St Anthony of Padua Anerley

Thirtieth Sunday (B)

Mass Readings: 149 – 151

Order of Mass: Pages 7 – 47

Some of us constitutionally resist change  of any sort. In twenty five years, there have been huge changes in the world, in our local society and in the Church.

As Christians we are pulled both ways, because Jesus is God, eternal and unchanging, but God made man who comes into human history as a paradox, a contradiction. He proclaims the ‘law and the prophets’ which will not change- but he introduces a radical change. He preaches love, forgiveness,  service of God and neighbour, suffering, the love of God expressed in ‘Fatherhood’. He dies and rises. He shatters Judaic religion as accepted, by moving the Old Covenant – God so loves the world, forgiveness, repentance, the life of the Spirit.

Much as we may resist change, feel uncomfortable with it, and even need to challenge some forms of change, we have duty to be open, to listen and to move forward. Time waits for no one. We must take up the mantle and follow Jesus. In the Gospel today we read that among all the people around it is a blind man called Bartimaeus who sees what Jesus has to offer. He calls Jesus Rabbbuni which Mark translates as meaning master; what it really means is my master. He has recognizes that Jesus has something to give to him as a person. So what happens when Jesus heals him? He follows Jesus on the Way. We must accept the change in our lives that being a follower of Jesus causes. We must see with a new sight and follow his way.

Sunday Teas:

This Sunday’s teas will be served by the St Vincent de Paul Group.

Next Sunday teas 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 £569.67p + £335.30p in Gift Aid envelopes giving us a parish total of £904.97p. The 2nd collection for MISSIO/World Missions was £84.54p. Thank you for your generosity.

The 2nd collection today will be for our Church Repair Fund.

 Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers: Please note that there will be a meeting on Monday 29th October at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre.

All Saints Day: This is on Thursday 1st November and is a Holy Day of Obligation.  There will be masses from 9.30 to 11am (including St Anthony’s School) and 7.30pm.

RCIA Classes: These classes (for those that wish to become a Catholic) will be starting on Thursday 1st November at 8.00pm in the Parish Centre.

First Holy Communion Classes: The classes will continue in November at the Parish Centre –  Saturday 10th November at 10.30 – 11.30am and the 24th November with a Practice Reconciliation.

Parish Memorial Mass: This will be on Saturday 17th November at 11am.

Annual Day of Recollection: Bishop Pat has invited all Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist and Readers from parishes in his South East London Area to his annual Day of Recollection.  This will take place on Saturday 17th November at Bishop Thomas Grant School, Streatham. Please phone or email Deacon Roger Evans on 020 8467 3886 or evansrf@btinternet.com if you can attend.

Knights of St Columba Food Bank Collection: The Knights are collecting for the Penge Food Bank this weekend (27th/28th October). They will collect regularly on the last weekend of each month.

Christmas Fair: Our parish Christmas Fair will be held on Saturday 1st December. Donations for saleable good will be collected each weekend after mass. Due to Health & Safety regulations it is not possible to sell Clothes, Electrical Goods, Out of Date food & drink, so please do not donate any of these items. If you are willing to help during the fair. Please give your name to Fr Sunith. Any volunteers will be most welcome. Thank you.

Consultation Survey: The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) are seeking your views as to how they can best encourage participation in parish life, spiritual growth and pastoral activities within our parish. The PPC would be grateful if you could take two minutes to complete their questionnaire which can be found at the back of the Church. They also welcome you to a consultation evening on Thursday 8th November at 7.30pm.

 CYM Youth Choir – Faith in Action Award Ceremony 10^th November:

Calling all young people (and adults) who would be interested in forming a choir to perform at the Faith in Action Awards Ceremony this year (10^th November 2018). We will be performing ‘Any Dream Will Do’ from the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and rehearsals will be taking place on Wednesday evenings from 7.30 – 8.30pm in St Joseph’s Church, Plaistow Lane, Bromley. Although the choir will be formed initially to participate in the FIA Awards ceremony, we would love to see the deanery youth coming together to participate at many other events in the near future.  Spread the word in your parishes and amongst your friends!  For more details please email: susan.longhurst@bromleydeanery.org.

Job Vacancies: Marriage Care is a national Catholic organisation specialising in Marriage Preparation and Relationship Counselling. If you are interested in joining our friendly team in Blackheath to support couples and individuals in your community we are looking to fill the following roles: Receptionists/Chaperones: We urgently need volunteers who can spare a couple of hours on a weekday evening to meet and greet clients and remain in the venue during counselling sessions. Marriage Preparation Course Facilitators: We will train you for this exciting and fulfilling role. Qualified relationship counsellors:  Are you a qualified relationship counsellor with over 150 hours of relationship counselling experience? Would you like to help us in our mission to support clients in distress? You will be part of a team of counsellors and have opportunities to increase your professional knowledge and skills. For more information please go to our website www.marriagecare.org.uk.

To talk about volunteering at Blackheath Centre please call Diane on 07958 585202. To book counselling or a Marriage Preparation course please call 0800 389 3801.

Christmas Gifts and Cards: Please take a look at the Christmas gifts and Parish Christmas cards on sale in the Repository.

Car Park: Please be considerate when you are parking. Please do NOT block the entrance. Your car may get damaged and the Church will not accept any responsibility for it.

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

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS (28th Oct—4th Nov 2018) (Year: B)