11th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
In today’s Gospel, we see how the crowds felt in desperate need to guide them. Jesus had been doing a terrific amount, teaching the crowds and curing the sick. His work was endless. However, there was much more to do. It was in this context that Jesus summoned his twelve apostles to go out to help Him in this pastoral task. On this Occasion, Jesus tells them not to go to pagan territory or Samaritan towns but to concentrate on the Israelites who had abandoned their faith. The time would come when they would move on to the Gentiles. This pastoral work continues today and each of us has a role to play in spreading the faith. Today, however, presents us with an opportunity to pray for more priests who have that specific role of being a shepherd to the flock of a community.
Baptism Preparation
There will be a session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised on Sunday 16th July at 4pm in the church.
A DAY FOR LIFE
This year the Day for Life seeks to highlight the trauma caused by abortion. The theme is “Listen to her”. The message is an invitation to listen to the voice and the story of a young Catholic woman who was suffering after an abortion and found healing. With her consent, we are able to highlight the distress which she suffered and how she found healing.
We were inspired towards this message from a number of experiences: the ever-rising number of abortions, the introduction and impact of ‘telemedicine’ after the COVID 19 pandemic and the stories of post–abortive trauma heard from the charity Rachel's Vineyard, based in Birmingham. The message is also inspired by the Holy Father’s own words in 2016 which underlined both the gravity of abortion and that nothing is beyond the mercy of God.
Many in our society, but especially women, are affected by abortion and we want people to know they can find a welcome in the heart of the Church and the promise of hope and healing found in Christ Jesus.
There will be a second collection to raise funds to support life projects across the whole of life. This year the Department of Social Justice aims to be more transparent about the use of funding after the grants have been made and will publish details.
BARNET
If you enjoy helping people and making a difference in your local area, we would love to hear from you. We have a variety of volunteer roles available including front of house, early years and community activities. Hours can be agreed to suit weekly or ad-hoc availability. For more information, please email mill.hill.library@barnet.gov.uk or visit us during our opening hours.
A PRAYER FOR LIFE
O Mary bright dawn of the new world, Mother of the living, to you do we entrust the cause of life. Look down, O Mother, upon the vast numbers of babies not allowed to be born, of the poor whose lives are made difficult, of men and women who are victims of brutal violence, of the elderly and the sick killed by indifference or out of misguided mercy. Grant that all who believe in your Son may proclaim the Gospel of life with honesty and love to the people of our time. Obtain for them the grace to accept that Gospel as a gift ever new, the joy of celebrating it with gratitude throughout their lives and the courage to bear witness to it resolutely, in order to build, together with all people of good will, the civilization of truth and love, to the praise and glory of God, the Creator and lover of life. AMEN.
SUMMER FAYRE
Our Summer Fayre takes place on Saturday 15th July. Between 12 noon and 3pm. There will be Games, Tombola, Toys, Cakes, Plants, Bric-a-Brac, Face Painting and several other stalls.
There will be plenty of food and drink available.
We are looking for volunteers to assist at the stalls, and also helpers to set things up on Friday evening. If you are able to help in any way, please add your name to the list of volunteers at the back of the church.
Donations of toys, bric a brac, drinks, baked cakes, plants etc. can be brought to the Parish Centre during Office Hours or brought to the Presbytery. Thank you. Raffle tickets swill be available after Masses.
The Universe Catholic Weekly
Since COVID a digital version of the Catholic newspaper, the Universe has been produced instead of a hard copy. But now they have resumed producing the hard print copies and a sample of this can be found on the table in the porch. Please have a look at this and see whether you would like to receive a regular copy of the Universe. Please let us know. We would need to receive at least five people interested for us to go ahead with this venture.
Job Advert – CAFOD Diocese of Westminster
Community Participation Co-ordinator – Full time role. Involves both recruitment and support of existing team of Volunteers. To inspire and resource volunteers to work with parish and school communities to enable them to participate in the Church’s mission to overcome poverty and injustice in partnership with CAFOD. Further details on web page. cafod.org.uk/jobs (Closing Date 25/6)
CAFOD: update on the conflict in Sudan
Violent conflict continues in Sudan and thousands of people are running out of food, water and medicine. Working as part of the Caritas network, your previous donations to CAFOD are enabling our teams to provide practical help to families who have escaped to neighbouring countries, including South Sudan. Please join Pope Francis in praying for peace in Sudan. Find out more on the CAFOD website: cafod.org.uk/news/emergencies-news/sudan-conflict
St Michael's Catholic Grammar School - Open Evening for Secondary Transfer - Monday 26 June 2023
Parents and girls who are interested in taking the entrance tests for St Michael's Catholic Grammar School are invited to visit the school for a guided tour on Monday 26 June between 5pm and 7pm. Headteacher talks will be held at 5pm, 6pm and 7pm in The Chapel.
We have 128 places in each year and are historically heavily oversubscribed with girls who meet the criteria of Catholic girls from a Practising Catholic family who have made their First Holy Communion in the Catholic Church. Priority for up to 32 places is given to girls who are registered as Pupil Premium with their primary school. Full details of the Admissions Policy can be found on the School's website https://www.st-michaels.barnet.sch.uk/home/admissions/.
The online application to apply to sit the entrance tests for entry in September 2024 is now available https://www.st-michaels.barnet.sch.uk/home/admissions/admissions-2024-25/. The deadline for applications to be completed and Certificate of Catholic Practice provided to the School is 4pm on Tuesday 4th July 2023.
Foodbank for the community
Items for the Foodbank can be left in the box in the church porch. Many thanks for your generosity.
WESTMINSTER DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES
This takes place from 21st to 28th July. Please see the Tangney Tours poster in the church for details and ask one of the priests for an application form if you are interested in going.
St Edward the Confessor Lourdes Pilgrimage
24th – 29th July We have just 2 places left for 2 people sharing a room on our trip to Lourdes. 5 nights full board. 4 star hotel. Fly BA to Toulouse. £750 per person sharing. Insurance is extra. Please contact the parish office at Golders Green 0208 455 1300 or email goldersgreen@rcdow.org.uk
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