4th Sunday of Lent (c)
It has been remarked that the story of the prodigal son is not just his story. It is the story of a whole family; indeed it is the story of the family of humankind. At different times of our life, we may have found ourselves in a similar situation to the younger son who wanted his inheritance immediately, to the elder son who resented the special treatment given to his wayward brother and to the Father who welcomed back his son with deep love and forgiveness. This parable coincides with Laetare Sunday, meaning Rejoice, the mid—Sunday of Lent and also Mothering Sunday. This year it is also the day when we move into Summer-time. All this points to brightness, happiness and joy of love and forgiveness. During these days, we are thinking about what Jesus suffered in order that our sins might be forgiven. For our part, we must repent as did the younger son.
THE CARDINAL’S LENTEN APPEAL
Because of our support of CAFOD Lent Fast Day and our response to the humanitarian crisis in the Ukraine, the Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal has had to take a back seat over the last couple of weeks. Now is the time to intensify our efforts through self-denial and almsgiving to help those in need nearer to home. Funds raised in this year’s appeal will be shared between parishes and Caritas Westminster. The effects of the pandemic are making daily life harder for many people. The Church is responding, with thousands of people putting their faith into action by serving those in need, those who feel like they’re pushed to the margins of society. Please take a donation envelope. You can use the QR code to make your donation online, Thank you for your generosity. Your donations including envelopes can be placed in the wooden box marked ‘Lenten Alms’ which can be found near Our Lady’s altar.
PARISH COUNCIL
The Parish Council meet on Thursday at 7.45pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre.
Funeral of Daniel Mc Auliffe
The funeral Mass for DANIEL McAULIFFE will be on Monday at 12 Noon.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Stations of the Cross this Friday will be here at the Annunciation at 7pm.
FIRST COMMUNION PROGRAMME
The children in the First Communion Programme will be making their First Confession in the church on Saturday at 2pm. Please pray for them as they make this important step towards their First Communion.
BAPTISM PREPARATION
Parents who wish to have their baby baptised are asked to come to a preparation session on Sunday 15th May at 4pm in the church.
HOLY WEEK ARRANGEMENTS
Please take a card giving the times of services for Holy Week and Easter.
There will be no Reconciliation Service this year but priests will be available for confession after morning Masses during Holy Week.
During the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Maundy Thursday, Eucharistic Ministers will be re-commissioned for a further year.
There will be special prayers for peace in Ukraine on Good Friday and this will be especially evident in the Reflection at the Cross at 7pm on Good Friday evening.
Please note that there is no 6.30pm Mass on Holy Saturday 16th April. The Easter Vigil starts at 8.30pm. We will be renewing our baptismal promises at this Mass and on Easter Sunday morning.
NEW OFFERTORY ENVELOPES
If you did not collect your box of offertory envelopes last week, please do so after Mass today. If you would prefer to pay by standing order, use one of the leaflets on the table at the back of the church. Similarly, if you are able to Gift Aid your donation, please use this form. Many thanks for your generosity which has helped us through some difficult times.
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 Susan or Loretta in the office.
FOODBANK FOR THE COMMUNITY
Items for the local foodbank can be left in one of the boxes in the porch. Many thanks to those who have donated already. It has been very much appreciated.
Gns Supporting our seniors
The Good Neighbour Scheme for Mill Hill & Burnt Oak have vacancies at their lunch clubs for seniors. The Mill Hill lunch club meets on Tuesdays in the parish centre of the Sacred Heart Church. The Burnt Oak lunch club meets on Thursdays here in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. If you are interested, please call 020 8906 3340.
THANKSGIVING FOR MATRIMONY at Westminster Cathedral Saturday 14th May 2022 at 3:00pm
The Cardinal is inviting to this Mass all couples in the Diocese, who are celebrating a significant anniversary their 5th 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th (and every year over 60) wedding anniversary of Catholic marriage in 2022. If you would like to join in this Mass, please give your details: husband and wife’s names, wedding date, full postal address, email address and telephone number, by 1st April 2022. to Fr Colin, Fr David or email to Susan in the office. (burntoak@rcdow.org.uk).
JOURNEYING TOGETHER DURING LENT AT ST. ROSE’S, CRICKLEWOOD
Every Thursday through Lent from the 3rd March to 7thApril inclusive, at 7pm to 8pm, there will be Adoration, Prayer and Reflection on our Lenten Journey. Please do come.
Thank you from CAFOD
Thank you so much for your support of CAFOD’s Lent Family Fast Day, the Walk Against Hunger and the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. Your support means we can respond in crises such as Ukraine where our Caritas aid workers and volunteers could quickly help families fleeing conflict. It also means we’re there in the long-term and can continue to respond to crises around the world, including in Afghanistan, Syria, Ethiopia, and South Sudan. We work alongside communities as they rebuild their lives once the conflict is over, as in Sierra Leone. For lots more, detail on how your donations are being used, please go to the CAFOD website cafod.org.uk