6th SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (C)
Today we have a presentation of the Beatitudes from St. Luke’s Gospel. There are just 4 Beatitudes (the poor, the hungry, the sick and the persecuted) compared with the 8 in St Matthew’s Gospel. Accompanying these beatitudes, there are 4 woes introduced by the words ‘alas for you’. Jesus is teaching his disciples that those who have burdens in this life will be rewarded either in this life or in the world to come. Those who are doing well in this life without any reference to God will eventually suffer. Crowds had gathered to meet Jesus to be cured of their diseases. But he used this occasion to teach them. The main message was to follow God’s ways and to put trust in him who can lead you in the path to eternal life.
RACIAL JUSTICE SUNDAY
Today is Racial Justice Sunday taking the theme this year ‘In the Image and Likeness of God’, celebrating different presentations of the Holy Family from different countries and cultures. The theme builds on that of the previous year’s Racial Justice Sunday ‘A Time to Act’ which is reflected on the importance of everyone recognising themselves, their race, their culture and their history in the life of the Church. The aim is to continue these conversations about how we see others in the “Image and Likeness of God”. In the porch you will find a series of posters, featuring Our Lady and the Child Jesus from a diverse cross-section of countries and cultures. Although
by no means exhaustive, they highlight the rich diversity of our Catholic Community. Posters on the board are from Brazil, the Caribbean, China, Ethiopia, the Middle East, the Philippines and Vietnam. There will be a second collection for Racial Justice.
Come, Holy Spirit, show us your beauty, reflected in all the peoples of the earth,
so that we may discover anew that all are important and all are necessary,
different faces of the one humanity that God so loves. Amen.
First Communion Programme
The Children preparing for First Holy Communion will take part in a Celebration Mass at 10.3o today (Sunday)
CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME
The Candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation will be enrolled during the 12 Noon Mass today (Sunday).
VISIT OF BISHOP SHERRINGTON
Bishop John Sherrington will be visiting the parish on Sunday 27th February and Celebrating the 12 Noon Mass. He will then stay on to meet people at the shared lunch and at the Parish A.G.M which follows.
EASING COVID RESTRICTIONS
Further to the guidance in last week’s Takehomenews, the Track and Trace System, whereby names are given on entry at Mass, will be discontinued, Thank you very much for your co-operation with this over the last months. All names are shredded after 3 weeks.
Holy water is now available in the sacristy but please bring your own container. For the time being, the Holy Water stoups at the entrance and exit of the church will remain empty. We are re-introducing the Sign of Peace at Mass. We suggest you acknowledge each other by a bow or other gesture and not shake hands.
Please continue to wear masks when you come to church.
We are very grateful to the stewards who have enabled the church to be used safely, arriving for Mass early and leaving after cleaning or fogging the Church. Stewards will continue to be available at each Mass for which we thank them very much.
PARISH A.G.M.
The Parish Annual General Meeting will take place on Sunday 27th February at 2pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. There will be reports on what has happened and not happened in the last 2 years since the previous A.G.M. We will be electing a new a new Parish Council. We will be making plans for the next year using the suggestions made in our recent Synodal Pathway. The A.G.M. is open to all.
It will be preceded by a shared lunch to which we invite you to bring along a dish of food. We will provide the drink. This should start at about 1.15pm
Everyone is invited to either or both of these events. It will be the final Sunday before Lent starts on the 2nd March. Nominations for the Parish Council should be submitted to Fr Colin by next Sunday (20th February)..
FOODBANK FOR THE COMMUNITY
Items for the local foodbank can be left in one of the boxes in the porch. Many thanks to those who have donated already. It has been very much appreciated.
Retrouvaille
Retrouvaille is a programme to support couples, it brings a positive focus, new hope and helps nourish and grow your marriage ….and you don’t need to leave home, it comes to you! For confidential information about Retrouvaille’, or to register for the next programme, a Virtual weekend commencing 3rd – 6th March 2022 Call or text +44 788 729 6983. Email: retrouvailleukinfo@gmail.org – or visit www.retrouvaille.uk
GNS SUPPORTING OUR SENIORS
The Good Neighbour Scheme for Mill Hill & Burnt Oak have vacancies at their lunch clubs for seniors. The Mill Hill lunch club meets on Tuesdays in the parish centre of the Sacred Heart Church. The Burnt Oak lunch club meets on Thursdays here in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. If you are interested, please call 020 8906 3340.
FINCHLEY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL PA TO THE HEADTEACHER
Our school is very highly regarded, heavily oversubscribed and enjoys consistently outstanding examination results. Finchley Catholic is a very rewarding place to work with a supportive collegiate atmosphere. We are looking for a confident Personal Assistant to the Headteacher who will provide a high level of support to her in all aspects of her role.
· Are you?
· An experienced PA used to working at a senior level Unflappable and resilient, possessing a calm demeanour and sound judgement
· Committed to the highest standards of verbal and written communication
· Able to think and plan ahead at the same time as respond to unplanned situations
· Experienced in administering the recruitment processes and Single Central Record
FCHS is committed to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and as such all candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. Candidates wishing to visit the school are welcome to do so by appointment. An application form for this post can be downloaded from our website and should be returned to the Headteacher, Niamh Arnull, info@finchleycatholic.org.uk The closing date is Friday, 25 February 2022 and interviews will take place during the following week, although we reserve the right to interview suitably qualified and talented candidates in advance of the deadline.
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