St Anthony of Padua Anerley

Third Sunday of Easter

Mass Readings: Pages 258 – 262
Order of Mass: Pages 6 – 60

Today’s Gospel story starts with a journey of despondency. Where is Jesus? Where is he? You can imagine the conversation of the two crestfallen disciples. They are walking away from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus. We know the name of one of them, Cleopas. The two are journeying from a painful past to a hopeless future.

But something unexpected happens. Suddenly a stranger joins them on the road. In fact, he wasn’t a stranger at all, but why didn’t they recognise him? Grief over the loss of someone dear can dull and blind us to life. Of course, nobody expects to encounter a person alive again and walking down the road. The two disciples had heard about some women going to the tomb and not finding  the body of Jesus. It does not seem to have occurred to them that if the women’s report about the empty tomb was true, their report that Jesus has risen from the dead might  also be true. They had evidently decided that their part in the community of Jesus’ disciples was over.

The story tells us that they were jolted into a new reality: first challenged their despair, then receiving teaching about the scriptures, and finally recognising Jesus fully alive. Back they race to Jerusalem, hasting to tell the apostles they have met the risen Jesus who made their hearts burn within them.

Sunday Teas:

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

Next Sunday’s teas will be served by the Knights of St Columba.

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

Last Week’s Collections: The 1st collection was £435.21p + £353.50p in Gift Aid Envelopes giving us a parish total of £788.71p. The 2nd collection for Parish Funds was 74.40p. Thank you for your generosity.                                          Today’s 2nd collection will be for the upkeep of St George’s Cathedral.

Note for Gift-Aiders: To be a scheme member you must be paying UK Income Tax. If your circumstances have changed and/or you no longer wish to be in the scheme, please let us know. Thank you. Noel Maloney (Scheme organiser).

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).
Please also pray for Tenisha Daley and Tony Ekwe who got married this weekend.  May God bless them both with a long and happy life together.

Celebrating your 1st/10th/25th/40th/50th/60th+ wedding anniversary?: If so, there will be a Mass in Celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage at St George’s Cathedral on Saturday 17th June.  If you would like to attend, please give Father Sunith your names (both), your address, telephone number and which year’s anniversary you are celebrating.

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.

A Polite Notice: Please would everyone be mindful and respectful before, during and after mass.  There have been several complaints from parishioners that they have not been able to hear the mass or concentrate during prayer due to chattering from others in the Church.  The Church is a place for prayer and worship, it is not a market place or public house.  Please save your conversations for outside of the Church.  Thank you.

Advance Notice: Please note that the new lighting system will be installed soon.  This will mean there will be temporary disruptions to some of the mass times.  It is likely that the weekday morning masses will have to be moved to the evenings while the works are going on.  Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.

Catholic History Walks: Please see the notice board for information on Catholic History Walks (The King’s Good Servant and the Annual Martyrs’ Walk).  Cost: £5.  Please see: catholichistorywalks.com

Cockney Night: Please see the notice board for details of a Cockney Night at Melvin Hall on the 13th May.

Empowering Parishes for Mission: There is a one day workshop on Saturday 27th May from 10am to 4pm at Amigo Hall, St George’s Cathedral, Southwark.  To book please email actasouthwark@yahoo.com.  A donation of £15 will be welcomed.  Please bring a packed lunch.  Tea and coffee provided.  Please see the notice board for further information.

Vocations Weekend for Young Women (20s and 30s): The weekend (26th to the 28th May) is organised by the Sisters, Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ).  There will be input from the FCJ Sisters on different aspects of vowed life, and time for prayer, reflection and discussion with other young women who are also considering a vocation to religious life.  It is an opportunity to live community life for a weekend and meet some sisters!  The theme will be Discerning God’s Call in My Life.  Location: Broadstairs, Kent.  For more information please contact Sr Lynne fcJ at lynnefcj@hotmail.com or visit our website www.fcjsisters.org

Penge Festival Poetry Competition 2017: Write poetry? Why not enter the Penge Festival Poetry Competition?  Entry fee only £3.00 for up to three poems. Prizes: £75, £50 and £25 with a Young Poet’s Prize of £50. In addition, all winners receive books of Walter de la Mare’s poetry. Closing date is 31st May. Entry Guideline flyers are on a table at the back of the church. Copies may also be picked up from Penge Library or download from the Facebook Penge Poets page:  https://www.facebook.com/pengepoets/   Good luck and inspired writing!

New Job Vacancy: St Thomas’ Catholic Primary School in Canterbury is looking to appoint a new Deputy Head Teacher from September 2017.  For further information please contact the school on 01227-462539. Advert available on www.kent-teach.com. Closing date: Monday 8^th May at 4pm.

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.

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS (30th April—7th May 2017) (Year: A)