Parish of Our Lady & St Vincent, Potters Bar
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, 20th February 2022
‘An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth’ seems rather a barbaric form of justice. It has its origins, however, in justice. In the age of CCTV, VAR and DashCams we forget how precarious life was in times gone by. Out of public view life could be very violent. If somebody harmed a person’s child, for example, that person may go in a fit of temper and kill the perpetrator. The ‘eye for an eye’ maxim was saying that you could not take retribution for a crime that was greater than the result of the crime.
As he often does, Jesus takes the maxim and builds on it, building on the old law to create the new. Jesus says that we are to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us. Surely that is being a mug and a recipe for allowing oppressors to prosper?
The reason for behaving this way is given in the phrase ‘be merciful as your Father is merciful.’ In the Year of Mercy we reflected a great deal on God’s mercy. God’s mercy is more than simple forgiveness. Mercy is forgiving a person and giving them the opportunity to start again. By choosing not to seek revenge or counter bad deeds with more bad deeds, we provide a chance to break the cycle of hatred and violence. When we forgive our enemies, we respect their dignity and give them the opportunity to make a fresh start and choose a path that leads them to live life to the full.
Yes, they may take advantage and choose not to reform but at least we are giving them the chance. Be merciful as your Father is merciful echoes those words which we often find difficult to speak strongly in the Lord’s Prayer, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.’ That is our aspiration and Christ is our inspiration as he hung from the Cross, forgiving those who persecuted him. One of the thieves repented, as did the centurion, and many more followed as the Christian faith spread from Jerusalem.
‘Think of the love that the Father has LAVISHED on us’ writes St John. Let us reflect on God’s love and mercy and ask for the grace to show that same mercy.
☎ 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
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
FR SHAUN
Fr Shaun is away for his annual retreat this week from Monday – Saturday inclusive. We welcome Canon Robert Plourde who will be celebrating Mass.
FRANCESCA KHALIQ
Francesca would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone for their amazing support, prayers, cards, gifts and visits. She is currently awaiting further treatment for her back. Please continue to pray for her.
WHY WOMEN MATTER SO MUCH TO GOD
A lecture by Dr Ros Clarke, Christian speaker, writer and author of ‘Forty women: unseen women in the Bible (a great Lent book) on Wednesday 23rd February at 7pm in St Thomas’ Church, Northaw EN6 4NW. For more details and to book free tickets go to www.norcuff.com/annual -lecture.
SYMBOLS OF FAITH
Would you like to work in the Church with people with learning disabilities? Do you want to help them participate fully in the life of their community? Symbols of Faith is a unique method of catechesis and there is a workshop on Saturday 26th February from 11am to 2pm at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St George Church in Enfield EN2 6DS where you can find out more. For more details and to register contact Gail Williams at gailwilliams@rcdow.org.uk or on 020 8202 3999.
SERVICE OF INDUCTION
The Anglican parish of South Mimms and Ridge has been without a priest for almost three years and next Saturday, 26th February, at 5pm in St Giles, South Mimms, Rev. Atalie Gaines, Vicar of KCM, is being installed as Priest-in-Charge and Fr Ayoob Adwar is being installed as Assistant Curate of St Giles and St Margaret’s. It would be wonderful if parishioners living in South Mimms and Ridge were able to join the service to give Fr Ayoob a warm welcome and rejoice with our brothers and sisters there (Fr Shaun will be attending.)
COLLECTION
Feb 6: Envelopes £262; Loose £310
Thank you for your generosity.
CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES
You should have received an email about Saints names and a mailing about Sponsors by Monday. If you do not receive either please contact the Parish Office.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER SERVICE
This annual ecumenical prayer service, prepared by Christian women but open to all, is on Tuesday 4th March at 10.30am in St Mary’s Church, The Walk. The theme is from Jeremiah, ‘I know the plans I have for you’ and reflects on some of the issues facing us today: poverty, domestic abuse and disability, finding hope in difficult situations. All are welcome and there will be refreshments and a chance to talk. Mass will be at 9.30am that day to give people the opportunity to get to St Mary’s. For more information go to www.wwdp.org.uk
STATIONS OF THE CROSS IN LENT
Last Lent the Stations of the Cross was led by different families and it was very successful. We would like to do the same this year – each Friday in Lent at 7pm. If you would like to lead Stations, and we have many versions to choose from, please speak to Deacon Don TODAY as you leave Mass. If you need to talk to the family first then Email Don afterwards. A small group of friends could also lead the Stations.
CHURCHES TOGETHER POTTERS BAR
The next Saturday Morning Churches Together Prayers will be on Saturday 5th March at 8.30am at St John’s Methodist Church. All welcome.
