7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
If everyone followed the teaching of Jesus in today’s Gospel to love our enemies, the world would be a much better place. Not to retaliate when we are attacked, to lend to people who ask, to pray for those who persecute us are all difficult things to do and yet Jesus was the one who set us a fine example in this. The normal reaction when receiving injustice or being subjected to evil is to repay in the same manner. St Francis of Assisi blesses God for those who forgive for love of him; for those who, knowing how much they have been forgiven, can be merciful to others and patient with themselves.
Lent starts on Wednesday
We start Lent on Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, which is a day of fasting and abstinence. Masses in the church will be at 9:00AM and 7:30PM. There will be a liturgy in the Infants School at 11:00AM and a Mass in the Annunciation Junior School at 2:00PM.
Material to help us on our Lenten journey is available in the porch: the Lenten Discussion booklet ‘A Word for Lent’(£2.00), ‘Walk with me’ booklets (£1.00) and ‘My Day by Day’ (£1:00). The Prayer and Life Workshop continues on Friday at 7:30PM. in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre, also on Friday we have Stations of the Cross at 7:00PM, this week taking place at St Alphage Church in Montrose Avenue.
Shared Lunch and Parish Annual General Meeting
Today (Sunday) we have a shared lunch on the last weekend before Lent. We invite you to bring along a dish of food and we will provide the drink. This should start at about 1:15pm. Than at 2:00PM. we have our Annual General Meeting, also in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. We will review what has happened in the parish during the last year, plan ahead for this year and elect a new parish council. Everybody is welcome to either or both of these events.
The Passage
Today there will be an appeal to support the work of the Passage by Andrew Hollingsworth. The Passage provides resources which encourage, inspire and challenge homeless people to transform their lives. It undertakes street outreach work including the area around the Cathedral and Victoria Station.
On Friday there is a concert in aid of the Passage at the Methodist Central Hall, Westminster at 7:00PM. This St David’s Day Concert features the London Welsh Male Voice Choir with guest soloists Claire Jones (harp) and Aled Wyn Davies (tenor) with Guto Harri (Compere). Please book online through Eventbrite stdavidsday.evenbrite.co.uk.
First Holy Communion Programme
There will be a meeting for parents of First Holy Communion children on Tuesday at 7:45PM in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. The next session for the children will be next Sunday, 1st March, at 9:15AM
Confirmation Retreat
The Confirmation candidates will be attending a retreat in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre on Saturday.
Advice Regarding Coronavirus
We have been issued with some advice regarding the current flu virus:
1. Catch it. Bin it. Kill it.
2. Do not take communion from the chalice if you have cold or flu symptoms.
3. Sanitize your hands before coming into the church.
4. Eucharistic Ministers to sanitize their hands before and after distributing Communion.
5. Wash hands before giving communion in a home.
6. As things stand, there is no need to withdraw communion from the chalice or suspend the sign of peace.
Thank You
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children have written to thank us for the recent White Flower Appeal which raised £300-27.
The Catholic Children’s Society thank us for our Crib Offerings which amounted to £644-29.
Forthcoming Funerals
Please pray for the repose of the souls of the following whose funerals are taking place here: ANNIE GALAGHER on Monday at 11:00 with her body coming in at 5PM today (Sunday): PATRICIA RYAN on Friday at 11:00 and ISABEL ELIZONDO on Tuesday 3rd March at 11:00 May they rest in peace.
Vinnie 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.
Year of the Word Scripture Quotes
‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.’ (Matthew 5:44)
‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’ (Matthew 18:3)
‘Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching.’ (Luke 22:1)
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.
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. Please submit this information by Sunday 15th March 2020.
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.
The National Novena to St Joseph
Will take place front 10th— 18th March 2020 at St Joseph’s Church in Maidenhead and at Herbert House, Freshfield, Liverpool. Each year the Mill Hill Missionaries prepare for the Feast of St Joseph, their patron, with a special Novena of Masses and prayers to ask for God’s Blessing on their Society and the missionary outreach of the Church, as well as for the intentions of all those who support their work. You are invited to send in your petitions and/or to request a Novena booklet to enable you to join in from home by praying the daily Novena prayer.
Please write to Novena Director, St Joseph’s Missionary Society, 58 Cookham Road, Maidenhead, SL6 7HTor email novenamhm@gmail.com
All EU, EEA and Swiss citizens living in the UK
Are required by the government to apply through its Settlement Scheme to continue living, working and accessing services here. The deadline for applications is 30 June 2021. Details and links to the application process can be found at: gov.uk/eusettledstatus
Please bring this to the attention of friends, family members and fellow parishioners who may need to apply. Information on assistance for those who may have difficulty applying is available at: gov.uk/help-eu-settlement-scheme
The Catholic Church in England and Wales stands in solidarity with all European citizens who have made their homes here. They are a valued part of our parishes, schools and communities.