HOME PAGE
OUR PRIESTS
OUR PARISH
PARISH GROUPS
PRAYER GROUPS
THE SACRAMENTS
ALTAR SERVERS
NEWSLETTER
YOUTH
BECOMING A CATHOLIC
SCHOOLS
LINKS
MINISTRY ROTAS

FIFTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR

TODAY’S READINGS  (Cycle B.) Job 7: 1-4, 6-7; 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23; Mark 1:29-39. (Page 58 in Parish Mass Books) Weekday Readings: Year 2, Psalter: Week 1. Cleaning Team C (10.15am).

LAST SUNDAY’S COLLECTION amounted to £1103-00. Planned Giving £8006-57, Loose £302-43. For which many thanks indeed. Thank you also for your donations at the Crib which amounted to £678-00 to support the work of the Catholic Children’s Society Westminster.

EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS IN DUBLIN takes place June 13th to 18th. Brochures with booking forms are available on the back table for those wishing to join a group from the Diocese led by Archbishop Vincent.

ALTAR SERVERS Your new Rota is now available, see extra dates for meetings for those who missed! ALL SERVERS are expected to attend Evening Prayer and Benediction at 5.00pm today to celebrate the 54th Anniversary of our Guild Branch. Vesting in Pope John School – entry through the church from 4.20pm. Everyone to be ready by 4.45pm. Last chance to order St. Stephen’s Day photographs today.  Photos from January 22nd are now available to order.

PIONEERS have changed their meeting day to the First Tuesday of the month. So they will meet this Tuesday at 7.15pm. Meeting preceded by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 6.45-7.15pm in the Weekday Chapel. All are welcome.

FIRST COMMUNION GROUPS Due to Mary Crowley being indisposed members of her group should have been contacted this weekend and assigned to Sue or Elizabeth’s Group if in doubt see Gay. Sylvie’s Group meet 10.00am and Sue’s Group 7.00pm on Tuesday. Elizabeth’s Group meet 7.00pm Wednesday, all in the Upper Room.

 EDUCATION SUNDAY Today we are asked to pray for all those involved in Catholic Education and  to support financially the work of the National Catholic Education Service - Second collection this weekend.

EVENING PRAYER on 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sundays of the month at 5.35pm. On 1st Sunday of month (today) it is combined with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and starts at 5.00pm. All are welcome – especially today with our Altar Servers celebrating the 54th Anniversary of our Guild Branch.

BAPTISMAL PREPARATION COURSE takes place this afternoon at 4.00pm in the Presbytery. See Fortunato for details.

LORD LET MY PRAYER RISE BEFORE YOU a retreat weekend for young adults (20s and 30s) 10th - 12th February in Salford. Cost: any donation is welcome. Contact Sr Mary Anne fcJ  maryannefcj@gmail.com o or https://www.facebook.com/events/255697284501022/  An opportunity for prayer, reflection and discussion with other young Catholics.

EVENTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE See notices and leaflets for details of several events for 18+, Lenten Prayer Guiding Programme, Youth Congress, Eucharistic Congress and a Rome Retreat/Pilgrimage.

CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE are you celebrating your 10th, 25th, 40th, 50th and 60th+ wedding anniversary of Catholic marriage in 2012?  If so, Archbishop Vincent would like to invite you to a Mass of Thanksgiving for the Sacrament of Matrimony at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 26th May at 3.00pm. Please give Fr. Keith or Fr. Ephrem the following details by 26th February at the latest: husband and wife’s names, wedding date, full postal address, email and telephone number.

LIFE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT SEMINARS. The fifth Seminar is at 7.30pm tomorrow, Monday 6th. Anyone wishing to join in at this stage should see Fr. Ephrem first.

AN ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Group for Catholics – Calix meets regularly at St. Pius X, St. Charles Square, Our Lady, St. John’s Wood and Westminster Cathedral details see poster or www.calixinlondon.org.uk

MASS OF ANOINTING next Sunday (12th) at 5.00pm. If you can help to bring one of our housebound or infirm parishioners to this Mass or need transport please give Fr. Keith your contact details. Refreshments afterwards in Pope John School (cakes, biscuits, etc.) Help required.

S.V.P. Meet tomorrow, Monday, at 7.30pm in the Presbytery New members always welcome.

THE PARISH SIGN LANGUAGE GROUP assists with the monthly Mass in Word and Sign (3rd Sunday 6.00pm). Junior members (Year 3 upwards plus parents) meet on Friday at 4.00pm. Others (teenagers +) meet at 7.00pm Sunday. If interested please see Gillian, Emmanuel or Fr. Keith. 

DIOCESAN NEWS, Jobs, Events etc can be found on the Diocesan Web Site - www.rcdow.org.uk

FAIR TRADE Please look for the Fair Trade mark when shopping in stores as this guarantees that a fair price is paid to producers and that workers are not exploited.

