Around this time our Jewish neighbours are marking Yom Kippur; the day of atonement. It is a day on which people are encouraged to put themselves in right relationship with God, with other people and with themselves. It is a day for rebalancing your life and for remembering the faithfulness of God. It is a call to each person to examine their lives and, with gratitude and honesty, begin afresh. In Scripture, lepers were seen as people who were 'out of relationship': with themselves, because their condition disfigured them; with others, because they had to live apart from society; and with God, because they could not be part of the praying and believing community. So the cure of a leper was an act of restoring them to right relationship. We can do this by God's grace and, importantly, by availing of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Perhaps there is some aspect of your relationship with God, with another or with yourself that is in need of God's healing. We are always available to help. RECENTLY DECEASED
Please remember in your prayers all our beloved departed, especially;
Josephine Din Sr Joyce Howard DC Jessica Bright Gunawathi Theresa Shakespear
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.
MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST After a slight hiccough, the ministers will be returning to service at the altar; hopefully at the beginning of Advent. I have sent an email to all ministers this week; if you did not receive it, or if you would like to be a minister of the Eucharist, please contact me as soon as possible. We are grateful to Joe Valentine for his many years of service in coordinating this rota and to Shawina Emmanuel who has kindly offered to continue this work. REFLECTIONS FOR THE MONTH OF THE ROSARY Sr Avril op will be offering reflections on 'Let it be done unto me; how Mary helps us to be filled with God' on Wednesdays after the morning Mass. This will run from 12th October to 9th November and will take place in the Bethany Room. There is no charge.
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS Traditionally, a blessing of the animals takes place around the feast of St Francis. We are running a little behind time but will hold the blessing on Saturday, 5th November, at 2pm. With the help of Kyumi McDonald and some of her colleagues, we will also be offering free health checks for your pets (though donations will be gratefully received).
BISHOP DOUGLASS SCHOOL; CURRICULUM SHOWCASE This will take place of Thursday, 13th October, from 4.15-5.45 pm. To find out more, or register, see bishopdouglass.barnet.sch.uk KNITTING GROUP This group, which meets on Tuesday afternoons in Bethany, is always open to new members; just pop along and join in. They are also looking for supplies of wool - if you have any to spare, you can drop it in to them, or into the Parish Office at any time. BIG SUMMIT The diocesan youth service will run this event, centered on the Eucharist, at the Cathedral on 21st October, from 6.30 pm. All are welcome! BINGO NIGHT The parish SVP group will be running a BINGO NIGHT on Saturday, 15th October, beginning at 6.30 pm. Entry is free and there will be a cash-only licensed bar. AMARE ET SEVIRE (To Love and Serve) On 12 November, the United Choirs of Christ will present this concert in Sacred Heart Church at 8pm. This is an initiative of Kappa Mill Hill and all are welcome. Tickets are available at the Parish Office. CHURCHES TOGETHER MILL HILL (CTMH) There will be a Quiet Day at John Keble Church from 1-3pm on Saturday, 5th November. For more information, contact Maggi Lamb at 0208-959-7918. CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH As part of CTMH, we support the Christmas Day Lunch project, which is restarting after the pandemic. If you would like to join others on Christmas Day in John Keble Church, or you know of someone who might benefit and enjoy it, please contact us at the Parish Office. Later on, we will be looking for people who might volunteer in various ways. NIGHT SHELTER Also, as part of CTMH, we support the 'Together in Barnet Night Shelter', which will restart, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from the beginning of November. If you would be interested in volunteering for this, please contact the parish office. There will be a training for volunteers on Tuesday 11th October at 7pm in Mill Hill East Church. CAFOD'S FAMILY FAST DAY AND PACT COLLECTION A reminder that CAFOD envelopes can be returned this weekend and PACT envelopes collected. The retiring collection at the weekend Masses will be for PACT. Donations to both can also be made on-line; cafod.org.uk and prisonadvice.org.uk
AND FINALLY... Next Saturday is the feast of Teresa of Avila, the great mystic and Doctor of the Church. One of her simplest reflections is; Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing make you afraid. All things are passing. God alone never changes. Patience gains all things. Those who have God find they lack nothing. God alone suffices. With every blessing,
Rev Eugene Curran CM