St Anthony of Padua Anerley

Third Sunday

Mass Readings: Pages 127-130

Order of Mass: Pages 6-60

John the Baptist message of repentance, a preparation for the coming of the Lord Jesus, did not cease even when he was thrown in jail. The Lord, the messiah brought to the people an invitation to discipleship. His message and arrival leads to the call of the first disciples.

Jesus’ first invitation was to simple folk; mere fishermen became “fishers of men”. Although, the service of God is a voluntary act. They had no hesitation following or answering Christ’s call. They obeyed willingly and left every thing behind to follow. Thus, they accepted a new way of life, a new occupation that has no material gain; no pension, no gratuity and job security. In choosing mere fisher men, Jesus surprised the learned and the wealthier, and showed how his standard differs from human reckoning.

Authentic discipleship has at its core the realization of the unity in Christ.  Christ must not be divided. Christ urges us to be one, as does St Paul in his letter to the people of Corinth in today’s reading. For through our baptism, each one is called to further make better or stronger the mystical body of Christ, his church.

Each one of us shares in the person or identity of Christ, just as he, Christ, shares in the Trinitarian unity. As such Christ’s body must not be fragmented like the Corinthians did.. Christ remain our focal point and the core of Christianity.

As members of his mystical body,  we must be united irrespective of our political leaning, ideological camps, intellectual ability and ethnic background. Division causes darkness, and slows the growth of the body of Christ.

Christ has delivered us from the powers of darkness and slavery to the light of his resurrection. As God’s adopted sons and daughters, we ought to be burning with the fire of God’s love, so that its warmth will spread and warm the hearts and minds of all those with whom we come in contact.

Sunday Teas:

This Sunday’s teas will be served by the SVP.

Next Sunday’s teas will be served by the volunteers.

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

Last Week’s Collections: The 1st collection was £619.32p + £381.50p in Gift Aid Envelopes giving us a parish total of £ 1000.82p. The 2nd collection for Pax Christi  was £134.96p. Thank you for your generosity.  Today’s 2nd collection will be for Parish Funds.

Baptism Preparation:  The next two (of three) classes for Baptism preparation will be on Mondays, the 23rd and 30th January at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre.  It is important to attend ALL three classes.

Mass Bookings: Please book your masses at least two months in advance.

Notification of Marriage: Please note that at least six months notice of a marriage is normally required.  If you are member of this parish the paper work must be completed  by this parish no matter where the marriage is solemnised.

Crying Babies and Young Children: If your baby or young child is crying during the Mass please do use the confessional box instead of leaving the Church. We have now installed a monitor inside the confessional box which means parents and carers are able to watch the Mass from inside the confessional box.

Hospital Admissions: If you are due to be admitted to hospital or if you know of a parishioner who has been admitted to hospital then please let one of the clergy know.  Thank you.

Homelessness Sunday (22nd January):  Please add The LATCH Project to your prayer list weekend (in support of their work throughout the community and beyond).

Knights of St Columba Food Bank Collection: The Knights are collecting for the Penge Food Bank next weekend (28th/29th January).  The Parish has received a letter from the Food Bank Organiser expressing their appreciation of our efforts (please see it on the noticeboard at the back of the Church).

Vocations Weekend for Young Women (20s and 30s): To be held in New Cross, London on the weekend of 27th to 29th January. The weekend is organised by the sisters, Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ).  There will be input from the FCJ sisters on different aspects of vowed life, and time for prayer, reflection and discussion with other young women who are also considering a vocation to religious life.  It’s an opportunity to live community life for a weekend and meet some sisters!  The theme of the weekend is Discerning God’s Call.  For more information contact Sr Lynne fcj at lynnefcj@hotmail.com or visit our website www.fcjsisters.org

Mount Street Jesuit Centre: Please visit www.pathwaystogod.org which lists all the courses and events at the Mount Street Jesuit Centre.

Cold Weather: Please do remember to close both sets of doors behind you when you are entering or leaving the church so we can conserve the heat inside the Church. Thank you.

Recycling:  Please do keep donating your old mobile phones and printer ink cartridges (except Epson) but please no printer toner cartridges.  Thank you.

Job Vacancies: If you are interested in applying for the job of a temporary EYFS practitioner at Laleham Lea School then please contact the School Secretary on 020 8660 3351.

Please pray for the sick of the Parish: Bridget McLaughlin, Ellen Garvey, John Barry, Margaret Southwell,  Mercie Ihekweme-Hill, Kieran Quinn, Marie Harris and Michael Creech and Fr. David Hutton.

Please remember to switch off your mobile phone when you enter the Church. Please don’t distract others at Mass.

Notices for the newsletter need to be emailed/posted to the presbytery by 6pm on Thursdays.

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS (29th Jan 2017— 5th Feb 2017) (Year: A)