TIME TO SPARE? Why not come to Morning Prayer or a weekday Mass after the school run or join us for the Rosary after Mass.

MOUNT STREET JESUIT CENTRE see notice board in porch for details of upcoming events.

EVENTS too numerous for the newsletter: Jobs, pilgrimages, Days with Mary, Local and National Community Group’s activities, etc can be found advertised on the porch notice board and on the tables.

MARY CROWLEY had her ankle operation on Friday 27th and is on the road to recovery. She will be out of circulation for some time – Mary’s First Communion Parents please see note above. Please keep her and all our sick parishioners in your prayers.

USED STAMPS can be recycled for charity so please put them in an envelope and put them in the box in the Weekday Chapel.

THE CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S SOCIETY (Westminster) works with around 3,000 children and families each year, of all races and faiths who are experiencing problems that affect their health, happiness and the stability of the family. We are not funded by central or local government or the Diocese and rely almost entirely on voluntary donations. Help a child who needs your support today by making a donation online at www.cathchild.org.uk/shop/donate.php or call 020 8969 5305—thank you

HERE I AM LORD - a group for young adults exploring a call to the consecrated life or priesthood. First and Mid Tuesdays of the month. Meet at 7.30pm at Newman House Catholic Chaplaincy, 111 Gower Street, London WC1E 6AR.

PRAYERS PLEASE FOR: 

Those of our Parish, family and friends, who are sick - either at home or in Hospital - that the Lord comfort and strengthen them.

The repose of the souls of Vida Campbell (of Hadyn Park Road) and Anthony Smith (of Bloemfontein Road) who died last week.

PILGRIM ACCOUNTS OF THE PAPAL VISIT

In May 1982 I was privileged to be the Deacon at Mass in Westminster Cathedral celebrated by our then Holy Father, Pope John Paul II on the first ever Pastoral Visit of a Pope to our shores. As my brother pointed out at the time, I was the first to receive Communion in this country from the hands of the Pope, what a double honour!

Fast forward 28 years and once more I found myself in Westminster Cathedral for Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict on the first State Visit of a Pontiff to the U.K. This time not so close to “the action” but a concelebrating Priest, representing the priests and people of our Deanery. As I awaited the entrance procession I reflected on the fact that one of the Deacons assisting at this Mass - Rev Graham Stokes - bore a similar surname to that Deacon of 28 years ago.

The atmosphere was one of anticipation as dignitaries were led to their seats followed by the Cathedral Chapter, Bishops and Cardinals. Finally the Holy Father entered, the fanfare and singing was grand and magnificent, yet as one set eyes on our Holy Father, it  seemed out of place for this humble successor of St. Peter.

There was a hushed silence as Pope Benedict preached to those assembled in the Cathedral, broadcast to the youth gathered on the Piazza, and to the whole country. His words were simple and profound, challenging and encouraging. Time seemed to fly past; soon we were at the Eucharistic Prayer and Communion, and soon the final words and blessings.

As I waited to leave the Cathedral my thoughts returned to the response I gave to a question asked of me as a Deacon all those years ago, “What was it like being Deacon to the Holy Father at Mass?” ”Whilst one may have been in the presence of the Holy Father first and foremost I was there, as was everyone else, to be in the presence of Our Blessed Lord, to receive Him and to take His peace into the world”.

The Holy Father’s visit has made us proud to be Catholics and we must not hesitate to proclaim and live out our faith in our country.

Fr. Keith Stoakes - Parish Priest
and Dean of Hammersmith and Fulham, Westminster Cathedral

To be honest, at first I wasn’t too excited about the coming of the Pope for one main reason; I didn’t believe we would meet the funds needed for his arrival. But as days, weeks and months went by it soon became a reality.

The atmosphere was electric, hyper and full of pure and genuine joy. However, this was quickly overcome by a prayerful silence which engulfed us as soon as his Holiness spoke. Even though we are young and mad and even sometimes disobedient, even to the word of God, we put all these things aside; to unite ourselves as one body in Christ in front of the Holy Father.

To be honest I think this is what made Pope Benedict most happy, seeing God’s children coming together as one no matter what class, race, or sometimes even faith; we all came to pay our respects to the Pontiff ( seeing his red shoes is what really made my day!).

All in all this was an amazing event which I and many others will never forget. I would also like to say that it was an absolute privilege to represent our parish, and I am much grateful for that.

I can say without a doubt in my mind, being a part of the celebration of the Pope’s coming to the UK was by far the most spectacular event in my life.     

September 16th 2010, a day never to be forgotten. 

