2nd May 2021, Fifth Sunday of Easter

I am the vine, you are the branches

The familiar and poignant Gospel reading from John, one of the “I am” statements, highlights the importance of our connection and lifeline to Christ.  If we’re disconnected, we wither and die like a dead branch.  When we receive our energy from Our Source, we bear fruit and glorify our God.

These days, my youngest child, 18 month old, Diego, illustrates a clear example of this connection of the vine and the branches.  His developmental stage represents this deep connection to his parents while having freedom to explore the world.  Diego is independent, curious and adventurous as he spends his days exploring, learning and taking risks.  He’s celebrating his new accomplishments, learning new skills and surviving the minor injuries that plague toddlerhood.

He practices how things work, like opening up cabinets, pouring water from one container to another and screwing and unscrewing lids on a jar.  While focused on his task, he is careful about confirming (with a quick glance) to check that one of his parents is close by. He seeks companionship to energize his work.  He also seeks assistance when a new task is too difficult or something new is frightening.  On his wobbly legs, he sometimes falls when he’s running or misjudges proximity and ends up bumping his head.  Naturally, he seeks comfort, safety and empathy from one of us with a loving hug, a rub on his back and some consoling words.

As I imagine little 18 month Diego and his relationship with us, his parents, I am humbled and enlightened at how he represents some insight for me into my relationship with God.  Perhaps some of these questions might be helpful for you, too!

•           How do I interact with Christ as my companion in navigating this world?

•           Are there similarities or connections between my spiritual life and the developmental phase of a toddler?

•           How do I rest or remain in God when I am celebrating, navigating or hurting?

•           How might I be called to bear fruit in the world where there is hurt, distrust and division?                                                                                   Colleen Chiacchere

 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

Safeguarding Rep. Mike Sibley pottersbarsg@safeguardrcdow.org.uk

Parish Office open Tues & Fri 10am – 12noon but emails are checked daily

To speak to a priest in an emergency ring 07854 866860

COLLECTIONS

18 April Envelopes £265 Loose £295

Cardinal’s Appeal £567.03

Holy Places (Good Friday) £576.03

Easter Offerings £3408.70

Collections are counted a week after they are taken.

All should have received new envelopes by post.  Please do not use old envelopes. If you have not received yours or if you would like a set, please email pottersbargac@rcdow.org.uk

PARISH OFFICE

The office is closed for the Bank Holiday Monday but open from 10am – 12.30pm on Tuesday and Friday.  Emails and answerphone are checked every day.

STEWARDING AND CLEANING

If you can help please let the office have your email address and you can then give your availability each week.

OR SIGN UP NOW

PRIESTS’ TRAINING FUND

The annual collection for the Priests’ Training Fund will take place this weekend. This fund pays for the formation of men for the Catholic priesthood in our diocese. There are currently 42 men studying at Allen Hall seminary, 18 of whom are for our own Diocese, and 2 are studying in Rome. Your generous donation helps ensure we can support these men who are called to be like Christ the Good Shepherd. Please continue to pray for vocations and for our priests. You can donate online anytime at www.rcdow.org.uk/donations

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

Congratulations to Jessica, James, Corrado, Enzo, Conrad, Ellie, William, Daniel, Dacie, Harry, Gloria, Luke, Rory, Akua Asiedua, Meghan, Ayodeji, and Maisy who will be confirmed next Saturday by Bishop John Sherrington.  

These young people are a great credit to their families and to the parish. Sadly numbers are limited due to COVID but you can join on the live streaming.

DAY of PRAYER for SURVIVORS of ABUSE

Tuesday 4th May has been designated by the Holy Father as a world-wide day of prayer for survivors of abuse.  Figures for the incidence of domestic violence and abuse during the COVID lockdown are horrendous.  There are many people who suffer in silence for years because they feel that nobody will believe what has happened or because they have been led to believe that it is somehow their fault.  There are resources for prayer and reflection on at https://www.cbcew.org.uk/home/our-work/safeguarding/day-of-prayer-for-survivors-of-abuse/day-of-prayer-for-survivors-of-abuse-2021/

The Listen with Love material which has been devised by survivors is particularly useful.

LOVE IN ACTION

We reflect on your suggestions from Love in Action each week. Please email comments to pbalpha@rcdow.org.uk

A way of helping would be by forming a ‘Contact the Elderly’ group.  Although a group cannot meet socially at the moment contact is especially important during the Covid19 Pandemic, when elderly people may be afraid, or cannot get out of their homes for other reasons.

Getting involved or supporting a programme like ‘Reengage’ https://www.reengage.org.uk/ will help people like these.

