St Anthony of Padua Anerley

Second Sunday of Lent
Mass Readings: Page 151 – 153
Order of Mass: Pages 7– 47
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First Reading: Abraham is prepared in faith to obey God’s apparent command to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. This gives us as Christians an insight into the mind of God, who was prepared to sacrifice his only Son, Jesus Christ. The famous golden dome in Jerusalem, incidentally, marks the place where this event by tradition took place.

The Psalm speaks of trust in God, even when “sorely afflicted”.

Second Reading: God did not spare his own Son. The last words in this reading inspired the belief that Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us, as we say in the Creed.

The Gospel on the Second Sunday of Lent is always the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus in the presence of His closest disciples. This gave them, and today gives us, hope of the glory that waits faithful followers of Jesus Christ.

By Fr David Gibbons, Centre for Catholic Formation

Sunday Teas:
This Sunday’s teas will be served by the Knights of St Columba.
Next Sunday’s 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 £ 830.68p (including Gift Aided £ 281.25p). The 2nd collection for the Kiltegan Missions was £653.05p. Thank you for your generosity. The 2nd collection today will be for CAFOD being the proceeds of Family Fast Day (Friday 27/02/2015).

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.

Baptism Preparation: Classes will be held on Mondays the 2nd, 9th and 16th of March in the parish centre at 7.30pm. We expect parents to attend all three sessions.

Wednesday Evenings in Lent and the Easter Season: Father Stuart will be showing the next 9 episodes from Father Robert Barron’s highly acclaimed series entitled Catholicism on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm. 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!

The Call to continuing conversion: Please remember in your prayers those 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

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.

Top of the Pew: St Anthony’s will be playing the first round against St Barnabas, Beckenham on Sunday 22nd March at 8pm in the Parish Centre. Please do come along to support St Anthony’s team.

Pilgrim: The March edition is now available in the narthex. Please take one.

Deanery Youth Project: Susan Longhurst will be visiting the parish this weekend to talk about the Catholic Youth Ministry Project. The project aims to equip and enable parishioners with essential skills and training in youth ministry, which can be practically applied and tailored to the needs of the young people in their parish. The Catholic Youth Ministry Project works with all parishes across Bromley deanery and is looking for people who are interested in promoting and developing youth ministry events and activities in the parish. Susan will be at the 11.15am Mass on Sunday 1st March and will be available after Mass to talk to interested parishioners.

Message from the Chair of Governors
St Anthony’s School working with other Bromley Catholic schools
St Anthony’s School has always worked closely with the seven other Catholic primary schools in the London Borough of Bromley. All eight schools including St Anthony’s have decided to become academies. The headteacher and governors of each school will be responsible for their own school. The schools will all cooperate to give each other help and support and keep up standards. St Anthony’s will continue to be the same friendly, welcoming school working for high standards and living out Gospel values every day. The school is likely to become an academy in February next year.

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.

‘Just Money’: An evening exploring Catholic Social Teaching, featuring an interview with Clifford Longley. Clifford Longley 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.

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.

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 bag required Cost £38. For details contact Sr. Sarah Anne srsak78@gamil.com Tel. 020 8650 6313