Now to the gate of my Jerusalem, The seething holy city of my heart, The saviour comes. But will I welcome him? Oh crowds of easy feelings make a start; They raise their hands, get caught up in the singing, And think the battle won. Too soon they’ll find The challenge, the reversal he is bringing Changes their tune. I know what lies behind The surface flourish that so quickly fades; Self-interest, and fearful guardedness, The hardness of the heart, its barricades, And at the core, the dreadful emptiness Of a perverted temple. Jesus come Break my resistance and make me your home. Malcolm Guite
RECENTLY DECEASED
Please remember in your prayers all our beloved departed, especially
George Onuegbu Charles Murray John McDonagh
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. I have to return to Dublin for my uncle's funeral this Saturday, 1st April: I will be back for Palm Sunday, please God. Please keep Jimmy Gray and all his family in your prayers. SERVICES for HOLY WEEK PALM SUNDAY Masses at usual times; procession will be from the Calvary or the Narthex, depending on weather. HOLY THURSDAY 7.30 pm. Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper: (Watching to follow in Day Chapel) 11.00 pm Eucharistic Watch: GOOD FRIDAY 10.00 am Walk of Witness (Assemble at Eversfield Gardens). 12 noon Children's Stations of the Cross 3.00 pm Liturgy of the Lord's Passion 7.00 pm Stations of the Cross HOLY SATURDAY 9.00 pm Solemn Celebration of the Easter Vigil EASTER SUNDAY Masses as usual at 8.30, 10.00 and 11.30 am. There will be NO evening Mass on Easter Sunday or on Easter Monday (10th) CHURCHES TOGETHER On Tuesday 4th April representatives from Mill Hill Churches will be giving out Easter eggs from 10am at the 'town square" next to Boots in Mill Hill Broadway. Anyone from the Parish is invited to join in and we will be there until all the eggs have gone. PARISH OFFICE As Melanie has retired, the office may not always be attended when you call. Please leave a phone message for Fr Eugene or Fr Ako or send an email and we will get back to you as soon as possible. AFTERNOON TEA AND BINGO This will take place on Monday, 3rd, 2-4pm. All are welcome. On that note, Dave Kennedy would like to thank all those who attended and those who helped out at the recent St Patrick's Night event; it was a wonderful evening for all. PARISH CARITAS REPRESENTATIVE A reminder that we are still looking for someone who would be willing to be our link with all that Caritas Westminster is doing. If interested, please contact the Parish Office for further information. FINCHLEY CATHOLIC HIGH CleanTec, the school's cleaning contractor, is looking to recruit cleaners. If interested please contact the company directly at cleantecservices.co.uk
DAYS WITH MARY Mary, Mother of God, Ponders End on Saturday 15 April, beginning at 9.30 am Our Lady and St Michael, Garston, Watford on Saturday 29 April, beginning at 10.00 am
DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY The Sisters thank us for the donation of £1,003.34 to assist in aid in Syria/Turkey.
AND FINALLY... A farewell note from Melanie; Dear Parishioner Friends, Gosh! In these recent days I am being reminded of moments with so many of you that are a treasure for me, from the delight of meeting all the wonderful mums and their babies and toddlers who are now in senior schools and the teams whom I shared so much laughter and last minute panic in all the many wonderful events held in the parish, and to those whose wisdom I valued so much, whose beautiful souls are now with God, to all of you who answered my pleas for food, hats, gloves and scarves for 'our friends at the window' in all the Covid years (some of whom I meet on the Broadway who still say 'thank you for what you did'). Your kindness and support have always held me in awe, as have the deep prayerful hours shared with some of you which witness to the outcome in many silent miracles. So, I must rest up a bit now but I know, in a God link moment I will say, 'ok Lord what's next'. It has been my pleasure to have worked for you and alongside you. Let us keep each other in our prayers, always. Melanie
In these last days of Lent, let us all keep one another by our prayers.
Rev Eugene Curran CM