St Anthony of Padua Anerley

First Reading: After the flood, God places a rainbow in the clouds as a sign of his covenant with his people. The flood of Noah is portrayed as being like a new creation, and this is what happens in Baptism. As the Prayer over the Water in the Rite of Baptism puts it (addressing God): “The waters of the great flood you made a sign of the waters of Baptism, that make an end of sin and a new beginning of goodness”.

The Psalm picks up on the idea of God’s covenant with us, and what it means in practice.

The Second Reading makes two points. First, the saving waters of Noah’s flood prefigure the saving waters of Baptism. Secondly, the ark prefigures the believing community (ie the Church); it is only if we are in the Church (the ark) that we can be sure of being saved.

The Gospel on the First Sunday of Lent is always the account of Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness and His temptation by the Devil. This sets the length and the abstinence and penance of the season of Lent.

Interestingly, it is The Spirit who drove Jesus out into the wilderness. Although the Son of God, the human Jesus had to struggle against the Devil and be tested in this way.
By Fr David Gibbons, Centre for Catholic Formation

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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.

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Last Sunday’s collections: The 1st collection was £ 968.38p (including Gift Aided £ 398.90p). The 2nd collection for Poor Parishes in the diocese was £168.53p. Thank you for your generosity. The 2nd collection today will be in support of the Kiltegan Missions.

Wednesday Evenings in Lent and the Easter Season: Starting on Wednesday (25th February) at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre, Father Stuart will be showing 10 episodes from Father Robert Barron’s highly acclaimed series entitled Catholicism. Starting from the essential foundation of Jesus’s Incarnation, life and teaching, Father Barron moves through the defining elements of Catholicism from sacraments, worship and prayer to the Mass, Apostles and Saints. Filmed in 60 locations in 15 countries across the world this series is not to be missed!

Music Group: The next music group practice will be on Thursday 26th February. This is to learn new music for the 9.30am mass on the 1st March. If you missed it last Thursday, you are still welcome to join this week. It would be wonderful to have new people come to join in the music group. You don’t have to be the best singer – you just have to enjoy music! All ages, and both men and women are welcome to join. Please come along if you can. We will be learning new music together. The music group will be singing at only one mass per month so it does not involve a commitment every week. If you would like to be involved but usually go to one of the other masses, you only need to change one mass in the month to 9.30am. If you would like any further information, please email Mary on mc84ok@gmail.com.

24 Hours for the Lord:Pope Francis has asked every parish to hold the 24 Hours for the Lord on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th March 2015. The theme is: God rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4). During these days The Holy Father asks parishes to provide an extraordinary opening of churches, offering the possibility for Confessions and Eucharistic Adoration. Further information is available at www.novaevangelizatio.va. We need two people in the Church all the time. If you can give an hour please on the notice board in the back of the Church. We are very grateful to you.

Knights of St Columba Food Bank Collection: The Knights of St Columba will be collecting this weekend. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Stations of the Cross during Lent will be on Wednesdays after the 9.30am Mass and on Fridays at 7pm and Sunday at 4.15pm

Just Money’: An evening exploring Catholic Social Teaching, featuring an interview with Clifford Longley. Clifford Longley is a well-known Catholic journalist and radio broadcaster. In Autumn 2014, he published a brilliant essay, ‘Just Money’: How Catholic Social Teaching can redeem Capitalism’. In it Clifford reflects on the banking crash and its causes in the light of Catholic Social Teaching. If you would like to learn more about Catholic Social Teaching and to hear Clifford responding to questions about ‘Just Money’, why not come along to Holy Innocents, Orpington on Wednesday 4th March starting at 8pm? Contact Stephen Walsh (07778 612050) for further details.

Women’s World Day of Prayer: The Women’s World Day of Prayer Service for Penge & Anerley will be held on Friday 6th March at 7.30 pm at Penge Congregational Church, 172 High Street, Penge SE20 7QS. Women’s World Day of Prayer is an international, interchurch, organisation which enables us to hear the voices of women, from a different part of the world each year, expressing their hopes and concerns and bringing them before the rest of the world in prayer.

The Call to continuing conversion: Please remember in your prayers who are to be baptised at Easter Vigil – Catechumens:Jodie Marie Parker, Yemi Ojikutu, Osas Aiyevbekpen, Chidima Chukuka, And John Omoregie Please also remember our candidates who are to be received into the church at Easter Vigil—Steve Hillier and Anca Michela FAzacas

Dementia and Disability – At the Heart of the Church. A day of study and reflection for parishioners, carers, Ministers of Holy Communion and all interested in this issue. Saturday 14th March, 2:00pm – 5:30pm, at Our Lady of the Crays, 312 High Street, St Mary Cray, Orpington BR5 4AR. There is no charge, but please register at the Centre for Catholic Formation (020 8672 7684) or office@ccftootingbec.org.uk.

Church and State: 800 Years later. A Study Day to mark the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta. Friday 27th March, 11:00am – 3:20pm at the Centre for Catholic Formation, 21 Tooting Bec Road, SW17 8BS. Nearest tube station: Tooting Bec; ample parking at the Centre. Speakers: Prof Thomas Pink (King’s College, London) and Dr Tim Stanley (writer and journalist). Cost £5 (to include Lunch). Early booking is advised for this Day (020 8672 7684) or office@ccftootingbec.org.uk). Please call the CCF office (020 8762 7684) for further information or guidance.

International Holy Week Retreat: The Handmaids of the Sacred Heart are offering young people, aged 18-35 an international shared experience this Holy Week, April 1st –5th in their Convent in Bournemouth. Sleeping bah required Cost £38. For details contact Sr. Sarah Anne srsak78@gamil.com Tel. 020 8650 6313

Job Vacancy: Good Shepherd Catholic School are looking for a Deputy Head. An application pack can be downloaded from the school website or by emailing finance@goodshepherd.croydon.sch.uk

If you would like to see a priest,
please phone to arrange an appointment

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MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS (22 Feb—01 Mar 2015) (Year B)