St Anthony of Padua Anerley

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Mass Readings: Pages 164 – 170

Order of Mass: Pages 6 – 60

The unfolding of the eternal plan of God was realized with the anointing of David as the second king of Israel. The Davidic dynasty which lasted for 500 years actualized with the incarnation. David, the least of Jesse’ children was chosen by God; a mere shepherd boy. God choose the weak to shame the wise. He does not choose by human appearances or approval. God sees the inner man, the true man.

In this divine methodology, Christ the messiah was chosen from the least of the tribes and families of Israel. This was a big shock to the Scribes and the Pharisees.  In the same sequent, Christ chooses mere fishermen to be his Apostles. The mysteries of God are full of surprises.

Christ the light of the world, who has delivered us from the powers of darkness, surprises the Pharisees in today’s  Gospel  reading  when he opens the blind man eyes. Christ confers on him bodily light of sight and the light of faith. This gift of spiritual sight of faith makes him a faithful and fearless follower of Christ.

Our choosing by Christ, in spite of who we are, conferred a spiritual sight of faith. You may mean nothing in the eyes of the world but you are special for Christ’s mission.

Sunday Teas:

This Sunday’s Mother’s Day teas will be served by the Knights of St Columba.

Next Sunday’s teas will be served by the Flower Arrangers.

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

Last Week’s Collections: The 1st collection was £598.55p + £391.75p in Gift Aid Envelopes giving us a parish total of £990.30p.   The 2nd collection for Easter Altar Flowers was £164.19p. Thank you  for your generosity.  The 2nd collection today will be for Parish Funds.

Recently Deceased:  Please pray for the repose of the souls of Father Cyril Elkington and Father Barry Angus.  May their souls rest in peace.

Lent Study Course: This year’s programme will continue at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre on Wednesday 29th March (To be a Pilgrim, Part Two).  The next sessions will be on the following Wednesdays –  5th April (The Life and Message of John Henry Newman).  All are welcome to attend.

Stations of the Cross: The Stations of the Cross will be on Wednesdays after 9.30am Mass,  Fridays at 7pm and Sundays at 4pm.

In Your Prayers: Please remember to pray for the Holy Communion Group (the names are on the notice board at the back of the Church).

Minibus: From the 1st April the minibus will only run on the third Sunday of the month.

Mass Bookings: Please book your masses at least two months in advance.

Crying Babies and Young Children: If your baby or young child is crying during the Mass please do use the confessional box instead of leaving the Church. We have now installed a monitor inside the confessional box which means parents and carers are able to watch the Mass from inside the confessional box.

Knights of St Columba Food Bank Collection: The Knights are collecting for the Penge Food Bank this weekend.  They will collect regularly on the last weekend of each month.

Lent Reflection: The Diocesan Stewardship Team are making available by e-mail each day during Lent a reflection with a Stewardship theme based on the day’s Mass reading.  If you wish to sign up to receive the reflection then please visit this link http://eepurl.com/bF0b6P.  Stewardship is a spirituality that is accessible to everyone; the concept of gratitude to God for his personal gifts to us in our lives acts as a focus and provides the right language for our people’s lived faith.  For parishioners it can resonate with their own lives, their responsibilities, character and experiences. Stewardship can provide the vocabulary and spiritual imagery to describe, affirm, sustain and promote much of what we already do in our parishes and in our lives; this spirituality can provide a cohesion and closeness to Our Lord that may still be lacking in our lived discipleship.

Lenten Masses in the Hospital: There will be Mass in Croydon University Hospital Chapel on every Monday during Lent at 12noon.

Stations of the Cross by Denis McBride: All the parish copies were sold last weekend.  However, if any parishioner would like to buy a copy of this popular book, more copies are on order.  To avoid disappointment, please give your name and telephone number to the Repository so a copy can be reserved for you.

Lourdes Pilgrimage: 29 May-2nd June inclusive By Air Gatwick – Our Lady Help Of Christians and St Helen in Westcliff-on-Sea, Brentwood Diocese have 8 seats available on their forthcoming Pilgrimage by air Full Board in 4* Hotel at £545 per person. If any parishioners would like to journey with them, they would be most welcome. Please contact Sue Baillie on 07979746707 (on behalf of Fr. Joseph Wisstock) for further details.

Job Vacancies: Bishop Challoner Independent Catholic School are seeking a KS1/KS2 Teacher.  Please contact Sue Long on 020 8460 3546 or apply online at: http://www.bishopchallonerschool.com/266/teaching-vacancies.  The closing date is Monday 27th March 2017.

Please pray for the sick of the Parish: Bridget McLaughlin, Ellen Garvey, John Barry, Margaret Southwell, Mercie Ihekweme-Hill, Kieran Quinn, Marie Harris and Michael Creech.

Please remember to switch off your mobile phone when you enter the Church. Please don’t distract others at Mass.

Notices for the newsletter need to be emailed/posted to the presbytery by 6pm on Thursdays.

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS (26th Mar— 2nd April 2017) (Year: A)