7th Sunday of Easter (C) - 29th MAY
Jesus’ prayer for unity goes deeper than we might have first thought. This extract from St. John’s Gospel is often used when we pray for unity among Christians. In doing so, we are praying that we may be one with Jesus Christ as he is the binding force that brings us together. But in doing that we become united with the Father, as the Son and the Father are one. Jesus prays ‘Father, may they be one in us, as you are in me and I am in you’. That intimacy with God is something we are all striving for. We want to have a heart that is a replica of God’s heart, full of love. We want our actions and words to be inspired by the Word of God. So it is that the Holy Spirit, the great Unifier and our Advocate, enables us to fulfil those wishes. This will be very much in our minds as we come to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost next Weekend.
THE PLATINUM JUBILEE OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN
At all Masses next weekend we shall be praying for Her Majesty the Queen on her Platinum Jubilee. We congratulate her on this amazing achievement, reigning over our country and other Commonwealth Countries for 70 years. Thursday and Friday are Jubilee Bank Holidays. Masses will be at the usual time, 9am each day.
NOVENA OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
As we prepare for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost next weekend, we will continue to say this prayer:
Holy Spirit come into our lives.
Open our ears: To hear what you are saying to us
In the things that happen to us
In the people we meet
Open our eyes: To see the needs of the people round us.
Open our hands: To do our work well, to help when help is needed.
Open our lips: To tell others the Good News of Jesus
To bring comfort, happiness and laughter to other people.
Open our minds: To discover new truth about You and the world
Open our hearts: To love you and our fellow men and women
As you have loved us in Jesus.
To you with our Father and the Son, one God, all honour and praise shall be given now and forever. Amen.
ESTHER KELLY R.I.P.
Please pray for the soul of ESTHER KELLY (Bridget) whose cremation will take place on Wednesday 15th June.
WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY
Today is World Communications Day and there will be a second collection for the Catholic Communications Network.
The Title this year is ‘Listening with the ear of the heart’. We are invited to reflect that listening involves more than simply the sense of hearing. True listening is a foundation of genuine relationships, and is fundamental to the relationship between God and humanity. The Pope, quoting St Paul, noted that “faith comes through hearing”. In fact, he remarked, “listening corresponds to the humble style of God” who reveals himself by speaking, and by listening to men and women recognises them as his partners in dialogue. Human beings are called in turn to “tune in, to be willing to listen” as God calls them to a covenant of love. Fundamentally, the Pope said “listening is a dimension of love”.
FIRST COMMUNION PROGRAMME
The First Communion candidates have a Celebration Mass at 10.30 this morning.
There will be a rehearsal for the First Communions on Friday 10th June at 6.pm. Please come to the church. The First Communion Masses will take place at 2pm and 3.30pm on Saturday 11th June. Paige & Michelle’s group will be at 2pm, Tayo, Mary, Mavis and Savannah’s groups will be at 3.30. Please pray for the children as they prepare for this important occasion.
THE SUNDAY MASS OBLIGATION
The Sunday Obligation in England and Wales has been reintroduced. At their recent meeting, the Bishops of England and Wales have said that the reasons which have prevented Catholics from attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation no longer apply. However, the statement acknowledges that any Catholic who is impeded for a serious reason, such as ill health, care for the sick or legitimate fear, will not be in breach. They also clarify that the livestream viewing of Mass does not fulfil the obligation but may be a source of spiritual comfort to those whom the obligation does not apply.
Copies of the full text of the letter from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference are available at the back of the church. Please take a copy for yourself and copies for your friends and neighbours who need to know about the re-introduction of the Sunday Mass Obligations.
MEETING FOR EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
There will be a meeting for Eucharistic Ministers at 7.30pm on Wednesday 15th June in the church.
The re-commissioning of Eucharistic Ministers for a further year will take place at Masses on the Feast of Corpus Christi (18th and 19th June).
If you have not done so already, Eucharistic Ministers are asked to please let Fr Colin know their email addresses. This will enable the rota to be sent directly to you in the future.
SUMMER FAYRE
We will be having a Summer Fayre on Saturday 9th July. We are looking for helpers for the stalls and other activities. If you are able to help, please let us know.
CAFOD
Thank you to all parishioners at the Annunciation for your generous support for CAFOD this year and for your latest donation of £606.00 which we received on 12 May 2022. Thank you so much for being there for our global family.
With your support, local experts around the world—like the Sisters who helped Lombeh and her mum—can fight malnutrition and help more children eat a full and healthy meal.
Please continue to pray and act this year to tackle causes of food poverty. Small acts of love make big things happen.
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.
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