Dear friends,
(Fr Richard remains on annual leave, until Tuesday, 29 April.)
Please consult the attached news sheet, for up-to-date Mass times this week, while Fr Richard is away. We are very grateful to Fr Joseph Barnes (who was recently on placement with us at St Mary’s) for agreeing to offer the 9.30am Mass on Friday, and the 6pm Vigil Mass on Saturday; as also to our friend Fr Bernard Dagnall, for agreeing to celebrate Sunday’s 10.30am Mass this week. Please be present to support them, and to acknowledge their generosity to our parish.
What a beautiful celebration of Easter we have enjoyed! Thank you so much for your participation and prayerful support; thank you for your hard work over Holy Week, and thank you (also on behalf of Fr Mike and Ryan) for your Easter cards, gifts and kind wishes.
The celebrations continue this weekend, as we mark Low Sunday, Bright Sunday, Divine Mercy Sunday and Quasimodo Sunday – to give this coming Sunday just a few of its various names! To find out more, you’ll just have to come along to Mass – where, like the disciples in this Sunday’s Gospel reading, the Lord will again proclaim to us, ‘Peace be with you.’
Nomination papers are available in church for churchwardens, and members of the Parochial Church Council; please also speak to Fr Richard to learn more about becoming our parish’s next Parish Safeguarding Officer. Our Annual Parish Meetings take place on Sunday, 11 May after Mass – and the draft 2024 Annual Report and Accounts are appended to this mailing.
The next important event in our parish diary is the May Devotion, on Saturday, 3 May. This will begin at 2.30pm at All Saints’ Church, and involve a street procession of an image of Our Lady – accompanied by a brass band! – to St Mary’s. Those who cannot make the walk are welcome to gather in church from 3pm, to welcome Our Lady. After our devotions, a sparkling afternoon tea will be served in the Hall. Those kindly baking cakes for afternoon tea can drop them to the Hall next Saturday, between 1-2pm. Volunteers are requested to man the Hall during this period, and then to supervise serving refreshments during the party: please see Fr Richard, if you can help. Volunteers are likewise requested to decorate the float with flowers after the 9.30am Mass next Friday, and then next Friday evening (time tbc) to set up the Hall for tea.
A reminder that we are invited on Monday next week (28 April) to St Alphage, Burnt Oak for their Patronal Festival Mass at 6pm, followed by a party. Please also find attached an invitation from Bishop Jonathan to join him at St Andrew, Holborn next week on Wednesday, 30 April for a Solemn Mass in Eastertide at 7pm, followed by drinks and a light supper.
Please now likewise return your Additional Curates Society collection boxes, as soon as possible.
May God, who through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us the victory, now give you also joy and peace in your faith,
Fr Richard