Prince K Kouassi- Parish Youth Representative,
at Westminster Cathedral Piazza and Hyde Park

I and the group from White City arrived at Hyde Park around 1.30 pm amongst a huge throng of people all carrying flags, banners and enough food to feed the 5000 plus more!! There was an air of excitement as we made our way to the arena. We thought we were early but little did we know that everybody had the same idea of trying to get to the best places to set up camp. Thousands of people had beaten us to it and the best spaces had already gone. We set up our positions in the next best available spot and settled down for the long wait ahead.

The atmosphere was very cordial; people were very excited and happy to be waiting for the Pope to arrive. We were welcomed by a variety of dance groups, showing a rich diversity of styles and traditions which are all part of the Catholic community. The hours of waiting around went by very quickly.

 The banner procession began at 4.00 pm and lasted about an hour. There were about 600 banner bearers snaking their way through the crowds. We kept our eyes peeled for our parish banner bearer, Debbie. When we saw her, a spec on the stage only recognisable by her ‘Ugg boots’, we began to cheer and shout ‘Our Lady of Fatima’ waving our flags frantically. We joined in all the hymns and sang with great gusto.

During the next hour or so there were many things to keep us occupied, including a presentation on the heart of the Church. People from all walks of life gave moving and powerful testimonies of the Catholic Church in Britain today under the themes of “A Heart that Sees”, “A Heart that Serves”, “A Heart that Seeks Justice” and “A Heart that Understands”.

By about 6pm I could feel a change in the crowd the atmosphere was now charged with an emotional intensity. We could see on the screens that the Pope had left Westminster in his ’pope mobile’ and cheering crowds were greeting him all the way down the Mall. Who would have thought it Papal flags fluttering along side Union Jacks? 

While waiting we were entertained by “The Priests”, singing a selection of their hits. As the ‘pope mobile’ passed under Wellington Arch the assembled choir and orchestra began performing a rousing rendition of the “Hallelujah Chorus”. We all joined in of course!

 As Pope Benedict entered the arena the crowds went wild. We started cheering, some even crying, taking photos, waving flags and shouting “Viva il Papa” at the top of our voices. It was a fantastic sight.

 The prayer vigil itself was beautiful, the darkness of the night had crept up on us. The Blessed Sacrament was particularly powerful as the crowds became almost silent in prayer and candles were lit and carried to the stage. There was great reverence throughout the service.

The evening was an amazing event and one that I was glad to be part of. We did not want the day to end. After the last hymn we headed off, had a team photo and made our way through the crowds back to the coach. I felt proud to be a catholic and through this great occasion be drawn closer together in the love of God and the service of Christ – “God has created me to do him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another.” (Blessed John Henry Newman)  

Tracy Peters - Parish Pilgrim Leader, Hyde Park.

The visit of Pope Benedict XVI was a great opportunity for me to open my heart to the Catholic Church “the institution” if you like. It was a time for me to rejoice, to being super proud of being a catholic and to embrace the Church. I saw the Pope on two occasions, the first time in his pope-mobile in London, and the second time in the Vigil at Hyde Park. I was really touched to see him, more than I could have possibly imagined. I think his visit has marked a “before and after” in my faith. The papal visit has really inspired me to follow Jesus and love my community and my church with all my heart. I thank God for this experience.

Angela Lopez - Parish Pilgrim, Hyde Park

 To hear that I was to represent Our Lady of Fatima Catholic church as the banner bearer for the papal visit was not just a surprise but a great honour.

 On arrival I was blown away by the number of young people here. All hoping to take the amazing sense of community and spiritualism home to youth groups in their parishes. Carrying banners, placards and flags, around 80,000 parishioners of all ages were here for the same thing but yet for different reasons.
I was separated from the parish group but did not at any time feel isolated, rather the opposite, there was a friendly, family atmosphere amongst the flag bearers. Everyone was very excited and there was much flag-waving. The Holy Father would be here soon. There was a real mixture of people, young and old, from all over the place. Hyde Park was buzzing! Lots of happy excited chanting ‘God bless our Pope!’ and sounds of ‘When the Pope comes marching in’.

Hours to go at Hyde Park and the arena was packed. There was wonderful music from the choir on stage and some great performances greeting the people. The atmosphere was not unlike the rock festivals this area of Hyde Park normally hosts but yet more beautiful and deeply spiritual.

 After the performances there were hymns as representatives of Catholic organisations - among them catholic churches from all boroughs, HCPT, Pax Christi, and scout groups- in procession with their banners to the stage and greeted by the bishops. A sea of banners came forward. This was my moment, excited, nervous, talking non stop to Bishop Alan Hopes and being asked to move on.

As the sun began to set there was a terrific build-up to the Pope's arrival, with images on giant screens showing his progress through the cheering streets of London. ‘The Priests’, choirs and the New English Orchestra were performing as the Pope approached Hyde Park.  There was much cheering and waving of flags as the Pope
The banner bearers were situated in an ideal spot as the Pope mobile drove right in front of us. There was a rush of excitement as we eagerly tried to get a glimpse of the Holy Father who waved contentedly, as the bystanders snapped away with their cameras and mobile phones. He looked very calm and was smiling.

