interviewing panel for the Permanent Diaconate Selection Conference which takes place at Allen Hall on Saturday. This means that there will be no 10am. However, Deacon Carlos will lead a Communion Service at 10am instead. There will be no morning Confessions.
Parish A.G.M and Lunch
Our Parish Annual General Meeting takes place on Sunday 19th February at 2pm in the Parish Centre. Everyone is invited to this meeting. It will include reports on the various activities during the past year, discussion of plans for the coming year and election of the new Parish Council. If you would like to nominate somebody (or yourself) for the Parish Council, please give their name to Fr Colin by 12th February.
The meeting will be preceded by a parish shared lunch at 1pm. We invite you to bring a dish. We will provide the drink.
Everyone is invited to either or both of these events.
Cardinal’s Mass of Thanksgiving for the Sacrament of Matrimony
Westminster Cathedral, Saturday 3rd June 2017 at 3pm
The Cardinal will be inviting to this Mass all couples in the Diocese who are celebrating their 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th, and 60th (and every year over 60) wedding anniversary of Catholic marriage in 2017. If you are celebrating an anniversary, please give your parish clergy the following details: husband and wife’s names, wedding date, full postal address and email (or telephone number, if no email).
2017 Weddings
If you are planning to get married this year and have not done so already, please get in touch with Fr Colin at least six months before the date of the wedding.
Confirmation Parents
The parents of those who have applied to receive Confirmation in May are asked please to attend a meeting on Wednesday at 7.45pm in the Parish Centre. The first session for candidates will be on the following Wednesday, 1st February, at 7pm.
Meeting Mercy
The Lenten resource for prayer and discussion this Lent is entitled ‘Meeting Mercy’. It will take us deeper into the Sunday Gospels of the 5 weeks of Lent, and the resource was the Holy Father’s Apostolic Letter at the end of the Holy Year of Mercy to help us read with fresh eyes.
This time rather than having booklets as we have in the past, we will be provided with six A4 leaflets made up of one introductory leaflet and five group reflection sessions. We will use these in our homily spot during the Tuesday Novena. The material should be available in mid-February.
There will be an introductory meeting for group leaders and anyone interested on Tuesday 21st February at Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street, behind Westminster Cathedral to sample the resource material and to learn from others.
Baptism Preparation
Parents who have babies they wish to be baptised are asked to attend a preparation session this afternoon (Sunday) at 4pm in the Dominic Room in the Parish Centre.
First Communion Programme
The children who are receiving First Communion are taking part in a Celebration Mass today (Sunday) at 10.30am.
Mass of Anointing the Sick
On Saturday 11th February at 2pm in Westminster Cathedral, there will be the Annual Mass in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes during which the Sacrament of the Sick will be administered. Everyone is invited but if you are attending in a wheelchair, please let Fr Colin know your name and the name of the person who is accompanying you so that adequate space can be provided.
Altar Servers Meeting
There will be a meeting for all altar servers this Saturday at 11am in the Church. Altar servers are asked please to bring their albs with them so sizes can be worked out. Anyone who would like to become an altar server is also invited along to this meeting. Also, for those who have ceased to be altar servers and still have their albs, they are asked please to return their albs. Thank you.
St Rose’s Chapel & Prayer Garden
The weekly Thursday evening of Adoration and Prayer from 7pm to 8pm will continue until Holy Week. The address is: 160 Anson Rd, Cricklewood, NW2 3AU. The chapel and prayer garden are open every day from 8am to 7.30pm. The outdoor crib will be open until 2nd of February for visiting and prayer. All welcome.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee meets on Thursday at 7.30pm in the Dominic Room.
Christian Unity Week
Christian Unity Week continues until this Wednesday, the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul. You may like to use this prayer:
Tender-hearted God. Your Son Jesus prayed that we may be one.
As we journey together in openness and truth,
May we draw closer to each other.
May our love embrace people of all faiths.
Send your Spirit to empower us to promote dignity and compassion
In societies, nations and world.
God of life, lead us to justice and peace. Amen.
WATCH THIS SPACE - J.D.S
A man was walking through the woods, when he came across a lamp. Hoping that there might be a genie inside the lamp, he picked it up and rubbed it, and sure enough out popped a genie who immediately granted him three wishes. “For my first wish,” said the man, “I’d like £5 million.” And POOF! 5 million pounds appeared. “For my second wish,” said the man, “I’d like a new Ferrari.” And POOF!, a gleaming Ferrari appeared. “And for your third wish” inquired the genie? The man thought for a moment. “Well, I’ve got the money and the car, so I guess I’d like to be irresistible to women.” And POOF! He was turned into a box of chocolates.