TAKEHOMENEWS SUNDAY 28 JUNE 2026

RCDOW Burnt Oak
Jun 26
5 min read

We celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles. These are two great pillars of the Church. Yet, their pasts were far from perfect. Their lives reveal two powerful truths: Firstly, God’s grace can triumph over human weaknesses. Secondly, our broken pasts are not barriers, but places where grace begins.

St. Peter was very inconsistent and somewhat cowardly. He denied Jesus three times. St. Paul fiercely persecuted the Church and consented to St. Stephen’s Martyrdom. Despite these flaws, God used them to build the Church. Indeed, the transcendent power is of the Lord.

No wonder St. Paul declared, “By God’s grace, I am what I am…his grace toward me was not in vain” (1Cor 15:10). In the second reading, he says, “I am already being poured out as a drink offering…. but the Lord stood by me and strengthened me” (2 Timothy 4). This Sunday, we hear St. Peter divinely inspired to confess Jesus, “The Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt 16:16), a foundational Christian confession possible only by divine revelation.

God is never ashamed of or put off by our weaknesses or pasts. Rather, he stands by us as he stood by Saints Peter and Paul. As we strive daily to imitate these two Apostles, confessing Jesus as Lord with our lives, Lord, help us to remember the truth that there is no weakness or past beyond the reach of grace. Saints Peter and Paul-Pray for us. Amen

Happy Sunday Fr. Chinedu

RECENTLY DECEASED

DILLON O’FLYNN, her funeral Mass will be at 12 Noon on Friday 17 July. May her soul and the souls of all the departed rest in peace.

PETER’S PENCE

Today there will be a collection for Peter’s Pence, this supports the work of the Universal Church, including the work of the Holy See and the charitable works of Pope Leo XIV.

BAPTISM PREPARATION

The next preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised is

Sunday, 5^thJuly at 4pm in the church.

OUR SUMMER FAYRE SUNDAY 5 JULY 10-3 CANON SMYTH PARISH CENTRE

Food and drink, games, tombola, toys, cakes, plants, face-painting bric a brac and lots more… We invite everyone to come

and support this fundraising event for our parish. We need volunteers to help us with the physical setting up, and running the stalls such as the tombola and cake stand, also helping out in small tasks before, during and after, so if you are interested please give your name and contact number to one of our Priests.

We would be grateful if you could

donate prizes, gifts, wine and spirits for the raffle and tombola. Thank you.

CHURCH CLEANING

We wish to invite the young people, adults and parents for a Saturday all round clean-up of our parish. On Saturday 18^th July at 10.30am. There will be no Eucharistic Adoration or Confessions on that day.

Let us come to keep the house of God clean. Thank you for your anticipated presence.

25^thPRIESTLY ANNIVERSARY

To the Glory of God! We joyfully invite all parishioners to the 25^th Ordination Anniversary of Fr Ufayissa Dea Madalcho CM, on Sunday 19^th July at the 12: noon Mass.

After the Mass, all are welcome to the church hall for a thanksgiving celebration and refreshments.

If you wish to make an offering on behalf of the parish, please place your gift into the brown envelope marked Silver Jubilee. Your envelope can be placed in the offertory collection bag or posted through the presbytery letterbox.

PARISH FINANCIAL UPDATE JUNE2026

Our parish continues to face financial pressure, with expenditure exceeding income.

We are grateful for the generosity that has sustained our ministries, but long-term stability requires renewed commitment and careful planning.

Car Park:

Scoping work has been carried out on the possibility of improving the car park and to understand the condition of the site.

If explored further in the future, an improved car park could provide a steady source of income for the parish.

Parishioners will be duly informed and carried along every step of the way.

Good News: Lottery Grant Award

Our recent application for a lottery grant has been successful, securing £20,000 for the parish.

This funding strengthens our financial position and supports the ongoing care and maintenance of our parish; it also highlights the value of external funding opportunities that can benefit the parish.

Funding Opportunities

Many employers offer match-funding, charity grants, or corporate giving schemes.

These programmes are often under-used and can provide significant support at no cost to the individual.

If your employer offers anything like this - or if you’re unsure - please let us know.

Legacy Drive Coming in November

Later this year, we will launch a Legacy Drive inviting parishioners to consider leaving a gift to the parish in their will; a meaningful way to support the long-term future of our church.

New Contactless Giving Option

A new, more user-friendly Payaz contactless machine will be introduced in the near future. This will make giving easier and more accessible for everyone to support the upkeep of our parish.

Summer Fayre – Sunday 5th July

Our Summer Fayre will take place on 5th July; an important fundraiser and a celebration of our parish community.

Queries

Thank you for your generosity, time, and commitment; support is shaping the future of our parish. If you have questions about parish finances, members of the Parish Finance Committee are available to help after masses this weekend.

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.

CONFIRMATION PHOTOGRAPHER

Parents of the confirmation candidates who wish to purchase photographs Please contact the photographer Tel: 07863 273644.