26th September 2021, St. Vincent de Paul

Assisted Suicide Bill

There has been much coverage of the Assisted Suicide Bill, currently making its way through the House of Lords. It is vital that we take action to challenge this proposed legislation. It is also vital that we affirm our support for the best possible end-of-life care for those who are dying and for their families. This is all the more urgent as a result of the decision by the British Medical Association to take a neutral position on this issue, albeit by the narrowest of margins.

The Catholic Church remains opposed to any form of assisted suicide. We cannot directly choose to take the life of another person, even if they request it.

We have a growing elderly population. The needs of the elderly and the needs of those who live with disability have been highlighted during the course of the Covid-19 pandemic.  The bill currently being considered raises serious questions about society’s ability to protect those who are most vulnerable.

The autonomy argument – that those who are terminally ill should have the right to choose for themselves the manner and timing of their dying – can be persuasive, were it not for the consistent opposition of specialists in palliative care. Why? It Is a complex matter but many are afraid that the sanctioning of assisted dying can change perceptions so that people feel under duress to exercise their right to die. Twenty-five years ago, just before Oregon State’s pioneering legislation, 12% of patients in hospitals and care homes reported that they were a ‘burden’ on their relatives. – by 2018 it was 68%. Evidence shows that legislation introduced for ‘a small number of cases’ has led to an exponential growth in assisted dying. In Oregon there has been an increase of 1075% between 1998 and 2019.

As followers of Christ we recognise the sanctity of life all around us. The work of opposing this bill requires our urgent prayerful support and action. Many parishioners have already written to MPs and Peers. Please go to www.cbcew.org.uk/lifeissues for more information on the best possible way to oppose the Bill.

 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 £383 Loose £320

Thank you very much.

Collections are counted a week after they are taken.

CAFOD Family Fast Day Friday 1st October – Climate Crisis Appeal 

Our local experts are helping people all over the world to adapt to climate change and protect our common home. This Family Fast Day, donate in the parish using a CAFOD envelope which are in the Narthex or online through the CAFOD website  (cafod.org.uk/climatecrisis) and help communities affected by the worst impacts of the climate crisis. You can also add your voice to our online petition calling for our Prime Minister to show leadership in tackling the crisis, cafod.org.uk/climate. And thank you for your generosity for our emergency appeals to support our sisters and brothers in crisis in Afghanistan and Haiti. You can read more about CAFOD’s response at cafod.org.uk/emergencies. 

ECUMENICAL PRAYERS

As Christians in Potters Bar all are invited to the next ecumenical prayers and breakfast next Saturday, 2nd October, 8.30am at King Charles the Martyr Church, 368, Mutton Lane, EN6 3AS.

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 completed in November.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sunday School recommences next Sunday 3rd October at 10am in the Louise de Marillac Room.

MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING

Many thanks to everyone who supported the Macmillan Coffee morning last Friday, We raised a total of £656.92 which is incredible. A special thank you to Bernie Dowling, Delia Butler, Bridie Hearne, and the Pope Paul Fairtrade Group who kindly came along to help. We also pass our thanks on to the Bridge Club for their generous donation. We were contacted by Macmillan last week to say that since we have been holding our coffee mornings we have raised an amazing £7652 which equates to 239 nursing hours, so a heartfelt thank you for your continued support of the charity.

CONFIRMATION 2022

Parents and Candidates should have received an email with the details of the initial meeting, on Wednesday 6th October. if you have not then please email Francesca Khaliq TODAY.

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.

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.

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

Home

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

MASS INTENTIONS

Masses for October are fully booked. Masses can be sent to the missions.

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?

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.

NOVEMBER LIST OF THE DEAD

Sheets will be available next week on which you can write the names of deceased relatives and friends.  Mass will be offered for those named twice a week in November and also at other times.

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, Denise Farmer.

Recently dead: Anthony Nithesh, Richard Fennessy and for all those whose anniversaries occur about this time including: Michael Conlon.

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY

3rd October, 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

Genesis 2: 18-24

Hebrews 2:9-11

Mark 10:2-16

Newsletter deadline – Tuesday 9.30am

TIMES OF MASS & OTHER LITURGIES

Sunday 26th September, Feast of St Vincent de Paul

                                                6pm (Vigil) Jacqui Leonard RIP

                                                    9am  Rolando Lenza RIP

                                                    11am George McCann RIP (Anniversary)

Monday 27th September            10am Thomas Braganza RIP

Tuesday 28th September            10am Mass David Wilson RIP

Wednesday 29th September       10am Mass Sr Stella Cullen RIP

Thursday 30th September           No Mass

Friday 1st October

(Family Fast Day)                        10am Mass Fr Sean O’Toole RIP

Saturday 2nd October                 8.30am Ecumenical Prayers, King Charles the Martyr

                                                    11am Interment of ashes, Joyce Hadgett RIP

                                                     5.15 – 5.45pm Sacrament of Reconciliation

                                                     6pm (Vigil) Riccardo Andrea & Margarita Elena Di Lieto RIP

Sunday 3rd October, 27thSunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

                                                      9am Michael Conlon RIP (Anniversary)                                                                                        

11am Leon, Myriam & Nicholas Vollaire RIP