PEACE BE WITH YOU”
Today is not only the Second Sunday of Easter but also the completion of the octave of Easter and the feast of Divine Mercy. In the year 2000, St Pope John Paul II established this feast. On the first anniversary of the founding of Divine Mercy Sunday, John Paul II recalled, ‘Jesus said to St Faustina one day: “Humanity will never find peace until it turns with trust to Divine Mercy”. Divine Mercy! This is the Easter gift that the Church receives from the risen Christ and offers to humanity’.
Jesus enters the room where the apostles are hiding in fear and offers them peace, the peace of God that surpasses understanding (Phil 4:7). And then he gives them a commission, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. / For those whose sins you forgive, / they are forgiven; / for those whose sins you retain, / they are retained’. The apostles are not offered peace merely for themselves. In receiving this peace they are in turn to bear peace to others.
In the spiritual life every action begins with God’s initiative. God speaks and we listen. God gives a gift and we receive it. Only after God’s action can we form a response. On Divine Mercy Sunday we must celebrate this twofold movement. God offers us Divine Mercy, which we are invited to receive and then pass on to others. Individually in our lives and collectively as the church, the Body of Christ, we experience mercy as a transformational gift from God. Now it’s our job to offer it to humanity.
Points to reflect on:
a. Jesus tell his disciples, ‘Peace be with you’ three times in today’s gospel. Where in your life are you in need of the peace of the Lord?
b. How do you offer peace to others through your words and actions?
c. We are offered mercy and also instructed to offer it to others. Who is in need of mercy in your life? How might you offer them this gift?
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER
Christ is Risen! Alleluia!!
Thank you to all those in our parish community who helped us celebrate a solemn and prayerful Triduum and Easter.
The celebrations are a true reflection of what we try to do in our parish every Sunday. There is so much to thank God for in our parish.
Fr Perry
CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK
Monday 8th April The Annunciation of the Lord
Thursday 11th April St Stanislaus
Friday 19th April St Alphege
MASS INTENTIONS – We are currently booking Masses for May. Please note that if you asked 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. Masses can be sent to Fr Henry in Malawi.
THANK YOU – Fr Perry, Fr Tom & Fr Michael thank parishioners for the many cards and gifts over Easter.
BAPTISMS – Please ring the Parish Office on 0208 888 2390 to arrange a time to come and meet with Fr Perry.
PRIEST TRAINING FUND – Envelopes will be available next weekend and the collection will be on Sunday 21st April.
THANK YOU FOR THE COLLECTION OF –
Sunday 24th March – Total £1187.41 (Loose £820.61; Envelopes £366.80). Contactless £203.
Sunday 31st March – Planned Giving Envelopes £348.50.
HCPT BOXES – Thank you to all who have returned their Lenten Alms Boxes for HCPT. So far, we have raised £2462.29. It costs £1025 to sponsor one child on the pilgrimage. Group 84 is the group we are sponsoring and are in Lourdes at present. They sent a message assuring every one of their prayers at the Grotto.
WEDNESDAY 17th APRIL – We will welcome the pupils of St Paul’s to the 9:30am Mass as they begin the Summer Term.
KATHLEEN ROWLEY RIP – We pray for the repose of the soul of Kathleen Rowley who died recently. We keep her family in our prayers. Her Requiem Mass on Tuesday 16th April is at 10:30am. May she rest in peace.
Please note – there will be no 9:30am Mass on Tuesday 16th April.
LOURDES PILGRIMAGE – Departs 29th May 2024 and returns 3rd June 2024. Cost £675 sharing (£835 in single room). Children 6 – 10 years of age £525 each. Children 11 – 15 years of age £575 each. Booking Forms available from the Parish Office and must be returned to Northern Star with a deposit of £275 per person.
ANNUAL MASS OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY – Westminster Cathedral, Saturday 25th May 2024 at 2:30pm. 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 2024. If you are celebrating an anniversary, please give the following details: husband and wife’s names, wedding date, full postal address and email (or telephone number, if no email) to Fr Perry or to the Parish Office.
OLDER PERSONS EASTER TEA PARTY – If you would like to attend St Paul’s Easter Tea Party for older parishioners on Sunday the 28th of April from 1pm to 4:30pm you need to register. There is a limit of 60 places so register early. There are registration forms at the back of the church. Completed forms should be placed in the blue box at the back of the church.
| PARISH DIARY Sunday 7th April Refreshments after 10am Mass Tuesday 9th April Church Cleaning after mass Wednesday 10th April 7:30pm Meditation Thursday 11th April 7:30pm Pre-Marriage Course Friday 12th April 10am ASCENT Sunday 14th April Refreshment after 10am Mass Monday 15th April 7:30pm ABC Group Tuesday 16th April Church Cleaning after Mass Wednesday 17th April 7:30pm First Holy Communion Parents 7:30pm Meditation Friday 19th April 10am ASCENT Saturday 20th April 10am First Holy Communion Class 3pm Confirmation Session Sunday 21st April Refreshments after 10am Mass | Friday 19th April 10am ASCENT Saturday 20th April 10am First Holy Communion Class 3pm Confirmation Session Sunday 21st April Refreshments after 10am Mass Sunday 14th April – 3rd Sunday of Easter 1st Reading Acts 3:13-15, 17-19 2nd Reading 1 John 2:1-5 Gospel Luke 24:35-48 Sunday 21st April – 4th Sunday of Easter 1st Reading Acts 4:8-12 2nd Reading 1 John 3:1-2 Gospel John 10:11-18 |
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Saturday 4th May First Holy Communion Mass
Sunday 5th May Confirmation Group Cake Sale
Thursday 9th May Bishop John Sherrington visits St Paul’s School and celebrates Mass in church at 10am
Sunday 9th June Confirmation Mass at 12 noon
Thursday 18th – 27th June Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
POPE’S INTENTION FOR APRIL – For the role of women – We pray that the dignity and immense value of women be recognized in every culture, and for the end of discrimination that they experience in different parts of the world.
NEWSLETTER – This week’s newsletter is for Sunday 7th & 1