Dear friends,
The clocks go back one hour overnight this weekend: despite the extra hour’s sleep, do try not to be late to Mass!
As you may know, one of the hats I wear is as a vocations adviser to Jonathan, our Bishop: this afternoon I met with someone beginning the journey of discerning a vocation to the priesthood, who spoke movingly of how excited he is each week to come to Mass, and how much he wishes to share this excitement with others. Our psalm this coming Sunday speaks of the ‘marvels the Lord worked for us‘, chief among which is the holy sacrifice of the Mass, in which the work of our salvation is laid wondrously open before us day by day. Would that we all – priests and people – shared this young man’s excitement for the Eucharist – and that we were daily conscious of the privilege we enjoy in responding to God’s invitation to join Him at the altar.
On Saturday evening, the 6pm Vigil Mass will be celebrated simply, and in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, on account of the Stanmore Choral Society concert in church later that night – tickets for which are available here, or on the door (£17/free, to include refreshments). A reminder that Saturday’s Vigil Mass fulfils the Sunday obligation – and is a useful alternative if attendance on a Sunday morning is not possible. Neither – and exceptionally – will Evening Prayer be said publicly, or Confessions heard in church, this coming Saturday evening.
The clock is likewise fast counting down to our St Leonard’s Day celebrations, on Sunday, 3 November at 5pm: on this day, there will be no 10.30am Mass (although Morning Prayer will be said as usual at 9.45am). Volunteers are requested to help set up the Hall the evening of Saturday, 2 November from 6pm. Please see Patthis Sunday to inform her of your bring-and-share contribution to the parish party after the St Leonard’s Day Mass – for which, in advance, hearty thanks! Please see me to contribute to the cost of the evening’s fireworks (c.£180 left to raise). I am further delighted to share with you the news that we will be honoured by the presence, at this Mass, of the Mayor of Harrow, Cllr Salim Chowdhury, and the Mayoress. Do likewise extend a warm invitation to neighbours, family and friends!
This Sunday will be the final opportunity to contribute to October’s chosen charity, Freedom from Torture: please place any further donations into the basket at the back of church, and use a Gift Aid envelope as appropriate.
Next week on Friday (1 November) we will celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints (a Holy Day of Obligation – which means that everyone should endeavour to be present at Mass): the 9.30am Mass will be followed by pastries and sparkling refreshments for breakfast – to which all are very welcome.
Then, on Saturday, 2 November we observe All Souls, the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed: please add any final names of departed loved ones to the list in church by Wednesday next week, and indicate at which Mass (9.30am and 2pm) you will be present to remember them. It is a laudable custom to practice fasting (a reduction of food) and/or abstinence (the removal of meat from one’s diet) on All Souls’ Day, for the comfort and release of our dear departed in Purgatory. Morning Prayer on 2 November will be said simply at 9.30am, without the usual time of Eucharistic Adoration; and Evening Prayer at 5pm, Confessions, and the 6pm Vigil Mass will all take place as usual.
Our “Countdown to Christmas” Table-Top Market will take place in the Hall on Saturday, 23 November, between 10.30am-5pm. Please spread the word, taking a flier or poster from church; please also bring in any donations of quality bric-a-brac, or raffle prizes.
A list is available in church to sign up for an outing by coach (with our friends from Kingsbury, Willesden Green and Willesden) to the Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market, on Tuesday, 3 December (not November, as on the pew sheet – which is sadly a little out of order this week!): the cost will be £20, payable to Ryan.
We now also require volunteers to sign up in church to assist with our schools’ Christmas Workshops, on Friday, 6 December. This year we will be welcoming over 200 children from Elmgrove Primary School, and Kenmore Park Infant & Nursery School, to explore the true meaning of Christmas through storytelling, music and crafts. There are volunteer roles for everyone! – from serving refreshments to the accompanying adults, through to supervising a small group craft activity. You may sign up for the morning (9.30am-11.30am), the afternoon (12.30-2.30pm), or both! Those who wish to may also stay to a complimentary sandwich lunch in between the sessions – and we also look forward to welcoming helpers from re:generation Harrow, the Harrow Christian schools’ charity, and from the Ministry Experience Scheme. Please give of your time to help with this wonderful initiative!
Please find attached invitations to the Patronal Festivals at St Edmund the King, Northwood Hills (on Sunday, 17 November at 3pm); and St Andrew, Willesden Green (on Friday, 29 November at 7.30pm). Please note that there will, exceptionally, be no public Evening Prayer or Vigil Mass on Saturday, 30 November – to allow us instead to support the Patronal Festival at St Andrew, Kingsbury at 4.30pm.
This Sunday’s incense will be scented with raspberry: register your favourite scent here, between now and 4 November!
What marvels the Lord worked for us! / Indeed we were glad,
Fr Richard