TAKEHOMENEWS SUNDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2026
Celebrating Our Hope
This Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of All Saints. We praise God for our brothers and sisters who now see God’s face. With hope we hasten, as pilgrims, advancing by faith towards that glorious future. The first reading (Rev 7:2-4, 9-14) gives a vision of a great multitude, uncountable from every nation, race, people, and tongue, standing before the Lamb. Here we see that God’s offer of salvation is to all. With an unfailing hope then, we look forward to that glorious inheritance in the saints (Ephesians 1:18)
Having been adopted as God’s children, St. Paul calls us saints. (Colossians 1:2,12). Thus, the second reading (1 John 3:1-3) says, “To be saints is to be God’s children, and that is what we are”.
Because we have this hope, the second reading invites us to purify our hearts. To do that, we embrace Jesus’s invitation in this Sunday’s Gospel to the blessed hope of the saints: To be poor in spirit, recognising our dependence on God. To purify our hearts. Jesus says, in doing that, we shall see God (Matthew 5:1-12a) and be like him. As we persevere in good works, Jesus says, “Rejoice and be glad because the rewards of the saints are ours too.
May the lives of the Saints inspire and lend us courage, that, surrounded by such a great multitude that intercedes for us, our hope and vision of our glorious future with the saints may renew our strength. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen. Happy Feast Fr. Chinedu
SPONSERED SANCTUARY LAMP INTENTIONS
"Keep a flame burning." (Exodus 27:20)
THERESA UBA MGBEALDILO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION & MOSES UBS
MONTH OF THE HOLY SOULS
November, the month of the Holy Souls is approaching. The Memorial Book for you to enter names of those you wish to be remembered is on a table near the statues on the left side of the church. There is no need to enter names you have already entered in previous years. Alternatively, you can put the names on a piece of paper and put it in one of the envelopes at the back of the church. They will be placed in a box in front of the altar during November Masses together with the Memorial Book. Several Masses will be offered during the month of November for the Holy Souls. All Souls Day is on Monday 2nd November. There will be a Bereavement Mass on Saturday 21stNovember at 3pm to which everybody is invited.
BLESSING OF THE GRAVES
Hendon & Mill Hill on Sunday, 08th November 2026 at 2pm.
Carpenders Park on Sunday, 08th November 2026 at 1:30pm.
Clamp Hill Harrow Weald on Sunday, 08th November 2026 at 2.30pm.
ALL SOULS' DAY- A FEW THOUGHTS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
“For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died” (1 Thessalonians 4:14).
All Souls’ Day is a special occasion to pray for our deceased brothers and sisters, commending them to God’s mercy. While All Saints’ Day celebrates those who already behold God’s face, All Souls remembers our departed loved ones with faith and hope.
All Souls' Feast reminds us that death does not have the final word; our hope rests in God’s promise of eternal life. Thus, Jesus assures us that “To God all are alive” (Luke 20:38) and declares, “Even though they die, they will live” (John 11:25).
The Church teaches that those who die in God’s grace but are not yet fully purified undergo a period of purification (CCC 1030). So, our prayers can assist them, especially through the celebration of the Eucharist, almsgiving, indulgences and works of penance (CCC 958, 1032, 2 Maccabees 12:42-46).
As we offer Masses for our departed loved ones, particularly during November, let us entrust them to God’s loving mercy and pray that they may share in the joy of heaven. Let us “encourage one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18).
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. Fr. Chinedu.
RECENTLY DECEASED
MICHAEL SUPPLE, may his soul and the souls of the departed rest in peace. His funeral will be at 11.30am on Tuesday 10 November 2026.
NOTICE FROM THE PARISH FINANCE COMMITTEE RE: REPOSITORY PRICES
Due to rising supplier costs, we have taken the decision to increase the prices of items sold in our parish Repository (shop). We have done our best to minimise the impact of this change and to keep our prices as fair as possible.
The new prices will take effect from the weekend of the 31st October/1st November. We thank you for your continued support.
BAPTISM PREPARATION
The next preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised is today Sunday, 1st November at 4pm in the church
FIRST COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2027
Application forms for parents who wish their child to receive First Holy Communion next year are available at the back of the church. Children should be in Year 3 or above. Please return the form to the presbytery by 6th December 2026. Payment and baptism certificate must be enclosed with the form. Sessions for parents and the children will start in January.
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION 2027
We warmly invite young people in Year 10 who wish to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation to collect an application form from the table at the back of the church. Completed application forms should be returned by Sunday, 20th December 2026 to one of the priests. The Confirmation Programme will begin with a meeting for parents on Wednesday, 20th January 2027 at 7.30 pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre
Please keep all our Confirmation candidates and their families in your prayers as they prepare to take this important step in their journey of faith.
SENIOR CITIZENS’ CHRISTMAS PARTY
St James’ Catholic High School invites local senior citizens to our annual Christmas Party on Wednesday, 2nd December at 4pm. Admission is by ticket only. If you would like to attend, please inform Susan in the office, who will arrange for your name to be added to the guest list at St James’ and for a ticket to be prepared for collection from the office. As tickets are limited, please put your name forward as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
LEGACY GIVING
Thank you for considering making a legacy gift in your Will in favour of our Parish, Church of the Annunciation Burnt Oak. To find out more about the difference a legacy gift can make, please take a leaflet from the church porch or visit rcdow.org.uk/gifts-in-will
Diocese of Westminster Registered Charity No: 233699
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