St Anthony of Padua Anerley

Sixteenth Sunday

Mass Readings: Pages: 105 – 108

Order of Mass: Pages 7 – 60

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           The brief reading from St. Paul to the Romans is one to be cherished and given great attention. The need to pray and the difficulty in praying are recurrent aspects of the spiritual life. Those who seek to follow the Lord can easily be discouraged as they contemplate their inability and   inadequacy in praying. A key element is to recall that when reference is made to the to the spiritual life the focus is not on the subject as if the spiritual life were   merely some aspect or aptitude of the person. Three times in this short passage Paul talks of the Spirit, and clearly describes the Spirit who comes to us in our weakness; it is the Spirit who makes our pleas according to the mind of God. God already knows everything in our hearts perfectly well; so it not as if we had to discover a language or code in order to communicate with a distant or alien entity. As Paul will continue in the letter in the section we will hear next week, we are already called by God – and called in stumblings of one awestruck when beginning to realize   that one   is the beloved, and in that situation, any words, no matter how inadequate will be acceptable.

The Gospel is a further agricultural parable from Jesus. The agricultural imagery may well reflect the experience of Jesus’ initial hearers, but it is still significant today because the imagery is essential dynamic, it speaks of things active and growing of development over time- it is something that humanity is involved in and can respond to but only if they have ears to listen.

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Sunday Teas: This Sunday’s teas will be served by the French Speaking Prayer Group.

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

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

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Last Week’s collections: The 1st collection was £763.45p including Gift Aid £297.00p. The 2nd collection for the Apostleship of the Sea was £150.12p. Thank you for your generosity. The 2nd collection today is for Parish Funds. The 2nd collection next week will be in aid of Day-for-Life.

Family Mass: The Family Mass readers are organised by the parish. We need three children who would be able to do the readings.

Parish Garden Party: The Parish Garden Party will be this Sunday 20th July after the 11.15am mass. Please bring food, dishes and drinks along to share. Any volunteers of help would be greatly appreciated.

Introduction for New Readers: We would like to welcome new readers at all masses at St Anthony’s especially the 6pm on Saturday and 9.30am on Sunday. All ages are welcome from confirmation upwards.
What you need to be a reader at mass:
+ + Love of God’s word in the scriptures
+ + Ability to proclaim the word to the congregation
+ + Willingness to serve the Church
If you are interested, please come to the church from 7.30pm to 8.30pm on Monday 21st July.

UCM: JULY MEETING – Please note that this month’s meeting will be on Tuesday 22nd July and not Monday 21st July. It is our summer social and we will meet, usual time, at the Bridge House Tavern, corner of Penge High St and Anerley Park Road.

All enquiries to Kate Boyle on 02087788086.

Knights of St Columba Food Bank Collection: The Knights are collecting for the Penge Food Bank. They will collect regularly on the last weekend of each month. The next collection will next weekend (26th/27th July).

Special Thanks and Farewell: The Hinchliffe family are moving down to the Kent coast and would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at St Anthony’s for their wonderful friendship over the past 28 years and for the warm welcome extended to Sarah’s brother when he arrived in the parish three years ago.  We promise to come back and visit you soon.  May God bless you all and keep you safe.  Best wishes from Sarah, Tim, Christy, Rory and Chris.

Magnificat Books for July and August are now available in the Repository.

Advanced Notice – Sunday Teas: There will be no Sunday teas during the month of August as the Parish Centre is going to be refurbished. Thank you.

Day of Prayer for Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist: On Saturday 26th July (led by Sister Judith Russi SSMN) and Saturday 6th September (led by Fr Aidan Rossiter CJ) at the Emmaus Centre, Layhams Road, West Wickham, Kent. The days begin with 10am coffee and end with tea at 4pm. Coffee, lunch and tea: £28 or if you bring your own packed lunch: £19. To book one of the days or if you would like to come to Emmaus for some quiet time or spiritual reflection then please contact the Emmaus Centre on 020 8777 2000.

Inspired by St Francis of Assisi? You are invited to the Fraternity monthly meeting of the Secular Franciscan Order on Sunday 27th July, 2.30pm to 4.30pm in St Mary’s Small Hall, Wellesley Road, Croydon. Everybody’s welcome – just come!

The Passage: David Dimbleby will be appealing on Radio 4 on behalf of The Passage – the homelessness charity based in Victoria. Do listen to hear more about the work of this Catholic Charity. The broadcasts are on Sunday 27th July at 7.55 & 21.26 and Thursday 31st July at 15.27.

Anglo-Indian Day: The Anglo-Indian community is celebrating Anglo-Indian Day on Sunday 3rd August 2014 at Archbishop Lanfranc School, Mitcham Road, Croydon. Sunday mass will be at 12noon celebrated by Bishop Pat Lynch followed with the opening ceremony and various other activities.

First Holy Communion 2015: Applications are now open for 2015. If your child is in year 3 or aged 8 or over please fill in a form (available in the narthex) and give it to the clergy. The closing date is 31st August 2014.

Confirmation 2015: Applications are now open for 2015. If your child is in year 8 or is aged 12 or over then please fill in one of the red application forms (available in the narthex). The closing date is 31st August 2014.

RCIA: If you are an adult who would like to become a Catholic or are a baptised Catholic who has not received First Holy Communion or Confirmation or if you are baptised in another church and would like to become a Catholic then please fill in an RCIA application form (available in the narthex).

Note for Gift Aiders: We are now finalising our 2014 claim for the return of Gift Aid Tax from HMRC. This refund is only allowed if you have paid sufficient tax on your income. If the income tax you have paid or will pay for the year ended 05/04/2014 does not cover the rebate being claimed by us on your donations (25p per pound donated), please let Fr Sunith know as soon as possible, so that we can amend our records. Meanwhile, thank you for your continuing support for this worthy cause.

If you want to see a priest then please phone and make an appointment.