Parish of Our Lady & St Vincent, Potters Bar
Third Sunday of Lent, 20th March 2022
What is God saying to the Church post-COVID?
Sure, a burning bush that doesn’t consume itself is a curiosity, but still, a burning bush is not utterly unique, and if he had been wrapped up in his own problems or thoughts, or in a hurry, he could have easily passed by, assuming the bush would soon burn up or that someone else would be along to tend to it.
How often do we pass by someone or something that could transform us, if we were open to them or it? Would God necessarily speak to us directly and give us a message as important as the message God gave Moses? Maybe not, but maybe. God does have desires and plans for each of us, just as God had desires and plans for Moses.
St John Henry Newman wrote a lovely meditation that begins, ‘God has created me for some definite purpose…’ That is what we mean when we speak of God’s plan. Jesus said ‘I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full.’ (John 10:10) But so often we have our own set plans and are not open to God’s plans. We must pray for the openness and attentiveness of Moses.
So what is God’s plan for us, the community of Our Lady and St Vincent in Potters Bar? We have started to explore this together in a modest way by our Synodal listening exercises – there is a summary of our reflections available today. We need to continue this process, listening to the Holy Spirit speaking to us.
With this in mind, next Saturday evening, from 7pm – 9pm there will be a ‘Watch Party’ in the hall. We will gather for a bowl of pasta and something to drink. We will watch a really interesting discussion which took place earlier this month between Bishop Robert Baron, Fr James Mallon and Rev Nicky Gumbell and then we will see what God is saying to the Church. For catering purposes please book now.
☎ 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
Parish Administrator: Nicola Thrussell – pottersbar@rcdow.org.uk
Pastoral Assistant (Seminarian): Dale Cutlan
Safeguarding Rep. Mike Sibley: pottersbarsg@safeguardrcdow.org.uk
Parish Office open Mon, Tues & Fri 9.30am – 12.30pm
To speak to a priest in an emergency ring 07854 866860
COLLECTION
Mar 6: Envelopes £326; Loose £440
CAFOD Fast Day so far £1001
St Patrick’s Day coffee for Ukraine £395.
Thank you for your generosity.
UKRANIAN REFUGEES
When we see the suffering of the people of Ukraine on our screens we feel so powerless and we want to reach out to help. At the moment the situation is changing each day and there are two ways in which we can help:
Donations of money
The Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral and community organisations have united to work with accredited and registered Ukrainian charities to provide medicines, food and critical services to support the most vulnerable to overcome the consequences and trauma of war. Donations can be made by cheque (payable to AUGB LTD – Central Appeal Fund and sent to Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London, Chancery Office, 21-22 Binney Street, London W1K 5BQ), directly to the central appeal fund (AUGB Ltd, Account Number: 80038237, Sortcode: 20-65-89, with reference HelpUkraine) or online: https://www.gofundme.com/f/helpukraine Alternately, donations can also be made to Cafod, who are a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee at https://cafod.org.uk/News/Emergencies-news/Ukraine-crisis
Accommodation
You can offer accommodation at
www.homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk
Further support
Churches Together in Potters Bar has pledged to co-ordinate our local response to support refugees once we know the number, their location and their needs. This will be some time but, in preparation, we are aware of the facilities which we have. If you have a specific skill which may be of use once people are here please email your details to the Parish Office and we will contact you once we know which skills are needed.
WALK FOR UKRAINE
All parishioners are warmly welome to join pupils, parents and staff from Pope Paul School for a sponsored walk gathering TODAY at 2.30pm in the Church Car Park. Any funds raised will go to CAFOD’s Ukraine Crisis appeal and can be donated via the parish office.
ST OSCAR ROMERO FEAST DAY
TODAY at 6pm, at Evensong in St Albans Abbey, there will be a guest preacher from the Romero Trust. All are welcome. The actual feast day is 24th March and there will be Mass at 12.30pm in St George’s Cathedral, Southwark.
BELOVED DISCIPLES
Calling all retired people. You are invited to afternoon tea on Friday 25th April, 2 – 4pm in the hall. We will watch the first in a series of 4 monthly videos about spirituality for retired people. Afternoon tea, an interesting video and a discussion. If you would like to come please email the office or sign up on the sheet on the board in the narthex. Come to the first one and see if you like it. Donations welcome.
PARTY INVITATION 2 – WATCH PARTY
On Saturday at 7pm – all details are on the front of the newsletter. Please sign up on the board in the Narthex.
SUMMER HOLIDAY CLUB!
We are working with the other churches in Potters Bar to run a Holiday Club for primary-school-aged children in Potters Bar from 22-26 August at Pope Paul School. It will be great fun and a great service to families who cannot afford to get a holiday this summer. We need volunteers! People to run crafts, games, drama, music and caterers. Five of our young people were involved in the day last summer and really enjoyed themselves. Can you commit to the whole week or just afternoons or just certain days? Please see Fr Shaun if you can help. There is a coloured sheet in the narthex, ‘How to volunteer for the Holiday Club’. Use those instructions to register with Scripture Union.
GOOD FRIDAY WORKSHOP
This parish is unique in having a workshop for children of primary school age on Good Friday afternoon while their parents can attend the main liturgy in the church. We join together at the end to venerate the Cross. We have not been able to do this for two years because of COVID precautions. This year, on Friday 15th April, at 3pm, we would like to do this again. We can only do this with the help of volunteers. Please sign up on the board in the narthex or email the parish office. There will be a short meeting at 10am next Sunday in the Louise de Marillac Room to find out more.
PLANNED GIVING
Envelopes for April onwards are ready for collection. 40% went last week. Please take yours today. If you would like a set of envelopes or Standing Order/Gift Aid form please speak to Fr Shaun.
AGENCY FOR EVANGELISATION ON-LINE LECTURE
An online talk by Fr John Hemer MHM, on ‘Isaiah: The Fifth Gospel, Part Two: The Ecstasy and the Agony’ will be delivered via Zoom on Tuesday 22nd March, 7pm – 8pm. Donations will go towards the work of the Agency. Please book via Eventbrite at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/288514353197 or for further information and queries please contact 020 7798 9026 or email
THE CARDINAL’S LENT APPEAL
One of the disciplines of Lent is to give alms. This year we are asked to give money to two main appeals. CAFOD Fast Day, which is on this coming Friday.
We are also asked to give to the Cardinal’s Lent Appeal which is for outreach work in parishes and CARITAS, the social action agency in the diocese, which allows people at home to lead a life of dignity and worth. There are donation envelopes and posters with a QR code. The main collection will be on Holy Thursday but you can give at any time during Lent. For more information, go to www.cardinalslentenappeal.org.uk
BUILDING THE KINGDOM
Pupils at both Pope Paul School and Nicholas Breakspear School have a special focus on Catholic Social Teaching this year. You can follow the themes each week by looking at the Pope Paul pupils work display on the left as you enter the church. This week we look at the plight of refugees and the Refugee Stations are up in church.
LOURDES PILGRIMAGE
The annual diocesan pilgrimage is planned for 22 – 29 July 2022. At this stage the organisers need to know who would be interested. If you are interested (you are not committing yourself at this stage) please go
to https://forms.rcdow.org.uk/lourdes-pilgrimage-2022-expression-of-interest/
This is the best way to travel in the current climate as all is guaranteed COVID-protected.
ANNUAL MASS OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY
Westminster Cathedral, Saturday 14th May 2022 at 3.00pm. The Cardinal is inviting to this Mass all couples in the Diocese, who are celebrating their 5th, 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th (and every year over 60) Wedding Anniversary of Catholic Marriage in 2022. If you are celebrating an anniversary, please give the parish office the following details: husband and wife’s names, wedding date, full postal address and email (or telephone number, if no email).
CLEANER REQUIRED
The Church of King Charles the Martyr are looking for a cleaner to manage cleaning of the halls and church. 10 Hours a week, £9.75 an hour. For full details please go to www.kcm-church.org.uk
ST TERESA’S PRIMARY SCHOOL
St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School in Borehamwood are looking to appoint a new headteacher. If you are interested, please visit:
Teacher Recruitment, Hertfordshire UK – Headteacher (teachinherts.com)
PLEASE PRAY FOR
Please remember in your prayers the sick, their, including: Damien Grafton, Marsaili MacAuley, Linda Brooks, Patricia Wallington, Grant Davis, Bridie Spelzini, Frank Casali, Susan Lundrigan, Jean Rudd, Theresa Round, Joan Bonner, Jean Lowery, Jamie Giles, Mary Lindsay, Paige White, Christakis Christofides, Philomena O’Sullivan, Bernard Keown, Ann O’Neill, Jason Mosely, Robert Chambers, Abbey Cummings, Anne Conlon, Kathy Lavelle, Monica Doheny, Vincent, Lee & Abigail Clark, Maria Halsey.
Recently dead: Baby Logan, Christine Potts, Fred Willis, Brendan Nelson and for all those whose anniversaries occur about this time.
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY
27th March, Fourth Sunday of Lent (Year C)
Joshua 5:9-12
2 Corinthinans 5:17-21
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
Newsletter deadline – Tuesday 9.30am
TIMES OF MASS & OTHER LITURGIES
Sunday 20th March Third Sunday of Lent
(Sat) 6pm Bernadette Whelan RIP
9am Luigi Borzoni RIP
11am People of the Parish
Monday 21st March 10am Mass Maureen Buckley RIP
Tuesday 22nd March 9.30am Rosary
10am Mass John Kyle RIP
Wednesday 23rd March 10am Mass Neil Magee RIP
Thursday 24th March No Mass
Friday 25th March 10am Mass Antonia Cox RIP (Years 3 & 4 attending)
The Annunciation 7pm Stations of the Cross
Saturday 26th March 10am Mass People of the Parish
10.30 – 11.30am Exposition & Reconciliation
3pm Baptism
5.15 – 5.45pm Sacrament of Reconciliation
6pm Vigil Mass Hannah and Tim O‘Connell RIP
Sunday 27th March Third Sunday of Lent
9am Piero Filippi RIP
11am Mary Sherlock RIP
