SECOND Sunday of Lent Year B
This Sunday’s first reading gives a disturbing account of Abraham’s trust in God when he was asked to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Yet, we only need to wait a moment as the account unfolds to reveal God’s true and surprising intentions when he intervened and provided a lamb for sacrifice instead.
Abraham’s offering of his only son Isaac was a prefiguration of God's offering of his only Son, Jesus, who in trust, died to save us. God saved Abraham from the horrific pain of sacrificing Isaac. God spared Abraham's son, Isaac, but did not spare his son, Jesus, “to make it certain that after such a sacrifice, God will not refuse anything he can give (2nd Reading). In offering his only Son, God issued us a blank cheque of trust. But can we trust him in return?
Jesus' transfiguration in today's Gospel, offered the Apostles an anchor of faith to which they are to return in moments of doubt. As we remember moments in our lives when God manifested himself, may our trust in him be strengthened even when we say, we are sorely afflicted (Today’s psalm 116). Lord, strengthen our trust in you.
Happy Sunday
Fr Chinedu
BAPTISM PREPARATION
The next preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised will be next Sunday 3rd March 2024 at 4pm in the church.
WHITE FLOWER APPEAL
The Society for the Protection of Unborn children (SPUC) will be holding their annual appeal next weekend.
RECENTLY DECEASED
Please remember in your prayers Elizabeth Wall. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace. Her Funeral Mass will take place here at 12.30pm on Thursday 14 th March.
MY DAY BY DAY Lent and EASTER BOOKLET
Lent in this year of preparation for the Holy Year -2025. As some of you will know, it is based on the theme of the 'Our Father' and can be used as a personal reflection for a few moments each day. Also available at the back of the church cost £1.00 each.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Stations of the Cross takes place here at the Annunciation every Friday at 7pm.
Annual Mass of Thanksgiving for the Sacrament of Matrimony
Westminster Cathedral, Saturday 25th May 2024 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 2024. If you are celebrating an anniversary, please give your parish office the following details: husband and wife’s names, wedding date, full postal address and email (or telephone number, if no email). Please advise the office before Tuesday 9th April 2024.
Join us and our partners, the Mill Hill Missionaries
for the annual Novena to St Joseph 10 – 18 March 2024
St Joseph’s Missionary Society (the Mill Hill Missionaries) is Britain’s own missionary society, founded by Cardinal Herbert Vaughan in 1866. Each year the Mill Hill community prepares for the feast day of St Joseph – their patron – with a special Novena of Masses and prayers.
Prayer is the foundation of all mission work, both in this country and abroad. The Novena is a wonderful way for the faithful to pray for each other, and build links of prayer across the world for missionaries and the people they serve. Visit the Mill Hill Missionaries website for all resources and details of the Novena. https://millhillmissionaries.com/novena/
The Divine Mercy Apostolate, London
Is holding a Divine Mercy Lenten Retreat on Saturday 16 March 2024 from 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm at St Scholastica 17 Kenninghall Road Clapton London E5 8BS
The Retreat will include teachings on the Message of Mercy, Stations of the Cross, Holy Mass, Hour of Mercy with Adoration and Benediction and Veneration of the Image of Merciful Jesus. All Welcome. Please call Millie on 07957594646 for more information.
A Day With Mary 2024 Pilgrimages to Fatima & Italy
(7-14 June) and Italy (4-12 September) is available at www.adaywithmary.org or email adwmary.uk@gmail.com
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.
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
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.