PEACE SUNDAY
Combating COVID-19 together, embarking together on paths of peace.
The Bishops of England and Wales invite us to make today a day of prayer for peace and to reflect on the theme chosen by Pope Francis for the annual World Day of Peace. Much has changed in the twelve months since we last celebrated ‘Peace Sunday’. War returned to our continent last February with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Then in November the COP27 talks in Egypt brought new focus on the existential threat that climate change brings to many communities – especially the poorest – due to deforestation, desertification, extreme weather events and sea-level rise. Present conflict and the prospect of future conflict both lie before us as we begin a new year. All the more reason, then, to proclaim Christ once more as Prince of Peace and to entrust our world to his mercy.
POPE FRANCIS ON 1ST JANUARY 2023 – PEACE SUNDAY “At the beginning of each new year Saint Paul VI wished to dedicate the 1st January to prayer and reflection for peace in the world, let us feel even more strongly intolerable the contrast of war, that in Ukraine and in other regions, is sowing death and destruction. Nevertheless, let us not lose hope because we have faith in God who in Jesus Christ has opened for us the way of peace. The experience of the pandemic has taught us that no one can save him or herself alone, but that together we can pursue the paths of peace and development. Throughout the entire world, from every people, the cry is rising: No to war! No to rearmament! May resources go toward development, health, food, education, employment”.
CHURCH OPENING/CLOSING – From Monday 9th January the church will open at 8:30am and close at 2pm until further notice. (Monday to Friday).
CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK
Tuesday 17th January St Anthony
Thursday 19th January St Wulstan
Saturday 21st January St Agnes
DEVOTIONS TO OUR LADY OF FATIMA – on Wednesday 18th January. Rosary in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel after the 9:30am Mass. All welcome.
MASS INTENTIONS – Masses for January & February are now fully booked. 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.
THE CONVERSION OF ST PAUL
WEDNESDAY 25TH JANUARY
A DAY OF PRAYER FOR OUR PARISH
Mass at 9:30am followed by
EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT FROM
10AM – 6:45PM CONCLUDING WITH MASS AT 7PM
(please sign-up if you can watch before the Blessed Sacrament)
PARISH FEAST DAY – On 29th January we will celebrate our parish feast and the Diamond Jubilee of Sr Eilis at the 12 noon Mass. Please come in national dress for this Mass. We invite everyone to sign-up to bring food for the celebration in the hall after Mass (list on notice board at the back of the church). Diamond Jubilee cards are on sale in the repository from next Sunday. For those who wish to contribute to a gift for Sr Eilis please use one of the envelopes available at the back of the church. These can be put in the collecting bags at the Offertory.
Please come and help set-up the hall on Saturday 28th January at 5:30pm
THANK YOU FOR THE COLLECTION – of Sunday 8th January which amounted to £1174.28 (Envelopes £575.84, Loose £598.44). Contactless £331. Standing Orders for December amounted to £5168.01.
WARM SPACE – Will open this Wednesday January 18th from 12-3pm (entry from Station Road). Come and join us for refreshments, a warm place to chat, play a game, charge your phone and most importantly, good company and a friendly welcome. Stay for three hours or just pop in for a cuppa. Open to everyone – please tell your friends and neighbours.
WEDDINGS – If you are planning to get married either in St Paul’s church or elsewhere, the Diocese requires the minimum of 6 months in order for preparation and paperwork to be completed. We will be running our pre-marriage course in the new year. Please register with Fr Perry as soon as possible.
RIP – We keep in our prayers those who have died in the last few weeks. Remembering the families who grieve the loss of their loved ones at this time. May the Lord console them in their grief. Please note that on the days when the funerals are at 10am – there is no 9:30am Mass.
WILLIAM WHITNEY – Requiem Mass at 9:30am on Friday 20th January.
LINA BYGRAVES – Requiem Mass at 9:30am on Monday 23rd January
NICHOLAS RUANE – Requiem Mass at 9:30am on Tuesday 24th January.
DANIEL O’BRIEN – Requiem Mass at 9:30am on Thursday 26th January.
SR ANNE MARIE FARRELL – Requiem Mass at 10am on Tuesday 31st January.
ADELINE BADU – Requiem Mass at 9:30am on Wednesday 1st February.
MARY HYLAND – Requiem Mass at 9:30am on Tuesday 7th February.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION SESSIONS – on Saturday 21st January at 10am.
CONFIRMATION CLASSES – on Saturday 21st January at 4pm
A B C GROUP – resumes Monday 23rd January at 7:30pm.
SUNDAY 22ND JANUARY – SUNDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD. In 2019 the Pope declared that the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time should be devoted to the Word of God. We ask you to being your Bibles to Mass next weekend and we will bless them after the homily.
FIRE WARDENS – Please collect an instruction sheet from the Sacristy this weekend.”
SVP BINGO – From 2pm – 4pm on Thursday 19th January in the parish centre.
LOURDES PILGRIMS – Meeting on Thursday 19th January at 7pm in the parish centre. If you are unable to attend, please have a word with Fr Perry.
SCHOOL ADMISSIONS: Please tell your friends and family!
School places available from Reception class to Year 6 at St Paul’s Catholic Primary Barratt Avenue, Wood Green and St Martin’s Catholic Primary Blake Road, Bounds Green.
Please consider moving your child to one of our parish schools. Both would love to share their learning journey with them and have lots to offer. We welcome children of all faiths and none
For admission to our Reception classes of September 2023 please apply by the Local Authority deadline (January 13th 2023). Please contact admin@stmartinporres.haringey.sch.uk or admin@st-pauls.haringey.sch.uk or phone the head teacher Mrs Louise Fleming on 02083611445 or 02088887087.
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION – VOLUNTEERING FOR CAFOD – CAFOD, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, are looking people join us in our mission here in the Westminster diocese. Could you volunteer and help us raise awareness in either parishes or schools about our work across the developing world tackling poverty and injustice. Find out more by joining one of our volunteer meetings in Lambeth London on Saturday 21st January or Oakwood, North London on Wed 1st February. Please contact Tony at CAFOD for further details. westminster@cafod.org.uk or 0208 449 6970
HARINGEY NIGHT SHELTER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – Can anyone help Haringey Council with their Severe Weather Emergency Protocol? Andy Charalambus from The Gospel Centre has kindly agreed to be the co-ordinator and he needs volunteers to be on call until March 23rd in case the temperature once again drops below 0 degrees for three consecutive nights. The shelter will be in Osbourne Grove, N4 (plenty of parking and good transport links). Volunteers will set up beds at 8.30pm, welcome guests and hopefully stay through the night and pack beds away in the morning.
To volunteer or to find out more please contact Andy on 07495293274 or gcnws@outlook.com
POPES INTENTION FOR JANUARY – For educators – We pray that educators may be credible witnesses, teaching fraternity rather than competition and helping the youngest and most vulnerable above all.
NEXT SUNDAY 22ND JANUARY IS THE 3RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – 1st Reading Isaiah 8:23-9:3;
2nd Reading 1Corinthians 1:10-13, 17; Gospel Matthew 4:12-23