Parish of Our Lady & St Vincent, Potters Bar
Palm Sunday, 10th April 2022
THIS NEWSLETTER COVERS TWO WEEKS
Holy Week with the two Marys
Michelangelo’s famous sculpture of the dead body of Jesus cradled in the lap of Mary, his mother, the Pieta, is housed in St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. It is worth a close look as it has some interesting features; Mary is depicted as a young woman, younger than the mother of a 33-year-old son and the marks of the Passion on his body are very subdued. Most noticeable are the faces of Jesus and Mary – their expressions convey peaceful abandonment to God. Mary is holding her Son out for us to see but not so that we pity her – rather it is to share in both her sorrow and hope.
This is why we put so much into the solemn services of Holy Week when we ‘walk’ with Jesus from the Upper Room to the Garden to the Roman Governor’s House, to Calvary and down into the tomb.
Let us enter as fully as possible into this week. Let us enter prayerfully with the people of Ukraine who have really walked the Way of Suffering in Lent. Jesus says to them and to us that he understands and shares in our pain.
The solemnity of Holy Thursday and Good Friday is dispelled on Holy Saturday evening when we process past the Easter Fire, light the new Paschal Candle, remember our story of Exodus and renew our baptismal promises.
At Easter we read of Mary Magdalene finding the empty tomb. She fetches the disciples but they leave, mystified. Mary is mystified too – have they stolen the body? One word changes her confusion and distress into joy – ‘Mary.’ She realises that the man who she thought was a gardener is the Risen Lord. He tells her not to cling to him but to go and tell the others. She is the Apostle to the Apostles. That’s us too. By walking this journey we enter more fully into the mystery so that we too can go and make disciples of all the nations. Surely an opportunity not to be missed?!
☎ 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 enquiries – 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 27: Envelopes £262; Loose £326
Thank you for your generosity.
HOLY WEEK CONFESSIONS
Full details of all services are in the special leaflet. Please take one and keep it safe.
At 3pm TODAY there will be Stations of the Cross (St Alphonsus Ligouri) and then the Sacrament of Reconciliation until 5pm.
Due to clashes with other services there are not the priests available for a Penance Service in Holy Week. Instead there are extra sessions of Confessions. See Holy Week leaflet for details.
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
GOOD FRIDAY
Walk of witness we will leave the church at 10.30am to walk past Tescos to the War Memorial in the High Street for a short ecumenical service. All are very welcome to walk or join us there at 11am.
Children are very welcome to their special workshop liturgy on Good Friday in the hall. Parents should drop them off by 2.50pm. Parents must remain on the premises – in the church unless helping.
MISSION APPEAL
Each year the Bishops ask us to invite a priest from a missionary congregation to come for a weekend to tell us about their work and to appeal for funds. On 23/24 April we will welcome a priest of the Spiritan Order (formerly known as the Holy Ghost Fathers) who will make an appeal at every Mass. Please be generous in your response.
EASTER WEEK
Fr Shaun will be away for a post-Easter break from Easter Monday evening until Easter Friday evening. Fr Robert Plourde will be celebrating Mass on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday of that week.
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
On Sunday 24th April, at 4pm there will be a service of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Divine Mercy prayers. All are very welcome.
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, 9.30 – 3.30 each day, 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.
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).
UKRANIAN REFUGEES
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. 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
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.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE PARISH
You will have read Francesca’s announcement in last week’s newsletter – it has been so sad to see the deterioration in her condition. She will be greatly missed from the team.
In our synodal listening process a lot was said about our parish and young people – it is obviously important to many parishioners that young people feel they have a place in their church, that they feel welcomed and supported in their journey of faith.
So, after Easter, we are going to continue our synodal listening process focussing on young people – and part of that will involve listening to young people. This will need adults to listen to the young people. The first stage is to PRAY so please start today – pray each day for this process.
Do you have a particular interest in the faith development and inclusion of children and young people in our parish? Please speak to Fr Shaun or email the parish office.
DEEP CLEAN
Thanks to Esther Dallen and her team of muscle for arranging the deep clean on Thursday. Our church and centre are looking great!
EASTER OFFERINGS
For clarification – money given on Easter Sunday or in the special envelopes goes towards the taxable stipend paid to Fr Shaun each month. He receives no income from other collections or standing orders.
POTTERS BAR RAIL CRASH
For your diary. We are hosting an ecumenical service at 1.15pm on Tuesday 10th May, the 20th Anniversary of the Potters Bar Rail Crash. All are welcome.
POVERTY CHALLENGE
See, Judge, Act. Following the pandemic many households now also face new hard0 ships as prices rise. Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN), the Catholic agency addressing poverty and injustice, has released a free new booklet to increase awareness of Catholic Social Teaching on poverty and to inform local responses. Please take a moment to read and engage with it. Download from www.csan.org.uk
DIGNITY OF WORK CHAMPIONS
As Catholics we believe in the Dignity of Work. The job market can be a minefield, particularly for those for whom English is not their first language, or who might not be aware of the options available to them. The Upper Room and Caritas Westminster invite you to join their free online ‘Stepping Stones’ programme to learn how to accompany people into dignified employment. For more information on becoming a champion, video and registration please visit
Deadline for applications is 15th April 2022.
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: Maureen Everett, Maria Arnold and for all those whose anniversaries occur about this time, including Tom Tapsell and Jane Woodcock.
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY
17th April, Easter Sunday (Year C) 24th April, Second Sunday of Easter
Acts 10:34, 37-43 Acts 5: 12 -16
Colossians 3:1-4 Revelation 1: 9 -13, 17 -19
John 20:1-9 John 20: 19 -31
Newsletter deadline – 9.30am, Tuesday 19th April
TIMES OF MASS & OTHER LITURGIES
Sunday 10th April 6pm (Sat) Vigil Mass People of the Parish
Palm Sunday 9am Marianna and Michael Hanni RIP
11am Peter Philbin RIP (Anniversary)
3pm Stations of the Cross & Reconciliation (until 5pm)
Monday 11th April 10am Mass Christine Potts RIP
10.30-11am & 7-8pm Sacrament of Reconciliation
Tuesday 12th April 9.00am Rosary
9.30am Mass Antonia Cox RIP
7-8pm Sacrament of Reconciliation
Wednesday 13th April No Mass
Holy Thursday 14th April 10am Morning Prayer & Reconciliation
8pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper Lucia Esposito RIP
Good Friday 15th April 10am Morning Prayer & Ecumenical Walk of Witness
3pm Solemn Liturgy of the Passion & Children’s Liturgy
7.30pm Meditation on the Seven Last Words
Holy Saturday 16th April 10am Morning Prayer
11am Blessing of Easter Food
11.30am Sacrament of Reconciliation
8pm Easter Vigil People of the Parish
Sunday 17th April 9am Mass & Baptism Intentions of the Lisk Family
Easter Sunday 11am Mass & Baptisms Bridie Hennigan RIP
Monday 18th April 10am Mass Nashuad Buchia RIP
Tuesday 19th April 10am Mass Pauline McHugh RIP
Wednesday 20th April 10am Mass Anna-May Loughery RIP
Thursday 21st April No Mass
Friday 22nd April 10am Mass Carmel Burke RIP
Saturday 23rd April 6pm Vigil Mass People of the Parish
Sunday 24th April 9am Agnes Quinlivan RIP
Second Sunday of Easter 11am John Brooks RIP
1pm Baptism of Giorgio Cancro
3pm Scouts & Guides St George’s Day Service
4pm Divine Mercy Devotions & Exposition
