TAKEHOMENEEWS SUNDAY 12 OCTOBER 2025

Simple Obedient Faith and Gratitude

Our New Life in Christ is prefigured in the healing of Naaman in this Sunday’s first reading (2 Kings 5:14-17). Through an obedient faith expressed in a simple gesture of immersing himself in the River Jordan, Naaman was made whole.  Having been baptised into Christ, we are made a new creation and washed in the Holy water of baptism from the wounds of sin.

As Naaman immersed himself in the river Jordan in obedience to the Prophet Elisha, and his flesh was made clean; even so are we in Christ through the washing in the water of baptism.

Whatever our circumstances might be, there is an ever-present restorative grace offered to us in Jesus, Our Saving Grace. Hence, this Sunday’s second reading (2 Timothy 2:8-13) invites us to trustingly hold firm to our faith, especially in difficult times. 

Whatever we may be going through, I encourage us to hold firm to God in trust. Let us, like Naaman, trustingly submit to God’s faithful word spoken to us today.

Faithfully waiting, let’s be grateful for our New Life in Christ. Gratitude leads to divine wholeness.  Like the Leper in today’s Gospel, who returns to give thanks, may we always return to God in thanksgiving and thus experience a deeper divine wholeness and completion.

Happy Sunday.  Fr. Chinedu

RSPOSITORY SHOP UPDATES

New, limited stock items are now available. From 2026 calendars and diaries, to Christmas candles, cards, etc, usually open each Sunday after masses.

INTERNATIONAL  MASS THANK -YOU

Thank you to everyone who organised, helped, catered and supported to make  this a truly wonderful parish celebration.   Please send in any photographs you have to share of the event.  Email them to burntoak@rcdow.org.uk

MONTHLY CHILDREN'S MASS

Starting this month, we will be introducing a monthly ‘Children’s Mass’, which will take place at the 10:30 am Mass on the fourth Sunday of each month, except for December (when the Mass will be transferred to the 6:30 pm Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve) and July and August (when we will pause for the summer break).

The first Children’s Mass will take place on Sunday, 26^th October at 10:30 am.   Children in school years 3 to 10 inclusive are invited to support the liturgy by welcoming the congregation to Mass, singing with the choir, reading, or bringing the gifts to the altar. Those who would like to take part can sign-up by giving their name and their parent/carer’s contact details at the Repository after Mass. The deadline for registering to take part in the October Children’s Mass is 12 Noon on Sunday, 19^th October.

WORLD MISSION SUNDAY  19 October

World Mission Sunday is your chance to join with missionaries everywhere in communion and compassion to support them in spreading the Good News of God’s love for all people.  Missio Envelopes will be available at the back of the church.  Next Sunday, there will be a second collection.

CONFIRMATION APPLICATION

Confirmation application forms will be available to collect from the church from the week beginning Sunday 19^th October until the week beginning 14^th December.      Payment and baptism certificate must be enclosed with the form.

BAPTISM PREPARATION

There will be a preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised on Sunday, 2^nd   November at 4 pm in the church.

SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL (SVP) meeting

For Mill Hill & Burnt Oak is scheduled for 16th  October at 7:00 PM in the Bethany Room, Sacred Heart Mill Hill. We look forward to welcoming everyone, and new members are always welcome.

SUNDAY 30 NOVEMBER 2025 CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

There will be a variety of activities including tombola, raffle and much more.

Help raise funds for our Church and celebrate the greatest gift of all, the birth of Jesus Christ.

Donations welcomed including Prizes for a raffle, Bottles i.e. for our Bottle Tombola stall, Gift ideas i.e. gift sets, chocolates etc and Baked items (cakes, cookies etc)*** VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ***If you would like to volunteer to help before (setup from Sat 29/11 18:30), during (from 8am) or after the event, please scan the QR code to the left or contact the Parish Priest or Office with your name and availability.

***VENDOR STALLS (Limited availability)***

Vendors interested in having a stall at the event, please scan the QR code to the left or visit https://tinyurl.com/4jptecbf  for more details

ST. JAMES'S CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL.

Is hosting their Sixth Form Open Evening on Thursday, 23 October 2025 6-8 pm. They welcome visitors from Year 11 students and their parents looking for an excellent Key Stage 5 provision through their comprehensive range of academic and vocational subjects.

REGULAR EVENTS IN THE CANON SMYTH PARISH CENTRE

SATURDAY CLUB: FOR ADULTS WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES

LAST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH 2.30-4.30pm

GOOD NEIGHBOUR SCHEME Thursday LUNCH CLUB:

Cornflower Cancer Support Group

Second Tuesdays of the month 6.30-8.00pm

Disability Access & Loop System

Hall Hire enquiries Please contact the office