In today's Gospel
Jesus is looking ahead to the end times. Hearing his teaching helps us prepare for Advent, which begins in just two weeks. Jesus is really prophesying three separate things. (1) The destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, which was carried out by the Romans in AD 70. (2) This is taken as a sign of the eventual end of history, when he will come again in glory. But when this will be cannot predicted by human agency, so we must take care not to be deceived that it is imminent. (3) Before the second coming of Christ there will be persecution of Jesus' followers. Jesus himself will give eloquence and courage to those who will need to bear witness to him in these circumstances. Followers of Jesus will find themselves hated, but endurance will win them their lives. Next Sunday's Feast of Christ the King looks beyond this to when his universal sovereignty will be manifest.
Mass Times
Saturday (Vigil) - 6pm
Sunday - 8.30am / 10am / 11.30am / 6pm
Syriac Rite Mass - Sunday 1pm
Daily Mass - 9.30am & 6pm
Holy Days - 9.30am / 12.30pm / 6pm
Rosary
Monday to Friday 6.30pm
Confession
Saturday 10am - 10.30am / 5.15pm - 5.40pm
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Saturday 5pm - 5.45pm
First Friday 5pm-6pm
News and updates
November, Month of the Holy Souls
Sheets can still be taken from the back of church for you to list names of your dear departed. Please return them to the presbytery, along if you wish with a donation in one of the special envelopes. The lists will be added to the book of remembrance near the altar.
Every day in November one of the Masses is being offered for those whose names are in the book.
Preparation for the Sacrament of Baptism:
If you have a child for Baptism under 5 years old please email us for an application form. You will be contacted once the form has been received. A copy of one of the Catholic parents’ baptism certificate will be required. Baptisms can only take place on Saturdays at 11am. The next baptism course will be on Thursday 28th November at 7.30pm.
Bible Study and Prayer Group:
Bible Study and Prayer Group: This group began well the week before last.
The next sessions will be: Tuesday 26 November 8 to 9pm and Friday 29 November 10.15 to 11.15am in the Saint Francis Room (come to the presbytery). Attend the session which suits you best as both cover the same material.
Marriage Preparation Course 2020
Our next marriage preparation course begins in February, running on five Wednesday evenings and a half-day on a Saturday. (26th February to 28th March). The course is open to all couples intending to marry in a Catholic Church, regardless of which parish you live in. If you are interested in attending, please speak to Father Mark or e-mail him: markdunglinson@rcdow.org.u
Calling all Young People
Sunday 1st December, the 6pm Mass will be a Youth Mass with contemporary musicians and singing. All young people are invited. Please tell and invite your friends. The ‘young at heart’ are also very welcome to attend!
Forty Hours Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament,
in the Year of the Word
Thursday 21st – Saturday 23rd November
'The Word was made Flesh'
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An information leaflet can be taken from the back of church, along with a leaflet explaining the meaning of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament,
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A chart to sign, to show when you will pray in church, is in the porch.
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We need the participation of all our parishioners, young and old, so that the whole Forty Hours (divided into half hour slots) is covered.
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We need a few people to guarantee the late evening period is covered, between 10.00 pm and midnight on Thursday and Friday.
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Our primary schools are taking part.
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Parish groups and ministries invited to sign up for a corporate period of prayer, silent or spoken
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Mass each day at 7.00 am and 6.00 pm.
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Evening devotion with Addresses by Fr Tim Dean, Thursday and Friday at 8.00 pm.
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The Forty Hours will end with Benediction on Saturday 23rd November at 5.30 pm, followed Solemn Mass at 6.00 pm. Celebrant: Most Revd George Stack, Archbishop of Cardiff.
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Followed by drinks and posh nibbles in the Parish Centre.
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Envelopes for donations towards the cost of candles and flowers are at the back of the church.
Advent bazaar 1st December after 10am Mass
Christmas cards, gifts, Sr Jenefer’s homemade marmalade, jams and chutneys, cakes, tea and coffee.
Please contact Anja in the parish office if you can help on the day and if you can provide cakes, cookies and all sorts of edible Christmas goodies. Proceeds will go towards Bishop Nizar’s projects in Iraq where he is setting up a new diocese for roughly 2000 Christian families left in Kurdistan. They urgently need a car for the diocese, a funeral car and furniture for a make shift office.
Even if you can’t attend the bazaar you can make a donation by dropping an envelope into the letterbox any time marked Bishop Nizar’s project.
Christmas Carol Service, 16th December at 7pm
featuring Holy Trinity Family Choir and the resident Syriac Choir. A collection of festive pieces, biblical lessons, and congregational carols. Retiring collection for Bishop Nizar Semaan's ongoing pro bono projects in his Iraqi diocese. Mulled wine and mince pie reception in the parish centre afterwards.
Our next Foodbank Collection
of foodstuffs for our local branch of the Hammersmith & Fulham Foodbank will take place at the Sunday Masses of 30th Nov//2nd December. Items particularly needed: tins of rice pudding, pasta sauce, biscuits, long life milk and juice, jam, peanut butter and other spreads and rice. Please bring your kind gifts to Mass with you on those days only. We would very much appreciate help with packing of items after 6pm Mass on Sunday for early collection on Monday.
The Westminster Education Service
is hosting an event for Catholic Teachers and leaders currently working outside of Catholic education. 18th Nov, 6.30-8pm, Vaughan House, SW1P 1QN. Register: eduemc@rcdow.org.uk. See poster at back of church.
Donate a Christmas Gift to a Prisoner’s Child
We have once again been asked to provide Christmas gifts for children with a parent in prison organised by PACT. If you would like to provide one new gift for an allocated child, suggested value £10-£15 please contact the parish office. Thank you.
Christian Marriage: a journey of healing
On Friday 29th September the Church celebrated the Great Feast of the Three Archangels: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Can you identify them in the picture above?
Michael carries a sword in his hand to defend your marriage from the Devil who accuses us when we sin, lies to us about what makes us happy, and puts in our minds doubts about the love of God.
Gabriel carries a pregnant womb, the visible sign that every Word of God carries new life and can become flesh in your marriage, because ‘nothing is impossible to God’.
The third angel, in the middle, is Raphael, meaning ‘God’s healing’. This Angel carries the hand of a young man - called Tobias - and is walking with him towards the marriage with Sarah. Raphael is the Guardian Angel of Tobias and Sarah,and of EVERY married couple.
Planning to get married?
Please contact Fr. Richard: or Fr Mark:
