St Anthony of Padua Anerley

Ascension of the Lord

Mass Readings: Pages 272 – 274
Order of Mass: Pages 6 – 60

Today, in this part of the Christian world, the Church celebrates the ascension of Jesus into heaven. In some other parts of the world, the feast of ascension was celebrated last Thursday in line with the Lukan account. The first reading (Acts 1:1-11) and the Gospel (Lk 24:46-53) were both written by Luke and they form a corpus in the account of the last days of Jesus on earth. According to him, Jesus’ ascension took place forty days after his resurrection. Within those forty days, Jesus appeared several times to his disciples, telling them about the kingdom of God. Now, he must depart this world and go back to the One from whom he came.

Surprisingly, it appears that the disciples even at that moment had not fully grasped the substance of their Master’s mission and teachings. They asked him, “Lord, has the time come? Are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” This question suggests that the disciples thought of Jesus’ messianic mission in terms of a political conqueror. Jesus however assured them of the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, which will help them to understand the mystery of the Christ-event, and so be ready to bear witness to him before nations and peoples.

Having been lifted up and disappeared from their sight, the era of Jesus’ corporeal presence among his disciples came to an end. His post-ascension visit, which happened in the case of the encounter with Saul, would then be in a form of a blinding light and a voice. The disciples gazed painfully into the sky, filled with all the emotional feelings associated with the departure of the beloved one – and more so, of their glorious Master. The consoling angelic message to the gazing disciples – “this same Jesus will come back in the same way as you have seen him go” – has formed part of the Christian article of faith (credo): “He will come again in glory …”

In the second reading, St Paul takes up the theme of God’s exaltation of his Son, Jesus. Not only did he raise him from the dead but he also conferred on Jesus for all time, Sovereignty, Authority, Power, Domination. The One who once descended into the very depth of hell is the very One who is exalted at God’s right hand. He now exercises authority in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. He rules the whole spectrum of reality, and of his kingdom there will be no end.

This One who is so privileged, God has made the head of his body, the Church. Christ is the head; we, the Church, are his body. Today, the Church prays in its preface that “where Christ, the head of his Church has gone, we too hope to follow.” And so, the ascension of Christ is in a way a prelude to our “ascension” or, more precisely, an exemplar to our individual exaltation (resurrection) at the end of time. Meanwhile, the Church awaits in prayer for the coming of the promised Paraclete, the Spirit of Truth, who will lead us to the complete truth.

Sunday Teas:

This Sunday’s teas will be served by the St Vincent de Paul Group.

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

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

Last Week’s Collections: The 1st collection was £521.73p + £286.41.60p in Gift Aid Envelopes giving us a parish total of £808.14p.   The 2nd collection for Parish Funds was £80.19p.  Thank you for your generosity.  Today’s 2nd collection will be for World Communications Day.

Recently Deceased: Please pray for the soul and family of Roger Mortimer Gordon Lewis.  The service will be at 11am on Friday 2nd June followed by the burial at Beckenham Cemetery at 12.30pm.  Rest in Peace.

Note for Gift-Aiders: New boxed sets of numbered envelopes for use from June 2017 have arrived. Please collect your box from the table beside the 7th Station at the back of the church. (If you cannot find your box, please give your name to one of the priests).

Visit to Aylesford: The UCM will be going to Aylesford on Tuesday 30th May.  There are a few places left on the coach.  Cost of £15.  Please contact Kate Boyle on 020 8778 8086/07906 207584 if you would like to join us.

Invitation to Service: As St Paul says, there are all sorts of service to be done, but always to the same Lord. We are blessed in this parish with people who serve in many ways. If you are looking for a way to serve, how about becoming a reader at Mass?  We will have an introduction meeting for anyone interested on Tuesday 6th June from 7.45 to 8.45pm at the church.

Celebrating your 1st/10th/25th/40th/50th/60th+ wedding anniversary?: There will be a Mass in Celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage at St George’s Cathedral on Saturday 17th June.  If you would like to attend, please give Father Sunith your names (both), your address, telephone number and which year’s anniversary you are celebrating.

Knights of St Columba Food Bank Collection: The Knights are collecting for the Penge Food Bank this weekend.  Thank you for your donations.

Penge Festival Poetry Competition 2017: Write poetry? Why not enter the Penge Festival Poetry Competition?  Entry fee only £3.00 for up to three poems. Prizes: £75, £50 and £25 with a Young Poet’s Prize of £50. In addition, all winners receive books of Walter de la Mare’s poetry. Closing date is 31st May. Entry Guideline flyers are on a table at the back of the church. Copies may also be picked up from Penge Library or download from the Facebook Penge Poets page:  https://www.facebook.com/pengepoets/   Good luck and inspired writing!

8th National Divine Mercy Pilgrimage to Walsingham: The Divine Mercy Apostolate run by Marian Fathers is organising a pilgrimage to Walsingham on Saturday 3rd June 2017.  It is the 100th Anniversary of the Apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima – My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead to God.  The celebration will take place at the Basilica of Our Lady of Walsingham.  Please take a packed lunch.  Please see the notice board for details of coaches or contact the Divine Mercy Apostolate on 020 8998 0925, info@divinemercy.org.uk

Days of Prayer for Eucharistic Ministers: The Emmaus Centre will be holding 4 days of Prayer for Eucharistic Ministers.  The dates are Saturdays 24th June; 8th July; 2nd September and Wednesday 12th July.  If you would like to attend one of the days then please contact the Emmaus Centre on 020 8777 2000.

St John Bosco Children’s Summer Holiday Camp: Bookings for the Boys and Girls camps are now being taken.  The boys camp is for children aged 8 to 13 and the girls camp is for children aged 9 to 12.  This is a camping holiday with an enormous range of activities for the children to enjoy.  All activities are well supervised.  The helpers have all been carefully vetted.  The camp provides children with an active holiday in a caring Christian atmosphere.  If you require further information please contact Paul Hayes on 07534065347 (6 – 9pm—Boys enquiries only) or Gemma O’Flaherty on 07491811167 (6 – 9pm—Girls enquiries only).  Visit www.svpboscocamp.org.uk.  Closing dates: 30th June (Boys); 31st July (Girls).  Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Job Vacancies: The Centre for Catholic Formation is looking for a new formation adviser (Kent Area). For more information see https://www.ccftootingbec.org.uk/jobs to apply please contact sarah.wood@finance-rcdsouthwark.org by the closing date of Friday 2 June 2017.  Candidates are welcome to visit the Centre ahead of application.

Bishop Challoner School are looking for a KS1 Teacher.  Please see the website: www.bishopchallonerschool.com or contact Sue Long on 020 8460 3546 or email: admissions@bishopchallonerschool.com.  Closing date is 12th June.

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.

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS (28th May—4th June 2017) (Year: A)