St Anthony of Padua Anerley

Seventh Sunday of Easter (C)

Mass Readings: 281 – 283

Order of Mass: Pages 7 – 60

        First Reading: This describes the death of Stephen. The most striking feature of that death is its similarity to Luke’s version of the death of Jesus. Jesus was tried before the Sanhedrin and made a decisive statement about the Son of Man at the right hand of God. He was led  out of the city to be killed, forgave his killers, and commended his soul to the Father. Stephen, too , was brought the council and taken out of the city to be stoned. He forgave his killers, and as he died, committed his spirit, to the Father, but to Jesus, whom he sees at God’s right hand. Luke’s intent is clear: the death of the martyr mirrors the death of Jesus.

  Second Reading. Here we have the closing words of the  Revelation. It announces the imminence of the Lord’s coming. The Spirit inspires the Church to respond with eager joy to the Lord’s announcement of his coming.

  Gospel. This is part of the great prayer Jesus made during the Last Supper (John 17). It has been three parts. In the first part (vv1-5) Jesus prays for himself. In the second part (vv6-19) he prays for his  disciples. Our reading gives the third part of Jesus’ prayer 9VV20-26)  here he prays for the community of the future who will believe through their preaching. He prays that his disciples may be so united that they share in the unity of the Trinity  itself. He prays that  they will be with him in glory. Meanwhile he remains with them in love.

Sunday Teas:

This Sunday teas will be served by the Flower Arrangers.

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

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

Gift Aid envelopes giving us a parish total of £772.07p.  The 2nd collection for Parish Funds was £38.58p. Thank you for your generosity. The 2nd collection today is for the Catholic Trust for England & Wales (supporting the operations of all the bishops of England & Wales).

Recently Deceased: Please pray for the soul and family of Eileen Panther. The funeral service will be held at Beckenham Crematorium Chapel on Thursday 6th June at 11am.

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

Stations of the Resurrection: Copies are available in the Repository. They are very well written and are a good, spiritual read.

Invitation to New Readers: We are all called to listen to God’s word and practise that message in our lives. As a reader, you announce the message clearly so that the people take part in it and respond to it.  Are you good at communicating in daily life or at work, making yourself clear, getting your message across—these are the talents you need to be a good reader at mass. We will have an introduction meeting for anyone interested in becoming a reader on Tuesday 4th June from 7.45 – 8.45pm at the church. Please come along if you would like to find out more.

First Tuesday of the Month: There will be Adoration and a Gospel discussion from 7.30 – 8.30pm in the Parish Centre on Tuesday 4th June. All are welcome.

Annual Parish Picnic: The annual Parish Picnic will be held on Sunday 16th June (after the 11.15am Mass). Please come along and bring food and drink to share with fellow parishioners. It is a great opportunity to socialize and meet other people in the parish. All are welcome.

Gift Aid Envelopes: Please collect your new boxed sets of envelopes for use from June 2019 which are at the back of the church. If you cannot find your box, or if you require a box, please tell one of the priests and we will sort it out. Thank you for your continued support. (Noel Maloney, gift-aid scheme organiser) 

Celebrating a Special Wedding Anniversary?: If so, you are invited to St George’s Cathedral at 3pm on Saturday 13th July for a special Mass celebrating the Sacrament of Matrimony, with refreshments afterwards. Places are limited so make sure of your personal invitation from Archbishop Peter Smith by emailing mflsw@rcaos.org.uk. We need to know your full names, address, phone number, parish and the special anniversary you are celebrating this year: anyone celebrating their 1^st, 10^th, 25^th, 40^th, 50^th, 60^th or 60+ qualifies. Close family are welcome to come with you. The closing date is 10th June.

Marriage Help – Retrouvaille: has helped tens of thousands of couples at all stages of disillusionment or misery in their marriage. This programme can help you too. There is no group therapy or group work. For confidential information about Retrouvaille or to register for the next programme commencing with a residential weekend on 7^th – 9^th June  2019. Call or text 07887 296983 or 07973 380443 or Email retrouvailleukinfo@gmail.com – or visit www.retrouvaille.org.uk.  Call or text 0788 7296983 or 0797 3380443 – or email retrouvailleukinfo@gmail.com or visit www.retrouvaille.org.uk

Divine Mercy Conference: Saturday 15th June from 10.45am to 6pm at the Church of Our Lady, Mother of the Church, 2 Windsor Road, Ealing Broadway, London  W5 5PD. The main speaker is Sister Briege McKenna OSC.  Entrance is by ticket only – registration: donation £12 per person. Only pre-booked tickets available. To secure your place please send the cheque/PO to MARIAN FATHERS with your address. Your ticket will be sent by return post.

Annual Martyrs’ Walk: Please see the notice board for details of the Annual Martyrs’ Walk and other history walks in London (including an evening on Cardinal John Henry Newman). The Annual Martyrs’ Walk is on the 23rd June and commemorates the heroes of the faith who witnessed even to death. The walk follows the route they took from Newgate to their execution in Tyburn.

General Security: For reasons of church security please do not leave anything in the narthex without permission from Fr Sunith. If you see anything that looks suspicious, please tell one of the priests.

Note for Gift Aiders: We are now finalising our 2019 claim for the return of Gift Aid Tax from HMRC, This refund is only allowed if you have paid sufficient tax on your income. If the income tax you have paid or will pay for the tax year ended 05/04/2019 does not cover the rebate being claimed by us on your donations (25p per pound donated), please let Fr Sunith know as soon as possible, so that we can amend our records. Meanwhile, thank you for your continuing support for this worthy cause.

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

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS (2nd June—9th June 2019)  (Year: C)