TAKEHOMENEWS SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2026

SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A, 18 January 2026

Making Jesus Known

In this Sunday’s Gospel (John 1:14a, 12a), John the Baptist points out Jesus to the people as the Lamb of God who is sent to take away our sins, the one who will baptise with the Holy Spirit. This witnessing will later turn many away from John the Baptist towards Jesus. Thus, John the Baptist would say in John 3:30, “He must increase, I must decrease”. The Gospel of John 1:37 tells us that as soon as John the Baptist pointed Jesus out, two of his disciples left him and followed Jesus. And this was only the beginning of a sacrificial decrease that will eventually lead to John’s death. John was able to do this because he believed in the ancient messianic prophecy in this Sunday’s First reading (Isaiah 49:3,5-6), and trusted that Jesus was the Servant of the Lord, the Light of the nations, who would gather us to God. Therefore, John the Baptist knew that it was worth it even if it took becoming unnoticed for Jesus to be made known and for him to touch lives.

As St. Paul was (1 Corinthians 1:1-3), we too have been called and sent to make Jesus known, often in ways that cost our comfort. In what areas in my life is Jesus asking me to let go as John the Baptist did, that he might increase in me, be made known and touch lives through me?

Happy Sunday

Fr. Chinedu

BAPTISM PREPARATION

There will be a preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised on Sunday, 1 February at 4pm in the church. 

RECENTLY DECEASED

Please pray for the repose of the soul of our dearly departed secretary, LORETTA TINCH nee MOORE. Her Funeral will be on Tuesday 20 January at 11am.  Also, Christine Smith nee O Flynn. May their souls and the souls of all the departed rest in peace. 

CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME 2025/2026 YEAR 10

WEDNESDAY 28th JANUARY                   7.30pm       INTRO PARENTS MEETING

WEDNESDAY 4^th FEBRUARY                     7.00pm      FIRST SESSION  

WEDNESDAY 11^th FEBRUARY                   7.00pm      SECOND SESSION

SUNDAY 15^th FEBRUARY                        12.00pm      MASS OF ENROLMENT

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.  Many thanks for your contributions to help families in need.

GIFT AID

We thank all parishioners who are paying by direct debit or envelopes and have signed a Gift Aid Declaration. We ask any parishioner who is a tax payer and  donating through the loose plate to please consider donating instead by direct debit or envelope.

Any parishioner who has stopped being a tax payer should inform the office if they were previously a gift aider here.

VOCATION DISCERNMENT RETREATS FOR YOUNG ADULTS (AGES 18-30)

Young Adults Discernment Retreat in Aylesford Priory, Kent (Men & Women, ages 18–30) 6–8 February 2026. Held at Aylesford Priory.  Also, Vocation Discernment Retreat in Rome (Women only, ages 18–30) 27 February – 1 March 2026. For more information or to register, email vocations@assumpta-eu.org 

ST MARY’S, EAST FINCHLEY 

Invites you to a Mass for Children and Adults with Additional Needs, celebrated by Fr. Peter Scott on Saturday, 28th February 2026.Mass at 5:00 p.m., followed by light refreshments in the Parish Hall.

TEMPORARY DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY TECHNICIAN

Please take a look at the church notice board for more information.

LOURDES PILGRIMAGE

Join our pilgrimage to Lourdes travelling overnight by luxury coach from 9 to 14 February-2026.Leaving Slough and Ealing Broadway on 9 Feb 2026 and departing Lourdes on 13 February for a visit to the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal in Rue de Bac, Paris on 14 February morning and arriving in London later on 14 February 2026Full board, exciting festival devotional program, experience the Blessed Sacrament Procession of the Sick, the Candlelight Marian Rosary Procession and the International Mass on the Feast Day followed by Stations, Confessions and Adoration with Hour of Mercy. Travel, full board and program cost £590. Call Millie on 07957594646 for more info.

MARRIAGE CARE

Join Marriage Care for a Growing Together Day. The workshop style event, for couples at any stage of marriage, is on Saturday 21^st February, from 10 am to 5 pm in Finchley. The day offers a meaningful opportunity to strengthen and deepen your bond alongside developing some practical tools. The cost is £75 per couple, but please speak to us if this is more than you can afford to pay. 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