Two weeks ago there was a really productive zoom meeting with the Evangelisation Group and those who had expressed ideas from the Love in Action programme which we ran in the autumn.  We were joined by Meriel Woodward from CARITAS Westminster who was a great support.  Several initiatives were discussed.  We can start moving with some of them quite soon but others will need more discernment and prayer.

Please continue to pray for this important area of parish life.

MASS INTENTIONS

Masses for June can be booked in person, by phone or email this Tuesday 4th May from 10.30am.

ANNUAL MASS OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY MATRIMONY, VIA LIVE-STREAM FROM WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL, Saturday 15th May 2021 at 3pm

The Cardinal will be celebrating a live-streamed Mass for 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 2021. 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), and these details will be sent to those organizing this celebration. An Order of Service can be downloaded from the Cathedral website before the event – www.westminstercathedral.org.uk

COVID 19 – A CHALLENGE TO MANY MARRIAGES

So much uncertainty around, health, income, employment, vulnerable family members, children, housing. Different ways of seeing things, coping with change, managing fears can be a source of conflict and stress. It can be difficult to talk, to listen to support and comfort when there is so much uncertainty. Being together all the time, brings different challenges. You wonder would we be better apart?

Retrouvaille is a programme to support couples, it brings a positive focus, new hope and helps nourish and grow your marriage ….and you don’t need to leave home, it comes to you!

For confidential information about Retrouvaille’, or to register for the next programme, a Virtual weekend commencing on 1st -4th July 2021 Call or text +44788 729 6983  

Email:  retrouvailleukinfo@gmail.com – or visit www.retrouvaille.org.uk

MISSIO RED MISSION BOXES

At the moment money has to be left for 72 hours before being counted and so this makes collecting and handling Missio boxes very difficult. If your box is full please empty it into an envelope with your name written on it and deliver the contents 72 hours later to the sacristy where it can be stored in the safe for the promoter to count. Thank you.

CONTACTLESS DONATIONS TO OUR PARISH

We are pleased to introduce a contactless payments terminal for weekly or one-off donations, which is situated in the Narthex. The system has been approved and trialed by the Diocese and is designed to offer an alternative to loose plate donations. There is also the facility to add gift aid to your donation which will be linked to your payment and will gift aid any future donations made using the same method. Please do not use this system if you are already in planned giving via Standing Order or Weekly Envelopes except for one-off donations. Roy Medayil (Chair of Finance Committee)

ST. MICHAEL’S CATHOLIC GRAMMAR SCHOOL – SCHOOL CHAPLAIN

Nether Street, North Finchley, N12 7NJ.

Required for September 2021, School Chaplain (see noticeboard for details)

A Support Staff application form and Job Description are available on the School website www.st-michaels.barnet.sch.uk

Please send completed applications to applications@st-michaels.barnet.sch.uk.

Closing date: Friday 21st May 2021 – Interviews week commencing 24th May.

ASCENSION DAY

We celebrate the Ascension on Thursday 13th May.  There is a Vigil Mass at 7.30pm on Wednesday 12th May and Mass on the day at 10am.

RAPID TESTING

The next rapid testing session is on 13th May 9am – 5pm in the car park.

PLEASE PRAY FOR

Please remember in your prayers

The sick, their families and all who care for them, including: Peggy Rafferty, 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, Cheryl Pereira, Milena Braganza, Daniel Sardison, Bernard Keown, Ann O’Neill, Ted & Mary Pearce, Jason Mosely, Robert Chambers,Tamara Parrott, Abbey Cummings, Kathleen Gershlick, Anne Conlon, Franco Tzouvanni.

Recently dead: John Steel, John Bannon.and for all those whose anniversaries occur about this time.

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY

9th May, 6th Sunday of Easter

Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48

1 John 4:7–10

John 15: 9-17

Funerals are limited to 30 people invited by the family. They can be watched on live-streaming and you are requested not to congregate in the church grounds.

TIMES OF MASS & OTHER LITURGIES

Sunday 2nd May, Fifth Sunday of Easter

                                        6pm (Vigil) John Bannon RIP

                                        9am  John Kyle RIP

                                         11am People of the Parish

Bank Holiday Monday

3rd May                      10am Mass Ermillio Gazza RIP      

Tuesday 4th May           10am Mass Mary Whalley

Wednesday 5th May        10am Mass John Steel RIP

Thursday 6th May            No Mass

Friday 7th May                10am Mass John (Sean) Gahan RIP

Saturday 8th May           11am & 2pm Mass of Confirmation (by invitation only)

                                       5.15 – 545pm Sacrament of Reconciliation

                                        6pm (Vigil) John Bannon RIP

Sunday 9th May, Sixth Sunday of Easter

                                        9am Ines & Edoardo Badini RIP

                                        11am Victims of Potters Bar rail crash RIP

**Numbers are limited to 30 for funerals. Please do not attend unless invited by the family.