St Anthony of Padua Anerley

Twenty-Seventh Sunday (B)

Mass Readings: 140 – 143

Order of Mass: Pages 7 – 47

God in the creation story this Sunday says “It is not good that man should be alone.” (Genesis 2:18) He is talking of the two sexes supporting each other in their existence.  In some situations in life it is good for us, women and men, to be alone with God.  The difficulty of modern living is that conditions cramp us together in the inner city, in closely built homes, on the crowded streets, in buses or on the underground.  Family life is crowded and rushed with much coming and going, both parents working, children at school, or a one parent situation.  Only a few privileged ’ordinary people’ have the time or freedom to go away to be alone with God.  If you are so privileged try to go! But what of those many, many who are unable ’to escape’ or even do not see ’escaping’ as any part of their life, and even think it wrong to abandon the family for a selfish aloneness with God.  Both spiritually and psychologically it is extremely fruitful (and recognised as such by Christian psychologists and un-religious psychologists alike) to put into your day a regular time for withdrawal.  Many people now do half an hour of meditation each morning and evening.  If you cannot do that – could you be alone at some time each day and give it to God?  Try something regularly – however small.

Finally there are those who are not deprived of aloneness, but forced into it.  You live alone in a flat, maybe housebound or bereaved or shy of company.  In your situation – do all you can to create this space into something lovely, to be shared with Jesus.  You are not alone because Jesus is there with you – it may not be easy to ’realise’ he is with you.  If you can do so, this gives you a sense of companionship and care.  Please also invite the parish community to visit you, pray with you, give you Holy Communion, have a cup of tea.  So crowded, make space! Alone – welcome Jesus and stay with him, and welcome in the community.  We must all learn to be together and alone.  Difficult, but possible, especially with the Spirit in us and God with us.

Sunday Teas:

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

Next Sunday 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 £738.27p + £282.50p in Gift Aid envelopes giving us a parish total of £1020.77p.  The 2nd collection for our Church Repair Fund 2018 was £93.87p. Thank you for your generosity.

The 2nd collection today will be jointly shared between our Church Repair Fund and  CAFOD’s Harvest Family Fast Day.

Christmas Fair – Saturday 1st December: There will be a meeting on Tuesday 9^th October at 7:30pm in the Parish Centre for all volunteers who are willing to help at this fair. Volunteers from each of the groups in the parish are welcome.

Invitation to new readers: We are all called to listen to God’s word and practise that message in our lives. As a reader, you announce the message clearly so that the people take it in and respond to it. Are you good at communicating in daily life or at work, making yourself clear, getting your message across – these are the talents you need to be a good reader at Mass. We will have an introduction meeting for anyone interested in becoming a reader on Tuesday 9 October from 7.45 to 8.45 at the church. Please come along if you would like to find out more.

First Holy Communion Classes: The classes will continue in October –  Saturday 13th October at 10.30am –  11.30am (Parish Centre); Tuesday 16th October at 7.30pm (Parents: Reconciliation); Saturday 27th October at 10.30 – 11.30am (Parish Centre).

Knights of St Columba Annual Parish Barn Dance: This will be held on Friday 19th October at the Melvin Hall, Melvin Road.  It will start at 7.30pm.  Price of admission is £8 for adults.  The Knights will be selling tickets for this event this weekend.

Mass Intentions:  There are some vacant week-day mass intention slots still available for October & November. Please let us know if you wish to arrange a mass for these times. Please do not email requests to the presbytery.  Thank you.

Gift Aiders (a): If you have not yet collected your new boxed set of envelopes (valid from June 2018) for your cash donations to the scheme or if you require a boxed set, please let us know and we will sort it out.  (Note: If you are a taxpayer and are not in our gift-aid scheme, please do consider joining. Forms are available in the narthex).

Gift Aider (b): Through your support of our scheme, we have recently received a tax rebate cheque of £7,744.68p from HMRC for the year 2017/2018.

Thank you all. (If you do pay income-tax, please consider joining our scheme)

Foundation Governor Vacancy: A foundation governor vacancy has arisen at St Chad’s RC Primary School in South Norwood. We welcome expressions of interest from practising committed Catholics who are keen to work in close co-operation with the Headteacher and all staff.  The school would benefit from people with skills/experience in education, data analysis and strategic planning.  An interest in education is essential. Training is provided. For more details please contact Michelle Nze email: mnze.306@lgflmail.org‘

Public Speaking Competition: The Province 7 heat of the national Catenian Sixth Form public speaking competition will take place in the theatre at Bishop Thomas Grant School, Belltrees Grove, Streatham SW16 2HY on Wednesday October 10th from 5 to 7.30 p.m.   Why not come along and support our young people and hear some great speakers? It is hoped that 12 schools will be taking part and Bishop Pat Lynch is one of the judges.Refreshments will be served.  If you need wheelchair access please contact John Woodhouse johnwoodhousecat@gmail.com   0790 8888 586 (by text) 0208 653 2373 in advance as there are stairs at the venue.

SPUC: The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children has produced postcards so that you can send a message to your MP urging him/her to vote against a dangerous abortion bill which is coming up in the House of Commons on Tuesday 23rd October 2018.  The bill seeks to decriminalize abortion which would remove any effective legal protection for unborn babies and their mothers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.  Postcards are available in the Narthex.  Thank you.

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.

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

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

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS (7th Oct—14th Oct 2018) (Year: B)