18th July 2021, 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

COMPASSION – LIKE SHEEP WITHOUT A SHEPHERD

Who do you identify with in the Gospel?  The crowds – like sheep without a shepherd?  The disciples – reluctant missionaries? Or can you identify with Jesus?  That is the challenge!

We may feel like lost sheep at times but that is not what the author wants us to feel.  It might be positive to identify with the apostles, who had been transformed from sheep into shepherds.  But the author really wants us to identify with Jesus – to see in him the qualities that lie dormant in us all.

Sometimes we find it difficult to identify with Jesus.  So often we reflect on how different we are to him and our feelings of inadequacy causes us to shrink back.

In the Gospel, although he is exhausted, Jesus goes out in compassion to the crowds who have walked miles to hear his words.  They see and hear hope in all that he teaches and, dominated as they are by oppressive occupiers and religious leaders, they need to realise their potential and be liberated from slavery.  He wants to transform them from sheep into shepherds.

We are called to have the same compassion as Jesus when we look at the world around us.  We have certainly seen much compassion in the last 15 months but we must be careful not to allow talk of ‘freedom’ to make us blind to the fear, needs and distress of people around us. Many countries are still waiting for vaccines promised by the COVAX scheme. In our own country people face renewed poverty, unemployment, domestic violence and abuse.  So many people are just pale shadows of the people they could really be. 

Our schools and families are doing incredible work to improved the mental health and well-being of children and there are many adults who need compassion, friendship and reassurance. Let us allow ourselves to be transformed from sheep into shepherds.

 01707 654359    Email pottersbar@rcdow.org.uk    Website www.olasv.org.uk

All services are live streamed – click on ‘live streaming’ link on website

Recording of Sunday Mass available on 01707 518202 after 10am Sunday

Parish Priest: Canon Shaun Lennard  shaunlennard@rcdow.org.uk

Presbytery: 243, Mutton Lane, Potters Bar, EN6 2AT

Deacon: Rev Donal Hopkins  donhopkins@rcdow.org.uk

Catechetical coordinator: Mrs. Francesca Khaliq  pottersbarcat@rcdow.org.uk

Secretary: Mrs. Bernadette Saunders

Safeguarding Rep. Mike Sibley pottersbarsg@safeguardrcdow.org.uk

Parish Office open Mon, Tues & Fri 10am – 12noon but emails are checked daily

To speak to a priest in an emergency ring 07854 866860

COLLECTIONS

4th July Envelopes £356 Loose £285

Collections are counted a week after they are taken.

CONFIRMATION

This Sunday, at 11am Mass, Alice Kelly, who was stranded abroad earlier in the year, will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. We welcome others who have been confirmed, here to support her.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Fr Shaun will be away for his annual retreat from 19 – 26 July inclusive. Mgr. Tom Egan will be celebrating Masses that week and Tommy is resident in the presbytery for security.

As Fr Tom has a funeral on Tuesday there will be no Mass on that day but there is Mass on Thursday instead.

READERS                                  

Readers please reply to Rosemary’s email as soon as possible with your availability for August, September and October. Thank you.

WELCOME

To Rev Mark Moloney who will be licensed as Vicar of Christ Church, Little Heath on Monday.

BUILD YOUR HOUSE ON ROCK

Potters Bar Churches are running a Holiday Club Afternoon with activities for primary-school-aged children on Saturday 7th August 2021 from 1.30 – 5.30pm at Pope Paul School in Baker Street.

There will be fully-supervised art, craft and outdoor activities including a mini-olympics. Parents/Guardians are invited to join us at 4.30pm for the concluding celebration and BBQ.

Booking in advance is essential and places are limited, so you should book early to avoid disappointment. The afternoon will cost £5 per child and families with two or more children pay £10 maximum. To book please go to https://cclh.churchsuite.com/events/4ydtlykl

COVID REGULATIONS

We do not know exactly what will be announced on 19th July and we will have to wait for a few days for the bishops and insurers to interpret the regulations. As a result, arrangements for 25th July will remain as they are currently. Any changes will be implemented at the beginning of August.

Sunday Mass in August will be at 9am and 11am to keep us comfortably distanced in the church.

INTERESTED IN THE CATHOLIC FAITH? – COME AND SEE

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is a journey in Faith for those who want to know more of the Catholic Church or wish to become a Catholic.  For further information, please contact Francesca Khaliq, Fr Shaun or Deacon Don. Meetings will start in September at a time to suit you. Who can you ask?

UNDERSTANDING THE SUNDAY GOSPEL

The last ‘Understanding the Gospel’ session before the summer holidays will be this Tuesday 20th July and will recommence on Tuesday 7th September. The group meets on Zoom every Tuesday (during term time), at 7.30pm for about an hour, to reflect on the readings for the following Sunday. It is always informative and peoples insights into scripture are always interesting. It is a great way of preparing for Sunday Mass. If you would like to be included in the Zoom invitation please email Francesca Khaliq at pottersbarcat@rcdow.org.uk

GARDENING TEAM

A small team works on Saturdays to keep the grounds around the church and presbytery neat and tidy. We need more help. You can work at a time to suit you and tools are provided. At the moment the surroundings of the car park are in need of weeding and cutting back. Can you help? Contact the parish office if you can help in any way.