CHRISTMAS FOR SOMEONE ELSE
Since last Christmas you have donated £10,739.86 to help vulnerable families over the winter. Funds are still being dispersed. It is still not too late to give, either on the credit/debit card machine or by cash/cheque. Contact the office for details.
WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL CHOIR SCHOOL OPEN MORNING
Every September up to six choristers join WCCS in Year 4. Becoming a chorister offers boys the opportunity to sing in a world-class choir, and to join a thriving, inclusive independent school for boys, age 4 – 13. All choristers receive generous scholarships, supplemented by means-tested bursaries worth up to 100% of fees, where needed. The school is holding an open morning for prospective chorister families on Sunday 27th February 10am to 1pm. They invite applications from boys currently in Year 2 or Year 3. Interested parents should contact Lucy Auger to register by calling 020 77998 9081 or emailing lauger@choirschool.com.
DID YOU GET A NEW LAPTOP FOR CHRISTMAS?
As part of our Love in Action (LIA) projects, we have launched the parish Tech Appeal. You can donate unwanted laptops/ notebooks to those in our parish and partner schools in need of IT equipment. You may have received a new device for Christmas and so will have an old one you can donate. Please have a look at home to see if you have a suitable device you no longer use, to donate to the appeal. If you do have any please fill in the form on our website
http://olasv.org.uk/.
SCRIPTURE FESTIVAL FOLLOW UP
Following the joy-filled experience of the ‘God Who Speaks Scripture Festival’ at St Alban’s Cathedral, we would like to invite you to join us on a variety of free online follow up events.
These are for individuals, groups of friends & parishes. To find out more information and book please visit:
https://rcdow.org.uk/scripturefestival/follow-up-events/
SHIELDING/ISOLATING?
Don’t forget that all Masses are live-streamed via the parish website (or www.churchservices.tv/pottersbar and, if you do not have internet access, you can listen to a recording of Sunday Mass on 01707 518202 (local calls are free).
ROSARY
The Rosary, a beautiful prayer, is prayed every Tuesday at 9.30am in the church. Please come and join us in this important prayer.
ASH WEDNESDAY
Wednesday 2nd March. Mass with imposition of ashes is at 7am, 10am (with Pope Paul School Juniors) & 7.30pm
REPOSITORY
The Repository will resume opening after the 9am Sunday Mass. If you are able to help by opening the Repository after the 11am Mass, please let the Parish Office know.
LOURDES PILGRIMAGE
The annual diocesan pilgrimage is planned for 22 – 29 July 2022. At this stage the organisers need to know who would be interested. If you are interested (you are not committing yourself at this stage) please go to https://forms.rcdow.org.uk/lourdes-pilgrimage-2022-expression-of-interest/
This is the best way to travel in the current climate as all is guaranteed COVID-protected.
DIOCESAN HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE
21 – 29 November 2022 with Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Fr John Farrell OP.
£1825 per person sharing, £529 single supplement. For more details contact Gill Didno at 01732 886666.
CAFOD’S WALK AGAINST HUNGER LENT CHALLENGE
There are 200 million children in the world whose lives are at risk from malnutrition. This Lent, challenge yourself to walk 200km, and help give hunger its marching orders. Do 5k a day, your way, for 40 days, get sponsored and you’ll conquer your 200km target in time for Easter – and help people around the world to live free from hunger. To find out more or take part, go to cafod.org.uk/walk.
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, Baby Logan, Maria Kelleher.
Recently dead: Anthony Nitesh, Fr Seamus McGeoghan, Marion Miller, Ronald Davis and for all those whose anniversaries occur about this time.
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY
27th February, Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
Ecclesiasticus 27:4-7
1 Corinthians 15:54-58
Luke 6:39-45
Newsletter deadline – Tuesday 9.30am
TIMES OF MASS & OTHER LITURGIES
Sunday 20th February Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
(Sat) 6pm Elias Michael Hanni RIP
9am People of the Parish
11am Paige White RIP
Monday 21st February 10am Mass Alice Joseph RIP
Tuesday 22nd February 10am Mass Mavis Lugg RIP
Wednesday 23rd February 10am Mass Mr N Nooney RIP
Thursday 24th February No Mass
Friday 25th February 10am Mass Deceased Members of the Donovan-Chell
Family RIP
Saturday 26th February 5.15 – 5.45pm Sacrament of Reconciliation
6pm Vigil Mass Intentions of Betty Dwyer
Sunday 27th February Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
9am Linda Amion RIP
11am People of the Parish
