TAKEHOMENEWS SUNDAY 26 APRIL
- RCDOW Burnt Oak
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Following Our Shepherd
This Sunday’s celebration is a confession and an invitation. We confess Jesus the Good Shepherd foretold in the scriptures (Jeremiah 3:15; 23:4). With the psalmist we proclaim, “The Lord is my shepherd” (Psalm 23).
The image of ‘the shepherd’ is often used to point to God’s deep and sacrificial love. Unlike the shepherds who exploited the flock (Ezekiel 34:1-6), God promised to shepherd his people and says, I will seek the lost, heal the wounded, and gather the scattered (Ezekiel 34:7, Isaiah 56:8). As we contemplate the cross, we see that this promise is fulfilled in Jesus, as we read this Sunday’s Gospel (John 10:1-10) as hear him say, “I am the door of the sheepfold.”
Jesus is both the Shepherd and Lamb, who lays down his life and gathers us into one flock, the Church. Through his sacrifice, he frees and leads us to eternal life. Therefore, St Peter says, “He suffered for you, leaving you an example” (1 Peter 2:20-25).
The question at this celebration is not simply if we acknowledge him our shepherd, but whether we are his sheep, listening and following him by imitating his selfless and sacrificial love and compassion.
May the Lord help us by his spirit to listen to Jesus and on hearing his voice in our hearts follow him who leads us to safety and eternal life. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen
Happy Sunday
Fr. Chinedu
RECENTLY DECEASED
Please pray for the repose of soul LUKE ENENMOH. May his soul and the souls of all the departed rest in peace.
RAFFLE TICKETS
Get ready for the chance to win prizes in our 2026 Summer Raffle, which will be drawn at the Summer Fayre on 5th July 2026. Only £1 per ticket. Available after mass.
PRIEST TRAINING FUND—SUPPORTING FUTURE PRIESTS
Today, on Good Shepherd Sunday, there is a second collection for the Priest Training Fund.
This fund supports the formation of men who are responding to God’s call to serve as priests in our diocese. Their journey involves years of preparation — human, spiritual, and pastoral — equipping them to serve parish communities in the years ahead.
Your support helps make this formation possible. It is a direct way of strengthening the life of the Church and ensuring that future generations will continue to receive the sacraments and pastoral care.
If you are able, please give generously in today’s collection. You may also donate via rcdow.org.uk/PriestTrainingFund
Please also continue to pray for vocations and for those currently in formation.
BAPTISM PREPARATION
The next preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised is on Sunday, 3rd May at 4pm in the church.
BARNET DEANERY SYNOD GROUP SPRING MEETING 13 JUNE 2—4.15PM
On completing our Synod Final Document Study in December 2025, we planned a follow up meeting for the Spring 2026 in which the parishes will re-convene and review the progress made on their journeys to become more Synodal
Venue: St Albans, North Finchley 51 Nether St, London N12 7NN the car park of St Michael’s School opposite is available. Refreshments will be provided by St Alban’s Church.
WEDDINGS AT THE ANNUNCIATION CHURCH
Please contact us at least six months before the wedding. This amount of time is required to process all the paperwork involved and for you to attend a marriage preparation course.
GIFT AID
We thank all 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 the office if they were previously a gift aider here.
WEDDINGS AT THE ANNUNCIATION CHURCH
Please contact us at least six months before the wedding. This amount of time is required to process all the paperwork involved and for you to attend a marriage preparation course.
CATHOLIC HISTORY WALKS
Come and discover London's magnificent history! Enjoy the story of our country, and learn about the heroes and saints who created it all. The Walks are for anyone and everyone who wants to discover London's story. catholichistorywalks@gmail.com
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