Parish of Our Lady & St Vincent, Potters Bar
19th September 2021, 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
Afghan Refugee Crisis
Have you ever thought what it would be like to be a refugee? to come to a foreign country where you have no friends, you cannot speak the language, you leave behind your home, family, friends, school and all your possessions. That is the reality for those fleeing unimaginable terror in Afghanistan. Today, we invite you to read, pray and discern how you might be able to offer some help.
In the “Collect” the opening prayer at mass today Fr. Robert will invite us to join him as he reads: “O God who founded all the commands of your sacred Law upon love of you and our neighbour” — is a reminder that we show our love of God by loving our neighbour. In today’s gospel Jesus reminds us that we are called to be a servant to all people. “Anyone who welcomes these little children in my name welcomes me” when we welcome the stranger, we welcome God.
How can we welcome our neighbours who are the refugees from Afghanistan? The process is being managed carefully, to identify the needs of all the families involved. Herts County Council has taken the lead in coordinating support for the Afghan families in our area and is working with a range of providers and charities to ensure their needs are met.
They are not looking for donations of goods at present, this may change, but money donations can help them quickly purchase items that are needed, if you wish to donate funds, please use this email for receive instructions: afghan.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk
If Hertfordshire is to resettle families, there is an urgent need for philanthropic landlords to come forward and offer affordable housing. Both temporary and long-term housing is currently being sought. Can you help? There is a need for teachers of English (ESOL), administrative help, educational support, drivers and much more. Please use this email to receive all the information on how you can help: afghan.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Do consider writing to your local councillor and council leads to ask and encourage them to accept Afghan refugees in your area under one of the government’s resettlement programmes. You can find out who your councillor is and how to contact them on – https://www.gov.uk/find-your-local-councillors
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, Pastoral Assistant (Seminarian): Dale Cutlan
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
4/5 Sept Envelopes £445 Loose £307
CAFOD Haiti Appeal so far £1788.18
Thank you very much.
Collections are counted a week after they are taken.
CAFOD – DONATE TO THE HAITI EARTHQUAKE APPEAL
The collection remains open. You can donate online: www.cafod.org.uk
FR SHAUN
Fr Shaun is away for annual leave until Friday. We welcome Canon Robert Plourde who will be celebrating Mass during this time.
MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING 17th SEPTEMBER
Thank you to all those who supported the coffee morning. The final sum will be published next week.
TEA & COFFEE AFTER MASS
It is good to be able to gather again after Sunday Mass. Thank you to those who have volunteered to help with this. We need more volunteers. Please sign up. All crockery should be washed in the machine or (for smaller numbers) washed by hand and drained dry. Cloths must NOT be used to dry mugs etc.
BAPTISM PREPARATION
Babies are normally baptized in the first few months of life but COVID has delayed this for some. The Church requires parents to attend Baptism Preparation. The next course:
Tuesday 28th September
from 7.30 – 9pm on Zoom.
And Sunday 3rd October after 9am Mass
in the hall.
If you have a baby for baptism, or if you are pregnant, please register with the Parish Office today for the course.
MASS INTENTIONS
Masses for October are fully booked. Masses can be sent to the missions.
PARISH PATRONAL FESTIVAL
We will celebrate the Feast of St Vincent de Paul NEXT WEEKEND (25/26 September.)
6pm Mass on Saturday 25th will be led by Pope Paul School Choir and Sr Ellen Flynn, Leader of the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, will be blessing the Louise de Marillac Room (helped by the children). After that there will be a reception with drinks and finger food.
There will be a special guest at 9am Mass with breakfast afterwards.
Fr Axcel Soriano will be celebrating the 11am Mass so that we can congratulate him properly near his First Anniversary of ordination (19th September) Wine, soft drinks and finger food will be available after that Mass.
Thank you to volunteers. If you would like to help please contact the Social Committee ON MONDAY via the Parish Office.
We have to make the gathering COVID-safe so please DO NOT BRING FOOD OR DRINK – all will be provided.
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?
LITTLE LAMBS – URGENT
This ‘stay and play’ group for parents and toddlers has restarted on Thursdays 9.30 – 11.00am in the hall (term time only). We need volunteers for the support team to set out toys, make tea and sanitise toys at the end. Please contact the office to find out more if you think you can help.
BIDDING PRAYERS
We hope to recommence with the prayer of the Faithful at Mass later in October. If you would like to join the team who write them, please contact the office. Full training is given.
