FIFTH Sunday of Easter Year b 2024
Gratitude Bears Fruits of Joy and Real Love
“O sing a new song to the Lord, for he has worked wonders……he has shown his deliverance, alleluia” (Ps 97:1-2).
This entrance antiphon of this Sunday’s Mass is an expression of gratitude which bears in us the fruits of joy and courage. This joy heightens our passion for salvation of souls. Hence, when St Paul came to the knowledge of God’s surpassing love, with gratitude, he fearlessly preached for the salvation of souls as we see in this Sunday’s first reading. This is the transforming power of a personal knowledge of God’s love. Thus, St. Paul, prayed that we may know God’s love (Ephesians 3:14-19).
Personal knowledge of God’s love makes our love for each other real and active so that we may live in God and God in us as today's second reading asks us (1 John 3:18-24). In this way, we make our home in God, remain in our relationship with Jesus and are fruitful as Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel (John 15). May God grant us the grace to recognise his love, so that, with gratitude and joy we may truly and fearlessly love others, and thus, live in God. Happy Sunday
Fr Chinedu
PRIESTS TRAINING FUND-THANK YOU
Thank you for your generosity to the PTF collection last weekend. Should you still wish to make donations, envelopes are still available in the back of the church. You can also contact the parish office. Please continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood.
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 a very important meeting of counters on Tuesday 30th April 7pm. Please, all counters should try to be at the meeting. Thanks for all you do for the parish.
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.
MISSIO BOX COUNTING
If you have a red Missio box please can you bring it and give it to one of the Priests before 12th May. 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.
Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP)
We are planning to start a Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) here in our parish. So, if you have been a member of SVP in the past, and would like to be part of its formation in our parish; or if you would like to join the society for the first time and are happy to be part of it, please, speak with and give your names and contact number to the priests or stewards after the masses. 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