Parish of Our Lady & St Vincent, Potters Bar
Fourth Sunday of Lent, 27th March 2022
The Love that we have wasted
May steadfast faith sustain us, and hope, made firm in You,
The love that we have wasted, O God of love, renew.
This verse, from an ancient Office Hymn, sums up today’s Gospel. Both brothers in the Gospel fail to appreciate what they have.
The younger brother squanders his father’s love and squanders the wealth that comes from it. It is only when he is in the pig sty, face to face with what a mess he has made of things that he realises that even his father’s servants have more than he has. He resolves to go back as a servant. It doesn’t cross his mind that his father’s love might still be burning for him. He still does not appreciate what he had.
Meanwhile, at home, the elder brother ‘slaves away’ working for his father. He also does not appreciate what he has. He does not work out of love for his father. He ‘slaves’ waiting for his father to die so that he can receive his inheritance. His jealousy makes him oblivious to his father’s deep love for him.
For me a key phrase in the Gospel occurs when the younger son decides to leave the pigsty and go home to his father. ’So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him.’ It gives the sense that, whenever he was outside, the father was scanning the horizon, looking in hope for his son. Like a dog outside a shop, waiting for his master to emerge, ignoring the pats, strokes and fuss of everybody else, the father’s full attention was fixed on his son.
That is how God is with us. When we go the wrong way he cannot interfere with our free will, like some cosmic puppet-master. But he is yearning for us to turn back to him. And that is the way we should be too. Not only as individuals but also as a Church. Whether we encounter people who have wandered from the Church or people who, like the elder brother, are angry and feel that God does not or cannot love them, we need to welcome them with a father’s love. We need to make God’s welcome concrete. The love that we have wasted, O God of love, renew.
☎ 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 13: Envelopes £351; Loose £320
CAFOD total so far £1677
Thank you for your generosity.
WEEKDAY MASS
Mass on Tuesday and Wednesday will be at the earlier time of 9.30am. Fr Shaun needs to get to a clergy Day of Recollection on Tuesday and to hear confessions in the school on Wednesday.
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
Thank you to all those who supported Pope Paul School’s sponsored walk last Sunday. Over £1,000 has been raised so far.
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.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
The pupils of Pope Paul School will be leading a dramatized Stations of the Cross on Tuesday at 7pm in the church. This is always a powerful and prayerful occasion. All are very welcome.
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 TODAY in the Louise de Marillac Room to find out more.
CHURCHES TOGETHER IN POTTERS BAR
The next Churches Together Saturday Morning Prayer Meeting will be held here on Saturday 2nd April at 8.30am. All welcome.
MASS INTENTIONS FOR MAY
May be booked from 10.30am on Tuesday 5th April at the Parish Office, either in person or by phone.
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.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON FILM
Next Sunday, 3rd April, at 3pm in the hall. Come for afternoon tea and a chance to view ‘The Way’ about the camino to compostella starring Martin Sheen.
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 them to register with Scripture Union.
PLANNED GIVING
Envelopes for April onwards are ready for collection. Please take yours today. If you would like a set of envelopes or Standing Order/Gift Aid form, please speak to Fr Shaun.
THE CARDINAL’S LENT APPEAL
The Cardinal’s Lent Appeal 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
SYNODAL PATHWAY
A summary of your responses is available in the narthex with news of the next steps. Please take a copy.
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
VACANCIES
St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School is recruiting Exam Invigilators/Cover Supervisors. See noticeboard
They are also looking for an Administrative Assistant – see noticeboard.
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
3rd April, Fifth Sunday of Lent (Year C)
Isaiah 43:16-21
Philippians 3:8-14
John 8:1-11
Newsletter deadline – Tuesday 9.30am
TIMES OF MASS & OTHER LITURGIES
Sunday 27th March Fourth Sunday of Lent
(Sat) 6pm Hannah and Tim O‘Connell RIP
9am Piero Filippi RIP
11am Mary Sherlock RIP
Monday 28th March 10am Mass Antony Nitesh RIP
12noon Funeral of Brendan Nelson
Tuesday 29th March 9am Rosary
9.30am Mass John Bannon RIP
Wednesday 30th March 9.30am Mass Christine Potts RIP
Thursday 31st March No Mass
Friday 1st April 10am Mass PJ Comerford RIP
7pm Stations of the Cross
Saturday 2nd April 8.30am Churches Together Prayer & Breakfast
10am Mass Fatuma Mary Awori Ndira RIP
10.30 – 11.30am Exposition & Reconciliation
5.15 – 5.45pm Sacrament of Reconciliation
6pm Vigil Mass Paddy Joe McManus RIP (5th Anniversary)
Sunday 3rd April Fifth Sunday of Lent
9am People of the Parish
11am Tom and Rita Butler RIP
