St Anthony of Padua Anerley

Fourth Sunday of Lent (C)

Mass Readings: 168 – 172

Order of Mass: Pages 7 – 60

First Reading: having returned to the Promised Land after the Exodus, the Israelites celebrate their first Passover in the land, and the manna from heaven – which they needed for sustenance on their pilgrimage through the wilderness – ceases. When we go to heaven we will enjoy the eternal banquet there and no longer need Holy Communion for our journey nourishment.

Psalm: the refrain, ‘taste and see that the Lord is good’, has long been used during the Liturgy as a reference to Holy Communion.

Second Reading: God reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and we are called to hand on that reconciliation to others.

Gospel: the parable of mercy par excellence. Although it is commonly called the parable of the prodigal son, perhaps a better name would be the parable of the merciful father, because the father’s mercy – astonishing and unlimited – is the central point of the parable.

Sunday Teas:

This Sunday’s Mother’s Day teas will be served by the Knights of St Columba.

Next Sunday’s teas will be served by the Flower Arrangers.

Thank you to all those who help out with the Sunday Teas.

Last Sunday’s Collections: The 1st collection was £620.46p + £309.00p in Gift Aid envelopes giving us a parish total of £929.46p. The 2nd collection for Parish Funds was  £66.23p. Thank you for your generosity.

Recently Deceased: Please pray for the soul and family of William O’Brien.

William O’Brien’s body will be received into the Church on Thursday 4th April at 4.30pm and the funeral will be on Friday 5th April at 10.30am.

May his soul rest in peace.

Blessed Sacrament: We will continue to have exposition of the Blessed Sacrament  every Friday from 7:30pm to 8:30pm until further notice.

Holy Communion Classes: The next date is Saturday 6th April at 10.30 – 11.30am in the Parish Centre.

Stations of the Cross:  Stations of the Cross will be on Wednesdays after the 9.30am Mass, Fridays at 7.30pm and Sundays at 4.00pm.

Stations of the Cross booklets are now available in the Repository.  Meditations of the Stations are also available.  Please do take a look.

Wednesdays during Lent: Father Stuart’s Lenten Films continue this Wednesday (3rd April) with a film about ‘The Shroud of Turin’.

Easter Prayers: Please pray for Idalina Milhano and Sandra Ohene who are both about to embark on their spiritual journey in the Catholic faith.  Idalina will  receive her First Holy Communion and her Confirmation at the Easter Mass.  Sandra will be baptised, and receive her First Holy Communion and her Confirmation at the Easter Mass.

Knights of St Columba Notices: Please note the change of date and time: There will be a very short ceremony during the 6pm Mass on Saturday 6th April for the initiation of this year’s officers of our parish council of the Knights of St Columba.
This month’s food bank appeal will be held this weekend 30^th/31^st March.

19th March – 12 noon Monday 1 April to support its work with homeless people moving from Street to Home. Double your Donation, Double your impact.  This is a matched giving scheme for online donations. If someone (can be company, individual or trust) gave £10 online matched giving of £10 would bring the Gift up to £20 (and for individuals to £22.50 with Gift Aid with higher rate tax relief it may cost the donor less than £10). For more information ring Andrew Hollingsworth 020 75921856 andrew.h@passage.org.uk.  Donate at www.thebiggive.org.uk/thepassage2019. The maximum is £25,000 from any one donation. It is not a limit per person.

Events at the House of Prayer in East Molesey:

Lent Retreat: The Grace of Emptiness; Friday 5 – Sunday 7 April. Led by: The House of Prayer Community  Cost: £160.00  Arrive on Friday in time for supper at 7.00 pm and leave on Sunday at 4.00 pm; An opportunity to listen more deeply to God’s personal call.  This retreat provides an opportunity to step aside from the busyness of everyday life and spend time in quiet prayer and reflection.  A retreat guide will be available for daily individual meetings to accompany you through the retreat.

To book, please contact us on: 020 8941 2313 or e-mail: admin@christian-retreat.org

Spring Walk: On Sunday 7th April join the Friends of Cator and Alexandra in a spring walk to Cator Park via the Pool riverbank. Meet in Alexandra Recreation Ground by the Victorian fountain for a 2.00pm start. A free walk but donations welcome. We end at Kent House Coffee and Flowers where there is a special offer of coffee and cake for £5.

Penge Poets Evening: On Saturday 13th April at 7.30pm in the Bluebelle Café on Maple Road, the next Penge Poets Evening will be taking place.  First half: the poetry of celebrated Victorian Penge poet Joseph Gwyer. Second half: read your own poems. The £5 entry must be booked in person at the café in advance and includes a drink and nibbles. If you like poetry, you’ll love this!

Fundraiser Quiz Night: On Saturday 18th May there will be a quiz night (supporting Bromley Relief in Need) at Bromley Parish Church, Church Road, Bromley BR2 0EG.  Please email maureenkennedy75@hotmail.com.  Please also see the notice board.

Lent Extra 2019 – Copies of Lent Extra 2019: Your Journey to Easter and Beyond are available in the Repository.  Please take a look.

Easter Cards: Please take a look at our selection of Easter cards, now available in the Repository.

Please pray for the sick of the Parish: John Whelan, John Barry, Mercie Ihekweme-Hill, and Michael Creech.

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS (31st Mar—7th April 2019)  (Year: C)