10-11 August – Annual SPUC petition
Sadly, one of the biggest drivers of abortion in the UK is poverty and one particular policy which penalises families and contributes to poverty is the two-child Universal Credit limit. Ironically the abortion giants BPAS have identified that the government’s policy is “a significant factor” in many women deciding to abort their child. On the petition weekend, you will be asked to complete a Petition Postcard.
Rest in Peace
Sister Pia, Sister of Sion, died peacefully at her care home on Saturday morning, 17th August. May she rest in peace.
The Funeral Mass of Stuart Reed of Rodin Court will be on Tuesday 20th August at 2pm. May Stuart now Rest in Peace.
Andrew Lidstone would like to thank everyone who sent Mass cards for Mira and for the generous donations to the Building Fund after Mass. From everyone attending, those pulling out all the stops to make it happen, Fr Sean and Fr Noel for celebrating and the choir – the parish is filled with so many brilliant people. People as far as far as Australia were able to see the wonderful celebration. I’m sure Mira is very proud of you all. Mass will be celebrated for your intentions.
Summer cover
Fr David returns from holiday on August 1st. We thank the priests who have celebrated Masses for us while he has been away. With parishioners on holiday, we ask Eucharistic Ministers and Readers to step in if the person on their rota is away. Thank you.
Services
Sunday Masses are at 6:30pm (Saturday), 9:45am, 11:15am and 7pm. (Note: from 4th to 25th August inclusive, there will be no 7pm Mass on Sundays)
Sunday Scripture readings
Notes on the Scripture readings
Normal Weekday Mass times (unless there is a funeral) are 9am Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday after Morning Prayer at 8:45am.
7pm Mass Tuesday: will resume in September.
Funeral Masses: Changes to Mass times e.g. for a funeral will be announced in church.
Eucharistic Adoration: Wednesday and Friday after 9am Mass until 10:30am.
Rosary: Tuesday and Friday after 9am Mass.
Confession: The Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession is available on Saturday evening from 6-6:20pm.
Family Room: This summer’s activity reflects on Sharing our summer holidays with God.
Coming up
Padre Pio Group: meets Sunday 4th August at 7pm in church as there is no evening Mass. The following meeting will be on 1st September after 7pm Mass.
Pilgrimage to Walsingham: The annual diocesan pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham will take place on Saturday, 21st September. Further information will be available in due course.
Soup Run Update
Grateful thanks to those who have come forward as drivers/distributors after our last appeal. It has helped to ease the pressure off our current volunteers. We would still always welcome help and also for our sandwich teams. Donations of instant coffee, tuna (no catering sizes please), sweetcorn and mayo always appreciated. Contact Kit Greveson on 07507 138582 or email kit.greveson@gmail.com.
Gift Aid – £18,000 Thank you
We have now received our Gift Aid payments for the 2023/2024 Tax Year. This totals almost £18,000 and we thank all our parishioners who have signed Gift Aid Declarations adding 25p for the parish to every £1 they give at no cost to themselves. If you need a Gift Aid Statement for your 23/24 Tax return, please contact plannedgiving@stpeterinchains.com.
Pope Francis’ August prayer intention
Pope Francis’ prayer intention this August is “For political leaders” The Holy Father asks we pray that political leaders be at the service of their own people, working for integral human development and for the common good, especially caring for the poor and those who have lost their jobs.
Pope Francis’ message for the Olympic Games
In a message to the Archbishop of Paris ahead of the Olympics, Pope Francis has heralded the Games as an opportunity to break down prejudices and bring friendship where there is hatred. “The Olympic Games are, by their very nature, about peace, not war,” the Holy Father wrote. “I hope that the Paris Olympics will be an unmissable opportunity for all those who come from around the world to discover and appreciate each other, to break down prejudices, to foster esteem where there is contempt and mistrust, and friendship where there is hatred.” The Pope also expressed his belief that sport can unite and encourage dialogue: “Sport is a universal language that transcends frontiers, languages, races, nationalities and religions; it has the capacity to unite people, to encourage dialogue and mutual acceptance; it stimulates the surpassing of oneself, forms the spirit of sacrifice, fosters loyalty in interpersonal relations; it invites people to recognise their own limits and the value of others.”
