Dear friends,
This coming Sunday is Remembrance Sunday, and we will begin Mass later than usual, at 10.55am – with the Act of Remembrance – in the Memorial Garden (weather permitting).
For Christians, every Sunday is of course a remembrance Sunday – for, as we celebrate the Eucharist, we proclaim the Lord’s death and profess his Resurrection: in the Mass, and in the Lord’s sacrifice upon the Cross which it re-presents for us, our suffering is tied to God’s for all eternity, and the power of His victory is held out to us in turn. It is our solemn duty each year at Remembrance-tide to pray for the repose of the souls of those who have lost their lives in conflict; but it is our duty likewise also throughout the year to share the story of the redeeming death of Christ.
At the end of Mass, our PCC Secretary and interim hon. Treasurer, David Griffiths – who is also Executive Officer at Bereavement Care – will speak about this charity’s important work in our local community as, this month, we receive donations towards that work: please use the Gift Aid envelopes and basket in church.
Likewise after Mass on Sunday there will be a short planning meeting for our upcoming Christmas Market, on Saturday, 22 November: donations of nearly-new items for sale are requested, and tables are available from Johnette (£15ea).
We warmly congratulate Fr Mike on his election to the Order of Our Lady of Walsingham. The College of Guardians of the Shrine has honoured Fr Mike for his outstanding service to this place of pilgrimage, as a regular resident volunteer in Norton’s and around the Shrine. Fr Mike will be admitted to the Order during next year’s Chapter meeting in July.
A new intercessions list will be produced in time for Advent Sunday, 30 November: before then, please (re-)add the names of those for whom prayer is requested, and please PRINT these names cleary.
We continue gratefully to receive items for inclusion in Christmas “care boxes” for St Luke’s Hospice: please bring these to church before Christ the King Sunday, 23 November. Thank you likewise for donations last month, in support of the Sickle Cell Society, totalling £634.50.
Our young people (in school year 6 and above) are invited to “Source and Summit”, an Anglo-Catholic Youth Event at St Alban, Holborn on Saturday, 6 December: please register your interest on the sheet in church.
You can also sign up in church to join the parish Christmas outing to the pantomime, on Sunday, 14 December – to enjoy “Dick Whittington” at the Harrow Arts Centre, at 3pm: tickets are £20 for adults, and £5 for 18yos and younger. Likewise on Sunday, 14 December at 3pm our Romanian Orthodox friends extend a warm welcome to all to their Christmas Carol Service, in church.
Please likewise speak to Fr Richard if you would like to join a group carol-singing at St Luke’s Hospice, on Tuesday, 16 December for half an hour, from 5pm; we are likewise invited to join the Bereavement Care carol-singing, at Harrow-on-the-Hill station, on Wednesday, 17 December from 4.30pm.
And Fr Richard will be on annual leave next week, from Sunday afternoon until Tuesday, 18 November: in his absence, please contact Fr Mike in case of pastoral need; speak to the churchwardens about matters concerning St Mary’s Church, and refer to the weekly sheet for changes to the schedule of Masses and public Offices.
May God grant to the living, grace; to the departed, rest; to the Church, the King, the Commonwealth and all people, unity, peace and concord; and to us, and to all God’s servants, life everlasting,
Fr Richard