St Anthony of Padua Anerley

Second Sunday of Lent

Mass Readings: Page 156 – 159

Order of Mass: Pages 6 – 60

First Reading:  God enters into a covenant with Abram, the man of faith, a very early direct encounter of a man with God.

Psalm:  a psalm of confident faith and trust in God.

Second Reading: some people make earthly things like food their God.  But if we remain faithful to Christ He will transfigure our bodies into copies of His glorious body.

Gospel:  the Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain.  This is, first, as Luke says, a prayer event; it shows visibly what happens when Jesus prays to his Father: His being becomes one with the Father as He becomes ‘light from light’.  (The same thing happened to Moses when he talked to God on Mt Sinai in Exodus 34.)  Secondly, while the white garment and the voice of the Father look back to Christ’s Baptism, the reference to Moses and Elijah speaking of what Christ was to accomplish in Jerusalem points forward to the cross (which will, paradoxically, be the moment of His exaltation or glorification).

Fr David Gibbons,

Centre for Catholic Formation

Sunday Teas:

This Sunday’s teas will be served by the French Speaking Prayer Group..

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

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

Last Sunday’s collections: The 1st collection was £1063.04p (including Gift Aided  £457.95p). The 2nd collection in aid of the Comboni/Verona Fathers was £364.04p. Thank you for your generosity.  Today’s 2nd  collection is for CAFOD (Annual Lenten Fast Day).

Stations of the Cross: The Stations of the Cross will be said after 9.30am mass on Wednesdays and on Fridays at 7.30pm and Sundays at 4.15pm.

SVP: The next SVP meeting will be on Monday 29th February at 7.30pm.

UCM: Please note that the next UCM meeting will be on Monday (22nd February).
Lenten Masses: There will be masses in the Chapel at Croydon University Hospital every Monday at 12 noon during Lent.  All are welcome.

Lent Study Course: Following last year’s popular ‘Catholicism’ Course (based on Bishop Robert Barron’s Series) this year’s course entitled Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Lively Virtues will be held in the Parish Centre on Wednesdays at 7.30pm.  If you would like more information then please see Father Stuart.

Year of Mercy at St Anthony’s: There will be a series of presentations from Father Saju (from St Josephs Parish, Bromley) for the Year of Mercy.  The dates for these talks are Thursdays 25th February, 3rd March and 10th March at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre.  Please put these dates in your diary and come along.  All are welcome to attend.

Restoration of the Stations of the Cross: Due to the very generous response of members of the congregation we have raised just over £14,000 and are pleased to announce that we will be closing the appeal this weekend (Sunday 21st February).

Liam Kelly (RIP) – Thank you: John and Liam’s brothers Paul, David and Anthony would like to thank everyone for all the masses offered in his remembrance.  A mass has been offered for all your intentions at 9.30am on Sunday 28th February 2016.

Year of Mercy at St Josephs: Father Saju will present 3 sessions in the Upper Room at St Josephs Church, Bromley.  The dates of these sessions are Mondays 22nd, 29th February and 7th March from 8 until 9.30pm.

London Evenings of Faith:  All are welcome to a series of talks on ‘Jesus Christ the key to life’ which will take place on alternate Tuesdays at 7:30pm.  The next dates are: 23rd February and 8th March. Talks are held in the basement of 24 Golden Square, London W1F 9JR (Tube: Piccadilly Circus). Full dates and details are available at www.faith.org.uk/events/evenings-of-faith.

Lenten Reflection: Teresa Keogh has prepared a Lenten Reflection on a stewardship theme for each day of Lent and Holy Week, which people can receive by email each day.  People can sign up following this link http://eepurl.com/bF0b6P and will then receive emails automatically.

The Women’s World Day of Prayer: The Women’s World Day of Prayer service will be held at the Salvation Army, Maple Road at 7.30pm on Friday 4th March.

Deanery Memorial Service for Bereaved Parents: This will take place on Sunday 17th April at 3pm in St James the Great Community Centre, Petts Wood followed by refreshments.  This service is for all parishioners within the Deanery.

Job Vacancies: Bishop Challoner are seeking a Director for their Junior School.  Please see the website www.bishopchallonerschool.com for further information.

Virgo Fidelis are seeking several suitable people to fill vacancies (Exam Invigilators, Music Teacher, Spanish/French Teacher and Gospel Choir Leader).  Please see their website for further information www.virgofidelis.org.uk

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

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS (21—28 Feb 2016) (Year: C)