Weekly News Letter - 22nd to 28th January
SICK PARISHIONERS: Please pray for May Nesbitt, Lorna McQueen, Adrian Finikin, Mary Glasgow, Lily McDaid, John Kearney, Renato Perez, Natalia Candelaria, Zuheer Hindi, Antonio Rodrigues, Mary Comerford, Pauline Ryan, Flora Persaud, William Ng, Kathleen Kelly, Shauna O'Connor, Mary Hackett, Cheryl Davis, John Williams, Florence Robey, Anne Gormally, Mary Gormally, Nell Kearns, Edward McLaughlin, Anne Jordan, and Samy Anthony. Please remember these and all our loved ones who are sick. May the Lord lay His healing hands on them and bring them his peace.
THE RETIRING COLLECTION FOR PAX CHRISTI: Amounted to £407-38p. ThankYou.
THE NEW MASS BOOKS ARE NOW IN THE BENCHES. PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE THEM FROM THE CHURCH. THANK YOU. The cost of these new books, for the whole of the Liturgical Year, is sizeable, amounting to several thousand pounds. If anybody wishes to contribute to the cost, would they please contact Fr. John.
SPARKS OF LIGHT: The Diocesan Lent 2012 faith-sharing resource, is called Sparks of Light. On the theme of holiness, Sparks of Light features biographies and reflections on four models for virtuous living: St Gianna Molla, St David Roldan-Lara, St Josephine Bakhita and Bl Pier Giorgio Frasati.
SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL, HAMMERSMITH: The Governing Body is consulting on its proposed Admission Arrangements for entry in September 2013. The draft Policy and Supplementary Information Form are available to view on the school’s website: www.sacredhearthighschoolhammersmith.org.uk. The consultation closes on 1st March 2012 and any comments should be e-mailed to sfinneran@sacredh.lbhf.sch.uk.”
LOURDES MASS WITH ANOINTING OF THE SICK : SATURDAY 11th FEBRUARY at 2.00pm in WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL- This is the Annual Mass in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes, and Archbishop Vincent Nichols will be the main celebrant. Since this year, in Lourdes, is the Year of the Rosary, the Archbishop will bless all Rosaries at the end of this Mass. The sick and infirm from the Parishes of the Diocese are invited to participate in this celebration.If you wish to apply for priority seating in the Cathedral –please give your name, the name of the person accompanying you, and your contact details to the Presbytery Office by Sunday 29th January AT THE VERY LATEST.
WESTMINSTER DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO THE 50th INTERNATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS : IRELAND 2012 Under the leadership of Archbishop Vincent Nichols.
Arranged by Tangney Tours. 13th - 18th June in Dublin. Cost £692 per person. Eucharistic Congresses are events lasting over several days, usually attracting large numbers of people, during which talks and workshops are given on the Eucharist, accompanied by the daily celebration of Mass and other liturgies. For further information please pick up a brochure from the back of the church.
HARROW MENCAP PRESENTS: ‘Seanachie Og’ : Traditional Irish Folk Music- at Harrow Arts Centre,171 Uxbridge Road,Hatch End.
On Saturday 11th February at 7.30pm. Tickets £10-00. See poster in church porch.
JESUS AS MODEL OF SERVANT- LEADERSHIP IN LAY MINISTRY - For formation leaders, volunteers and those who would like to get involved in parish adult faith formation on Saturday 4 February 2012 from 10.30am to 3.00pm at Nazareth House (Hammersmith, London Rd W6 8DB). Led by Father John Farrell, O.P.