 After the homily, Pope Benedict lit a Paschal Candle, and the light was taken to some parish representatives, including myself, taking part in the procession of the Blessed Sacrament. As Adoration began there were a few minutes of almost total silence. The vigil drew to a close with hymns and a beautiful rendition of the Irish blessing sung by Liam McNally.  It was a delightful celebration of the Catholic faith in the heart of London.

Debbie Peters – Parish Banner Bearer, Hyde Park

On Saturday 16th September I attended the celebration and Prayer Vigil in Hyde Park. It was a wonderful day, the weather was perfect. Throughout the afternoon there was a celebration of the good work that Catholics in this country have done as well as lots of singing and national dancing from Ireland and Poland. It started with a procession of banners from parishes in London and the south east, including our own which was carried by Debbie Peters. There were youth groups and Catholic organisations also from all over the country. At one point we were all asked to stand up and ‘Stand together in solidarity with those in poverty’ across the world. This was beamed around the world by satellite to join with similar groups standing in other countries at the same time. This was very moving.  When Pope Benedict arrived, the atmosphere was fantastic, everyone was very happy and excited.  There was prayer and a homily from Pope Benedict and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The whole experience was very moving and I am glad I went to be one of the 80,000 crowd!!

Hilda McCafferty - Parish Pilgrim, Hyde Park

A small group of parishioners, plus a few from Brook Green and Shepherds Bush gathered as silently as possible outside the school entrance ready to depart at 2.00am. The journey was smooth and quiet as a convoy of coaches headed for Birmingham. We entered Cofton Park at 4.30am and trundled up a darkened hill, at the top we could see the Sanctuary far below in a natural amphitheatre. We found a place to settle with plenty of room for our chairs, mats etc. One of the group had brought a small suitcase on wheels rather than a picnic basket, offering us all food every half hour-it was difficult to refuse! Time soon passed as we chatted, ate or rested.

The drizzle persisted, varying from light to heavy, there was a glimmer of the sun soon after dawn but the clouds closed in again. From the orange survival bags around us Birmingham Youth (and Priests!) began to emerge ready to take their places as crowd marshals.

Behind us the hill was now full of people, over 60,000 and yet my sister and other friends from Brighton were only 200 yards from me! Morning Worship was broadcast from an adjacent stage; we were all encouraged to participate in the singing.

Anticipation filled the air when we heard the helicopters, cheering and waving flags we watched the large screens showing the Pope being driven into the park, the Popemobile passed less than 100 yards from us. The sun came out as Pope Benedict entered the Sanctuary. Down the hill through the assembled crowds came hundreds of priests in procession – what an amazing sight!

We were privileged to be part of the ceremony of Beatification during the Mass with our books to guide and enlighten us. Despite the  enormous crowd, all were  quiet and attentive.

After Mass, when we had waved goodbye to the Pope, a festival atmosphere filled the park with groups singing, dancing and entertaining each other. The whole experience was a celebration of communities coming together for a common purpose.

Gillian McLauchlan - Pilgrim Leader, Cofton Park

At first I didn't really want to go but my mum wanted some company on the coach to Birmingham: it wasn't my ideal way to spend a 15th birthday. Then I found out I had to get up at 1.00am to catch a coach! Things just got worse.

After I sat down on the coach and fell asleep the next thing I knew I was in Birmingham. Banners, chairs and a ton of Portuguese food (supplied by Lisa) we followed behind Gillian our pilgrim leader up the hill to the entrance of Cofton Park.

By 5.00am, we were settled in; nine rows back after the VIPs and the youth who had been sleeping in orange plastic bin bags all night in readiness for the Pope.

It rained most of the morning but the moment the Pope stepped out of his helicopter the rain stopped and the sun broke out. Umbrellas came down and flags waved.

The whole day in the end was really great and was a once in a life time opportunity.

Jan Rozycki- Parish Pilgrim, Cofton Park

Thank God everything didn’t go as the press planned and our Holy Father’s visit went as the Lord wanted. Since the very first day in Scotland, I felt as if the Pope mobile was like a snowball that kept rolling and growing until Sunday, bringing and taking many by surprise.

In Hyde Park I witnessed the most Holy stampede of a thirsty and hungry crowd for the presence of Our Lord’s people’s guide, while following him so gently to Birmingham which was the cherry on such a beautiful cake that was brought from Rome, and how much sweeter our lives then and after. Thanks to our Lord Jesus for the music that uplifted our souls towards such prayerful events which has enlighten Great Britain for years to come.

Gabriel Arreaza – Parish Pilgrim, Cofton Park