30th May 2021, The Most Holy Trinity

INVITED INTO THE TRINITY OF DIVINE LOVE

Many of us have been brought up to see God as one who chooses us or who calls us, a demanding God who selects us for some purpose.  Although this is true to a certain extent, there is the danger that we worry about our response.  Sometimes we can be afraid of coming close to God in case he asks for more or demands more than we are prepared to give.

If this is our prime notion of God we can become discouraged in prayer; we blame ourselves for not praying properly.  We feel we need to make more effort. If we fail we lose heart and then we are in a vicious circle.

The theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar tells us that this model is at odds with the writings of St Augustine. The God there is one who draws us to himself to give rest to our restless hearts, the one who wishes to bring us into his peace.

Augustine’s God is simply a God who comes to us, indeed who has already come, to give rest to our troubled hearts and minds.  God does, of course, choose people, does call people, but this is not where our relationship with God begins. ‘You made us so that we long for you, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.’  Augustine famously writes in his Confessions.

Today we celebrate the living Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  We are reminded of our invitation to join that Trinity of love and we are assured by the words of Jesus, ‘know that I am with you always, yes to the end of time.’

Jesus, may all that is you flow into me

May your Body and Blood be my food and drink

May your passion and death be my strength and life

Jesus, with you at my side enough has been given.

May the shelter I seek be the shadow of your Cross.

Let me not run from the love you offer, but hold me safe from the forces of evil.

On each of my dyings shed your light and your love

Keep calling me until that day comes when, with your saints, I may praise you forever.

 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 Mon, Tues & Fri 10am – 12noon but emails are checked daily

To speak to a priest in an emergency ring 07854 866860

COLLECTIONS

16th May Envelopes £324 Loose £380

Priests’ Training Fund: £1183.23

Collections are counted a week after they are taken.

BELONG & BELIEVE

Are you committed to us being a more welcoming parish?  In our post-pandemic world people are finding their way back to church.  Some people are finding life difficult.  Some people who have never been to church before are seeking help and meaning.  How do we become a more welcoming parish in the post-pandemic world?  You are warmly invited to join a new, 5- week course exploring the immense wisdom and inspiration of Celtic spirituality.  Each week we shall enjoy a video filmed on location across the British Isles and then, in small groups, discuss some questions prompted by the video. 

We shall meet every Monday from 7 June from 7.30pm until 9:00pm, initially on Zoom.  Try at least one session to see if it is for you!  Like Alpha, we will not harass you if you don’t come a second time. Please email  pbalpha@rcdow.org.uk by Monday to register your interest or for further information.

LOVE IN ACTION

Those who have expressed an interest in outreach have met once and will meet again on 10th June.  There will be information in next week’s newsletter about the themes and projects that have emerged as being priorities.  If you would like to join the on-line meeting on Thursday 10th June to find out more please Email Ferdi at pbalpha@rcdow.org.uk as soon as possible.

JULY MASS INTENTIONS

Masses for July can be booked in person, by phone or email on Tuesday 1st June.

from 10.30am.

FUNERALS

We are now permitted to have up to the maximum safe limit of the church at funerals (90 people) This means that people who usually come to 10am Mass can come to support Andrew Piper’s family on Tuesday.  We will give notice if there is going to be a funeral with a large number of mourners.

NEW COVID GUIDELINES

Social distancing in church has returned to 1m, as long as face coverings are worn (which is still compulsory unless you have an exemption) This will increase the safe capacity of the church (the ticks have been moved.) 

Stewards are no longer mandatory at weekday Mass but weekend Masses, where the safe capacity of the church may be reached, stewards are still needed.  The church must be cleaned once a day, not between Masses, but frequent touch points such as door handles and pads, must be cleaned more frequently.  The floor must be sanitized weekly.  Thank you to all stewards and cleaners.  We still need you!

The minister may now announce ‘The Body of Christ’ and we can respond ‘Amen’.

Our curved benches and fixed kneelers still mean that we have to have Holy Communion at the end of Mass to avoid excessive touching of surfaces.  This should return to its usual place after 21st June.  We hope to resume tea and coffee after Mass and other social events after that date. 

Please continue to take care not to ‘mingle’ inside the building, to leave promptly and to sanitise your hands at the doors. 