For further details and registration pack including directions and plan for the day, please contact ausrakaraliute@rcdow.org.uk or call at 020 7931 6078. Lunch will be provided. Suggested donation £ 14.00
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Scriptural Reflection:
Third Sunday of the Year ( 22nd January )
Jonah 3:1-5, 10 1 Corinthians 7: 29-31 Mark 1: 14-20
God’s call to discipleship, with the response of repentance, conversion and renewal of life expected from us, is the main theme of today’s readings. No matter to what life, work or ministry God calls us, God first calls us to conversion, to reform, to repentance -- to continually becoming new people. Those who are constantly being reformed by the Spirit will be able to follow, as true disciples, wherever God leads. All three readings today underline the absolute necessity of such repentance and ready response to God’s call. The first reading tells us how the prophet Jonah did not respond quickly when God called him, perhaps because he hated the Gentile people of Nineveh and thought that they were not worthy of God's gracious mercy. God had to halt Jonah in his flight before the prophet could respond affirmatively to His second call to preach repentance to the people of Nineveh. The people of Nineveh, however, promptly responded to God’s word as preached by His prophet. In the second reading Paul urged the community in Corinth, and us, to lose no time accepting the message of the gospel because Jesus’ second coming could occur at any time. Today’s gospel describes how Jesus entered Galilee and began preaching. Like John, Jesus also called for repentance. But Jesus added the good news that the kingdom of God was at hand. Since discipleship is the appropriate response to Jesus’ proclamation of the good news, Jesus invited Simon and Andrew and James and John to join him and help in his preaching and healing ministry. They promptly accepted his call. The two greatest aspects of discipleship in Mark are being with Jesus and sharing in his mission. Disciples are invited to be with Jesus on a great spiritual journey and to share in Jesus’ mission of proclaiming God’s kingdom in word and deed. In describing the call of Jesus' first disciples, today's Gospel also emphasizes how we, sinners, are to respond to Him with total commitment, abandoning our accustomed attitudes and styles of life to follow Him in thought, word and deed.
We need to appreciate our call to become Christ’s disciples. Every one of us is called by God, both individually, and collectively as a parish community, to continue Jesus’ mission of preaching the good news of God’s kingdom and healing the sick. We are called individually to a particular vocation in life like a priest, a missionary, a religious Sister, a religious Brother, a married man, a married woman, a single man or a single woman. Our own unique vocation should enable us to become what God wants us to be. As St. Francis Sales puts it, we are expected to bloom where we are planted.
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Weekly News Letter - 8th to 14th January
WE EXTEND OUR SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF Ibe Azonwanna, of Victoria Ave, who died recently. The Funeral will be in Nigeria, later this month. May he rest in peace.
ALBERT TAYLOR, R.I.P. - Albert died on Thursday 29th December. His Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 1.00pm on Monday 9th January 2012, In St. John the Baptist, R. C .Church, Annitsford, Northumberland, followed by Cremation. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated for Albert, here in St Joseph’s next Saturday,14th January at 9.30am, which will be attended by members of his family. The Mass will be followed by refreshments in the Pastoral Centre – to which all are invited.
Mass cards and letters of condolence may be sent to his daughter, Mrs Kathleen Dawson, at17 Heathfield, Northumberland Park, West Allotment, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE27 0BP.
SICK PARISHIONERS - Please pray for Lorna McQueen, Adrian Finikin, Mary Glasgow, Lily McDaid, John Kearney, Renato Perez, Natalia Candelaria, Zuheer Hindi, Antonio Rodrigues, Mary Comerford, Pauline Ryan, Flora Persaud, William Ng, Kathleen Kelly, Shauna O'Connor, Mary Hackett, Cheryl Davis, John Williams, Florence Robey, Anne Gormally, Mary Gormally, Nell Kearns, Edward McLaughlin, Anne Jordan, and Samy Anthony. Please remember these and all our loved ones who are sick. May the Lord lay His healing hands on them and bring them his peace.
CHRISTMAS CRIB APPEAL 2011 - The Catholic Children’s Society Crib Appeal helps support children and families in need throughout the diocese. There is a donation box by the crib for you to contribute or you can contact them on www.cathchild.org.uk. Thank you for your support.
THE WESTMINSTER YEAR BOOK 2012 - Is now available from the Repository. Price £4-50p.
THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO WORK SO HARD IN THE PARISH THROUGHOUT THE YEAR The Altar Servers, those who help with the red box collection for the APF, Those who help with the Car Park, The Catechists for First Holy Communion, Confirmation and RCIA, those who help clean the church every week, The Collectors and Ushers at the Sunday Masses and Major Liturgies, , The Ministers of the Eucharist, The Finance Committee, Those who arrange and look after the flowers, Those who keep the church gardens clean and tidy, The Justice and Peace Group, Those who exercise a Ministry of Music (the Choir and the Music Group), The Parish Council, Those responsible for the production of the Parish Magazine, Those who read at Mass, Those who run the Repository, The members of the Youth Group, and Staff in the Parish Office and Presbytery. A parish this size is very dependent on those of you who so willingly give of your time in all these Ministries.
