TAKEHOMENEWS SUNDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2025

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C 2025

Awaiting God’s Promises

In this Sunday’s first reading from Malachi (3:19-20), the Lord promises healing and says, “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will shine out with healing in its wings. While this prophecy immediately points to Jesus’ first coming, it nonetheless directs our hearts to his coming at the end of time. We await the Lord’s coming with a confident hope.

Jesus is asked in this Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 21:5-19) to predict the signs of the coming of the Lord. Rather than give some abstract predictions, he simply invites us to wait in the ordinariness of human daily experiences, e.g. fears, conflicts, pain and joys, etc. It is in our living experiences that we await God’s promises and divine visitation. But then Jesus calls us to patient endurance and says, “Your endurance will win you your life”. Through our endurance in both good and bad experiences, we attain God’s promises. In all our troubles, the Lord reassures us that he will be our defence and that not a hair of your head will be lost.

While we await the Lord’s glorious coming, we remain diligent in our duties as we hear from this Sunday’s second reading (2 Thessalonians 3:7-12), enduring and persevering until the Lord comes. Lord, strengthen us as we await the fulfilment of your promises. Amen

Happy Sunday

Fr. Chinedu

SICK AND RETIRED PRIESTS

Our second collection today will be in support of the Sick & Retired Priests’ Fund.  By giving a gift to the Sick & Retired Priests’ Fund today, you can help us to ensure all of our sick and retired priests are cared for at their time of need. The fund is used to meet essential costs.

If you took a donation envelope last weekend, please place it in the collection bag today. If you do not have an envelope, there are some available in the pews and/or at the back of the church. The envelopes and posters feature a ‘QR Code’ that you can scan with a phone camera to give online. Thank you for your generosity and please remember to pray for our clergy, in active ministry, retired or ill.

MONTHLY CHILDREN'S MASS

The next Children’s Mass will take place on Sunday 23rd November at 10:30am. Children in school years 3 to 10 inclusive. Sign-up by giving their name and their parent/carer’s contact details in at the Repository after Mass. The deadline for registering to take part in the November Children’s Mass is 12 Noon Today.

MISSIO RED BOX

Please bring your red box back for counting before 18th November, thank you.

BEREAVEMENT MASS

The Bereavement Mass, at which we remember in particular those who have died in the last year, takes place on Saturday 22^nd November at 3pm.  Everyone is welcome.

RECENTLY DECEASED

JOHN AHEARNE (ASH), may his soul and the souls of all the departed rest in peace.

FIRST COMMUNION APPLICATIONS FOR 2026

Application forms for parents who wish their child to receive their 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 7th December. No applications will be accepted after this date.  

CONFIRMATION APPLICATIONS FOR 2026

Confirmation application forms will be available to collect from the church.  They need to be returned by 14^th December.  Payment and baptism certificate must be enclosed with the form.  Confirmation is open to students that are in year 10.

ST JAMES' CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL St James'

The school has a vacancy for a Foundation Governor. This may interest a parishioner that has a historic connection with the school or one that simply wants to support Catholic education. If you are interested, please   e-mail admin@st-james.barnet.sch.uk for further details.

DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY CHRISTMAS FAIR SATURDAY 22^ND NOVEMBER

Provincial House, The Ridgeway.  11am – 1pm. Tombola arts and crafts bric-a brac, tea/coffee with mince pies.  Please come and support the Kindergarten children in Ethiopia

Annunciation church - 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, contact the Parish Priest or Office with your name and availability.

BAPTISM PREPARATION

There will be a preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised on Sunday, 4^th January at 4pm in the church.  There will be no baptisms in December. 

MARRIAGE CARE

Join Marriage Care for a Growing Together Marriage Enrichment Day. The workshop style event, for couples at any stage of marriage whose relationship is stable or in a good place, is on Saturday 17th January, from 10 am to 5 pm in Finchley. For more details or to book, contact Marriage Care on 0800 389 3801 (Monday–Thursday, 9 am–6 pm) or email: appointments@marriagecare.org.uk