7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
Jesus continues his Sermon on the Mount by telling his disciples that they should not retaliate and that they should love their enemies. As in last week’s Gospel, Jesus opens his point by saying ‘You have learnt how it was said…’Jesus was elaborating on commandments and accepted practices in society at that time. Jesus was bringing a new understanding as to how we should conduct our lives. He ends today’s Gospel passage by saying ‘You must therefore be perfect as just as your heavenly Father is perfect.’ We could make this the basis for our Lenten resolutions and activities: Imitate Jesus. If we did nothing else in Lent, that would be more than sufficient.
PASTORAL LETTER
Today we will be listening to a Pastoral Letter from Cardinal Vincent Nichols, taking up the question as to how we can best use the season of Lent by imitating Jesus.
THE PARISH AGM AND SHARED LUNCH
Today we have our Annual General Meeting at 2pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. Everyone is invited. We will be reporting back on all that has happened in the past year and make plans for the coming year. The AGM will be preceded by a shared lunch to which we have invited you to bring along a dish of food and we will provide the drink. The lunch will start soon after the end of the 12 Noon Mass.
RITE OF SIGNING
At the 12 Noon Mass today, adults preparing for Baptism and the other Sacraments will take part in the Rite of Signing. Then on Saturday, these catechumens and candidates together with their families sponsors and catechists will go to Westminster Cathedral for the Rite of Election at 2.30pm. Please pray for these adults as they prepare for the Sacraments.
Empowering Vulnerable Children in Uganda
This weekend Judy Fawcett, a trustee, of the charity Empowering Vulnerable Children in Uganda will be making an appeal. This Charity works to provide a future through education for some of the poorest children in the world.
ASH WEDNESDAY
Lent starts this Wednesday and is a day of Fasting and Abstinence. Masses in the church will be at 9am and 7.30pm. There will also be a service in the Infants School at 11am and a Mass in the Junior School at 2pm.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
There will be Stations of the Cross on Fridays during Lent at 7pm, alternating between St Alphage’s Church in Montrose Avenue and here at the Annunciation. We start this Friday 24th February, at St Alphage’s Church.
CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE ANNIVERSARIES
Annual Mass of Thanksgiving for the Sacrament of Matrimony
Westminster Cathedral, Saturday 13th May 2023 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 2023. If you are celebrating an anniversary, please give your parish clergy the following details: husband and wife’s names, wedding date, full postal address and email (or telephone number, if no email).
Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal
During Lent, there will be a box near Our Lady’s altar for contributions to the Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal. Envelopes will be available also at the back of the church. As in recent years, funds raised will be shared between the four pillars of the Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal: Marriage and Family Life, Youth and Evangelisation, The Education Service and Caritas Westminster.
FIRST Communion programme
There will be a meeting for parents of First Holy Communion children on Monday at 7.45pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. Children have a session next Sunday, 26th February, at 9am in the Parish Centre.
BAPTISM PREPARATION
There will be a preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised on Sunday 26th March at 4pm in the church.
Fasting and Feasting in Lent
Fast from discontent—Feast on Gratitude
Fast from complaining—Feast on appreciation
Fast from bitterness—Feast on forgiveness
Fast from self-concern—Feast on compassion for others
Fast from Suspicion—Feast on truth
Fast from idle gossip—Feast on purposeful silence
Fast from unrelenting pressures—Feast on unceasing prayer
E Scooters
Are not to be parked in the church. They are a trip hazard in an indoor setting and could restrict emergency egress.
Gift Aid
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 Susan or Loretta in the office.
USED STAMPS
If you have any used stamps please can you put them in the box in the porch. Just leave a border around them. They will go to the Royal National Institute of the Blind.
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.