Many thanks to all those who offered Fr Joseph and myself your Good Wishes at Christmas.
THERE WILL BE A RETIRING COLLECTION - At all Sunday Masses next weekend for Pax Christi.
The work of Pax Christi is based on the gospel and inspired by faith. Their vision is of a world where people can live in peace, without fear of violence in all its forms.
Envelopes for this collection are available at the back of the church.
THE NEW MASS BOOKS ARE NOW IN THE BENCHES. PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE THEM FROM THE CHURCH. THANK YOU. The cost of these new books, for the whole of the Liturgical Year, is sizeable, amounting to several thousand pounds. If anybody wishes to contribute to the cost, would they please contact Fr. John.
MANY THANKS TO THE JUSTICE AND PEACE GROUP - For the excellent meal last Thursday, which was much enjoyed by all present.
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Scriptural Reflection:
The Epiphany of the Lord ( 8th January )
Isaiah 60: 1-6 Ephesians 3: 2-3, 5-6 Matthew 2: 1-12
The word Epiphany means appearance, manifestation or showing forth. The angels revealed Jesus to the shepherds, and the star revealed him to the Magi. Later, God the Father revealed Jesus' identity as His beloved Son at his baptism in the River Jordan. In the synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus revealed himself as the promised Messiah. These multiple revelations are all suggested by the Feast of the Epiphany.
Today’s first reading, from Isaiah, mentions non-Jews bringing gifts in homage to the God of Israel. The passage also celebrates the divine light emanating from Jerusalem. It foresees all the nations acknowledging and enjoying that light of the God of Israel and walking by it. Today’s Psalm expresses the hope that all the kings of the earth may pay homage to and serve the God of Israel and His Messiah. In the second reading, St. Paul affirms that Jesus extended membership in his Church, making it available to all peoples. Thus, the Jews and the Gentiles have become “co-heirs, members of the same body and co-partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.” Today’s gospel teaches us how Christ enriched those who brought him their hearts. Since the Magi came with joy in their hearts to visit the Christ Child, God allowed them to see wondrous things. At the same time, today’s gospel hints at different reactions – the hatred and suspicion of King Herod who considered the child as his future rival for the kingdom, the total indifference of the religious leaders and the adoration, worship and life-surrender of the shepherds and the magi.
Let us make sure that we join the Magi. a) By worshipping Jesus at Mass with the gold of our love, the myrrh of our humility and the frankincense of our adoration. Let us offer him our very selves, promising God that we will use His blessings by doing good to our brothers and sisters. b) By choosing a better path for our lives. Just as the Magi chose another route to return to their home, let us choose a better way of life, abstaining from proud and impure thoughts, evil habits, addictions and selfish behaviour and actively doing acts of charity. c) By becoming the Star, leading others to Jesus, as the star led the Magi to Him. We can help to remove the darkness of evil around us by being like burning candles, radiating Jesus’ love in selfless service, unconditional forgiveness and compassionate care.
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Weekly News Letter - 25th to 31st December
WE EXTEND OUR SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF Rosemary Modeste, of Harrow Road, who died recently. Her Requiem Mass will be on Friday 30th December at 12noon, followed by burial at Kensal Green Cemetery. May she rest in peace.
SICK PARISHIONERS: Please pray for Adrian Finikin, Mary Glasgow, Lily McDaid, John Kearney, Renato Perez, Natalia Candelaria, Zuheer Hindi, Antonio Rodrigues, Ebe Azonwanna, Mary Comerford, Pauline Ryan, Flora Persaud, William Ng, Kathleen Kelly, Shauna O'Connor, Mary Hackett, Cheryl Davis, John Williams, Florence Robey, Anne Gormally, Mary Gormally, Nell Kearns, Edward McLaughlin, Anne Jordan, and Samy Anthony. Please remember these and all our loved ones who are sick. May the Lord lay His healing hands on them and bring them his peace.
JUNIOR SCHOOL ADMISSION FORMS: Father John will sign Junior School admission forms on Friday 6th January 2012 From 3.30 – 4.30pm in the Pastoral Centre.
GRAND CHRISTMAS RAFFLE: Thank you to all who took part in the raffle, and congratulations to all our winners. For those of you have not collected your prizes, the list of winners is posted on the notice board at the back of the church.
