Dear friends,
With great excitement we are looking forward to our May Devotion on Saturday, which begins at 2.30pm at All Saints Church, 531 Kenton Road HA3 0UL – from where a procession of an image of Our Lady, accompanied by a brass band(!), will make its way along the street to St Mary’s. Those who feel unable to join the procession may gather at St Mary’s, to welcome Our Lady, at 3pm. After the conclusion of the devotions, a sparkling afternoon tea will be served in the Hall, for which your kind contributions of cakes and baked goods may be delivered to the Hall 1-2pm.Do spread the word!
This Sunday’s Gospel reading relates another one of Jesus’ appearances after his Resurrection, in which – in response to the Lord’s command – the disciples drew in a miraculous draught of one hundred and fifty three fish. St Jerome explains that this corresponds to the number of species of fish known to exist at the time of Jesus, and so represents the appeal of the Church to all the world. 153 is also a triangular number, putting us in mind of the Trinity: the revelation of the Father is made in the Son and by the Holy Spirit, and it is the life of the Trinity which we now live in the risen Jesus.
Please return your Additional Curates Society Lent Appeal donations boxes, to be counted. Our chosen charity throughout this month of May is Mary’s Meals – which serves nutritious school meals to children living in some of the world’s poorest communities. The promise of a good meal attracts these hungry children into the classroom, giving them both the energy to learn, and hope for a better future. Mary’s Meals is already feeding more than 2.6 million children every school day. To explain more about this valuable work, a representative from Mary’s Meals will join us at Mass on Sunday, to speak briefly about what they do and how we can help. Please also consult this video; or browse these online resources. There are envelopes and Gift Aid forms available in church, which – once filled in and filled up – can simply be placed into the basket at the back.
Nominations are open to serve as our churchwardens and members of our Parochial Church Council (PCC), in advance of the Annual Parish Meetings a week on Sunday, 11 May, after Mass. An updated copy of the 2024 Annual Report and Accounts is appended to this message, as are the Minutes of the two 2024 Annual Meetings.
The Walsingham Youth Pilgrimage for 11-18 year olds takes place 4-8 August. It would be very helpful to know this weekend which of our young people would like to take part – as funding deadlines are fast approaching. Generous financial assistance is available for all families who require it.
Please see here for an invitation to (i) a service to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of re:generation – Harrow Churches Schools Link on 10 May, at St Michael, Harrow Weald; and please find attached invitations to (ii) a Friends of the Holy Land Ecumenical Service on 20 May, at the Temple Church, and (iii) the Edgware Abbey Summer Festival on 7 June (note: no public Morning Prayer, or morning Mass here that day).
Our Lady of the May, pray for us and with us,
Fr Richard
P.S. Apologies for an interruption to the live-streaming of last Sunday morning’s Mass: this is being investigated…