18th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME ( C )
In today’s Gospel, Jesus is warning his disciples to be on their guard against avarice of any kind. Being greedy and preventing others from receiving a share of our benefits is what Jesus is condemning. He uses an example of a rich man who stores up crops so that he can rest and have a good time. Our relationship with God and our prayer life should be consistent, not a sudden spurt and then leaving it for a time.
St Paul tells the Colossians that their lives must be focused simply on the Lord. Christ is everything and is in everything. Paul warns them of the things to avoid, equating greed with worshipping a false god.
THE ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY
We celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Sunday 14th August. The Gospel for this day is the account of the Visitation of Our Lady to her cousin Elizabeth during which she proclaims that great prayer which we know as The Magnificat. Mary recognised the great privilege that she had been given. From a lowly position, she has been put on high. On the Feast of the Assumption we share in the joy that Mary has been assumed into heaven, a sign of hope for us on our pilgrim journey.
INTERNATIONAL MASS
This will take place at 12 Noon on Sunday 25th September. On this occasion we are inviting children to take part in the opening procession carrying a small national flag. We are looking for singing groups of different nationalities singing some of the hymns. Bidding Prayers will be in different languages. We invite you to come to Mass in your national costume. Following the Mass there will be a get-together in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre to which we invite you to bring along an international dish. We will provide the drink. There will be a meeting on Friday 16th September in the Parish Centre at 7.30pm for anyone who can help at the Mass or help set up and clear the Parish Centre after the event. Many thanks.
RELIC TOUR OF ST. BERNADETTE
The relics of St Bernadette will be in Westminster Cathedral between 11am on Saturday 3rd September and 8am Mass on Monday 5th September,
BAPTISM PREPARATION
There will be a preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised on Sunday 18th September at 4pm in the church.
SECOND COLLECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER
11th September Catholic Education Service
18th September Home Missions
Mass count
As in previous years, there will be a counting of heads at Masses on the final two Sundays in September and the first two Sundays in October.
MISSIO RED BOX APPEAL
This weekend we are having our five-yearly Red Box Appeal. Fr Paul Rooney will be here for the Saturday evening Mass and Fr Paul Bagay will be here for the Sunday Masses. Through the Red Box we care for our church family around the world. Thank you to all parishioners who already give to the Pope’s Official Charity for overseas mission-MISSIO and Britain’s own missionary order, the Mill Hill Missionaries, through the Red Box.
What is Missio? Missio is the Pope’s official charity for overseas mission. Through Missio you provide practical and spiritual care in 157 countries, as well as train local priests, nuns and lay readers to form and sustain communities of faith.
Who are the Mill Hill Missionaries? The Mill Hill Missionary Society is the only men’s mission society founded in England and Wales. Today its priests and brothers come from around the world. They travel to some of the
Most remote places to bring the love of Christ to those most in need, both
Spiritually and materially. Missio UK and the Mill Hill Missionaries work in partnership so that more people can learn of and experience God’s love for them.
Foreign Coins – If you have any foreign or old coins you wish to donate to the missionary work of the Church, please give to Fr. Paul, when he makes the Red Box Appeal on 30th/31st July. These will be exchanged and the amount will increase the donations collected through the Red Box scheme and Annual membership for your Parish. Thank You!
MASS TIMES IN AUGUST
SUNDAY MASS SHEETS
Starting in August, we have reduced the number of Mass sheets back from 300 to 200. We increased the number last year because COVID restrictions meant that the sheets could not be re-used by a different congregation. Now that restrictions have been lifted, we have found that many sheets go unused. Please continue to put back your sheet after use on the table at the back of the church. Many thanks for your co-operation.
Mass times in august
Sunday and weekday Mass times will be at the same times as usual during August with the following exceptions:
Wednesday 10th August NO MASS
Monday 15th August 12 Noon only (No 7.30am Mass)
Wednesday 17th August NO MASS
Monday 22nd August 12 Noon only (No 7.30am Mass)
SUMMER HOLIDAYS
We wish everyone who is able to get away a happy holiday. This is the final Takehomenews until September. Fr Colin will be away from 8th to 23rd August. Fr David will be away in September.
OFFICE OPENING TIMES
Susan is due to have an operation on her knee on 1st August, and will be away for several weeks. We wish her a successful operation. During this time, please contact one of the priests over office matters.
HOLY WATER
We have re-introduced Holy Water in the stoops at the entrance and exit of the church. If you are using sanitizer, please do so AFTER you have dipped your fingers in the Holy Water. Thank you.
Acknowledgement
John O’Neill RIP: Teresa and family would like to thank everyone for the very many expressions of sympathy, support and Mass cards that have been received.
Your kindness has brought us comfort during this difficult time. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for your intentions on Tuesday 30th August at 9am
Thank you from CAFOD
Did you know that CAFOD, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, helps some of the poorest and most marginalised people across the world? We can reach so many people because we are a member of Caritas Internationalis, the Catholic Church network with a presence in 165 countries. Our local experts work with people over the long-term, helping them to have the right skills, tools and opportunities to live with dignity and support their families. For example, in South Sudan we are helping families learn how to farm better as the climate gets hotter, so that they can cope better in the future when things get even more difficult. Find out more www.cafod.org.uk Thank you for your support.
The Universe Catholic Weekly
The Universe Catholic Weekly is thrilled to announce that we have launched our new online newspaper with the full support of our first subscriber none other than His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols.
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Acknowledgement from Teresa O’Neill
John O’Neill RIP: Teresa and family would like to thank everyone for the very many expressions of sympathy, support and Mass cards that have been received.
Your kindness has brought us comfort during this difficult time. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for your intentions on Tuesday 30th August at 9am
THANK YOU FROM CAFOD
Did you know that CAFOD, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, helps some of the poorest and most marginalised people across the world? We can reach so many people because we are a member of Caritas Internationalis, the Catholic Church network with a presence in 165 countries. Our local experts work with people over the long-term, helping them to have the right skills, tools and opportunities to live with dignity and support their families. For example, in South Sudan we are helping families learn how to farm better as the climate gets hotter, so that they can cope better in the future when things get even more difficult. Find out more www.cafod.org.uk Thank you for your support.
THE UNIVERSE CATHOLIC WEEKLY
The Universe Catholic Weekly is thrilled to announce that we have launched our new online newspaper with the full support of our first subscriber none other than His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols.
Order your Digital 4 weeks FREE trial supply by calling Michelle on 0743 661 7650 or email: michelle.jones@universecatholicweekly.co.uk