Sixth Sunday of Easter
Over the years we have had several translations for the dismissal at Mass-”Go in the peace of Christ”, “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord”, and now “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life” and “Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.” there could be another one taken form today’s Gospel reading—”Go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last.” These were the words of Jesus when he explained the commandment to love at his Final Discourse at the Last Supper. Jesus explained to his disciples that the love he has received from the Father he was now passing on to them and they in turn should pass this love on to one another. By calling them his friends rather than his servants, Jesus was bringing them and indeed us into an intimate union with the Father.
Ascension Day
We celebrate Ascension Day on Thursday, now restored to its rightful place 40 days after Easter. This is a Holy Day of Obligation and Masses in the Church will be at 9am and 7.30pm. There will also be Mass in the Infants School next door at 11am and in the Annunciation Junior School at 2pm. At his Ascension, Jesus prior to departing to return to the Father, gives a short instruction to his disciples about what their mission is. They are to continue his work of preaching. They are to demonstrate, just as he did, the immediacy of the kingdom of God. They are then to unite all peoples to him through baptism.
Pentecost Novena
After Jesus ascended into heaven, the apostles together with Mary gathered in the Upper Room to pray as they awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit. We too await for the Holy Spirit at Pentecost on 20th May. In the 9 days leading up to Pentecost, we could use this prayer of the Holy Spirit:
Holy Spirit come into our lives.
Open our ears: To hear what you are saying to us
In the things that happen to us
In the people we meet
Open our eyes: To see the needs of the people round us.
Open our hands: To do our work well, to help when help is needed.
Open our lips: To tell others the Good News of Jesus
To bring comfort, happiness and laughter to other people.
Open our minds: To discover new truth about You and the world
Open our hearts: To love you and our fellow men and women
As you have loved us in Jesus.
To you with our Father and the Son, one God, all honour and praise shall be given now and forever. Amen.
First Communion Programme
We congratulate the children who will be receiving their First Holy Communion at the 10.30 Mass today. There will be a rehearsal for those receiving First Holy Communion next Sunday on Friday at 6pm.
Parish Council Meeting
The Parish Council meet on Thursday 17th May at 7.45pm in the presbytery.
Lately Dead
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Annabel Nnochiri. Her funeral Mass will be on Friday at 1.30pm, her body being brought to the Church at 10am.
Also please pray for Francis Ryan of Barnfield Road whose funeral Mass will be on Tuesday at 9.45am.
May Procession
Our May Procession takes place on Saturday after the 10 am Mass. We will process to Our Lady’s Grotto for the crowning of the statue and Rosary, then return to the church for Benediction. There will be refreshments in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre afterwards.
Baptism Preparation
There will be a preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised at 4pm this afternoon in the Dominic Room.
Confirmation Programme
There will be a session for the Confirmation candidates on Wednesday at 7pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre.
World Communications Day
Next Sunday we keep World Communications Day. Pope Francis speaks of journalists as the protectors of news, that their task is not just a job but a mission. He reminds us that persons are at the heart of information, that informing others means forming others. We pray for those who work in the media and also for the valuable work carried out on our behalf by the Communications Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. There will be a second collection to support this work. This includes guiding bishops in their witness and engagement with current issues, promoting the Gospel through digital, social, print and broadcast media, answering media enquiries and providing a key resource for national and international media professionals. Please take a prayer card from the back of the church.
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.
Freedom Of Expression & Freedom To Pray
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) has launched a petition calling on the Home Secretary, to oppose any moves to restrict peaceful
pro-life citizens’ freedom of expression and freedom to pray outside abortion centres. Moves are being made around Britain to prevent peaceful pro-lifers from praying outside abortion centres and offering support to women who may not want to proceed with an abortion. Vulnerable women who come under pressure to abort their babies will be denied a quiet word of support from peaceful pro-life citizens. Please support this petition. Petition forms and leaflets are available at the back of the church, or you can sign the petition online at: www.spuc.org.uk.
WATCH THIS SPACE - J.D.S
More typist errors.
Weight Watchers will meet at 7pm at the first Presbyterian Church. Please use the large double door at the side entrance……..
This evening there will be hymn sighing at the park across the road.
Please bring a blanket and be prepared to sin…...