Dear friends,
What a wonderful celebration for St Leonard we enjoyed last Sunday: thank you so much to all who supported and contributed! Thank you likewise to those who attended our All Souls commemorations, for which attendance at Mass was up a third on last year.
This Sunday coming is Remembrance Sunday, when we recall and pray for those who have given their lives in conflict: weather permitting, Mass will begin in the memorial garden – and at the slightly later time of 10.55am (with the Act of Remembrance). Mass will also be followed by a short, final planning meeting for our upcoming Christmas Market on Saturday, 23 November – for which we gratefully continue to request your donations of raffle prizes, and quality bric-a-brac.
In the first reading for the Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, the story of Elijah and the widow illustrates how God blesses those who bless others, and who put others’ needs before their own: this text also reminds us that placing our resources at the disposal of the Church’s mission will see our own modest contribution multiplied by His grace.
In addition to the Schools’ Christmas Workshop on Friday, 6 December – for which we require volunteers to help, either for the morning/afternoon, or the whole day – St Mary’s will also be hosting the inaugural Kenton Schools’ Community Christmas Carol Service in church on Tuesday, 10 December at 1.30pm – when we will be joined by the choirs of four local primary schools (and by Jonathan, our bishop) for a traditional Christmas Carol Service: we anticipate that this service will be very popular with parents, and, as such – if you wish to attend – you are asked please to sign up in church, so that sufficient seats can be reserved for members of our congregation.
Please likewise sign up before Saturday, 16 November if you wish to come on the coach trip to Winchester Cathedral’s Christmas Market, on Tuesday, 3 December (£20pp).
Please find attached an invitation to join the Harrow InterFaith Walk on Monday next week, 11 November – beginning at 10.15am outside Hatch End Telephone Exchange Building. (There is a full list of activities during InterFaith week on the Harrow Interfaith website.) Also, the Committee of Anglican Religious Communities in England is hosting an online discussion for anyone exploring a vocation to the religious life, on Tuesday, 19 November at 7.30pm: please e-mail Fr Mark Soady to register.
I will be on annual leave next week, until Tuesday, 19 November: in my absence, Fr Mike has kindly agreed to cover most Masses – and to offer pastoral care where required; however, please note that there will be NO public Morning Prayer on Thursday, 14 November – NOR will there be public Morning Prayer or a morning Mass on Saturday, 16 November.
This week is your final chance to vote for your favourite incense, using this link.
My soul, give praise to the Lord,
Fr Richard