St Anthony of Padua Anerley

Nativity of St John the Baptist

Mass Readings: 167 – 169

Order of Mass: Pages 7 – 47

 John the Baptist was a revered figure in the early Church. In the Middle Ages, hundreds of religious groups and Churches were placed under his patronage. Many followers of the Lord had originally been disciples of the Baptist. Many remained followers of the Baptist even after his death.

John represents the continual need we have for repentance to prepare for the erruption of God’s presence into our lives. Secondly, John’s whole mission in life was to point the way to Christ. That is very much the heart of the Christian vocation. Paul tells us that John set the stage. Isaiah speaks about a mysterious suffering servant which the Church has always identified as Christ but which we take here as referring to John as well. I called you … Though you thought it was all in vain… Now you will have glory through me.

Each of us is created for a purpose. Our genes come our parents. Our unique identity comes from God. We can never list all the events we set in motion. Like John, we bring people to the light in ways we cannot anticipate. If we carry a burden, experience a tragedy or have seen the seamy side of life – these can be ways that we are able to connect with others. We all have the power to enlarge the lives of others, heal their wounds and assist them through their complex problems.

Sunday Teas:

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

Next Sunday’s teas will be served by the Knights of St Columba.
Thank you to all those who help out with the Sunday Teas.

Last Sunday’s Collections: The 1st collection was £569.17p + £335.05p in Gift Aid Envelopes giving us a parish total of £904.22p. The 2nd collection for Day-for-Life was £130.45p. Thank you for your generosity. Today’s 2nd collection is for our Church Repair Fund 2018.

First Holy Communion 2019: There will be a meeting in the Parish Centre (4 Genoa Road) at 7.30pm on the 28th June for parents of children ready to make their First Holy Communion (children in Year 3 or aged 8 years old).

First Tuesday of the Month: There will be adoration, prayer and Gospel discussion on the first Tuesday of the month in the Parish Centre at 7.30pm. The next meeting will be on Tuesday 3rd July. All are welcome.

Parish Picnic: The annual parish picnic will be next Sunday (1st July) from 12.30 to 3pm – please come along to share some food and drink with fellow parishioners. This is a great way to get to know each other. If you would like to help out please email the presbytery or speak to a member of the parish pastoral council.

RCIA: RCIA classes will be beginning again soon so if you are interested in becoming a Catholic then please fill in a green form (found in the Narthex) and give it to one of the clergy. Thank you.

Sound Proof Panels: If your child is crying or making lots of noise then please take them into the Narthex where sound proof panels have now been fitted. Thank you.

Church Repairs: Until further notice, on Sundays where there is no diocesan collection, all our retiring collections will go towards our church restoration fund. In addition, one of the wall boxes (near to the water font at the side door) has been re-allocated to this fund. Any donations will be much appreciated. If you are a registered gift-aider, please put donations in an envelope with your name or unique gift aid number on it, and we will be able to reclaim the tax that you have already paid to HMRC on them.

Knights of St Columba Food Bank: The Knights will be collecting for the Penge Food Bank this weekend. Thank you in advance for your donations.

Friday is a Holy Day of Obligation  (St. Peter and St. Paul)  Masses will be at 9:30am and 7:30pm.  There will be a special collection today for Peters Pence (supporting the humanitarian & charitable works of the Church).

Coloma Girls School – Summer Music Festival – Saturday 7th July – in honour of Mrs Meyer: The Coloma Parents’ Association are holding a Summer Music Festival on 7th July in honour of Mrs Meyer at Coloma Convent Girls School, Upper Shirley Road, CR9 5AS from 12:00 – 16:00, entrance is £2.00 per adult and 50p per child. The day will include performances from past and present Coloma pupils as well as external acts (i.e. Pop Choir). There will be a BBQ, Beer/Pimms Tents, Human Demolition and large slide inflatables, as well as tea/scones, tuck shop, grand raffle etc. We hope you can support this event, everyone is welcome. If you would like more details please send an email to coloma.pa@hotmail.co.uk.

Summer Camp: The St John Bosco Childrens Summer Camp at Aldham Essex. This is a  activities camp with a Catholic ethos that runs as follows: Week One Saturday 21st July to 28th July 2018 for Boys; Week Two Saturday 28th July  to 4th August 2018 for Boys; Week Three Saturday 4th August to 11th August 2018 for Girls. It is for children aged 8 to 13 and costs £145 per week. Should you require an application form or more information then please look on the website svpboscocamp.org.uk  For any enquiries then please email the boys camp boysbookings@boscocamp.co.uk or the girls camp at girlsbookings@boscocamp.co.uk. More information can be found on the poster at the back of the church.

Vacancies: Ten Ten is a Catholic charitable organisation that uses drama to speak to the hearts and minds of young people in schools throughout the UK. They are looking for a schools’ facilitator to lead sessions on “Relationship and Sex Education” using films created by Ten Ten. This is a fixed-term, part-time role with an attractive salary and benefits. For more information, please visit: www.tententheatre.co.uk/recruitment. Deadline is Monday 2 July.

Coloma Convent Girls School are seeking a Headteacher.  Please visit www.coloma.croydon.sch.uk for further information or email the clerk of governors on strembath@coloma.croydon.sch.uk to arrange a visit.  Closing date for applications is the 15th July with interviews on the 19th and 20th September 2018.

Marriage Care is a national Catholic organisation specialising in Marriage Preparation and Relationship Counselling. If you are interested in joining our friendly team in Blackheath to support couples and individuals in your community we are looking to fill the following roles:

• Receptionists/Chaperones:  We need volunteers who can spare a couple of hours on a weekday evening to meet and greet clients and remain in the venue during counselling sessions.
• Marriage Preparation Course Facilitators:  We will train you in this exciting and fulfilling role. Qualified relationship counsellors: Are you a qualified relationship counsellor with over 150 hours of relationship counselling experience? You will be part of a team of counsellors and have opportunities to increase your professional knowledge and skills. For more information please go to our website www.marriagecare.org.uk. To talk about volunteering at Blackheath Centre please call Diane on 07958 585202. To book counselling or a Marriage Preparation courses please call 0800 389 3801.

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

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS (24th June—1st July 2018) (Year: B)