BLESSED JOHN HENRY NEWMAN
John Henry Newman was born in London in 1801. He was famous during his life as a theologian, a poet, as a convert to Catholicism, and later as a priest and cardinal. As a thinker and writer, he was ahead of his times and made an outstanding contribution to the life of the nation and the Church. He wrote on many aspects of intellectual life but is perhaps most well known for his work of the primacy of a conscience responsive to the truth, Christian doctrine, and on the mission of a university and the philosophy of education. His famous poem, 'The Dream of Gerontius' was set to music by Sir Edward Elgar in 1900. Newman was also much loved by the poor of Birmingham for his work among them as their priest and pastor. He died in 1890. In 2010, he was beatified in Birmingham by Pope Benedict XVI during the papal visit.
On Sunday 13 October, he will be canonised as a saint by Pope Francis during a Mass in St Peter's Square, Rome - the first English saint to be so proclaimed in almost 50 years. A delegation represening the British State will be led by the Prince of Wales, and many groups from Britain will be attending - hopefully including me! May he pray for us in heaven. DR
VOLUNTEERING
Thank you to those who have responded to our call for volunteers to help with the forthcoming CAFOD Harvest Day. We are still looking for volunteers to help with church cleaning, tea and coffee on Sunday mornings, and to lead our Toddler Group on Tuesday and Thursday mornings - currently not meeting. As a parish community, we rely on the generous contribution of so many but there are always opportunities for others to get involved. If these groups and services are to continue its essential that we recruit some new volunteers - we do really encourage you all to give this some thought and get in touch if you can offer your time and talents for the good of the parish.
FOUR SEASONS DRAW
The Autumn Draw takes place next Sunday 29th September after the 11.15 am Mass. Anyone who hasn't paid this quarter is asked to make sure their £3 is paid by Monday 23rd to allow for accounting! If you would like to join the Draw, please take an application form from the Paper Shop.
MARIA McCORMACK RIP
The Requiem Mass takes place on Friday 27th September at 10 am. May she rest in peace.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
The next meeting is on Monday, 30th September at 7.30 pm.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2020
The course starts on Tuesday, 1st October, with a meeting for all parents at 7.30 pm in the Parish Hall. Please remember to bring the course fee of £40 to this meeting. The children’s session will be on Saturday 5th October from 10 am—11.30 am and the family celebration Mass on Sunday 6th October at 11.15 am.
MOTHER’S PRAYERS
Every Wednesday at 8 pm in the Small Hall. New members are welcome.
SECONDARY SCHOOL APPLICATIONS
Fr David will be signing Secondary school forms on Saturday 5th October from 4.30 —5.30 pm & Thursday 10th October between 5.30 —7 pm. Parents are asked to sign up for an appointment in the Paper shop and take a self-assessment form. It is essential that parents complete the self-assessment before the appointment and bring it with them.
SECONDARY SCHOOL OPEN DAYS
St Anne’s, 50, London Road, EN2 6EL: Monday 30th September, 6—8 pm. The Head will speak at 6 pm and 7 pm. St Thomas More, Glendale Avenue, N22 5HN. Tuesday, 8th October, 9.30—11 am and 5.30—8 pm. The Head will speak at 5.45 and 6.45 pm. Please take a leaflet from the shelf in the porch. St Ignatius, Turkey Street, Enfield: Tuesday 24th & Thursday 26th September, 9—10 am.
MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING
At Waterfall Tennis Club, rear of 100, Pymmes Green Road, N11 1DD, on Saturday, 28th September from 11 am—2 pm. All welcome.
SCOUT GROUP MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING
The Scouts are also raising money for MacMillan Nurses on Sunday 29th September, after the first three morning Masses.
NEW CUB PACK
Our Scout Group has now opened a second Cub Pack that meets on Tuesday evening from 6.15 – 7.30 pm. If you have child aged 8 or 9 and you’d like them to join, please text JOIN and your email address to 07803161292, and we will send you more information. Over 160 young people between the ages of 6 – 15 are currently members of our Scout Group.
OCTOBER
October has been designated by Pope Francis as a special month of mission. We will hear some more about this next weekend in a pastoral letter from our Cardinal.