6th Sunday of Easter (Year C)
We continue hearing Jesus’ Final Discourse to his disciple in today’s Gospel. In indicating that he will soon be leaving them, he promises that the Holy Spirit will come to them. They will not be abandoned. The Holy Spirit will be their Advocate, defending them, guiding them and showering them with God’s gifts. In leaving them, Jesus gives the disciples a peace that the world cannot give, and told them not to be troubled or worried. We can apply this message to the disciples for ourselves. We have received God’s peace and the Holy Spirit continues to guide us, protect us and shower us with blessings.
The Ascension of the Lord (Thursday 30th May)
On Thursday we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord, a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses will be at 9am and 7.30pm. On this day, we celebrate the fact that Jesus had completed his mission on earth and returns to his Father in Heaven. He has not abandoned us but is our hope for salvation. Jesus has claimed for us a share in his divine life. Where he has gone, we hope to follow.
Novena of the Holy Spirit
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 9th June. In the 9 days leading up to Pentecost, starting on Friday, we could say 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.
World Communications Day
Next Sunday is World Communications Day and there will be a second collection for the Catholic Communications Network. We pray for those who work in the media and also for the success of the work carried out on our behalf by the Communications Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.
First Communion Thanksgiving Mass
There will be and extra Mass at 3pm this afternoon (Sunday). It will be a Thanksgiving Mass for all the children who have received First Holy Communion over the last 3 weeks. The certificates will be presented at the Mass which will be followed by a party in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. The children are invited to come in their First Communion clothes.
St. Columba’s College,
the independent Catholic Boys’ Day school in St Albans, will be holding an open evening in the Prep School from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on Wednesday 12th June 2019. There is also an open day in the Senior School on Friday 14th June 2019 and parents are invited to book a tour at either 11.25am or 2.05pm. Parents are very welcome to bring their sons along with them. For more information, please see St Columba's College website www.stcolumbascollege.org or contact the Admissions Registrar, Mrs Hilary Causer:
admissions@stcolumbascollege.org
Baptism Preparation
The next session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised will be on Sunday 7th July at 4pm in the Dominic Room. Application forms can be collected from the sacristy.
Confirmation Programme
There will be a rehearsal for the Confirmation candidates on the evenings of Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th June at 7pm in the church. Candidates are asked to attend both evenings. Sponsors are invited to attend if possible. Bishop John Sherrington will be here for the Confirmations on Friday 7th June at 7pm.
Meeting for Mass Readers
All those who currently read at Mass and those who would like to start reading at Mass are invited along to a meeting on Wednesday 12th June at 8pm in the church.
Meeting for Eucharistic Ministers
There will be a meeting for Eucharistic Ministers on Tuesday 25th June at 8pm in the church.
Parish Council Meeting
The Parish Council meet on Thursday 6th June at 7.45pm in the presbytery.
CAFOD Family Fast Day
Thank you for your continued and generous support for the CAFOD Family Fast Day this year, £859.23 was raised.
The Gender Agenda
Wednesday June 12th 2019
A conference of concern and interest to us ALL and of special interest to: Catholic teachers – clergy – catechists – youth workers - mission teams – representatives of Catholic groups and organisations. Please see our poster on your church notice board.
website: www.associationofcatholicwomen.org
Married Singles Lifestyle
The Married Singles Lifestyle describes couples that may have lost a sense of closeness they once had as marriage partners and are living more like roommates. Retrouvaille (pronounced retro-vi with a long i) teaches couples how to survive times like these in their marriages. This programme has helped 10s of 1000s of couples experiencing difficulty at all levels of marital distress from disillusionment to deep misery. There is no group therapy or group work
For confidential information about ‘Retrouvaille’ or to register for the programme commencing with a residential weekend on …7th - 9th June 2019
Call or text 0788 7296983 or 0797 3380443 or Email retrouvailleukinfo@gmail.com - or visit www.retrouvaille.org.uk
LOURDES Summer Retreat for Young Adults
The Assumption Sisters and Fathers invite young adults in their 20-30s for an English-speaking spiritual retreat in Lourdes, France in the summer of 2019. Dates: Sat 3rd August - Fri 9th August 2019 with talks, prayer, silence, pilgrimage, desert day and spiritual accompaniment. For more information email youth@assumptionreligious.org Cost: £300 (£220 for students/low waged) - a limited number of subsidised places are available. (Excl. travel - your flight to Lourdes) Register online: http://bit.ly/retreatlourdes
Fire Wardens
Precision, the Health and Safety Organisation adopted by our diocese, has recommended that we have Fire Wardens at each Mass. They would be responsible for ensuring that everything is safe at each Mass, that aisles are clear of pushchairs and other obstructions and that in the event of a fire or other emergency, people are able to easily evacuate the church. They will be issued with luminous armbands so everybody knows who they are. If you would like to volunteer as a Fire Warden, please speak to me and we will sort out arrangements. Thank you.
Precision have made further recommendations relating to Health and Safety around the premises and these will be implemented in due course.