Dear friends,
‘”Peace be with you!” This is how Jesus greets his Apostles in the Gospel for this Sunday… Peace is the gift of God… The wounds of the risen Lord and glorious Lord are the permanent sign of God’s merciful love for humanity. From them flows a spiritual light that enlightens consciences and pours into hearts comfort and hope‘ (Pope St John Paul II).
Hearty thanks to all whose hard work and devotion made for so special a celebration of Holy Week and Easter this year – and one which saw record-breaking numbers at the great liturgies of the Triduum: on Maundy Thursday, 42 people came to Mass (2025: 38); on Good Friday, 58 (58); to the Easter Vigil, 80 (74), and on Easter Day, 134 (124).
Thank you likewise for your generous Good Friday offerings (for Christians in the Holy Land), totalling £227.50 – for Gaza’s Al Ahli Hospital Appeal by the Jerusalem and the Middle East Church Association: please now also kindly return your Additional Curates Society Lent Appeal collection boxes to be counted, and please do give with similar generosity to this month’s appeal, in support of the Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust.
Our friends the Willan Singers invite us to “The Eastertide Story” on Sunday, 19 April at 6pm (at Holy Trinity Church, Green Lanes, Winchmore Hill N21) – a 90-minute choral reflection from Palm Sunday to Easter Day, incorporating John Stainer’s Crucifixion. Entrance is free, with a retiring collection to support parish ministry; and all are likewise welcome to stay to refreshments afterwards.
Please note, finally, that I will go on annual leave after Mass on Sunday, returning to work on Friday, 24 April: in my absence, please consult the weekly sheet for changes to the times of Mass; please see Fr Mike with any pastoral concerns, and please speak to the churchwardens about any other pressing matters concerning St Mary’s Church.
God of everlasting mercy, kindle the faith of the people you have made your own, that all may grasp and rightly understand in what font they have been washed; by whose Spirit they have been reborn, and by whose Blood they have been redeemed,
Fr Richard