5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
The theme of light has been prominent over the last few weeks. At Our Lord’s Presentation in the Temple, Simeon remarked that Jesus would be a light to the nations, to Jew and Gentile alike. Before that, Jesus had been proclaimed as a light in the darkness through the prophet Isaiah. Today Jesus tells his disciples that they too are a light for the world. That of course means us as well. Our light must shine out through our good works so that others may in turn praise the Father in heaven.
Racial Justice Sunday
Today, the Catholic Church in England and Wales will celebrate Racial Justice- The theme is: “You are at the Heart of the Church” it will celebrate the contribution Travelling Communities make to the church in England and Wales. It is an opportunity for all Catholics to pray for, reflect on and respond to racial justice matters within the church and wider society. Racial Justice Sunday should encourage proactive discussions on overt and covert forms of racism experienced by fellow Catholics from the travelling communities. To support the church in its work with Travellers, a second collection will be taken this weekend. Your contributions, however great or small will help to make a difference. Leaflets about this are available at the back of the church.
Prayer and Life Workshops
We will welcome VICKEY VENEGAS next weekend who will speak about these workshops at the end of Masses.
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 on 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.
There’s lots going on
Nearly every day I receive a poster about some event happening around the diocese. At the moment, there are plenty of talks, courses, pilgrimages and celebrations being arranged, many relating to the Year of the Word. So do have a look at the posters at the back of the church and in the entrance to the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. There may be something that would suit you.
First Communion Programme
First Communion candidates will be taking part in a Celebration Mass at 10.30 this morning.
Confirmation Programme
There will be a session for confirmation candidates on Wednesday at 7PM in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. Next Sunday the candidates will be enrolled into the programme during the 12 Noon Mass.
Parish Annual General Meeting
The Parish Annual General Meeting takes place on Sunday 23rd February at 2PM in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. As previous years, it will follow a shared lunch which will start soon after 1PM. For this we invite you to bring a long a dish of food and we will provide the drink, Everyone is welcome to either or both of these events.
At the A.G.M, we will review what has happened during the past year, plan ahead for this year and elect a new Parish Council. If you would like to nominate somebody for the Parish Council, please give their name to Fr. Colin by 16th February. This occasion will be an opportunity to have a little parish celebration before Lent starts on 26th February.
Flower Arrangers
We thank those who arrange the flowers in the church, we need more flower arrangers. If you would like to help, please speak to Fr. Colin or Emilia. Normally the flowers are prepared on Saturday mornings.
Baptism Preparation
The next session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised will be on Sunday 15th March at 4PM in the Dominic Room.
Vinney Packs
. "The SVP are distributing 11,500 Vinnie Packs containing cold weather essentials to the homeless this winter. Please could you consider sponsoring packs at a suggested donation of £3.50 per pack? Donations can be sent to Vinnie Packs, PO Box 72264, London SW1P 9EZ with cheques made out to SVP or by bank transfer to Nat West sort code 60-60-04, account no. 4608 8237.
Thank you so much for your support."
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.
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.
Thanksgiving for Matrimony
The Cardinal invites couples who are celebrating this year their 5th, 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th 60th (and every year over 60) wedding anniversary of Catholic marriage to a Mass of thanksgiving in Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 30th May at 3PM. If you are celebrating such an anniversary in 2020 please give Fr. Colin the following details: husband and wife’s names, wedding date, full postal address and email or telephone number.
Catholic Leadership Retreat
Join us at the SPEC Retreat Centre on Saturday 7th March 2020 as we explore what it means to be a young Catholic Leader. With guest speakers including Dame Mary Richardson,
Brendan Thompson of Catholic voices and others. Please see the poster for more details.
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.
Thinking about Separation or Divorce
– Is your marriage or that of a relative or friend heading for divorce? Do you know how to save that marriage? Or do you feel helpless? Retrouvaille (pronounced retro-vi with a long i) is designed to help troubled marriages regain their health. It helps spouses uncover or re-awaken the love, trust and commitment that originally brought them together. The programme is highly successful in saving hurting marriages, even bringing reconciliation to couples that have already separated or divorced. 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 0797 3380443 or Email retrouvailleukinfo@gmail.com or visit www.retrouvaille.org.uk
Year of the Word Scripture Quotes
Then Jesus said, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. Matthew 10:32
Pastoral Letter
Cardinal Vincent Nichols has written a Pastoral Letter to be read next Sunday. Much of it relates to dedicating this country to Mary on 29th March.