6th June 2021, The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

TAKE AND EAT… TAKE AND DRINK…

Over the past 15 months we have, at times, been unable to receive the Body and Blood of Christ in order to prevent the spread of the virus. Even now, for obvious reasons, although we are able to receive the Body and Blood of Christ in the form of bread, we still cannot have the richer experience of sharing the chalice.

Today’s first reading from the Book of Exodus gives us ancient background for the importance of the Precious Blood. The passage recounts how Moses sends members of the people to slaughter cattle for a feast. The blood was taken from the animals, and Moses used it to ritually connect the table of the Feast (God) with the food sacrificed (the ordinary life resources of the community).

The Second Reading, from the letter to the Hebrews, states clearly that Jesus took on the role of the Blood (that which bound the community to God) in His Divine and human personhood. Thus, we don’t sacrifice the blood of animals now, but we offer the daily life of our hands in the forms of bread and wine. God takes that gift and unites it perfectly to Jesus’ sacrifice of his own life cross for the salvation of the ‘many’. If we have been Baptised into the Body of Christ then we must serve the world in the way that Jesus did and does through us, united together by the priest-presider.

Finally, the Gospel of Mark witnesses to the last supper and what Jesus and the disciples were saying and doing.  Take and eat; take and drink – Christ’s Body and the Blood of the Covenant to do God’s Will.

Today it is clear that for the good of all of God’s people it was necessary that we deprive ourselves of participation in the Eucharist for however long we had to. Other means of giving our lives in service for the sake of “the many” were practiced by those who wore masks, remained socially distant and exercised other required or recommended precautions.  Being vaccinated, when health allows it, is one more step toward reverencing the whole Body of Christ. Furthermore, it is the means by which we will be able to be fully restored to the community’s practice of the Eucharist by Eating and Drinking that Jesus invited us to in the Last Supper.

 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

23rd May Envelopes £421 Loose £413

Collections are counted a week after they are taken.

WELCOME FR DONALD

This Saturday afternoon Fr Shaun is celebrating a marriage in another parish.  We welcome Fr Donald Graham who is celebrating the 6pm Mass.

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? This will be explored n the new, 5- week course exploring the immense wisdom and inspiration of Celtic spirituality which starts on Monday from 7.30pm until 9:00pm, initially on Zoom. The registration date has passed but email  pbalpha@rcdow.org.uk Those who have registered should have received a Zoom link.

LOVE IN ACTION

You will find an information sheet in this newsletter about progress so far.  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.

BAPTISMS

Baptism Preparation will take place on zoom at 7.30pm on Tuesday 15th June with a follow-up session on Sunday 20th at 10am in the hall. 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.  If it is your first child you must attend the course but any parent is welcome to attend.

RECONCILIATION/COMMUNION AND CONFIRMATION CATECHISTS

Pope Francis has recently created the ‘Ministry of Catechist’ to recognize the important work that is done in this area.  We have a growing team of parishioners who help prepare young people for the sacraments of Confirmation, First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.  They really enjoy the work they do – it is so rewarding to experience young people exploring and growing in their faith.

If you are interested and especially if you have a child who has benefitted from this in the past, could you volunteer to give something back for other children?

We will be starting new courses for Sacramental preparation in September. Full training and support are given. It is rewarding work with a great team. As our commitment to safeguarding, an enhanced DBS certificate is required for this work and we will help you apply for this – the processing of this is confidential between you and the diocese.  Please contact Francesca Khaliq if you would like to find out more information about the roles, many thanks.

FIRST RECONCILIATION & HOLY COMMUNION 2022

Registration forms for First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion in 2022 are available from Fr Shaun after Mass from this Sunday 6th June (for children currently in Year 2 or above).

CONFIRMATION 2022

Candidates for Confirmation in 2022 (currently in Year 8 or above) can collect a registration form from Fr Shaun after Mass from this Sunday 6th June. Forms can only be collected by the Candidate.

Completed forms for both courses must be returned to the Parish Office/emailed to Francesca Khaliq by Tuesday 20th July 2021. If you have any questions, please contact Francesca Khaliq.

STEWARDING AND CLEANING

We still need help – sign up TODAY

or Email the office.

INTERESTED IN THE CATHOLIC FAITH? – 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?

REVISED COVID GUIDELINES

Distancing Please leave 1m between individuals or family bubbles (the green ticks are 1m apart as a guide)

Face Coverings are compulsory for everybody over 11 years of age unless exempt.

Test and Trace please use the app OR sign in on arrival (one per household)

Sanitise your hands as you enter and leave the church.

Newsletters/Missalettes please take them away with you

Mingling please speak to each other outside not in the narthex.

This week we are re-introducing the Second Reading and the preparation prayers for Communion.  Communion will return to its proper place later in the month, all being well.

Collection your financial support of the parish is very important and thank you for your generosity.  For safety the collection will continue to be taken as you leave. The safest way is giving by Standing Order or using the Debit/Credit card machine in the narthex.

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.

SACRED HEART OF JESUS

The solemnity of the Sacred Heart is on Friday and Mass will be at 7.30pm to enable more people to get to Mass.  There is no Mass at 10am on that day.

MUSIC AT 9.00AM SUNDAY MASS

Now that Government rules allow up to 6 people to sing together indoors (socially-spaced, of course), we would like to invite anyone who misses singing at mass to join an occasional group of up to six to sing hymns at 9.00am mass. Over recent weeks we have been able to have singing, thanks to those who have acted as cantors. Our plan now is to add to the teams of singers so that we can continue to have music at this mass during the coming holiday months and until we are able as a congregation to sing together once more. If you would like to join us, please talk to one of us, or email the church office. Miho and Philip (Organists)

Mark (Choirmaster).

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

BACS DONATIONS

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

CAR PARKING – REMINDERS

Do not park in the roadway up to the end of the building or the turning circle.

REVERSE into a marked parking space so that it is safer when you leave (when there are more people about.)

On Sunday the back gate is open so that you can park in Wylyott’s Car Park (free)

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, Fr Peter Burrows

Recently dead: Orlando Sega Nieto, Eric Beechy, Michael Mahoney and for all

those whose anniversaries occur about this time.

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY

13th June, 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Ezekiel 17:22-24

Corinthians 5: 6-10

Mark 4: 26-34

TIMES OF MASS & OTHER LITURGIES

Sunday 6th June, The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)

                                     6pm (Vigil) Andrew Piper RIP

                                      9am Intentions of Susan Bonn 

                                       11am People of the Parish

Monday 7th June           10am Mass Sarah Hughes RIP

Tuesday 8th June            10am Mass Michael Brennan RIP

Wednesday 9th June       10am Mass Marie Howard RIP

Thursday 10th June          No Mass

Friday 11th June, Sacred Heart, 7.30pm Mass Nathanial ‘Harry’ Francois RIP (Anniv)

Saturday 12th June          2pm Baptism of Sinachi Egbubine

                                        5.15 – 5.45pm Sacrament of Reconciliation

                                        6pm (Vigil) Helen O’Sullivan RIP

Sunday 13th June, 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

                                           9am People of the Parish

                                           11am Michael Brennan RIP