Fourth Sunday of Easter
Today is Good Shepherd Sunday. It is the day when we focus on Christ’s role as a shepherd, guiding his people in the right direction, protecting them from danger and rescuing those who have gone astray. We are comforted in the knowledge that as one of his sheep, Christ knows each of us. He knows our ways, our abilities and our failings. We are embraced in God’s love. In turn, we are called on to imitate Christ in his role as a Good Shepherd, caring for one another, being a good example and encouraging back those who have fallen by the wayside. In particular this weekend we pray for priests who have the role of shepherding God’s people. We pray that more may hear the call to the priesthood.
Priest Training Fund
Today is Good Shepherd Sunday, the day we pray for priests and for vocations to the priesthood. Today’s second collection will support the Priest Training Fund. This fund pays for the priestly formation of men for the Catholic priesthood. There are currently 45 men studying at Allen Hall seminary, 28 of whom are for our own Diocese, and last year eight men ordained to the priesthood to serve as our future priests. The fund also supports the ongoing enrichment and formation of our ordained priests. Your gift ensures we can provide training for these men responding to Christ’s call to dedicate their lives to serve God’s people. Please be as generous as you can. Please also pray for vocations and for all our priests. If you do not have a donation leaflet, plenty are still available at the back of the church. You can donate online anytime at www.rcdow.org.uk/donations
A Witness of Life in the Shadow of Death
Between 18th and 26th April a novena of prayer is taking place outside the Abortion Centre at 108 Whitfield St, W1T 5BE. During these nine days, priests and religious are leading prayers and we are asked to come along as witnesses to the sanctity of human life. Fr Colin will be leading the prayers between 2 and 4pm on Tuesday. The nearest Underground Station is Warren Street.
First Communion Programme
The First Communion children will be taking part in a Celebration Mass at 10.30 today (Sunday).
The First Communions take place on Sundays 6th, 13th and 20th May at the 10.30 Mass. These Masses will be very crowded, so regular attenders may prefer to attend other Masses on those weekends.
Confirmation Programme
There will be a session for the confirmation candidates this Wednesday at 7pm. There will be a meeting for their parents on Wednesday 2nd May at 7.30pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee meet on Thursday at 7.30pm in the Dominic Room.
Thanks for the Help
Maria Mroz would like to thank those who helped her when she fell in the street the other day.
Lenten Alms
£723.43 was raised for the Cardinal’s Appeal by the parish. Thank you to all those who contributed.
Baptism Preparation
The next session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised will be on Sunday 6th May at 4pm in the Dominic Room. Application forms can be collected from the sacristy.
Extra Mass on Thursday
There will be a Mass on Thursday at 6pm. It is a Memorial Mass for Angela Mukendi.
May Procession
The May Procession takes place on Saturday 12th May following the 10am Mass. We will process from the church to Our Lady’s grotto for the Crowning of the Statue and the Rosary. We then process back to the church for Benediction. There will be refreshments.
Holy Hour
Holy Hour resumes this Wednesday at 9.30am with Benediction at 10.20am.
Priests’ Selection Conference
Fr Colin has been put on the panel for the Priests’ Selection Conference from 27th to 29th April at Allen Hall. This means that he will be absent from Burnt Oak that weekend and Mgr Harry Turner will celebrate the Masses. On Saturday 28th April, there will be a Communion Service at 10am but there will be no morning confessions.
Let it Be
‘Let it be done unto me according to your word.’ These are the words of Mary at the time of the Annunciation. CAFÉ have produced an inspiring new film on the life of Mary past and present. On Monday 14th May between 7.30 and 9pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre, there will be an opportunity to explore this new resource, with the possibility of discovering more in the following weeks. To register and for more information, please email Warren Brown at catadmin@rcdow.org.uk. Telephone contact is 0207798 9152.
WATCH THIS SPACE - J.D.S
A man bought a rug that was advertised on eBay as being “in mint condition”. When it arrived it had a big hole in the middle.
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A man was complaining to his friend” I’m sick of the police telling me how to drive when they are even worse drivers.” “How do you mean?” asked the friend. “Well, just look at how many signs you see by the side of the roads saying “Police Accident”.