Church of the English Martyrs
Oblates of Mary Immaculate
30 Prescot Street, London E1 8BB Tel: 020 7488 4654
Email: towerhill@rcdow.org.uk www.parish.rcdow.org.uk/towerhill
Archdiocese of Westminster Registered Trustees 233699
Parish Priest: Fr Alex 020 7488 4654

First Reading Acts 9:26-31
Paul’s persecution of believers gained him a fearsome reputation. As you can imagine, this
made it hard for people to welcome him wholeheartedly and his return to Jerusalem was,
putting it mildly, uncomfortable. Greek-speaking Jews — the Hellenists— were so upset they
wanted to kill him. Even for early Christians it wasn’t all light and joy…
Second Reading 1 John 3:18-24
Sometimes we wonder what is expected of us as disciples. In this wonderful reading the different
dimensions of being a follower of Jesus are explored.
Gospel John 15:1-8
Today’s Gospel is very like the second reading: how do we bear fruit as disciples? Using the
biblical metaphor of the vine, faith is presented as a relationship, dynamic and life-giving.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
In the Bible, things from everyday life are used to speak of God. Two good examples would be
those staples of the Mediterranean, the olive, and the vine. In particular, the vine lends itself to
metaphorical reference. It takes great tending; at the same time, it is obvious that even the
furthest tendril “must with the vine be one.” By staying connected and with careful pruning, the
fruit itself is “pleasant to the sight and good for food” (Genesis 2:9). No need to mention the wine!
PRAYER
Help us, God of all growth, to be one with the true vine, Christ our Lord. May the difficult
experiences which prune us make us more abundant in the fruits of the Spirit, “love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23).
Amen.
IMPORTANT DATES AND INFORMATION TO NOTE:
1st Holy Communion & Confirmation classes today, Sunday, 28th April at 10am.
PARENTS’ Meeting (of Confirmation candidates): Next Sunday, 5th May at 10am in
the Church.
PARISH BINGO afternoon has been organised on Sunday, 12th May after 11am MASS
(12-2pm). Bingo tickets are sold today after 11am Mass at the door. Details are on the
Notice Board.
Church Collection:
Last Sunday cash collection was £396.20.
Contributions for the installation of a new heating system in Church was £45.00. Total
so far is £6,136.50.
2nd Collection for Priests’ Training Fund was £249.77.
Thank you for your generous contributions. May God reward
you a hundredfold.

BIG THANK YOU to all the Volunteers who organised our SENIOR PARISHIONERS’
GET TOGETHER last Saturday, 27th April at De Mazenod House.

ST JOSEPH’S LEPROSY CENTRE: We have 2nd Collection this Sunday for St
Joseph’s Leprosy Centre on their centenary.

CHURCH HEATING Our Church heating system is very old and very less effective now.
So, we are planning a new heating system to be installed and this will cost a big sum of
money. Whatever money you give through “Church Building Fund” in Contactless devise
will go to this fund from this Sunday onwards. We are also in the process of getting a quote
for this purpose at the moment.

CHURCH MASS TIMES
Saturday: Adoration at 5:15pm
Mass at 6:30pm
Sunday: Mass at 9am & 11am
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Friday Mass at 1pm – Adoration at 12noon

Safeguarding Information
Parish Safeguarding Representative: Dr Muna Dahabreh
Tel: 073 1175 1497
email: towerhillsg@safeguardrcdow.org.uk
Diocesan Co-ordinator: Monawara Bakht:
Email: monawarabakht@rcdow.org.uk
Tel: 0207 798 9350 07803 634236

DE MAZENOD HOUSE Retreat & Spirituality Centre
62 Chamber Street, London E1 8BL
Telephone: 0207 702 0270
Email: demazenodhouse@oblates.co.uk
Director: Fr Irvin Morastil, OMI

We welcome various groups to our De Mazenod House Retreat and Spirituality
Centre:
A. Art Group every Monday at 10:30AM.
B. Gamblers Anonymous every Monday at 6:45PM.
C. Narcotics Anonymous every Thursday at 1:00PM.
D. Meditation Group every Thursday at 5:30PM.

The De Mazenod House is a Retreat and Spirituality Centre.
It offers a sacred space for those who want to
“go away in a quiet place and rest a while.”

We offer Individually Guided Retreat and Spiritual Direction.
“Lent is like a long ‘retreat’ during which we can turn back into ourselves and
listen to the voice of God, in order to defeat the temptations of the Evil One.
It is a period of spiritual ‘combat’ which we must experience alongside Jesus, not
with pride and presumption, but using the arms of faith: prayer, listening to the
word of God and penance. In this way we will be able to celebrate Easter in truth,
ready to renew the promises of our Baptism.”
—Pope Benedict XVI

On PRAYER, FASTING & ABSTINENCE, ALMSGIVING
When you pray, do not imitate the hypocrites: they love to say their prayers
standing up in the synagogues and at the street corners for people to see them…
When you fast do not put on a gloomy look as the hypocrites do: they pull long
faces to let people know they are fasting…
When you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you… your almsgiving must
be secret, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you…
(Matthew 6)

Contactless Giving
You can make your offerings, donations and contributions
to the upkeep of your parish and the Church using the
contactless device installed near the entrance. It’s easy and
safe, reducing the need to handle cash while also helping with better
accountability of our parish finances.

New Parish Offering Facilities

You can support us by making a donation via the card scanners located in the Church.

Don’t forget you can also Gift Aid your offering. You can now donate a one-off gift or set up a direct debit in support of our parish via our website at: parish.rcdow.org.uk/towerhill/donate/ or by scanning the QR code.

Thank you for your generosity of heart.

                                                                           

Building stronger families    Are you experiencing difficulties in your  relationships? Are you willing to spend some time in finding ways to help you avoid conflict and resolve differences amicably? We are giving you opportunity to help you manage conflict and help reduce the impact that conflict can inflict on your children. We are inviting you to meet with Chris on Saturday, 7^th October at 7pm in the Parish House at Sacred Heart Quex Road.  If you would like more information please contact Chris on 07484111021 or info@unitedinseparation.com “Rebuilding Relationships, one Family at a time”