FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER YEAR B (GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY)
JESUS IS OUR GOOD SHEPHERD. BUT, ARE WE HIS SHEEP?
The shepherds of God’s people had failed, and God promised to provide a shepherd after his own heart. God promised and said, “I am going to look after them myself…. I shall feed them in good pasturage and show them where to rest. I will look for the lost, bring back the stray and bandage the wounded.” (Jeremiah 3:15, Ezekiel 34:1-7). No wonder why King David called God, “My Shepherd” (Psalm 23).
In Jesus, God fulfils this promise and becomes Our Shepherd who gathers us into one-fold, family. Therefore, in this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd.” Jesus fulfils the prophecy of Isaiah 56:8, “I am the Lord who gathers the outcasts of Israel: there are others I will lead besides those already gathered.” The Crucified Jesus unites us. He frees and leads us back to the fold, God’s people. He is the Stone rejected but has become the Cornerstone.”
Having laid down his life for us as Our Good Shepherd, Jesus invites us to listen to him, follow him and continue his mission of gathering, seeking out the lost and bandaging the wounded. The question is, are we going to listen to him, hear his voice and allow him to lead us back to the fold, Our Father’s house?
Happy Good Shepherd Sunday.
Fr Chinedu
PRIESTS TRAINING FUND
This Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday. It is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. There will be an annual retiring collection for the Priests Training Fund. The Fund pays for the priestly formation of men for the Catholic Priesthood in the diocese.
The fund also supports the ongoing formation of our priests already ordained. Thank you very much for your generosity. Envelopes are available at the back of the church. Please take one and return it with your donation next weekend. A seminarian will make an appeal at the end of the masses this weekend.
BAPTISM PREPARATION
The next preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised will be on Sunday 5th May 2024 at 4pm in the church.
Office Absence
Susan will be out of the office due to knee surgery. She hopes, all going well, to be back in July.
COUNTERS MEETING (URGENT)
There will be an urgent meeting of the counters. Therefore, counters should please, meet with the priest after each mass this weekend to confirm date and time.
NEW OFFERTORY ENVELOPES
New Offertory envelopes are still available for collection after Masses today. Please, speak to the stewards or ask at the presbytery lobby for your box of envelopes you can start using them this week.
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.
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.
ANNUAL MASS FOR MATRIMONY
The annual Mass for Matrimony will be celebrated in the Cathedral by the Cardinal on Saturday 25th May at 2.30pm for couples celebrating significant anniversaries such as 5th , 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th and 60+. Information has now been sent to parishes by the Diocesan Co-ordinator for Marriage and Family Life, Deacon Roger Carr-Jones, about arrangements for this day and the invitation process
GOOD NEIGHBOUR SCHEME CONCERT
The Garden Choir is putting on a concert of varied light music at St Paul's Church in Mill Hill at 3pm this Sunday 21st April. Refreshments will follow the concert. £15 a ticket. For more information email manager@thegoodneighbourschememhbo.org.uk or call 0208-906-3340
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 book the dates that suit you.
Tel. 020 3239 8662 or website www.med-irishcentre.com