YEAR OF ST JOSEPH
150 years ago, St Joseph was declared Patron of the Universal Church by Bl. Pope Pius IX. To mark this anniversary, Pope Francis has declared 2021 to be a special 'Year of St Joseph'. As we know, Joseph was the guardian and protector of the Holy Family, just as now he has a special care for the family of God which is the Church. Perhaps during these months we can renew our devotion to St Joseph as we seek his heavenly protection at this difficult time. St Joseph: pray for us!
FR DAVID WRITES
Please see the important notice on this website regarding the suspension of public Masses in the parishes of New Southgate, Cockfosters, Palmers Green, Potters Bar and Enfield Town. Please join us online if possible. Mass times will be: Monday-Friday 12pm; Saturdays 6pm; Sundays 10am.
ORDINARY TIME
This week we returned to ordinary time in the Church's calendar. However, the light which comes from Christmas and the Epiphany continues to illumine both our journey through the liturgical year as well as our journeys through life. Today we hear again of the revelation that Jesus, the Christ, is the Lord who calls us. Just as Jesus, the Word-made-Flesh, called his disciples to follow him, he also calls us to rise up and follow in the path of salvation. Ultimately, it is Christ's own prayer which says to his Father, 'Here I am, Lord, I come to do your will'. We too can imitate him in this way of radical obedience that leads, through the cross, to the glory of the resurrection. Next weekend, the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, is given over by Pope Francis to special reflection on the Word of God - the same Word that was made flesh at Christmas and which shows us, even today, the way of life.
DECEASED PRIESTS
Please pray for the repose of the souls of the priests and bishops who have died recently, including The Most Reverend Philip Tartaglia (Archbishop of Glasgow), Bishop Vincent Logan (retired Bishop of Dunkeld), Monsignor Mark Langham (Catholic Chaplain to the University of Cambridge and former administrator of Westminster Cathedral), Fr James Duffy (former Parish Priest of Rickmansworth), Fr Fintan Crotty (Assistant Priest of Acton), and Fr David Palmer (retired). May they rest in peace. Amen.
PARISH OFFICE
We have now been able to restore some hours in which the Parish Office is manned. However, we do please ask that you keep normal business until after the lockdown. It is not possible to come to the office in person. Thank you for your cooperation in advance.
PLANNED GIVING
It is now time for us to renew our order for the planned giving boxes. Many of you were unable to take your box last April, and so started using bank transfers to set up standing orders for your offertory. If anyone else would like to do this please request a standing order form from the Parish Office, where you can also offer Gift Aid, if you don’t already. Anyone who would still like to have their box please let the office know. We will assume that anyone who has a standing order no longer requires a box so that we can reduce the costs of purchasing them—please let us know if this is not the case. Thank you.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION & CONFIRMATION 2021
Yet again, we will need to revise our plans for the preparation and celebration of these sacraments. At the time of writing, we would prefer to wait in order to have at least some preparation in person. While parents are the first teachers of the faith for their children, there is also an important element of 'accompaniment' by the community which cannot be realised so satisfactorily in the virtual setting. We are also aware that children and parents already have a lot of online learning to deal with. However, we are constantly having to make adjustments for the life of the parish and worship, and we will continue to reassess the situation for these sacraments, including what may or may not be possible in the time to come. Please wait for further information to be published.