St Anthony of Padua Anerley

The First Sunday of Lent (A)

Mass Readings: 151 – 154

Order of Mass: Pages 7- 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 Sunday’s Collections: The 1st collection was £545.08 + £277.50 in Gift Aid envelopes giving us a parish total of £822.58p. The 2nd collection to support Poor Parishes in Southwark was £72.97p. Thank you for your generosity.

Station of the Cross: Stations of the Cross will be on Wednesdays after 9.30am mass, Fridays at 7.30pm (Blessed Sacrament will be exposed), 8.30pm Benediction and Sunday at 4pm.

Baptism Preparation Classes: Please note that the final class will be on Monday 2nd March at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre (4 Genoa Road). There will not be any further classes until after Easter.

Holy Communion Classes: The classes continue on Saturdays, the 7th, 21st and 28th March at 10.30am in the Parish Centre.

Confirmation Classes: Please note the next classes will be on Thursdays, the 5th and 12th March at 7pm in the Parish Centre (4 Genoa Road).

Read the Gospel of St Mathew during Lent: This is a challenge set by the Bishops of England and Wales. To help with this challenge, St Anthony’s Parish Council has produced an A4 sheet showing the verses assigned to each day. Please do take one. There are also 20 booklets of the Gospel available from the Narthex at a cost of £1.50 each.

Spirituality and Reflection: The next film will be screened on Tuesday 3rd March at 7:30pm – 8:30pm in the Parish Centre and will focus on The Joy of Hope Part 3 and 4. Please see the notice board for this month’s programme. Please come and join us. All are welcome.

Lenten Masses in Croydon University Hospital: There will be a Mass every Monday at 12 noon during Lent in the Hospital Chapel (Near Woodcroft Road). All are most welcome.

Top of the Pew: St Anthony’s will play in the first round knockout quiz competition between Bromley Churches on Sunday 1st March away to St Josephs, Plaistow Lane, Bromley. All are welcome to come along and support the team.

World Day of Prayer: The World Day of Prayer is on Friday 6th March at 7.30pm at Penge Congregational Church, High St, Penge. This year’s service has been organised by the Women of Zimbabwe. All are welcome. Please also see https://www.wwdp.org.uk/ for further information on the World Day of Prayer.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter: For the past 50 years Worldwide Marriage Encounter has been offering marriage enrichment retreats all around the world. Focused on couples who want to enrich their relationship and gain a deeper understanding of the Sacrament of Marriage, the retreat offers a unique experience. It’s a chance to explore your relationship at a deeper, more intimate level, regardless of how long you have been together. Thousands of couples in the UK have benefited from a Marriage Encounter weekend retreat, the next retreat is 6th – 8th March in Swindon, why not find out more at wwme.org.uk

Penge Poets Evening: Like writing or listening to poetry? Then please join us on Saturday 7th March at the Blue Belle Cafe, 182 Maple Rod, SE20, at 7.30pm. First half: the poetry of Robert Frost (a friend of Walter de la Mare and therefore a Penge connection). Second half: read your own poems. Seats must be booked in advance in person at the café. Entry £5.00 includes nibbles and a non-alcoholic drink. Wine £2.00 extra. Evening ends at 9.30pm.

Head Teacher Vacancy: St James’s RC Primary School, Twickenham. An inspiring and energetic Head teacher is needed from Sept 2020 to guide this outstanding three-form entry school into the next chapter of its history and to provide a strategic focus on our faith and teaching and learning. Please see the school website for details and an application pack http://www.st-james.richmond.sch.uk/

Please pray for the sick of the Parish: Maria Hubilou, Ann Couper-Johnston, Mercie Ihekweme-Hill and Michael Creech.

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS (1st March—8th March 2020)  (Year A)