St Anthony of Padua Anerley

First Sunday of Lent

Mass Readings: Pages 151 – 154

Order of Mass: Pages 6-60

First Reading: Adam and Eve succumb to temptation and cause a rift between themselves and God.

Second  Reading: By his obedience to God, Christ won back for us the gifts lost through the disobedience of Adam.

Gospel: Jesus was tempted by the devil, but unlike Adam and Eve, he did not succumb.

In the First Reading we have the story of the tempting of Adam and Eve, and in the Gospel the story of the tempting of Jesus.  They are two very sophisticated stories, and are not meant to be taken literally.

Jesus is the new Adam, who by his obedience restores for us the gifts lost by the disobedience of the first Adam (see Second Reading). He is also the new Israel. Like the first Israel he too was in the desert. But whereas the first Israel was found wanting, Jesus remained faithful to God.

Sunday Teas:

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

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

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

Last Week’s Collections: The 1st collection was £708.64p + £340.00p in Gift Aid Envelopes giving us a parish total of £1048.64p.   The 2nd    collection for the Poor Parishes of the diocese was £207.35p. Thank you  for your generosity.    Today’s 2nd collection will be for  Easter  Altar Flowers.

Recently Deceased:  Please pray for the souls and families of Father David Hutton (who passed away this week) and Bridget D’Souza. Bridget D’Souza’s funeral will be on 6th March at 12noon followed by the burial at 1.30pm at Beckenham Cemetery.

Baptism Preparation Classes: The next classes (the second and third of three sessions) will be held on Mondays 6th and 13th March at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre.  It is important to attend ALL three baptism classes.

Lent Study Course: This year’s programme will begin at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre on Wednesday 8th March with Grace and Miracles (part one).  The next sessions will be on the following Wednesdays – 15th March (The Miracles of Lourdes), 22nd March (To be a Pilgrim, part one), 29th March (To be a Pilgrim, part two) and 5th April (The Life and Message of John Henry Newman).  All are welcome to attend.

Stations of the Cross: The Stations of the Cross will be on Wednesdays after 9.30am Mass,  Fridays at 7pm and Sundays at 4pm.

In Your Prayers: Please remember to pray for the Holy Communion Group (the names are on the notice board at the back of the Church).

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

A Message from the Clergy – ‘Sunday Teas’: It is a shame that the actions of a few means that this notice has to be in the newsletter but from now on please note that NO child is to go into the Parish Centre for Sunday Teas without their parents/guardians.  Unfortunately, some children (and adults) have got into the habit of dashing into the Parish Centre after Mass solely to take large amounts of the biscuits/snacks put out on the tables. ‘Sunday Teas’ is there for ALL members of the Parish to sit, meet and socialise after Mass.  It is also a way for the groups of St Anthony’s Parish to spread their message and to raise some money for their group or the Parish. The tradition of Sunday Teas at St Anthony’s has been around for many years and is a valuable and enjoyable way for parishioners to mix and socialise, please show it respect and consideration.  Thank you in advance for your co-operation.

Minibus: From the 1st April the minibus will only run on the third Sunday of the month.

Stations of the Cross then and now:  An invitation to join Fr Denis McBride CSsR to reflect and pray with the Stations of the Cross through art and scripture.  Monday 6th March after 10am Mass (St Joseph’s Upper Room, Afternoon 1.30pm – 2.30pm (St Joseph’s Upper Room), Evening from 8pm to 9.30pm (St Joseph’s Parish Hall) Refreshments will be at 7.30pm.  Please see the poster on the notice board.

London Evenings of Faith – March 2017:  All are welcome to a series of talks on ‘Reasons for believing’ which will take place at 7:30pm on Tuesdays 7^th & 21^st March. Talks are held in the basement of 24 Golden Square, London W1F 9JR (Tube: Piccadilly Circus). Please see www.faith.org.uk/events/evenings-of-faith.

Lenten Masses in the Hospital: There will be Mass in Croydon University Hospital Chapel on every Monday during Lent at 12noon.

Top of the Pew Quiz 2017: St Anthony’s have been drawn away to Christ Church in Chislehurst in the first round of this knockout competition. The contest will held on the 19^th March starting at 8pm. If any parishioner wishes to come along to support and need directions or transport please contact a member of the Parish Council.

Job Vacancies: The Governing Body of St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School is looking to appoint a Clerk to the Governors. We are a fast improving school and we want employ a professional clerk to assist the Governing Body in maintaining school improvement.  Full details of the post are contained in the Job description and Person specification which can be obtained by calling the school office on 0208 778 7681.  Apply using the form available from the school or submit your CV.  If you would like any further information, you should contact the school office on 020 8778 7681. St Aidan’s Catholic Primary School in Coulsdon are seeking a head teacher for September 2017.  For further information and an application pack please email Mrs Jennifer Blackburne at clerk@st-aidans.croydon.sch.uk.  The closing date for applications is 17th March 2017.

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.

Please remember to switch off your mobile phone when you enter the Church. 

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

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS (5th Mar—12th Mar 2017) (Year: A)