Third Sunday of Easter Year
Now that Christ is Risen, we look to the future with Hope.
In Jesus, God is fulfilling his promises of salvation. Having died and risen as the firstborn from the dead, it is in Jesus that God is offering everyone salvation. This is not a time to focus on our past mistakes. It is a time to embrace the salvation that God offers to all through Jesus, the Author of Life because he has conquered death. Hence, St Peter invites us in this Sunday’s first reading to turn to God.
This is a time to believe in what God has done for us and to align our lives with it. However, Jesus understands how difficult this can be and helps us to believe. Hence, in this Sunday’s Gospel (Lk 24:35-48), rather than dwell on his disciples’ unbelief and betrayals when he needed them most, Jesus simply imparted peace and the grace to believe. By doing this Jesus showed them that his mercy outweighs by far their past mistakes.
We too are invited not to focus on our pasts, but, with grateful hearts, trust in the certainty of Jesus’ advocacy with the Father as the second reading tells us.
Inspired by God’s mercy and the efficacy of Jesus’ sacrifice, may we continue to rejoice in the Lord who has saved and given us New Life.
Happy Sunday
Fr Chinedu
PRIESTS TRAINING FUND
Next Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday, the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. It is on this day that we have the annual collection for the Priests Training Fund. The Fund pays for the priestly formation of men for the priesthood in the diocese.
The fund also supports the ongoing enrichment and formation of our priests already ordained. Thank you very much for your generosity to this important collection in previous years. Envelopes are available at the back of the church. Please take one and return it with your donation next weekend.
BAPTISM PREPARATION
The next preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised will be on Sunday 5th May 2024 at 4pm in the church.
Office Absence
Susan will be out of the office due to knee surgery, she hopes, all going well, to be back in July.
NEW OFFERTORY ENVELOPES
New Offertory envelopes are available after Mass, today. Please ask at the presbytery lobby for your box of envelopes you can start using them this week.
Please pick up a Parish Gift Aid Form/Standing Order Form from the back of the church if you would like to start using envelopes, please indicate in section 4 on the Gift Aid / Standing Order Form. If you would like to start paying by standing order, please complete section 5 & 6 and if you are able to Gift Aid your donations, please complete section 2. Thank you for your continuing support.
Foodbank for the community
Non – perishable food is required for the foodbank, please leave your donations in one of the marked boxes in the church porch. Thank you.
MISSIO
In 2023, our parish raised £1,036.91 through our Red Boxes and donations to MISSIO and Mill Hill Missionaries, Thank you. Our Missionary Community here at Burnt Oak is part of a worldwide network of people supporting Missionaries through prayer and financial assistance. Your support of Missionary Priests, Like Fr Ignatuis MHM working with a rural
Community in Uganda, enables people together to celebrate the Eucharist and to work together to improve the lives of the whole community. Visit missio.org.uk to find out more
GOOD NEIGHBOUR SCHEME CONCERT
The Garden Choir is putting on a concert of varied light music at St Paul's Church in Mill Hill at 3pm on Sunday 21st April. Refreshments will follow the concert. £15 a ticket. For more information email manager@thegoodneighbourschememhbo.org.uk or call 0208-906-3340
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
The Lourdes Pilgrimage takes place from 19th to 26th July. Join the pilgrimage as a pilgrim. Serve the pilgrimage by coming as a praying assisted pilgrim. Support assisted pilgrims by sponsoring the sick to join the pilgrimage and praying for them. For more information please go to https://rcdow.org.uk/pilgrimages/Lourdes/ or contact the Pilgrimage Office on 020 7798 9173
MEDJUGORJE IRISH CENTRE PILGRIMAGES APRIL - OCT 2024
7 Nights Apartment B&B from €273 per person sharing. Airport transfer available on request. Contact us for details and book the dates that suit you.
Tel. 020 3239 8662 or website www.med-irishcentre.com