A key new element of the Coronation service for King Charles will be his words at the beginning when he says; "In His name, and after His example, I come not to be served but to serve". It is, in a sense, the motto of all servants of the servants of God but especially of the deacons, about whom the first reading speaks. As we celebrate the coronation, St Peter reminds us that we are 'a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation'. This is the dignity of each person: it comes because we are children of God and anointed in baptism. The challenge is to keep these two elements in balance; to recognise our dignity as children of God and to express that dignity in service of others, recognising their innate dignity too. As the coronation service will remind us: 'In His service is perfect freedom'.
RECENTLY DECEASED
Please remember in your prayers all our beloved departed, especially
Marie Shirley deLord (Funeral; 5 May, 1pm)
those who died recently and those whose anniversaries occur at this time.
We continue to remember in our prayers all those who are sick and those who care for them. SUNDAY EVENING PRAYER AND BENEDICTION Continues this week, beginning at 7.30pm. PARISH OFFICE Francesca French will be moving from the parish office in the last week of May, to take up an appointment with the Vincentians as administrator in the new presbytery. We are all very grateful to Francesca for her work in the office and will mark her final day with a little celebration. I have begun the process of recruitment for a new administrator for the Parish; if you, or someone you know, would be interested, please let me know. BAPTISM PREPARATION COURSE The next course will take place on Thursday 11th and Thursday 18th May, at 7.30 pm in the Bethany Room. If you have a child for baptism in the coming months, please contact janeyclegg1@gmail.com THE CORONATION OF KING CHARLES III Following a request, there will be Exposition after the 9.30 am Mass. As this weekend is also a bank holiday, remember that there will be no evening Mass on Monday 8th. DAY OF PRAYER FOR SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE This will be held on Tuesday 9th May. Helpful materials may be found at cbcew.org.uk A DAY WITH MARY The next day takes place at Our Lady and St Dominic, Haverstock Hill, NW5 on Saturday 20 May. SECOND COLLECTION This week's second collection is the annual Mission Appeal which, this year, supports the Daughters of Divine Love. This community is an International Congregation founded in Nigeria in 1969, and a member of the Missionary Sisters of England and Wales. They work with the less privileged in society. Their Charity home in Nigeria and school for indigent children in Kenya provide care for orphans, street children, and children with special need/HIV. Sr Ann Ugoh DDL will speak at all Masses this weekend and we welcome her warmly to our parish.
AND FINALLY...
Last week, I had a call from Attleborough, Norfolk, from a lovely lady who joins us each day on-line for Mass. Her own parish cannot have Mass every day and the live-stream is not always at a suitable time for her. She commented how beautiful she thinks our church is, what a great sense of community she experiences here, how much she appreciates being able to join with us and how included she feels when the priests greet those at home. It serves as a reminder to us all that we can witness, sometimes without even being aware of it.
With every blessing and good wish,
Rev Eugene Curran CM