9th May 2021, Sixth Sunday of Easter

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

It’s astonishing to realize that Jesus selected us to be his friends.  “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you.”  We have been chosen to share our lives with Jesus as he shares his with us.  It’s a connection of joy.  The good news, Jesus says, is joy for both of us.  “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.”  But more than that, Jesus says that because he chose us, we are sent “to go and bear great fruit that will remain.” Our role as Christians is to live out the teachings of Jesus. “Love one another.”

It’s easy to find tragedy and conflict everywhere.  What is our part in bringing love to those in pain?  His commandment to us is simple: “Love one another.” He doesn’t tell us how to vote, to earn money, even to pray.  Just love one another, and “remain in me.”

How do we take up this mantle he has given us? How can I shape my life to follow Jesus’ example of loving more closely?  Maybe praying for or working to help the poor and marginalized around us.

Perhaps it just means for us to lighten up in our own lives and remain in his love.  It could be as simple as being kinder to those around us. Stop being crabby and judgmental.  Not assume that my way is the correct way, that my beliefs are true, no matter how ardently I believe them.

We accept the fierce love of Jesus by following his request for us to go and bear fruit that will remain.  His final words to us echo in our lives: Love one another.  We bear fruit every day by sharing the love we have been given and carrying it throughout our days and lives.

 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

25 April Envelopes £223 Loose £354

April Standing Orders: £6429

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

The ASCENSION of the LORD

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

PENTECOST NOVENA

Yet again this year we are encouraged to join the ecumenical novena of prayers from Ascension to Pentecost.  There are many resources this year and so please go on line to find them at https://www.cbcew.org.uk/home/events/thy-kingdom-come/

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

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 were confirmed on Saturday by Bishop John Sherrington. They will be presented with their certificates next weekend at Mass to give us a chance to congratulate them. 

THE ROSARY

May and October are months especially dedicated to Our Lady.  Pope Francis has asked us to pray the Rosary for an end to the pandemic this month.  The Rosary will be prayed at 9.30am on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday during May. The Pope has started a chain of rosaries between Marian shrines for May.

PRIESTS’ TRAINING FUND

I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the Priest Training Fund collection last weekend. The response of prayer for vocations, love and concern for the clergy, and for the current seminarians, was heart-warming. If you still wish to make your donation, you will find envelopes at the back of the church or you can even donate online through the Diocese’s websitewww.rcdow.org.uk/donations. The formation of priests is of top priority, as it is our future. May God Bless you for your generosity.  In line with COVID protocols the collection will not be counted until this weekend.

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.

St John’s Methodist Church and the Church of King Charles the Martyr are starting to look at becoming EcoChurches – something that brings many themes of Love in Action together.  If you are interested in finding out more about this please email pbalpha@rcdow.org.uk

BAPTISMS

The government has indicated that, from 17th May, baptisms can go ahead with up to 30 guests (we await instructions on distancing and funerals) If you have been waiting to have a child baptised please contact the office as soon as possible so that we can arrange preparation and dates once the window opens.

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

CAFOD URGENT NEWS

As coronavirus brings devastation across India, CAFOD is working with CARITAS India, to provide vital support to poor and marginalised communities. Donations to CAFOD’s Coronavirus Appeal will help Caritas India distribute PPE kits to frontline health workers, promote COVID & vaccine awareness campaigns, and set up safely run isolation & quarantine centres. You can donate online here: www.cafod.org.uk/give

COVID 19 – A CHALLENGE TO MANY MARRIAGES

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

MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES

Due to a change in the law we are no longer able to issue civil marriage certificates for marriages that took place in our church. These can now be obtained directly from the local Registrar.

MISSIO RED MISSION BOXES

Thanks to all those who have returned the Missio boxes for emptying. Boxes can be collected from the sacristy.

SCHOOL VACANCIES

St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School,

Nether Street, North Finchley, N12 7NJ.

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

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

St Ignatious College, Turkey Street, Enfield EN1 4NP. Required for September 2021, Teacher of Design and Technology (see noticeboard for details). The deadline for applications is 09.00 on Tuesday 18 May with interviews being held the following week.

CONTACTLESS DONATIONS

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

BACS DONATIONS

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

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.and for all those whose anniversaries occur about this time: Agnes Quinlivan & victims of the Potters Bar rail crash.

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY

16th May, 7th Sunday of Easter

Acts 1:15-17, 20-26

1 John 4:11-16

John 4:11-16

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 9th May, Sixth Sunday of Easter

                                     6pm (Vigil) John Bannon RIP

                                        9am  Ines & Edoardo Badini RIP

                                        11am Victims of Potters Bar rail crash RIP

Monday 10th May           10am Mass Agnes Quinlivan RIP (Anniversary) 

                                        12.20pm Mass with 8M at Nicholas Breakspear School

Tuesday 11th May          10am Mass In Thanksgiving

Wednesday 12th May      7.30pm Vigil Mass of the Ascension, John (Sean) Gahan RIP

Thursday 13th May          10am Mass, The Ascension, People of the Parish

Friday 14th May              No Mass in church

                                        11.20am Mass with 8S & 8B at Nicholas Breakspear School

                                    12.20pm Mass with 8J at Nicholas Breakspear School

Saturday 15th May         5.15 – 5.45pm Sacrament of Reconciliation

                                        6pm (Vigil) John Bannon RIP

Sunday 16th May, Seventh Sunday of Easter

                                        9am Sylvia & Clement Hill RIP

                                         11am People of the Parish