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Parish of Our Lady & St Vincent, Potters Bar

08 Apr 2022
OLASV Parish Office

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

www.tinyurl.com/workchampions

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

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