THE NEW MASS BOOKS ARE NOW IN THE BENCHES. PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE THEM FROM THE CHURCH. THANK YOU....The cost of these new books, for the whole of the Liturgical Year, is sizeable, amounting to several thousand pounds. If anybody wishes to contribute to the cost, would they please contact Fr. John.
THE ADVENT EDITION OF OUR PARISH MAGAZINE ‘FOCUS’: Is now available. It is free. Please take one.
THE WESTMINSTER YEAR BOOK 2012: Is now available from the Repository. Price £4-50p.
CAR PARKING AT BRENT HOUSE: Brent Council have kindly allowed us to park in the Brent House Car Park
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1. From 4pm on Saturday December 24th until 2.00pm on Sunday December 25th. and
2. From 5.00pm on Saturday 31st December to 2pm on Sunday January 1st.
Parking is NOT ALLOWED at any other time. Please DO NOT abuse this privilege.
THANK YOU: To all those who worked so hard to prepare the church for Christmas, and all those who are directly involved in the Christmas Liturgy:- Altar Servers, Readers, Ministers of the Eucharist, The Choir and The Music Group, The Ushers and Collectors, the children who dramatised the Nativity – and those who prepared them Fr John
JUSTICE AND PEACE GROUP: The lunch for Senior Citizens on Thursday 5th January. This will follow a Mass at 12noon. Thank You to those who have indicated that they wish to come.
THERE WILL BE NO NEWSLETTER NEXT WEEKEND: The Mass times for week beginning 1st January 2012 are as follows
Sunday 1st January: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Mass (6.30pm : Vigil), 9.00am and 12noon
Monday 2nd January
SS Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen : Mass at 9.30am
Tuesday 3rd January : Mass at 9.30am
Wednesday 4th January : Mass at 9.30am
Thursday 5th January : Mass at 9.30am and 12noon (This Mass is followed by the Justice and Peace Group meal for the elderly)
Friday 6th January
FIRST FRIDAY Mass at 12 noon and 7.30pm. (This Mass is preceded by Adoration at 7.00pm.
Saturday 7th January: Mass at 9.30am
and 6.30pm (The Vigil Mass of the Epiphany))
Sunday 8th January: The Epiphany of the Lord
Mass at 9.00am and 12 noon.
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Scriptural Reflection:
CHRISTMAS
Today we celebrate Christmas, the birthday of Jesus our God who became man and Saviour to save us from our sins, a God who came to share His love with us and a God who came to live with us always as Emmanuel.
Jesus, the incarnation of God as man, came to save us from the bondage of sin. The purpose of incarnation is clearly spelled out in John 3: 16: “God so loved the world that he sent His only Son so that every one who believes in Him may not die, but have eternal life.” We celebrate that Incarnation today as good news because we have a Divine Saviour. As our Saviour, Jesus atoned for our sins and liberated us from slavery to sin by His suffering, death and resurrection. Every Christmas reminds us that we still need this Saviour to be reborn in our hearts and lives to free us from our evil addictions and unjust, impure and uncharitable tendencies.
It is the feast of God’s sharing His love with us. Jesus as our Saviour brought the “good news” that our God is a loving, forgiving, merciful and rewarding God who wants to save us through His Son Jesus and not a judgmental, cruel and punishing God. Jesus demonstrated by his life and teaching how God our heavenly Father loves us, forgives us, and provides for us. All his miracles were signs of this Divine Love. Jesus’ final demonstration of God’s love for us was his death on the cross and the institution of the Holy Eucharist. Christmas reminds us that sharing love with others is our Christian duty and that every time we do so, Jesus is reborn in our lives
Christmas is the feast of Emmanuel, i.e., God living with us and within us. Christmas is the feast of Emmanuel who continues to live with us in all the events of our lives as announced by the angel to Mary. The Christmas story tells us that there is a way out of our sinfulness and hopelessness, because God is with us. We are not alone. As Emmanuel, Jesus lives in the sacraments (especially in the Holy Eucharist), in the Holy Bible, in the praying community and in each believer, as His Holy Spirit transforms us into the "Temples of the Holy Spirit.” Christmas reminds us that we are bearers of God with the missionary duty of conveying Jesus to others around us by loving others as Jesus did, through sacrificial, humble and committed service. Sharing with others, Jesus, Emmanuel living within us, should be our best Christmas gift to others.
May Jesus be reborn in your heart and life during Christmas 2011 and every day of the New Year 2012.
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