ST PAUL THE APOSTLE – WOOD GREEN
OUTREACH TO THE ALIENATED
A woman accused of adultery is dragged before Jesus. She is not condemned for prostitution or promiscuity, but the relational sin of adultery, a violation against marriage and social stability. We know little of her story, nor is Jesus told anything of the circumstances surrounding her transgression. He asks for no explanation. Rather, he notes her humiliation, surrounded by self-righteous men who disregard their own sinfulness.
Jesus is handed the heavy burden of judgement. He is caught between the law which is meant to protect the sanctity of marriage and the vulnerability of the woman who stands before him. He knows the intention of entrapment by those who drag her there. It seems an impossible situation.
There is a story from the Desert Fathers in which Abba Moses is called to an assembly top judge a guilty brother. Initially, he refuses to go, but is prevailed upon. So, he fills a leaky old basket with sand and walks to the assembly.
“Father, what is this?” the brothers inquire as he arrives.
“My sins are running behind me and I do not see them. So how can I come today to judge the sins of another person?”
The brothers relent and forgive their brother. Jesus chose mercy as his solution to judgement. Abba Moses deferred to humility and refused judgement. Our sins are all around us. Others see what we do not. The challenge is to remain mindful of our own vulnerabilities and, thus, arrest our tendencies to reduce another. We are to judge actions, not persons, as good or evil. Through thoughtful awareness of our own inclination to sin, we discover that we share the same humanness of the ones we judge. If we cultivate compassion and forgiveness toward ourselves, are we not less likely to pick up that stone and throw it?
DAILY MASS – The season of Lent is a time for Prayer, Fasting & Almsgiving. I invite you to join us for Mass this season as we as a Community prepare our hearts for Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection.
Mass Times – Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 9:30am
Tuesday 6:30am & 9:30am
Friday 9:30am & 7pm
BAPTISMS – Please contact Fr Perry to arrange dates for baptism.
LENT PROJECT – Please keep collecting your Lenten Alms in the Smartie tubes. We ask you to return them on Easter Sunday.
MASS INTENTIONS – We are now booking Masses for the month of May. Please note that if you ask for an intention on a specific date and a funeral is subsequently arranged on that day, the intention will be moved to the next available date. We are able to send Masses to Fr Henry in Malawi.
ANNUAL MASS OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY
Westminster Cathedral, Saturday 14th May 2022 at 3pm.
The Cardinal is inviting to this Mass all couples in the Diocese, who are celebrating their 5th 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th (and every year over 60) Wedding Anniversary of Catholic Marriage in 2022. If you are celebrating an anniversary, please give your parish clergy the following details: husband and wife’s names, wedding date, full postal address and email (or telephone number, if no email).
LONDON WALK – Wednesday 6th April. Meet outside Alexander Palace Station at 10:30am.
CONFESSIONS SATURDAY 9TH APRIL – 4:30pm – 5:15pm. No morning Confessions.
THANK YOU – for the collection last weekend which amounted to £1161.96 (envelopes £596; Loose £565.96).
HOLY WEEK – Holy Week begins next weekend with Palm Sunday and continues with Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Offering some of the most unique liturgies of our church year, Holy Week is filled with opportunities to dive deep into prayer and prepare your heart for Easter. Won’t you join us?
Please see the Holy Week and Easter Leaflet with all the times of Masses and Services.
Take a leaflet to give to your neighbours and parishioners who haven’t returned to Mass.
MAUNDY THURSDAY – This year we will be washing the feet of 12 parishioners as part of the Mass on Maundy Thursday. If you are willing to volunteer, please give your name to Fr Perry.
GOOD FRIDAY – 10AM – Family Stations of the Cross at 10am in St Paul’s School playground. (NO PARKING !!!). We need 14 children to carry each of the stations. Please give your names to Fr Perry.
GOOD FRIDAY – 3PM – During the Good Friday service we are used to coming forwards to venerate the cross. Due to the current number of Covid cases in Haringey, we won’t have everyone come and venerate the cross. We would ask you to bring a crucifix from home that you can venerate during the service. If you don’t have a crucifix, there are some for sale in the repository.
EASTER WATER – Many people like to take the Easter water for the blessing of their homes. If you want Easter water, we suggest you bring a filled bottle of water to the Easter Vigil and we will bless them during Mass.
EASTER OFFERINGS – The collection on Easter Sunday is for the support of Fr Perry. The Easter Offerings go towards the Stipends (salary) that is given to him each month. If you are in the Planned Giving Scheme, please use the envelope in your box. For those not in Planned Giving please use one of the envelopes available in the entrances.
ALTAR SERVERS – Please sign-up to serve for the Masses & Services during Holy Week. Lists can be found in the Sacristy.
AUSTIN ANAGOR RIP – please pray for the repose of the soul of Austin who died on 8th March. We offer our prayers and condolences to his wife Josie and family at this time. May he rest in peace and rise in glory. The funeral Mass will be on Saturday 9th April at 11am.
PARISH NOVENA – Please note that just for this year our Parish Novena to Our lady of Perpetual Help will be from 8th to 17th May 2022. (Our Parish Walking Pilgrimage takes place from 11th – 20th June).
NEW PLANNED GIVING BOXES – The boxes were posted on Thursday 24/3 to the parishioners who have given their offering using envelopes this last year. If you wish to join the planned giving scheme, please contact the parish office. Many thanks to all who have converted from envelopes to Standing Order or direct payments – you will not receive a box of envelopes. For those who were sent green envelopes (2020) or blue ones (2021) and have not used them – you can do so now as they are still valid. The envelope number is still allocated to the same person. The date on the envelope does not matter – it is the date that you give the donation that is recorded.
THE POPE’S INTENTION FOR APRIL – Health Care Workers – We pray for health care workers who serve the sick and the elderly, especially in the poorest countries; may they be adequately supported by governments and local communities.