Dear Parishioners and Families of the Parish,
Do share the news that despite the lockdown the church remains open and public Masses are taking place. The churches are safe and essential. With all the restrictions to our lives there comes a call to a deeper spiritual life, a renewed relationship with Our Lord. We need to pray for our world, our families, those who are sick and those who have died. Let's remember those who cannot come out and those who are afraid and despondent.
In times of greatest trial, it is always good to turn to Our Blessed Lady. From next week I'm starting a special parish Rosary on Saturday evenings at 5pm. I want to invite you all, young and old, from all parts of the parish to join me at that time in praying for all the intentions we have for the Church and the world, for ourselves and our families. Details and an invitation are enclosed and online.
This is also a time to get to know our faith better. There are various courses online including the Evangelium course each Sunday at 7pm. Next Sunday is being called 'Sunday of the Word of God'. I'm going to be giving five classes over the next five weeks on understanding the Old Testament. Many people struggle to understand the Old Testament, its connection to Christ and its relevance. In this five-part course, I will take you through the Old Testament in stages explaining how to interpret the text and how to gain great inspiration there for our Christian lives. This course is called 'From Creation to Christ - A Journey through the Old Testament Scriptures'. We will use visuals online including masterpieces of art. We'll be making links to great pieces of music and works of literature. The classes will take place at 5pm on the next five Sundays (January 24th, 31st, February 7th, 14th and 21st). I hope you can join me. Details and an invitation are in this newsletter and online.
The priests are working hard to contact everyone in the parish and to ensure everyone has good support. Please let us know if you are not contacted in the next two weeks or if you may know someone who may have fallen through the cracks. Pleased be above all assured of our prayer each and every day. Fr Marcus
Parish Rosary on Saturday 23rd January at 5pm
Meeting ID: 894 1981 9419
'From Creation to Christ - A Journey through the Old Testament Scriptures' - Short Scripture Course with Fr Marcus Holden
Starting 24th January at 5pm and for five weeks
Meeting ID: 815 4604 5318
Parish Surgeries: As we are in Lockdown 3, we are unable to hold our usual parish surgeries. So if you planning on getting married; need to organise your child’s baptism; have school supplementary forms that needs completing, or any other enquiry, please email Fr Paul paulkyne@rcaos.org.uk or call him on 020 8674 3704 (option 3) to arrange a telephone or online appointment.
Important Message regarding Gift Aid – If you pay tax, please consider signing up to gift aid all your donations, Mass stipends and offerings as we receive an extra 25% from the government when you do that – without costing you a penny more! There are forms at the back of the church to register your intention to gift aid. If you wish to set up a standing order the gift aid declaration is on one side of the form. Also if you use our new card machines, this will also record if you want to gift aid too.
Crib Offerings: will be going to Mary’s Meals again this year. The card machine on the left of the crib has this option available and the candle side on right is for the cash donations. Alternatively, if you place your crib donation in an envelope you can place it in the collection box at the back of the church too.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT - for all our Catechism Classes (Latin Mass FHC / Confirmation Group; Pre-Confirmation Class of 2020 – and those applying for 2021 intake): Due to the present restrictions we will not be resuming or commencing Catechism classes. We will let you know as soon as we can when these classes can resume/start.
Sacramental Programmes for 2021:
First Holy Communion: Applications are available at the back of the church or by contacting the parish office. Please submit your application as soon as possible. The course is likely to start in late January however no confirmed plans have been made as yet.
Confirmation (Year 9 or above) & Pre-Confirmation (Year 8): Applications are available at the back of the Church or by contacting the Parish Office. Please submit your application form as soon as possible. All candidates must complete the pre-confirmation course before they can move onto the full Confirmation programme.
Cleaners Rota this week: Ella Shllaku, Anais Tarelho & Vicki Sabatini. Please note Church in use until 12noon each Saturday.