ST JOHN VIANNEY CHURCH

West Green
4 Vincent Road, London N15 3QH
Parish Office Tel No: 020-8888-5518
E-mail: westgreen@rcdow.org.uk
Facebook: West Green - St John Vianney Church
Our website: http://stjohnvianneywestgreen.co.uk/
(SJV Parish Centre 020-8888-5518)

13th/14th August 2016

Dear Parishioners,

20th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

There is a charming legend about how St. Thomas Aquinas came to

believe that Our Lady had indeed been assumed into heaven. He was
experiencing some doubts about this and made a bold decision to ask
Mary directly about it in prayer. He told Our Lady that he could believe
her soul was in heaven but was struggling with the thought of her body
being there also. Moments later he felt a piece of cloth strike him from
above and then fall to the floor; when he picked it up, he realized it was a
lady's belt. "How now?" he asked Our Lady. She replied, "If I had no
body in heaven, would I need a belt for my dress?"
The first thing I like about this story is Thomas' honesty about speaking
directly to Mary, and through her to Our Lord himself, about his doubts. Frequently I run into
people who are in agony about their faith questions because they are afraid God will rebuke
them if they bring them up. Another Thomas, the Apostle, was also bold enough to voice his
doubts and was rewarded with the consolation of more faith. We can expect the same result
if he own up to our own questions. Today's feast is an invitation not to try to hide our doubts
from God, who already knows of them anyway and understands our frailty.
The second thing I like about this legend is the wisdom beneath the surface humour of the
anecdote about Mary's belt. What it points to is that there will be an element of basic
continuity between our life on earth and our life in heaven. While some things will be very
different, some things will be very much the same. The love we live on this earth will be
completed in heaven, and we will be united in a new and now sinless way with the
relationships we had in this life.
Mary's loving relationship with her Son never falters and that is why we believe she is already
perfectly united in love with him. It is a sign of hope for us as we continue to journey toward
the same destiny.
We don't have an explicit Scriptural passage about the Assumption but artists have sought to
make up for that omission with beautiful depictions over the centuries. These almost always
shown her being borne into heaven by angels. This is an interesting statement because
angels, by definition, have no bodies themselves. That they should be called to lead humans
like Mary into heaven in their bodies is a statement about our human dignity. God made
himself human, and Jesus was born from Mary's own body. The angels bow before this
mystery of the Incarnation. God has put heaven itself at the service of humanity!
So, then, let us now serve one another joyfully on this great feast of how lucky we are to be
human!
Peace,
Fr. Tom

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY IN

LAST SUNDAYS COLLECTION
CATECHETICAL PROGRAMMES
All the activities take place in the Parish
Hall. Any enquiries please contact
Sr. Monica
THE CELEBRATION OF BAPTISM
If you would like to have your child baptised
on the 10th September 2016 or later, the
next sessions will be on Monday, 5th
September & 26th September 16. Please
contact the Parish Office to book your place
on the course.
REGISTRATION FOR
FIRST COMMUNION PROGRAMME
2016/2017:
If your child is in Primary School
Year 3 (or above) in September 2016 and
you wish to enrol in next years First
Communion Programme.
Please fill in the registration form now
available at the back of the church and
return to the Parish Office 4 Vincent Road
N15, no later than 21st August 2016.
(To date 36 applications)
CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME
2016/2017:
We wish to draw up the list for next years
Confirmation Programme.
If you are in Year 10 in
September or above and wish to make
your Confirmation next year. Please fill in
the registration form now available at the
back of the church and return to the Parish
Office 4 Vincent Road N15, no later than
21st August 2016
(To date 11 applications)
For the First Communion and
Confirmation Programmes
To qualify for registration,
St John Vianney, West Green MUST BE
YOUR REGULAR PLACE OF WORSHIP.
If you attend Mass in another Parish on a
Sunday then that is the parish you should
register your child

REGISTRATION 2016/2017
For SATURDAY MORNING RELIGIOUS
INSTRUCTION
Classes for Children attending State
Schools
If you wish to enrol your child / children for
the 2016/2017 Programme in preparation
for
1) Pre- Communion (age 6-7);
2) First Communion (age 8 and above);
3) Post Communion (for children already
completed their First Communion
Programme.
Please take a REGISTRATION FORM from
the BLACK FOLDER on the shelf at the
BACK of the CHURCH - fill it in, attach
copies of Birth and Baptism Certificates of
the child and return as soon as possible to
the Parish Office, 4 Vincent Road.
(To date 2 applications)
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR
ADULTS (RCIA):
If you are interested in preparing for your
First Communion, Confirmation or exploring
your faith, please complete an application
form available at the back of the church and
make contact with Sr. Monica at the Parish
Office. The programme will start in
September 2016.
YEAR OF MERCY:
YEAR OF MERCY FORMATION on Saturday
13th August after our 6pm Mass at 6:45pm
and on Sunday or14th August from 10am to
10:45 in the Church.
ONE-HOUR ADORATION FOR THE YEAR OF
MERCY on Wednesday 24th August from
7-8pm in the Verbum Dei Spirituality
Centre
PARISH OUTREACH SOUP RUN:
The next Soup Run at 5pm on
Saturday 20th August 2016 Group B

