The readings for this Sunday are also appropriate for the feast of St Vincent, which occurs on Monday. The Vincentian Family is wide and varied, including people of other faiths and of none, who reach out in service of their sisters and brothers, especially those most in need. There are vincentian communities, like ourselves and the Daughters of Charity, including some in the Anglican Communion. There are long-established lay groups, like the AIC (formerly the Ladies of Charity) and the Vincent de Paul Society. There are newer foundations, like the Passage (where Fr Chinedu works) and DePaul UK. And there are dedicated individuals who are inspired by the lives of St Vincent, St Louise and Blessed Frederic Ozanam. For St Vincent, as for Jesus, it was a case of 'anyone who is not against us is for us'; we can collaborate with people of goodwill wherever we find them. Vincent, like Moses, would not want to keep such gifts to himself or to his Congregations; he would say 'would that all might be prophets, and act as the spirit of the Lord has been given to them'. And St James, as ever, in his letter, challenges those of us who are blessed with good things to recognise that they are gifts to be shared, not hoarded. Like our younger sisters and brothers in St Vincent's School, I hope that we can all recognise the call to be vincentian and to live the faith we profess, especially in our care of those who are most vulnerable and challenged by life today.
RECENTLY DECEASED Please remember in your prayers all who have died recently, especially;
Mary Wiley
and all those who have died during this time of pandemic. We continue to remember in our prayers all those who are sick and those who care for them.
ST VINCENT'S DAY This Monday, 27th September, is the feast of St Vincent. We would like to invite anyone who is free to join us for some morning coffee/tea and cake after the 10 am Mass. There will also be a broadcast 9am Mass on Monday morning for the Vincent de Paul Society UK, which will be open to anyone who would like to attend an earlier Mass. Our younger sisters and brothers from St Vincent's school will be joining us by live-stream from St Vincent's School for the 10 am Mass ST VINCENT'S SCHOOL Tours of the School (lasting approx. 30 mins) with the Headteacher begin at 9.30 am on: Monday, 4th October Tuesday, 5th October Monday, 11th October. To book a place, please phone 020 8959 3417 MORNING COFFEE We will be hosting morning coffee most Friday mornings after morning Mass. We will begin this on 8th October. A DAY WITH MARY These days will resume on Saturday, 9th October, at Our Lady and St Peter, Wimbledon Common. Further information on their website adaywithmary.org LORETO COLLEGE, ST ALBANS, OPEN EVENING This will take place on Tuesday, 28th September, from 6 - 9 pm. Further information on their website. BISHOP DOUGLASS SCHOOL The school will host a Curriculum Showcase event on Tuesday, 12th October, from 5-6pm. Further information on the website, bishopdouglass.barnet.sch.uk. SECOND COLLECTIONS We understand that there are many requests for support at this time. For the coming months, we will simply indicate any second collections and provide links to the websites or supply envelopes at the back of the Church. I know that charities are grateful for any support they receive at this time. FIRST FRIDAY This coming Friday, 1st October, is the First Friday of the month. Besides the Stations of the Cross following morning Mass, we will also have the Mass for Life on Friday evening at 7pm. SUNDAY MASS REGULATIONS
From next weekend, 2-3 October, we will continue to request that people reserve seats for the Masses at 5.30 pm on Saturdays and for 9 am on Sundays. These Masses will still maintain social distancing. The 11 am Mass and 5.30 pm on Sundays, however, will not require booking or social distancing. At all Masses, however, people will still be requested to wear masks and use hand sanitizer. We continue to have the Church professionally cleaned during the week and hope that these measures will facilitate as many people as possible to return to the Church, feeling safe and secure.
May the coming week be blessed and may St Vincent, and all those who have followed the vincentian way, continue to inspire and guide us in our lives of faith and service. With every blessings and good wish, Rev Eugene Curran CM