 ‘WOMEN AT THE CROSS’ CARDS

Sheila, who did the powerful painting for our Holy Week cards has had some cards made for sale in aid of the Sisters of Mercy’s ‘place of mercy and hope’ in South Africa. They make beautiful Mass and sympathy cards and are available in the narthex at £1.50 each (incl envelope)

LAST CHANCE!!

FIRST RECONCILIATION & HOLY COMMUNION 2022

Registration forms for First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion in 2022 are available from Fr Shaun after Mass (for children currently in Year 2 or above).

CONFIRMATION 2022

Candidates for Confirmation in 2022 (currently in Year 8 or above) can collect a registration form from Fr Shaun after Mass. Forms can only be collected by the Candidate.

ALL COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE HANDED IN TO THE OFFICE BY 20th JULY – MONDAY!

STUDENTS ON PLACEMENT

James Boyle, a second-year student for the priesthood for our diocese at the Beda College in Rome, will be working in the parish from 1st August for a 6-week placement.

Dale Cutlan, a third-year student at Allen Hall Seminary for Cardiff Diocese, will be joining us in September for a year’s full-time placement. It is great for the parish to have students in formation living with us. They will bring their gifts and also grow in receiving our gifts. Please remember them in your prayers.

Fr Alex Balzanella, who was with us on placement from the English College in Rome two years ago has been appointed Assistant Priest at Holy Rood Parish, Watford from September.

NEWSLETTER IN AUGUST

A simpler version of the newsletter will be published every FORTNIGHT from Sunday 1st August.  Please email any items to the office by 9.30am Tuesday.

TEA AND COFFEE

We hope to re-introduce tea and coffee after Mass in a safe way over the summer.  It is good to relax together, to welcome new parishioners and to make good use of the refurbished patio.  Before lockdown this was after 9am and 11am Sunday Mass, after 10am Mass on Tuesdays and monthly after 6pm Saturday Mass.  We need volunteers if this is to work.  Please email the office TODAY if you can help, even once a month.  We will then draw up rotas.

RECONCILIATION/COMMUNION AND CONFIRMATION CATECHISTS

Pope Francis has recently created the ‘Ministry of Catechist’ to recognize the important work that is done in this area.  We have a growing team of parishioners who help prepare young people for the sacraments of Confirmation, First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.  They really enjoy the work they do – it is so rewarding to experience young people exploring and growing in their faith.

If you are interested, we will be starting new courses in September. Full training and support are given. It is rewarding work with a great team and some lovely young people. Please contact Francesca Khaliq if you would like more information.

HOLY COMMUNION TO SICK AND HOUSEBOUND PARISHIONERS

We are able to resume the very important ministry of taking Holy Communion to sick and housebound parishioners. If you or a member of your family would like us to visit your home, please contact the office or speak to Fr. Shaun or Deacon Don. Please be assured that we will be following all the guidelines issued by the government and the diocese.

BACS DONATIONS

You can donate directly to the parish account using HSBC Sort Code 40-05-20 Acc. 81095625 WRCDT Potters Bar.

PLEASE PRAY FOR

Please remember in your prayers

The sick, their families and all who care for them, including: Damien Grafton, Marsaili MacAuley, Linda Brooks, Patricia Wallington, Grant Davis, Bridie Spelzini, Frank Casali, Susan Lundrigan, Jean Rudd, Theresa Round, Joan Bonner, Antonia Cox, Margaret O’Loughlin, Jean Lowery, Jamie Giles, Mary Lindsay, Paige White, Bernadette Whelan, Christakis Christofides, Philomena O’Sullivan, Cheryl Pereira, Daniel Sardison, Bernard Keown, Ann O’Neill, Ted & Mary Pearce, Jason Mosely, Robert Chambers,Tamara Parrott, Abbey Cummings, Kathleen Gershlick, Anne Conlon, Kathy Lavelle, Vincent, Lee & Abigail Clark

Recently dead: baby Oliver Clark and for all those whose anniversaries occur about this time: Basil Leonard, Giovanni Orsi.

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY

25th July, 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

2 Kings 4:42-44

Ephesians 4:1-6

John 6:1-15

TIMES OF MASS & OTHER LITURGIES

Sunday 18th July, 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

                                      6pm (Vigil) Margaret Rafferty RIP

                                         9am      Jolana Hvozdik RIP

                                         11am    John & Nuala Kelly RIP                                       

Monday 19th July           10am Mass John Ing RIP                     

Tuesday 20th July          NO MASS

Wednesday 21st July       10am Mass Intentions of Ann Maguire

Thursday 22nd July         10am Mass Deceased members of the Gillen Family RIP

Friday 23rd July               10am Mass Giovanni Orsi RIP Anniversary

Saturday 24th July            

                                        5.15 – 5.45pm Sacrament of Reconciliation

                                        6pm (Vigil) People of the Parish

Sunday 25th July, 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

                                        9am Intentions of Michael Hvozdik RIP

                                        11am Intentions of Dana Kraus                 

Newsletter deadline – Tuesday 9.30am