ASSISTED DYING BILL
This October, an ‘Assisted Dying’ Bill will be debated in the House of Lords. If successful it will allow a terminally ill adult with less than 6 months to live, assistance to commit suicide. The Catholic Church teaches that this represents a crime against human life, we cannot directly choose to take the life of another, even if they request it. The Bishops therefore urge you to PRAY this Bill is defeated, WRITE to Peers and MPs expressing concern about this proposed legislation and SHARE our resources and those of our allies, in the weeks ahead with family and friends, especially via social media.
Guidance on how to write to politicians can be found here:
parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-an-mp-or-lord/
Resources, which will be updated in the weeks ahead, can be found here: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/life-issues/
CERTIFICATE OF CATHOLIC PRACTICE
If you require a Certificate of Catholic Practice for a SECONDARY school application please email Fr Shaun at shaunlennard@rcdow.org.uk Please check before applying as some schools do not require them. Primary School forms will be done in November.
SECONDARY SCHOOL OPEN EVENINGS
The two Catholic Secondary Schools in our area have open evenings for parents and prospective pupils as follows:
NICHOLAS BREAKSPEAR CATHOLIC SCHOOL (Boys & Girls – Colney Heath)
Thursday 7th October, 5.30 – 8.30pm. Headteacher’s address 5.45pm, 6.45pm, 7.45pm. We very much look forward to welcoming prospective new students and their parents/carers. Full prospectus
LORETO COLLEGE (Girls – St Albans)
28th September, 6 – 9pm. Full details https://loreto.herts.sch.uk
POPE PAUL CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL – RECEPTION 2022
We are delighted to now be able to welcome prospective parents to visit our school on Thursday 21st October 2021 at 9.30am, 2pm and 6.30pm and Thursday 18th November 2021 at 9.30am and 2pm. Applications are invited for September 2022 from families whose child attains 4 years of age between 01/09/2021 and 31/08/2022. Please come and meet
Mrs Heymoz, headteacher, and see our school in action. No booking is necessary! Further details and information are available via our website
www.popepaul.herts.sch.uk
Limited school places are still available for the current Reception Class September 2021. Please contact Mrs Lennox on 01707659755 or
admin@popepaul.herts.sch.uk
MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST
We are now needing the help of more ministers. Commissioned ministers are asked to report to the co-ordinator in the narthex in good time before Mass.
6pm Nigel Jewell
9am Michael Vaughan
11am Francis Silva
OFFERTORY PROCESSION
People to bring up the gifts will be approached by the following:
6pm Mary & Tony
9am Bernie
11am Francesca
SACRAMENT of RECONCILIATION
Next Saturday at the earlier time of 5 – 5.30pm to give time for the Feast Day preparations.
P.A.to HEADTEACHER REQUIRED
Finchley Catholic High School are looking for a Head’s PA starting as soon as possible. 25-28Hrs.p.w. term time plus 1 week. See notice on board or www.finchleycatholic.org.uk Closing date 27 September 2021.
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, Antonia Cox, Margaret O’Loughlin, Jean Lowery, Jamie Giles, Mary Lindsay, Paige White, Bernadette Whelan, Christakis Christofides, Philomena O’Sullivan, Bernard Keown, Ann O’Neill, Jason Mosely, Robert Chambers, Abbey Cummings, Kathleen Gershlick, Anne Conlon, Kathy Lavelle, Vincent, Lee & Abigail Clark.
Recently dead: Anthony Nithesh and for all those whose anniversaries occur about this time: Bert Casali, Pam Tempany.
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY
26th September, 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
Numbers 11: 25-29
James 5:1-6
Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
Newsletter deadline – Tuesday 9.30am
TIMES OF MASS & OTHER LITURGIES
Sunday 19th September, 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
6pm (Vigil) Catherine Walsh-Kavanagh RIP
9am People of the Parish
11am Maria Federico RIP
Monday 20th September 10am MassJim Dobble RIP
Tuesday 21st September 10am Mass Pam Tempany RIP (Anniversary)
Wednesday 22nd September 10am Mass Deceased members of the Braganza family
Thursday 23rd September No Mass
Friday 24th September 9.30am Mass Pope Paul School (Teachers and pupils only)
Saturday 25th September 11.30am Baptism, Mila & Michael Downes
1pm Baptism, Lily & Scarlet Joyce
5 – 5.30pm Sacrament of Reconciliation EARLIER TIME
6pm (Vigil) Jacqui Leonard RIP
Sunday 26th September, Solemnity of St Vincent de Paul
9am Rolando Lenza RIP
11am George McCann RIP (Anniversary)
