Dear parishioners,

Sadly, this is not the newsletter I originally sent out to be put on line. With the extremely high rates of COVID infection in this area and following the advice of Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London I think we have to close. One in thirty of us in London now have the virus. This is a proportion which is too high a risk for us to meet in church. We should not be coming to church filled with anxiety and I do not think it is fair on those who are enabling us to open through stewarding duties or sacristy work. Some of them already cannot make it in and we were heading to a point where we would have to cancel masses because we did not have the stewards. Let’s take the initiative and not wait to be told what to do by authorities. We know what we have to do to stop the spread of this virus, but also lessen fear and anxiety. I’ll be in touch next week, meantime I will be offering mass for you again in private and the church will be closed. Please review the newsletter every week and may God bless us and keep us safe. The church will be closed from Saturday 9th January and there will be no 10.00 mass. Please call anyone you know who does not have a computer.

The Hall

The damage to the hall floor, reported in the last newsletter, was irreparable. The insurance company has been to assess it, but this will only cover some of the work needed to make the hall fit for reopening and hiring and celebrations again. I hope next week to launch the appeal to you for the total money we need to raise for a full redecoration and renovation, so that you will be happy to use it for receptions and celebrations with your families in the years to come.

Deaths

Please pray for the souls of parishioners:

Mrs. Patricia Pinto and Mr. John Bevan who died last week.

May the divine assistance remain with them always, and may their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.

MASSES AND INTENTIONS FOR THE COMING WEEK: THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD/ FIRST WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME (Season after Epiphany)

Please note that due to current restrictions, any sung masses do not involve congregational singing and are sung by the cantor only.

Saturday 9th January THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD. FEAST.

  NO MASS

Sunday 10th January

  mass said in private: Annie & Albert Powell R.I.P.

Repository usually open in porch, with items available from St. Elizabeth’s convent, Belarus.

Monday 11th January feria

  mass said in private: Ferdie Rodrigues R.I.P.

Tuesday 12th January St. Aelred of Rievaulx, abbot.

  mass said in private: Josephine Glennon R.I.P.

Wednesday 13th January feria

  mass said in private: Antoinette Alvares R.I.P.)

Thursday 14th January feria

  mass said in private: Chalko & Theresa, beloved parents. R.I.P.

Friday 15th January The Most Holy Name of Jesus (votive mass)

  mass said in private: Philomena Sheahan R.I.P.

Saturday 16th January Our Lady’s Saturday

  mass said in private: Philomena Bolger R.I.P.

January prayer:

O sweet Name of Jesus, holy above all names in heaven and on earth, and to which every knee, both of men and of angels in heaven, on earth and in hell bends. You are the way of the just, the glory of the saints, the hope of those in need, the balm of the sick, the love of the devout and the consolation of those that suffer.

O, Jesus be to me a help and a protector so that your Name may be blessed for all times. Amen. (Thomas a Kempis:Manualis Parvulorum XIII)

Until next time, may God keep you in safety and peace,