Due to the current regulations, we regret to inform you that
ALL MASSES AND PUBLIC SERVICES ARE NOW SUSPENDED UNTIL 2ND DECEMBER 2020.
Mass will continue to be celebrated daily and live streamed, and you are most welcome to join us online on our YouTube channel.
THE CHURCH IS OPEN FOR PRIVATE PRAYERS ONLY
Monday – Sunday : 10.30am – 11.30am
Note: wearing mask or face covering in church is compulsory.
29 November 2020
Dear parishioners,
We are at the First Sunday of Advent! The beginning of the Liturgical Year B.
In the opening prayer of Today’s Mass we pray: “Grant your faithful, we pray almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming …” Yes, we are now beginning/ continuing that task of welcoming Jesus once again as we celebrate his birth in four weeks’ time.
As our readings remind us today, we are to be alert, awake, waiting, preparing for the coming of our Saviour. We are to go out to him, as our prayers reminds us, not with empty hands hanging, BUT with our arms full of the gifts of mercy, forgiveness, love, patience, joy, hope, faith, good works, to mention just a few commodities.
Our first reading today from Isaiah reminds us what it’s like to be waiting for God when we feel it’s in vain. The exiled Jewish people have returned from exile in Babylon to a ruined Jerusalem. God seems to be at a distance, yet they hope by remembering the past and God’s goodness to them. “Oh, that you would tear the heavens open and come down”, were their prayers … And sure enough their prayer was answered. The Son of God became Man – took on a human body, like ours in a stable in Bethlehem.
Hold on to the image in the last sentence: And yet, “Lord you are our Father, we the CLAY, you the potter; we are all the work of your hands”. What a magnificent, you and I, are God’s work of art!! Could you believe it?
In the Gospel of St Mark today, three times “stay awake” is mentioned in a short passage. Advent is a time of watchfulness and “waiting in joyful/blessed hope for the coming of Christ”. There are two arrivals of Jesus, at his birth and at the time of our death. The hope that is in our hearts is so important. It is not an empty hope, but a promise made by God through his Son, Jesus; he came to redeem us by his blood; he has promised us that “we would have life and life to the full”. There is the old saying: “where there is life there is hope”! Hope is strength; it throws light on despairing hearts; it gives us the will to live; it defends us against defeat
and failure. This is our Advent prayer – we await in joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Hopefully on Thursday 3rd December, we will be able to have Mass in public again, but with the same restrictions we’ve experienced in the past. Then there will be the four Masses at the weekend on the 2nd Sunday of Advent.
I imagine you will need to register for the Sunday 9am and 11am Masses.
Thanks for all your participation and visits to the Church for private prayers and those still “attending” Mass online over the past weeks.
Keep safe and every blessing, Fr Joe
CHRISTMAS APPEAL FOR FAMILIES IN NEED (LIVE SIMPLY)
Every Christmas, some children go hungry, but this Christmas, many more will face hardships as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. Some families, in our parish, where there have been job losses and reduced incomes, face mounting debts. The prospect of Christmas looms large. Many parents are dreading it because they cannot imagine how they will make Christmas the special time it usually is for their families.
Together we can help families in our parish community through these challenges during this crisis. We can make sure they have a good dinner on their table on Christmas Day, and a dinner that they choose for their family. Find out how you can make a difference at St. John Vianney!
REMEMBRANCE BOOK
You are most welcome to write in the names of the deceased on the white forms at the church porch and place your donation for Masses for the Holy Soul in the envelope provided. These names will be placed it in the Remembrance Book, and they will be prayed for during all the Masses in the month of November
INFANT BAPTISM
We are currently unable to celebrate baptisms. However, if you would like to have your child baptised, please fill in a form (available online), submit the required documents and contact the office to arrange possible dates.
CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME
We are suspending our next Confirmation programme until 2021 or whenever it is safe to meet as a group in person. If you are interested in receiving the sacrament of Confirmation, please fill in a form and we will contact you when we start the sessions.
FUNERAL SERVICES
There is possibility for a simple requiem Mass with a maximum number of 30 attendees. Please contact the Parish Office for more information.
WE PRAY FOR THOSE ON OUR INTENTIONS BOARD
- our beloved deceased and their families
- those who are ill
- those with birthdays and anniversaries
- …and all other special intentions.
SANITISERS & STEWARDS NEEDED!
It would be most helpful if we can have a few more helpers to clean and sanitise the church so that we can keep it open and safe.
Do let us know if you are able to spare an hour a week to volunteer as a steward – we would really appreciate your support!
ADVENT EVENT
‘Journey into Advent’ with the Irish Chaplaincy: a zoom service on Friday, December 4th at 4pm, with readings, reflections and Taizé music. Contact: eddie.gilmore@irishchaplaincy.org.uk
VACANCY
Teacher of Law & Politics, maternity cover at St Ignatius College. For further details of the roles and application pack is please visit their website: http://www.st-ignatius.enfield.sch.uk/291/careers-at-st-ignatius-college
