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Mass Intentions
It saddens me to have to refer to some bad practices that we have recently encountered in relation to the booking of Mass Intentions.
Each time a Mass is celebrated it is done so for a particular intention. This intention is often announced by the celebrating priest but sometimes not. However, the intention does not need to be read out for the Mass to be validly celebrated for that intention.
When a Mass intention is requested normally a donation is given for that intention. If the priest doesn’t mention the name, but still celebrates the Mass for that intention, it is normally not customary to request a refund. It implies that a Mass is being bought as some other commodity on a version of sale of return. This is a terrible abuse of the sacramental grace that we all receive through the Eucharist and will not be encouraged.
Thirdly, we now are seeking to operate a system whereby Masses can only be booked up to 6 months in advance. (This does not affect those already booked.) This will aim to facilitate a greater distribution of Mass intentions for all the parishioners who request Masses to be celebrated for their loved ones. This will avoid the selfish behaviour of booking large number of Masses many months in advance and therefore preventing others from requesting Masses to be celebrated.
We apologise for having to bring this to your attention. Thank you for your understanding.
Fr Martin
Special prayer for the peace in Sri Lanka with Mass
As you all may know there is heavy fighting going on in the north of Sri Lanka (especially in Vanni) and the people are suffering because of this fighting. We will be praying for all the people living over there to have peace and we will have a group prayer with Mass in the Parish Social Hall on Friday the 27th of March 2009, starting from 4:30pm till 8:30pm. We request as many people as possible to take part in this group prayer on that day.
(Organised by the Tamil Chaplaincy)
CAFOD Lent Fast Day
Thanks to everybody who gave to the Lent Fast Day. Our parish raised £989.61 for CAFOD’s work to improve the lives of poor communities across the world.
Parish Gift Aid & Planned Giving
BLUE Gift Aid envelopes are available from the main church porch today with no change in the envelope number. If you have not used your envelopes during the past six months or longer you will need to sign a new declaration for the new financial year.
To those who pay their Gift Aid in arrears, will you kindly bring them up to date so that the Parish can re-coup the tax element for the fiscal year 2008/9.
GREEN Planned Giving envelopes are available for collection from the Parish Office.
Please remember to collect your envelopes to avoid house to house delivery or the cost of postage.
Lent Lunches
Lent lunches continue on Wednesday’s 25th March & 1st April in the main hall from 12noon to 2.00pm. A wonderful opportunity to enjoy delicious soup and refreshments and to meet up with friends.
All proceeds go to Sr Maria Holly and the street children of the Philippines .
The Vocation Expo
Time is running out……..
for information about the biography competition that ends 31st March go to Facebook, Bebo or www.godknowswhere.org.uk, and look up Vocation Expo. If you can offer accommodation to any religious who may be attending this event, please leave your details in the Parish Office.
Knights of St Columba
1. The Annual Sponsored Walk for local charities will be on Sunday 10th May—see notice in the side porch. .
2. Next Sunday 29th March the Provincial Officers of the Knights of St Columba will be installed into their respective offices during the 12 noon Mass by the Deputy Supreme Knight of the Order. Michael Bagness and Jim Keating will be among the officers being installed.
Botwell School
Casual cleaners required to cover staff absences.
Monday-Thursday 3.30—6.00pm
Friday 3.00—5.30pm.
If interested, please contact the school on 020 8573 2229 for an application form. |