The Pope refers to The Olympic Truce re-established in the modern Games era in 1992 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) with the United Nations. The Holy Father said: “In these troubled times, when world peace is under serious threat, it is my fervent wish that everyone will take this truce to heart, in the hope of resolving conflicts and restoring harmony. May God have mercy on us! May He enlighten the consciences of those in power to the grave responsibilities incumbent upon them, may He grant the peacemakers success in their endeavours, and may He bless them.”
Other News:
Divine Mercy Aylesford Pilgrimage: The Divine Mercy Apostolate is holding a Celebration of St Faustina Birthday at Aylesford Priory, Aylesford, Kent on Bank Holiday Monday 26 August from 10 am to 4:30 pm. The reflection day will include teachings on the Message of Divine Mercy, Holy Mass, Hour of Mercy with Stations of the Cross, Adoration and Benediction and Veneration of the Image of Merciful Jesus. All welcome. Call Millie on 07957594646 for more information. Coaches from Ealing Broadway and Victoria
March for Life – Saturday 7th September: Pro-Life Summit 10:30-12:30 at The Emmanuel Centre, Marsham St SW1P 3DW on the theme for the day “Abortion isn’t Healthcare”. Also Mass at St George’s Cathedral, Southwark at 11am. March starting at the Emmanuel Centre at 1:30 and finishing at Parliament Square at 4:30.
School Open Days: Finchley Catholic High School open evening is Tuesday 10th September from 5–7.30pm with Headteacher talks at 5pm and 7pm. Parking available on site. La Sante Union: Open Evening, Tuesday 17th September, 4pm-7pm (last entry 6.30pm). Open Mornings Tuesday 8th & Thursday 17th October, 9am-11am
Food Bank donations: As more and more people need to access food banks, we would ask anyone who is able to donate, when they can, to one of our local food banks. Contributions can be made to Holy Trinity Foodbank on Sundays between 1pm and 3:30pm. Please come to the Church Hall on Stapleton Hall Road, next to St Aidan’s School, N4 4RR, near the Albany Road junction.
The National Guild of St Stephen Altar Servers’ Dinner will be held at the Liner Hotel, Lord Nelson Street, Liverpool, L3 5QB on Friday 6th September at 7.30pm. This is a great opportunity to meet other server’s and families from all over the UK. For more details: https://www.guildofststephen.org/events/dinner2024.
The Universe Catholic Weekly The Universe Catholic Weekly gives Catholics the chance to read about this country and the world through the lens of their religion. Digital and printed editions are available to subscribers. Visit their website for more information.
Please pray for:
Those who are ill: Christian Overal, Antonio Neto, Zintra Sansom, Brenda Buzec, Amy Gordon, Annette Donivar, Caroline Hilton, Karin Summers, Graham Summers, Joan Summers, Helen Kozlowski, Don Brewis, Roman Cholij, Adeline Oyekoya, Mary Wallace, Margaret Whelan, Kitty Madden, Brendan Whelan, Claire Marchand, Mike Coombes, Gemma Francis, Richard Simon, Noah Purcell–Chandler, Nathalie Renford, Jackie Loivette, Michael Reid, Wendy Fairhurst, Ann Elizabeth Bennett, Joseph Lunn, Michael Hurley, Enid Samaru, Emilie Alcaraz, Ann Kozlowski-Hunt, Gabriel Brimacombe-Rand, Marie-Christine Polak, Frank Farrell, Peter Leung, Elizabeth Herbert, Mr Anthony Mark Selvarajah, Elaine Benjamin, Emma Gordon, Mariia Karp.
Those who have recently died: Teresa Buckley, Mira Lidstone, Sister Pia, Stuart Reed RIP.