Thank you,

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

CHURCHES TOGETHER PRAYERS

The next monthly ecumenical prayer service will be at 8.30am on Saturday 5th June at St Mary’s Church, The Walk.  All are very welcome.  If you would like to attend on line, please contact Philip, the secretary at ctipbsecretary@gmail.com

BAPTISMS

Baptism Preparation will take place on zoom at 7.30pm on Tuesday 15th June. This will enable parents to participate without the need for a babysitter!  Please register with the parish office if you have a child for baptism.

FIRST SACRAMENTS

Please pray for the children who are receiving the Eucharist for the first time this weekend.

HOLY COMMUNION TO SICK AND HOUSEBOUND PARISHIONERS

We are able to resume the very important ministry of taking Holy Communion to sick and housebound parishioners. If you or a member of your family would like us to visit your home, please contact the office or speak to Fr. Shaun or Deacon Don. Please be assured that we will be following all the guidelines issued by the government and the diocese in order to keep everyone as safe as possible.  There will be a meeting for Ministers of the Eucharist soon.

RECLAIM OUR COMMON HOME – BUILDING A BETTER WORLD AFTER THE PANDEMIC

2021 is a critical year as world leaders decide how the world rebuilds from the pandemic. As Catholics we have an important role to play in calling for the world’s poorest communities to be included. CAFOD is asking all parishes to lobby local MP’s on this subject this spring / summer.  If you would like to get involved please contact Cathy Waterhouse cathy.waterhouse@btinternet.com and for further information please go to https://cafod.org.uk/Campaign .

WELCOME FR DONALD

Next Saturday afternoon Fr Shaun will be celebrating a marriage in another parish and Fr Donald Graham will be coming to celebrate the 6pm Mass.

UNDERSTANDING THE SUNDAY GOSPEL

A group meets on Zoom every Tuesday, at 7.30pm for about an hour, to reflect on the readings for the following Sunday.  It is always informative and peoples insights into scripture are always interesting. It is a great way of preparing for Sunday Mass (I, Fr Shaun, often drop in and find it great for homily ideas!) If you would like to be included in the Zoom invitation please email pottersbarcat@rcdow.org.uk

CONTACTLESS DONATIONS

A contactless payments terminal for weekly or one-off donations, is situated opposite the single entrance door in the Narthex.

BACS DONATIONS

You can donate directly to the parish account using HSBC Sort Code 40-05-20 Acc. 81095625  WRCDT Potters Bar

FLOWERS

As we come to the end of the Easter Season we thank the small team who have arranged such beautiful flowers for Easter, Confirmations and First Holy Communions.  Flowers have been  expensive and sometimes difficult to obtain over the past year but they have worked hard to make the church look so beautiful.  If you would like to contribute to the cost of flowers there is a collection box next to Our Lady’s statue.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT REQUIRED

King Charles the Martyr Church in Mutton Lane is looking for an administrative assistant for 8 hours a week, (9am – 1pm, Tuesday and Thursday)  For full details see www.kcm-church.org.uk

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, Kathy Lavelle.

Recently dead: Andrew Piper, Desmond Cullen, Orlando Sega Nieto, Eric Beechy. Michael Mahoney and for all those whose anniversaries occur about this time.

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY

6th June, Corpus Christi

Exodus 24:3-8.

Hebrews 9:11-15

Mark 14:12-16. 22-26

TIMES OF MASS & OTHER LITURGIES

Sunday 30th May, The Most Holy Trinity

                                     6pm (Vigil) Paul Walsh RIP

                                     9am People of the Parish

                                      11am Helen O’Reilly RIP

Bank Holiday Monday

31st May                        10am Mass Des Cullen RIP

Tuesday 1st June            10am Funeral Mass, Andrew Piper RIP

Wednesday 2nd June      10am Mass George Mampilli RIP

Thursday 3rd June          No Mass

Friday 4th June               10am Mass John Moore RIP

Saturday 5th June          8.30am Ecumenical Prayers at St Mary’s Church, The Walk

                                        5.15 – 5.45pm Sacrament of Reconciliation

                                        6pm (Vigil) Andrew Piper RIP

Sunday 6th June, Corpus Christi

                                        9am Intentions of Susan Bonn

                                         11am People of the Parish