4th Sunday of Lent
God brings people from the depths to the heights. God brought the Israelites back from exile in Babylon to their own land. God ordered the rebuilding of the temple after it had been destroyed. God raised his Son from the depths of the tomb to the glory of the resurrection. God raises us up from the depths of despair to the heights of new hope. At this mid-point in Lent, may we be filled with joy as we reflect on our Lenten activities and look forward to their fulfilment at Easter.
Planned Giving Campaign
Over the last couple of weeks you have heard about Stewardship and Planned Giving. We have asked that all parishioners prayerfully reflect on what they contribute to our parish, having taken into consideration the needs of our parish and having reflected on the message of stewardship. This weekend we ask that all parishioners complete a promise card. These cards will remain private and confidential. Please provide your full contact details and select the method of offertory giving best suited to you. If you pay UK income tax, please sign the Gift Aid declaration (in one name only) so that the parish can claim 25p back from the government for every £1 that you donate, at no extra cost to yourself. Finally, we thank you for all that you already do for our parish. Without your continued support, this wonderful, living church would not continue to be the spiritual centre it is today. If you have any questions, there shall be volunteers available after Mass. Thank you.
Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal
This weekend please take a Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal donation leaflet as you leave Mass. The Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal funds the work of Catholic parishes, schools and charities in London and Hertfordshire contributing to three fundamental mission areas of the Church: Marriage and Family Life – enriching and supporting marriages, the essential building block of society and the Church. Youth and Evangelisation – supporting young people, the future of the Church, as they grow in their relationship with God and deepen their Catholic faith. And the Church’s Social Outreach within Civil Society – putting our faith into action through projects that serve the poor, the lonely and the marginalised. Please consider making the Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal part of your Lenten Almsgiving and sacrifice for the benefit of others, and to support the Church’s dynamic efforts to increase outreach in these three focal areas of ministry. Donations and envelopes can be put in the Lenten Alms box by Our Lady’s altar. Thank you for your generosity.
Stations Of The Cross
On Friday, Stations of the Cross takes place here at the Annunciation at 7pm.
New Eucharistic Ministers
There will be a training session for those who wish to become Eucharistic Ministers on Saturday between 11am and 3pm. Please bring a packed lunch. We start in the Dominic Room in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. They will be commissioned during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 8pm on Maundy Thursday, 29th March.
On this occasion current Eucharistic Ministers will be re-commissioned for a further year. If you cannot be present, please see Fr Colin for a private re-commissioning.
Feast Of The Annunciation
AS 25th March falls on Palm Sunday this year, our Parish Feast Day has been transferred to Monday 9th April, when Masses will be at 7.30am and 7.30pm. There will be a reception in the Parish Centre after 7.30pm Mass, to which you are invited to bring along a dish of food.
New Offertory Envelopes
These will be available next weekend for those who are currently using envelopes and those who have requested envelopes on the form you are filling out today. However, if you are going to pay by Standing Order, you are not expected to put in anything when the collection box comes around, either envelope or cash.
Holy Week Arrangements
Please take a card giving arrangements for Holy Week. Please note that the clocks will be going forward one hour the night before Palm Sunday. The Reconciliation Service with several priests available for confession will be on the Monday of Holy Week, 26th March, at 7.30pm.
Children are invited to take part in the Children’s Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, either acting or reading. Those who wish to take part are asked please to gather in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre next Sunday, 18th March, after the 10.30am Mass.
Baptism Preparation
Next Sunday there will be a preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised at 4pm in the Dominic Room. Application forms can be collected from the sacristy.
First Communion Programme
The children have a session today at 9.15am in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre and next Sunday they will take part in a Celebration Mass at 10.30am.
Altar Servers Rehearsals
Saturday 24th March 11am
(for Holy Week)
Wednesday 28th March 4.30pm
(for Maundy Thursday)
Friday 30th March 12.15pm
(For Good Friday)
Saturday 31st March 11am
(For Easter Vigil)
Cardinal’s Mass of Thanksgiving for the Sacrament of Matrimony
The Cardinal will be inviting to Westminster Cathedral, Saturday 19th May at 3pm, all couples in the Diocese who are celebrating their 5th 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th (and every year over 60) wedding anniversary of Catholic marriage in 2018. 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). Closing date is Sunday 18th March. Thank you and congratulations to those who have already done this.
We Adore You O Christ
Copies of the Lenten discussion booklet “We Adore You O Christ and We Praise You” are available in the porch price £2. they can be used individually or you can join one of the discussion groups:
Sheelagh Benson 0208 952 0016
Vince Randall 0208 952 6994
A Day With The Lord
We will be having a Day of Exposition this Friday between 9.30am and 6.30pm when there will be Benediction. Stations of the Cross will follow at 7pm. Thank you to those who have signed up for watching. You may like to use the Adoremus booklet ‘We Adore You O Christ’ while praying before the Blessed Sacrament.
Parish Council Meeting
The new Parish Council meet on Thursday at 7.45pm in the presbytery.