'THE LIVE SIMPLY GROUP

Invite you for a walk in Downhills Park
today, Sunday 14th August in solidarity with
the poor. Meet in the churchyard after 11.00
Mass'
PRAY FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOUL OF:
The late Mary Griffin, RIP
who died on Wednesday 3rd August.
Her Funeral Mass will take place here at St
John Vianney,
on Tuesday 30th August 2016 at 9.15am.
Followed by committal
at New Southgate Crematorium.
We keep her families in our prayers.
May they rest in peace.
FR JOE 70th BIRTHDAY
In our parish we will celebrate
Fr Joes 70th Birthday
on Sunday 11th September
at the 11am Mass.
His wish is, that many of our parishioners
who are also celebrating a significant
event (birthday/wedding anniversary etc)
this year will join him.
Please complete the form available at the
back of the church and hand in to the
parish office.
PARISH / FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES:
TEAS /COFFEE
In the parish hall after (Sun.) 9am and 11am
Masses
TANDEM SKYDIVE
To date the total sponsorship
has reached 4,788.05
pledged in the parish and through
justgiving.
Please contact Mariantha or Germaine to
pay your pledged amount.
Many thanks for your support.
MASS FOR VOLUNTEERS
in Westminster Cathedral at 2pm on
Saturday 10 September 2016. Principal
Celebrant: His Eminence Cardinal Vincent
Nichols. All volunteers welcome

PARISH PILGRIMAGE
PILGRIMAGE TO THE SHRINE OF ST JUDE,
FAVERSHAM
on Saturday 22nd October 2016.
Coach leaves at 10am. Cost 15 per person.
Tickets are available from
Mariantha 0208 352 3405 and
Germaine 07711582620.
CARITAS SOCIAL ACTION NETWORK
(CSAN) is hosting its first ever
Ageing in an Inclusive Society Seminar
on 7th September 2016 at 10:00-16:00. This
event is open to academics, professionals,
volunteers, carers, family members and
anyone that is interested in improving the
lives of older people. To view the full agenda
and to register visit http://www.csan.org.uk/events
NATIONAL MASS FOR ALTAR SERVERS
In Westminster Cathedral
at 2.30pm on Saturday 17th September
2016.
Servers should bring their vestments to the
Cathedral Hall, Ambrosden Avenue
(entrance by the rear door) and be ready to
process into the Cathedral by 2.00pm
Organised by the Archconfraternity of St
Stephen on behalf of His Eminence Cardinal
Vincent Nichols. It is hoped that servers may
take the opportunity to follow the Way of
Mercy either before or after the Mass See
the Guild website nearer the time for details
www.guildofststephen. org
OTHER PILGRIMAGES
BLESSED TANSI PILGRIMAGE AT MOUNT
ST BERNARD ABBEY
on Saturday 27th August. London Coach
fare: Adult 15, Child - 7. Contact Mr G
Amadi on 07956552327 or see poster on
the noticeboard for further information
TO WALSINGHAM on Monday 29th
August. Coach leaves St Monicas at
8.00am. Price 15. Contact Bridget on 0208
886 8699 for further information.

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON
A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed
with the sun, and the moon beneath her feet,
and on her head a crown of twelve stars
First Reading: Apocalypse 11: 19; 12: 1-6. 10
Responsorial Psalm:
Psalm 44
On your right stands the queen in garments of
gold.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15: 20-26
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
Mary has been taken up into heaven; all the choirs
of angels rejoicing.
Alleluia!
Gospel

Luke 1: 39-56

THIS WEEK WE PRAY FOR

The repose of the soul:
Dympna Ryan
Ann Whelan
Olive Whelan
Sheila Campbell
Mary Griffin
Elizabeth McEvoy
Mary Patricia Bailey
RIP
RIP Anniversaries
Thomas Breen
Eric Brown
Elina & David Dwarika
Josephine Okelue Aligbe
Special Intentions:
Sr Kathleen Connolly
Geppina Mansi

Communion Antiphon:
All generations will call me blessed, for he who is
mighty has done great things for me.

Birthday
Pauline Mooney
Jocelyn Luxon
Eileen Fox
Jack Foley
Eileen Morgan (Birthday Remembrance)

MASS & SERVICE TIMES

Wedding Anniversary
Phil & Margaret Murphie

Mass 9:15am
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,
Friday, Saturday
(Sat.) 6pm;
Sunday: 9:00am and 11:00am
Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Saturday: from 9:45 am 10:15am

PARISH TEAM
Fr. Joe Ryan, Parish Priest
Sr. Clara Segui, Parish Sister (on sabbatical)
Germaine Ng Ying, Parish Adm/Secretary
In Residence: Fr Tom Murphy, SJ

For the sick and those in our parish

especially:
Ann Commins, Anne OBrien, Betty Kennedy,
Bridget Mitchell, Boniface Pinto, Greta Lettice,
Joan Fachtna OCallaghan John ORouke,
Margaret Kennedy, Maria DSouza, Mary,
Catherine & John OSullivan, Nellie OShea,
Nialda & Angelo Cattina, Pantaleone Mansi, Pat
Phelan, Rita Miller (speedy recovery), May
Hempenstall, Rita Mongelard, Sheila Courtney,
Timothy OConnor, Yvonne Joseph
Names not listed above, are listed
in our Book of Intentions.

PARISH OFFICE HOURS

Tues to Fri 10am-12noon, 1pm-4pm
To make an appointment
Phone: 0208 888 5518 or email
westgreen@rcdow.org.uk

We cannot guarantee to have anyone available outside

of these hours.