St Anthony of Padua Anerley

Eighth Sunday (C)

Mass Readings: 144-146

Order of Mass: Pages 7 – 60

  First Reading: Just as an orchard is judged by the quality of its fruit, so a person’s talk shows what kind of person he is. This links up with what Jesus says in the Gospel: A tree is known by its fruit. The words of the mouth flow out of what fills the heart.

Gospel: Here it is no longer a question of love of enemies, but of love of one’s brothers and sisters in the community. A Christian is his brother’s keeper. But one cannot undertake to guide others unless one knows the way oneself. And criticism of others must be preceded by self-self criticism.

People are judged by their deeds. Just as we judge a tree by its fruit so we judge a person by his actions. Hence, the true Christian must be a genuinely good person.

It is not only one’s deeds that show what kind of person one is, so too do one’s words. One’s words reveal what is in the heart-goodness or badness.

Second Reading: this is the climax of Paul’s discourse on the resurrection of the dead. In this short but powerful text Paul celebrates Christ’s victory over death. Like a snake that has its venom, death has lost its sting and cannot destroy us.

It is sin that gives death its sting, because sin can cause eternal death. But Christ has defeated the power of sin, and so has taken the sting out of death. This should spur us on to persevere in doing the Lord’s work.

                                                                                                                                       Flor McCarthy SDB

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 £611.79p + £3412.00p in Gift Aid envelopes giving us a parish total of £923.79p. The 2nd collection for Parish Funds was  £57.67p. Thank you for your generosity. Today’s 2nd collection is in support of Poor Parishes in the Diocese.

Recently Deceased: Please pray for the souls and families of Elaine Mitchell and Joe Fryday.

Elaine Mitchell’s funeral will be at 12noon on Thursday 21st March followed by the burial at 1.30pm at West Norwood Cemetery.

The funeral of Joe Fryday will be on Tuesday 26th March at 11am followed by the burial at Beckenham Cemetery at 12.30pm.  The body of Joseph Fryday will be received into the Church on Monday 25th March at 4pm.

May their souls rest in peace.

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

First Tuesday of the Month: There will be Adoration and a Gospel discussion on Tuesday 5th March from 7.30 – 8.30pm in the Parish Centre. All are welcome to come along.

Baptism Preparation: Classes will be on Thursdays, the 7th, 14th and 21st March at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre. Please ensure that you can attend all 3 classes.

Missio: Please bring your red Missio boxes in for counting. Make sure your name is clearly labelled on the box and hand it to the clergy. Thank you.

Holy Communion Classes: The next dates are on Saturdays 16th and 30th March at 10.30 – 11.30am in the Parish Centre.

Pastoral Letter: Copies of the Pastoral Letter are available in the Narthex. Please do take a copy.

Ash Wednesday: Day of fasting and abstinence. Masses times are 9.30am and 7.30pm.

Stations of the Cross:  Wednesdays after the 9.30am Mass. Fridays at 7.30pm and Sundays at 4.00pm.

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

Events at the House of Prayer in East Molesey:

Week-end Silent Individually Guided Retreat, Friday 8 – Sunday 10 March, 2019, Led by: The House of Prayer Community, Cost: £160.00
Arrive on Friday in time for supper at 7.00 pm and leave on Sunday at 4.00 pm  This retreat provides an opportunity to step aside from the busyness of everyday life and spend time in quiet prayer and reflection.  A retreat guide will be available for daily individual meetings to accompany you through the retreat.  Above all, this retreat is a time of listening to God who is present in the experiences of prayer and daily living.  To book, please contact us on: 020 8941 2313 or e-mail: admin@christian-retreat.org

From No-thing to Something; from Something to Nothing (Part 1), Friday 15 – Sunday 17 March, Led by: Briji Waterfield, Cost: £160.00  Arrive on Friday in time for supper at 7.00 pm and leave on Sunday at 4.00 pm  All things come from God and all things return to God.  This flow – the great cosmic and mystical vision that underpins the Christian mystical journey – will be explored through some of the greatest Christian mystics: Origen, Dionysius the Areopagite, Richard St Victor and Eckhart.  This vision impacts how we live and how we find meaning and purpose as human beings.  Our time together will be spent in study and discussions, quiet reflection and regular periods of silent meditation.  This is Part 1 of two linked week-ends.  Part 2 will be held in October.  Book for both or one!  To book, please contact us on:  020 8941 2313 or e-mail: admin@christian-retreat.org

Lent Quiet Morning: Finding the Treasure, Saturday, 23 March, 10.00 am – 12.30 pm,  Led by: Sr Melanie,  Cost: Donation  We each hold the unique treasure of God’s personal love for us, although sometimes we may doubt and feel discouraged.  But the treasure is there.  This morning of prayer and reflection is an opportunity to draw near to this Loving God.  To book, please contact us on: 020 8941 2313 or e-mail: admin@christian-retreat.org

Lent Extra 2019 – Copies of Lent Extra 2019: Your Journey to Easter and Beyond are available in the Repository.  Please take a look.

Annual Parish Quiz: The Knights of St Columba have organised the Annual Parish Quiz for the evening of Friday 26th April at Melvin Halls, Melvin Road, SE20.  Please put that date in the diary and further information will be provided nearer the time.

Please see the notice board for the latest job vacancies.

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS (3rd Mar—10th Mar 2019)  (Year: C)