Fifth Sunday of Lent Year B
We are Children of the New Covenant.
Last Sunday, we heard how God’s people in exile cried unto the Lord who heard their cry for freedom. As part of that process of the restoration to freedom, the Lord promises in today’s first reading from Jeremiah 31, a new and unbreakable Covenant which is fulfilled in Christ.
God makes this promise because he understands our frailties. Thus, the New Covenant is eternally sealed in the precious blood of the Lamb, Jesus whom today’s second reading says was made perfect through suffering and became the source of salvation to all who obey him.
However, this New Covenant came at a cost. Like a grain of wheat that falls, and dies to yield a rich harvest (John 12:20-33), Jesus died and yielded a rich harvest of us as God's people, in the fulfilment of Jeremiah's prophecy, "Then I will be their God and they shall be my people.”
In gratitude for our new life as New Covenant children, we are reminded that in submitting to God's will, like grains of wheat, we die to ourselves to live and be raised to an abundant life with great fruitfulness. O Lord, help us by your grace. Amen
Happy Sunday (Happy St Patrick’s Day)
Fr Chinedu
Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal
There is a box on the sanctuary for contributions to this appeal as well as envelopes on which you can Gift Aid your contribution. Funds raised this year will be shared between Marriage and Family Life, Youth Ministry, and Education. Funds are also used to support the work of Caritas Westminster, who work with some of the most vulnerable people in our Diocese. If you prefer you can use the QR code to make your donation on line. The QR code can be found on the envelopes and the poster. Thank you for your generosity.
BAPTISM PREPARATION
The next preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised will be today Sunday 5th May 2024 at 4pm in the church.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Stations of the Cross takes place here at the Annunciation every Friday at 7pm.
NEW OFFERTORY ENVELOPES
New Offertory envelopes are available after Mass, today. Please ask at the presbytery lobby for your box of envelopes but please do not start using them until 7th April.
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.
THE GOOD COUNSEL NETWORK
“On Saturday 23rd March, the Vigil of Palm Sunday, please pray and fast for the end of abortion in this Country. Through God’s grace we have seen thousands of Mothers in our counselling centre continue their pregnancies in very difficult circumstances. Please help us to help save lives with your prayers, fasting and support. www.GoodCounselNetwork.com”
Flower Arranging
Emilia is looking for extra help for Easter preparations please leave your name and telephone with Emilia or the parish office.
Annual Mass of Thanksgiving for the Sacrament of Matrimony
Westminster Cathedral, Saturday 25th May 2024 at 2:30pm.
The Cardinal is inviting to this Mass all couples in the Diocese, who are celebrating their 5th 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th (and every year over 60) wedding anniversary of Catholic marriage in 2024. If you are celebrating an anniversary, please give your parish office the following details: husband and wife’s names, wedding date, full postal address and email (or telephone number, if no email). Please advise the office before Tuesday 9th April 2024.
ST. MICHAEL’S CATHOLIC GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Temporary Part-time Teacher of Spanish & French – Maternity Cover Salary scale Main or Upper 0.4 Contract – Monday & Tuesday Email: office@ st-michaels.barnet.sch.uk Please see our notice board for more details.
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.
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