TAKEHOMENEWS SUNDAY 20 JULY 2025

16 Sunday Ordinary Time C

The Two Wings of Christian Discipleship

In this Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 10:38-42), Jesus says to Martha, “You are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary, and Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” This may sound harsh, after all, Martha was serving Jesus. But it is fraternal correction because Martha’s busyness distracted her from being present to Jesus.

This reminds us that our service must flow first from a personal, prayerful presence to Jesus. Otherwise, it soon becomes self-focused and distracts from an intimate relationship with God.

Martha says, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work?” Like Martha, we can sometimes feel that others’ quiet presence to the Lord is less valuable than our active ministries. Yet both are necessary. Mary and Martha represent the two sides of our discipleship, prayer and service, which are meant to complement each other, not compete.

Our Christian life should be sustained by sitting at the Lord’s feet in prayer, hearing his word, and drawing strength from his presence. From there, we rise to sacrificially serve others with joy and humility.

In this way, our Christian service becomes a means of encounter with God, like Abraham and Sarah, who, through their hospitality to strangers in this Sunday’s first reading (Genesis 18:1-10), encountered the hidden God who sees and rewards our labours of love.

May we, through prayers and service, the two wings of Christian   discipleship, be rooted in God.   

Happy Sunday

Fr. Chinedu

APPEAL IN SUPPORT OF LEPR

Next weekend on Saturday 26^th & Sunday 27^th July 2025. There will be a     second collection for this appeal.  Please remember people with leprosy in your prayers.  Take a look at the notice board for more information.

OUR PARISH SUMMER FAYRE

Many thanks to everyone who came to our Summer Fayre last Saturday, to those who worked to set up the stalls and those who helped clear up     

  afterwards as well as those who worked behind the scenes.  Many thanks too for all your donations to the fayre.

SYNOD FINAL DOCUMENT STUDY GROUP

Please come and join us for the second session of our Synod study programme. We are reading and reflecting on the Final Document of the Synod and trying to discover what it could mean for the parishes in our Barnet Deanery.

We are meeting on Saturday 26^th July from 2.00pm-4.00pm in the hall of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 279 High Road, East Finchley, London N2 8HG

In this second session (don’t worry if you missed the first one) we will be considering Part II of the document which focusses on Relationships and asking the following questions:

1. What stands out to me in this chapter?

2. What are the strengths in my parish in living, forming and nurturing relationships between men and women, in the family, in the local community, among social groups, religions and the whole of creation?

3. What developments would I like to see in my parish in this area?

If you would like a copy of the Synod Final Document: Please

email chrisrosser@btinternet.com with your postal address.

If you would like an overview of Part II of the document: Please view a video discussion using this link: https://www.schoolforsynodality.org.uk/book-club-part-2-anna-rowlands”

BAPTISM PREPARATION

There will be no preparation session in August, September 7^th will be the next session at 4pm in the church.

ASSUMPTION OF MARY MINI RETRREAT FOR YOUND ADULTS (AGED 18-35)

The Assumption Sisters on Saturday 9th August 2025, 2.30pm – 5.30pm. Venue: Milleret House, 20 Kensington Square, W8 5HH (closest tube station: High Street Kensington). Programme includes: prayer • reflection • adoration • social. Donations only. Register by emailing to: rebecca@assumpta-eu.org   

THE SACRED HEART LANGUAGE COLLEGE WEALDSTONE

School Places for the Autumn Term 2025

If you are seeking an Outstanding Catholic Education for your child, please email admissions@tshlc.harrow.sch.uk  to make an appointment to see the school. website: www.tshlc.harrow.sch.uk 

FOODBANK FOR THE COMMUNITY

Will resume again in September.  Many thanks for your contributions to help families in need.