St Anthony of Padua Anerley

Seventeenth Sunday

First Reading:  this incident in the Old Testament foreshadows the miracle of the Feeding of the Five Thousand, and even more significantly it is one of the many passages in the Old Testament which foreshadows the Eucharist.

 Psalm:  in his compassion God feeds us.  In return, all we can do is to praise him.

Second Reading:  the church is not a collection of individuals; rather we are bound together in unity (or communion we might say) through our common Baptism.

 Gospel:  this is John’s account of the Feeding of the Five Thousand.  What is especially noticeable is that John uses the same words to describe what Jesus did at this miracle as at His Last Supper: He took the loaves, gave thanks, and gave them out.

By Fr David Gibbons, Centre for Catholic Formation

There will be no newsletters printed during the month of August.

Sunday Teas:

There will be no teas this Sunday or during the month of August.

The next Sunday teas will be on 6th September and 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 £1022.11p (including Gift Aided  £507.20p).  The 2nd collection for Parish Funds was £64.13p. Thank you for your generosity. Today’s 2nd collection is for Day-for-Life.

Confirmation 2016: Applications are now open for 2016.  If your child is in Year 8 or is aged 12 or over then please fill in one of the application forms (available in the narthex).  The closing date is next week (31st July).

First Holy Communion 2016: Applications are now open for 2016.  If your child is in Year 3 or is aged 8 or over then please fill in a form (available in the narthex) and give it to the clergy.  The closing date is 31st August.

RCIA: If you are an adult who would like to become a Catholic or are a  baptised Catholic who has not received First Holy Communion or Confirmation or if you are baptised in another church and would like to become a Catholic then please fill in an RCIA application form (available in the narthex).

Baptism Preparation: The next Baptism preparation sessions will be held on 3rd, 10th and 17th of August at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre. All three sessions are important.

Missio/APF (Red Boxes): There are emptied red boxes awaiting collection on a table in the narthex.  Thank you for your continuing support.

St Francis of Assisi: Would you like to find out more about the way of life begun by St Francis of Assisi for ordinary people living in the world?  You are invited  to come to the next meeting of the Secular Franciscan Order, Croydon Fraternity on 26th July from 2.30 to 4.30pm at Our Lady of Reparation Church, Wellesley Road, Croydon.

August Holiday: There will be no Silent Adoration or Benediction during the month of August.  There will also be no newsletters, Sunday or Wednesday teas during the month of August.

The last Wednesday teas will be this Wednesday (29th July).

Music in the Park: This Sunday (26th July) at 3pm in Alexandra Recreation Ground there will be Music in the Park with the Beckenham Concert Band.  There will be a cake stall and raffle.  Come along and bring a picnic, rug, folding chair and listen to the band.  If it rains the event will be held in the nearby Holy Trinity Centre.  A Friends of Cator and Alexandra/Penge Partners event.  Why not join us?

 Parish Barn Dance: Following last year’s highly successful barn dance, the Knights of St Columba are repeating the event this year on Friday 23rd October at the Royston Club.  Please keep the evening free on your calendar.  More details to follow nearer the date.

Parish Pilgrimage: The Parish is organising a day pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Our Lady and St Philip Howard in Arundel  in Sussex on Saturday 12th September . We will be leaving St Anthony’s at 8.30 am. We should arrive in time to attend Benediction at 11.15 am. which will be followed by a guided tour of the Cathedral in the Morning. Afterwards teas and coffees will be provided by the Cathedral in their centre, and you can consume your own packed lunch there if you require. After lunch there will be free time to explore the picturesque town and nearby castle. The website www.arundel.org.uk  highlights the attractions. Returning to St Anthony’s around 7.00pm. Cost is £15 per head. Please pay on booking on a first come-first served basis. From the weekend 22nd /23rd August Parish Council members will be available to take bookings and payment after the end of each mass until the 49 person coach is filled. For any further information or to make bookings in advance of these dates please contact Ed Green on 07753 814949 or at edward-green@hotmail.com.

Virgo Fidelis: The Open Evenings and Morning for Year 7 entrants for September 2016 will be on Wednesday 16th September, Thursday 1st October from 5.30 to 8.30pm and also Saturday 3rd October from 10am until 12noon (Post 16s are also invited to visit on the Saturday morning).

If you would like to see a priest please phone and make an appointment.

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS (26 July—02 Aug 2015) (Year B)