The Presentation of the Lord
Forty days after his birth, Jesus was taken by his parents to the Temple to be presented to the Lord, as was the Jewish custom. Offerings were made and inside the temple was Simeon, a devout man who acclaimed that in seeing Jesus, he had set his eyes on the salvation of the world. This was not just for the Jewish people but for the Gentiles as well. Simeon’s, life– long anticipation had now been achieved. He said that Jesus would be a light to pagans and Israelites alike. Hence this feast day, 40 days after Christmas, has become Candlemas Day. To celebrate this, there will be extra candles at the altar and at the 6.30PM Saturday Mass, candles will be held and blessed at the start of Mass.
Blessing of Throats
On Monday we celebrate the commemoration of St Blaise, Bishop and Martyr. The blessing of throats will take place at the end of the 7.30AM Mass.
First Communion Programme
First Communion Children have a session today at 9.15 in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre and next Sunday take part in a Celebration Mass.
Confirmation Programme
The first session for confirmation candidates takes place on Wednesday at 7PM in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre.
Baptism Preparation
The next sessions for parents who wish to have their baby baptised will be on Sunday 15th March at 4PM in the Dominic Room.
Year of the Word Scripture Quote
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
Our Lady of Lourdes Mass
The Annual Mass in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes takes place in Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 8th February at 2.PM. The Sacrament of the Sick will be administered during Mass. All are welcome to attend. A special invitation is extended to all who are sick or infirm, doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants and all who work in healthcare. If someone plans to attend in a wheelchair, please let Fr Colin know.
Quiz Night
The spring edition of Four:12's Family Quiz Night will be on Friday 7th February 2020 in the Canon Smyth Parish Hall. Doors open at 7pm. £8/adult & £5/child (under 16). Book your places after weekend masses or by calling 07543 705135 or email Four12.oak@gmail.com. Light refreshments will be served.
St. Roses Chapel and Prayer Garden
160, Anson Road, Cricklewood, NW2 6BH
There is Adoration and Reflection every Thursday evening from 7.00pm- 8PM. Please come and join us for the Year of the Word 2020.
On Sunday, 2nd of February, The Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, there will be a prayer service for peace at the Outdoor Crib from 3.00pm -3.45pm.
Please come and let us all pray together for peace.”
Parish Council
The Parish Council meet on Thursday at 7.45PM in the Presbytery.
Parish AGM
The Parish Annual General Meeting takes place on Sunday 23rd February at 2PM in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. As in previous years, it will be preceded by a shared lunch for which we invite you to bring along a dish and we will provide the drink. At the A.G.M. we will have an election for the new Parish Council. If you would like to nominate somebody, please let Fr Colin know by 16th February.
Family Holiday Club, February Half Term – Volunteers Needed!
On Thursday 20th February, from 11am-2pm Caritas Westminster will be running the Kilburn Family Holiday Club. The club will include lots of fun activities for families to enjoy, followed by a lunch and food to take home and cook together, all for free. Caritas launched their clubs very successfully in October 2019, serving over 400 meals. However, Caritas rely on volunteers to make the clubs happen, so to make sure they can run again in February they really need your help! If you would be able to volunteer on Thursday 20th February, between 9am-3pm at St Eugene de Mazenod Primary School (NW6 4LS) to support with kids activities, admin, or cooking the lunch please email cfc@rcdow.org.uk or call 020 7931 6077 to let us know. There will be a Volunteer Information Evening on the 13th of February at Sacred Heart Quex Road from 7pm. Please do get in touch if you would like to attend the club with your children.
Racial Justice Sunday
Next Sunday is Racial Justice Sunday and there will be a second collection for Racial Justice.
Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine
04th May 2020. £649.00 per person sharing. Price includes flight with 10kg hand luggage, all transfers, 4 nights’ in Knock House Hotel with breakfast and dinner. All excursions included. Lunches on days out. Single supplement £100.
Contact Patricia on 01268 762 278 or 07740175557 or email knockpilgrimages@gmail.com. Knock Pilgrimages is a member of the Travel Trust Association and is fully protected by ATOL T7613.
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 …28th.29th Feb & 1st March 2020
Call or text 0788 7296983 or 0797 3380443 or Email retrouvailleukinfo@gmail.com - or visit www.retrouvaille.org.uk
Beginning Experience Weekend
A healing weekend for men and women who are separated, divorced or widowed will be held from 3rd to 5th April 2020 at the Domus Mariae Centre, Chigwell, Essex. For details please contact Freda 01322-838415 or Maura 01322-551503 or email johnabrotherton@hotmail.co.uk.
GNS Trustee
The Good Neighbour Scheme for Mill Hill and Burnt Oak require a trustee to represent our church, Each church in Mill Hill and Burnt Oak has a representative and our current rep wishes to hand over the role after doing it for several years. The GNS provide services such as gardening, driving to the shops visiting the elderly, lonely and needy. They also provide a weekly lunch in Mill Hill and here in our hall. The trustee would not be required to do all these things but attend a meeting about four times a year to assess and plan, and report back any details to the parish.
Caritas Westminster
Caritas Westminster is recruiting at least one Representative for Social Outreach from each parish to help communication between the Parish and Caritas to support and grow charitable activities. They will help to display posters, flyers, speak in Masses, learn about new tools and models for social action and share best practice between parishes. If you would like to become a Caritas Representative, please first obtain consent from your Parish Priest, then contact us on
020 7931 6077 or email caritasreps@rcdow.org.uk
Prayer and Life Workshops
Would you like to learn praying in an orderly and progressive manner? How would you feel about discovering the plan the Lord has designed for YOU? Do you know God lives within you and is waiting to have a Personal Encounter with You? If any of the above appeals to you, then come and experience Prayer and Life Workshops, a New Evangelisation based purely in the Bible and the practice of fifteen Methods of Prayer, from the simplest to the depths of Contemplation. You will find yourself living a process of purification, healing the wounds of the past and liberating your soul from anxieties, fears and truly re-discovering THE JOY OF LIVING. This holy program will be imparted over 15 weekly, two hour sessions, starting on Friday 21 February 2020 in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre at 7.30PM. For more details please contact Vicky on 07939757920 or Esperanca on 07877388172.
Thank you, Sylvia
Sylvia Braglia is leaving the parish after many years. We thank her for all she has done in the parish, as Reader, Office Volunteer and Marriage Registrar and wish her every blessing in her new home.