6th Sunday of Ordinary Time (A)
Jesus continues his teaching to the disciples, elaborating on the commandments. He explains that he has not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to complete them. It is not good enough just to abide by the Law, but to get to the deep root of what it means. For example, the commandment not to kill means that we should treat our neighbour with respect, even if we disagree with him. In essence, it is love that is at the root of all the commandments and Jesus would later teach the disciples more about the commandment to love.
7th Sunday of Ordinary Time (A) 19th February
Jesus tells his disciples that they should love their enemies and pray for them. This may have come as a surprise to the disciples because the practice had been to retaliate when attacked. ‘An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth’ had been the order of the day. Jesus indicates that following his teaching is the way to the heavenly kingdom; To be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Racial Justice Day
12th February is Racial Justice Day and there will be a second collection. The Catholic Association for Racial Justice works with people of diverse backgrounds in Church and society to create a more just, more equal, more co-operative community. This is done through education, advocacy and facilitating mutual support among schools, families, and young people in marginalised communities;
Gypsies, Roma and Traveller communities; those working in poor urban communities; those suffering discrimination based on race, caste, religion and social class.
Pastoral Letter
Cardinal Vincent Nichols has written a Pastoral Letter to be read on the weekend of 25th/26 February.
Mass for Regina King
There will be a Memorial Mass for Regina King at 2pm on Thursday 16th February. Regina worked at Edgware Community Hospital and died in Africa last year.
Evangelisation Team
There will be a meeting of the Evangelisation Team on Thursday 23rd February at 7.30pm. Anyone is invited to this short meeting to plan the International Mass and Burnt Oak Parade and share ideas on how we proceed with evangelisation in the Parish.
Lately Dead
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Eileen Moxham, formerly of Crispin Rd, whose funeral Mass will be at 11am on Wednesday 8th March. Her body will be brought to the church at 6pm on Tuesday 7th March.
Please also pray for Victoria Martin and Rosemary Dawson of Appletree Court, whose funerals have already taken place.
Looking Forward to Lent
Lent starts on 1st March, Ash Wednesday, when Masses will be at 9am and 7.30pm in the Church. There will also be a Mass in the Annunciation Junior School at 2pm.
The Lenten resource for prayer and discussion this Lent is entitled ‘Meeting Mercy’. It will take us deeper into the Sunday Gospels of the five 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. There will be a meeting for group leaders and anyone else interested on Tuesday 21st February from 7 to 8.30pm at Vaughan House, 46 Francis St, behind Westminster Cathedral to sample the resource material and to learn from others.
Stations of the Cross takes place at 7pm on Fridays in Lent. On 3rd, 17th and 31st March it will be here at the Annunciation. On 10th and 24th March and 7th April, it will be at St Alphage, Montrose Ave.
Rite of Signing
At the 12 Noon Mass on Sunday 26th February, the adults who are to be baptised at Easter will be taking part in the Rite of Signing, together with those who are to receive the other Sacraments at Easter. On Saturday 4th March, they will go to Westminster Cathedral for the Rite of Election at 3pm. Please pray for them as they journey towards the Sacraments.
Parish A.G.M and Lunch
On Sunday 19th February we will be having a shared lunch in the Parish Centre after the 12 Noon Mass, at about 1pm. We invite you to bring along a dish of food. We will provide the drink.
Then at 2pm we have our Parish Annual General 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 this Sunday, 12th February.Everyone is invited to either or both of these events.
Confirmation Programme
This Sunday, 12th February, at the 12 noon Mass, the Confirmation candidates will be enrolled into the programme. Their parents should be present as well.
The next session for the candidates is on Wednesday 22nd February at 7pm, and then on Saturday 25th February, they will have a Retreat in the Parish Centre.
First Communion Programme
The First Communion children will take part in a Celebration Mass on Sunday 12th February at 10.30am.
Baptism Preparation
There will be a preparation session for parents who would like their baby to be baptised on Sunday 12th March at 4pm in the Dominic Room in the Parish Centre. Application forms are available in the sacristy.
The Good Neighbour Scheme For MILL HILL & BURNT OAK
FILM AFTERNOON
Wednesday 22nd February 2017. Doors open 2pm,
Film ‘Strictly Ballroom’ commences 2.15pm
Trinity Church Mill Hill Broadway. Light refreshments served, Donations welcome.
Four:12 Quiz Night
The Early Spring edition of Four:12's Family Quiz Night will be on Friday 24th of February 2017 in the Parish Hall. Doors open at 7pm. £6/adult & £3/child (under 16). Book your places by speaking to Arinze or Kenneth orby emailing Four12.oak@gmail.com. Refreshments (fish & chips) will be served.
Takehomenews
This newsletter cover two weeks. The next newsletter will be on 26th February.
The Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions for the month of February
Pope’s Prayer Intention: COMFORT FOR THE AFFLICTED: That all those who are afflicted, especially the poor, refugees, and marginalized, may find welcome and comfort in our communities.
Urgent Intention: SACREDNESS OF LIFE: We pray for the children who are in danger of the interruption of pregnancy, as well as for persons who are at the end of life - every life is sacred! - so that no one is left alone and that love may defend the meaning of life.
WATCH THIS SPACE - J.D.S
An elderly snake went to the doctor and told him “Doc, my eyesight is so bad I can’t see to hunt any more. I think I need a pair of glasses.” So the doctor fixed the snake up with a pair of glasses and told him to come back if he still couldn’t manage. A week later the snake went back to the doctor. “I’m depressed,” he complained. “Why, what’s the problem?” asked the doctor, “Haven’t the glasses helped?” “The glasses are fine,” sighed the snake. “But I’ve discovered that I’ve been living with a garden hose for the past three years.