4th Sunday of EASTER (A)
Today is Good Shepherd Sunday when we reflect on Jesus in his role of being our shepherd. A shepherd knows his sheep. He cares for them. He guides them in the right direction. He brings back the stray. Today Jesus tells his disciples that he is also the gate of the sheepfold. This implies that the only way for us as sheep to get through to the other side is to approach Jesus. Any other way would not lead to the life that Jesus refers to. So we listen out for the voice of the shepherd, calling us into his care. At the same time, we try to ignore the call of the stranger, which we see as the devil, enticing us away from God.
PRIESTS TRAINING FUND
This Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday and our second collection will support the Priest Training Fund. This fund pays for the priestly formation of men for the Catholic priesthood. There are currently 48 men studying at Allen Hall seminary, 14 of whom are from our own Diocese, and two men are studying in Rome, also from our Diocese and 2 in Valladolid, one of whom (Brendan) was on a pastoral placement here in January. Last year 8 men who studied at Allen Hall were ordained to the priesthood to serve as our future priests. The fund also supports the ongoing enrichment and formation of our ordained priests. Your gift ensures we can provide training for these men responding to Christ’s call to dedicate their lives to serve God’s people. Please be as generous as you can. Please also pray for vocations and for all our priests. If you do not have a donation envelope, plenty are still available at the back of the church. You can use the QR code to make your donation online or visit www.rcdow.org.uk/donations. Thank you for your generosity.
Lately Dead
Please pray for the repose of the soul of IRENE JUPP whose funeral Mass will be on Monday 22nd May at 11am, this will replace the 12 Noon Mass that day. May she rest in peace.
First communion programme
The children take part in a Celebration Mass today (Sunday) at 10.30. There is a meeting for parents tomorrow (Monday) at 7.45pm in the Parish Centre. The children have a session in the Parish Centre next Sunday (7th May) at 9am.
CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME
There will be a meeting for parents of Confirmation candidates on Wednesday at 7.30pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre.
BAPTISM PREPARATION
There will be a preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised on Sunday 14th May at 4pm in the church.
MEETING FOR EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
There will be a meeting for Eucharistic Ministers on Thursday 4th May at 7.30pm in the church.
THE CORONATION OF KING CHARLES III
The Coronation takes place on Saturday. Catholic Communities are being encouraged to pray for the King as he assumes the fulness of his responsibility. There will be a Triduum of Prayer from Wednesday to Friday this week. On Friday, the eve of the Coronation, there will be an extra Mass at 7.30pm for the intentions of th
e King. The forthcoming Coronation of King Charles III is a moment of great importance and joy for the nation. There is no need to abstain from meat on Friday.
PRAYER FOR THE KING
V O Lord, save Charles, our King.
R And hear us on the day we call upon you.
V O Lord, hear my prayer.
R And let my cry come before you.
V The Lord be with you.
R And with your spirit.
Almighty God, we pray,
that your servant Charles, our King,
who, by your providence has received
the governance of this realm,
may continue to grow in every virtue,
that, imbued with your heavenly grace,
he may be preserved from all that is harmful and evil
and, being blessed with your favour
may, with his consort and the royal family,
come at last into your presence,
through Christ who is the way, the truth and the life
and who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God,
for ever and ever. Amen.
MAY PROCESSION
This year’s May Procession will be on Saturday 20th May, following the 10am Mass. We will process to Our Lady’s Grotto after Mass and will return to the church for Benediction.
MASS FOR MIGRANTS
The Dioceses and Ethnic Chaplaincies of Brentwood, Southwark and Westminster invite you to a celebration of the annual Mass for Migrants tomorrow (Monday 1st May) at St Antony of Padua Church, St Antony’s Road, Forest Gate, E7 9QB at 12 Noon.
Foodbank for the community
Items for the Foodbank can be left in the box in the church porch. Many thanks for your generosity.
VOCATIONS EVENING
On Wednesday, 17th May, there will be an Open Evening at St James, Spanish Place, for any men interested in learning about or discerning a vocation to the priesthood. The regular evening Mass at 6pm will be followed by a gathering in the social centre for a short presentation, informal conversations and refreshments. Do come and join us if you can. The nearest tube stations are Bond Street and Baker Street.
WESTMINSTER DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES
This takes place from 21st to 28th July. Please see the Tangney Tours poster in the church for details and ask one of the priests for an application form if you are interested in going.