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)

1st /2nd April 2017 5th Sunday of Lent Year A

Dear Parishioners,
Quite often when I have conversations with people about God or faith, I come across the
questions: If God exist, why are there so many bad things in this world? If God loves
me, why is there so much suffering in my life? If God is all powerful, why didnt he stop
all the terrible wars and disasters? They are deep existential questions that are not easy to
answer, and are often the main reason for people to not believe in God or for losing faith.
In todays gospel, we come across a similar mystery. Jesus loved Lazarus it was
mentioned three times in the reading, emphasising the importance and truth of this love:
Jesus REALLY cared about Lazarus. And yet, he didnt heal Lazarus of his illness. He
didnt rush to go to him, and stayed where he was for two more days. Lazarus died and
Jesus wept: because death IS a sad and painful reality, and Jesus experienced this for
real and truly knew the depth of grief. Jesus loved, with a love that doesnt manifest itself
by solving all the problems or avoiding pain, but embraces it all.
But there is another reality that is stronger than death: that of Life or, better still, Eternal
Life. And here we begin to see Jesus actions and words under a different light. Jesus truly
wept and experienced sadness, but he did not despair. He knew that Lazarus is not truly
dead, and that even though he dies, he will live and I suspect he was not only referring
to the fact that he was about to bring him back to life there and then. Indeed, this is true not
only for Lazarus, but for all those who have faith. As he said to Martha, Whoever lives
and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?
Do I believe this? Do we really believe in Eternal
Life, and that death is not the end? This is a call to
a faith that will change how we live completely.
It has the power to transform every aspect of our
lives: how we deal with sickness and death (others
and our own); how we love the people around us;
what we do with our lives and understanding the
purpose of it; how to set priorities; etc. When we
live in the reality of Eternal Life, it enables us to
live with peace and hope, and to have the courage and strength to love to the end.

Perhaps, Gods way of answering our existential questions is by asking us a question in return:
If you believe in me, even though you die you will live... do you believe this?

God bless, Sr. Devy

 THANK YOU FOR YOUR
GENEROSITY IN LAST SUNDAYS
COLLECTIONS
CATECHETICAL PROGRAMMES
All the activities take place in the Parish
Hall. Any enquiries please contact
Sr. Devy on 07403 784463
RCIA - RITE OF CHRISTIAN
INITIATION OF ADULTS:
Let us continue to pray for our Candidates
during their journey of faith.
The Candidates will attend
Sacrament of Reconciliation at 7.30pm
on Friday 7th April in the Church
Next session: Sat. 8th April from
4.00-5.45pm in the Parish Hall,
followed by Mass at 6pm.
THE CELEBRATION OF BAPTISM
If you would like to have your child
baptised on the 8th April 17 or later, the
next sessions will be on Monday, 3rd &
24th April 17. Please contact the Parish
Office to book your place on the course.
SATURDAY MORNING RELIGIOUS
INSTRUCTION
Next Session: 22nd April, 10am-11.15am
followed by Mass on Sunday 23rd April
at 11am.
CHANGE IN THE PROGRAMME:
The Religious Instruction programme
for 2017-2018 will be held on
SUNDAYS 9.30am - 10.45am.
FIRST COMMUNION PROGRAMME
Theme 8 - Sat. 22nd April, 10am,
in the Hume Hall
Leaders Meeting: Sat. 22nd April
(after session) in the Hume Hall
Church 11am Mass - Sunday 23rd.
CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME
Theme 8 - Sat. 22nd April, from 3.30pm
in the Hume Hall, followed by 6pm Mass.
ALPHA YOUTH GROUP
All Catholics, Christians, and non-
Christians, aged 13-18, are invited for
music, food, games, & discussion on
life/faith, last session on Monday 3rd April
from 7pm - 9pm in the parish hall.
Cost: Free. Donations: welcome.
EPIC: A JOURNEY THROUGH
CHURCH HISTORY
Join us either on Tuesdays (7.30-9.00pm)
or Wednesdays (10.00-11.30am) in the
Jubilee Hall. Next Sessions:
Weak Leaders and Schism Part I
on 18th and 19th April 2017.
LENT: ACTIVITIES
PARISH RETREAT: will
take place today, Sunday 2nd
April from 12.30-2.30pm in
the Parish Hall. Please sign
the list at the back of the church to indicate
whether you will be attending. Thank you.
CHILDREN REHEARSAL FOR GOOD
FRIDAY STATION ON THE CROSS:
Sunday, 2nd & 9th April after 11am Mass.
Please contact Martha
PASSOVER MEAL:
Will take place on Wednesday 5thApril at
7pm in the Parish Hall.
Tickets are available from Mariantha and
Germaine.
PENITENTIAL SERVICES IN THE
DEARNERY OF HARINGEY
Our Lady of Muswell, Muswell Hill:
Wed. 5th April, 7.30pm
St John Vianney, West Green:
Friday 7th April, 7:30pm
St Peter-in-Chains, Stroud Green:
Mon. 10th April, 7:30pm
St Ignatius, Stamford Hill:
Tues 11th April, 7.30pm
 SURGERY HOURS DROP-IN PARISH PLANNING GIVING & GIFT
TIMES AID OFFERTORY ENVELOPES for
As a parish team, we want to be available to 2017-2018 ARE AVAILABLE FOR
meet the pastoral needs of all parishioners COLLECTION.
in St John Vianney Church as much as we
can. Complementing the existing office We thank all those who support our parish
hours and our general availability, we through the weekly offertory envelopes and
would like to offer the following drop-in Standing Orders. Today and over the next 3
times weekends a member of the Finance
Committee will be available to sign up any
Tue 3.30-4.30pm Fr Joe 4 Vincent
parishioners who wish to make their
6.30-7.30pm Road
contribution by standing order and new
Wed 10.30am- Fr 4 Vincent parishioners who wish to sign up for
11.30pm Damian Road envelopes.
3.30pm 4aVincent If you are using envelopes and not on Gift
Sr Devy
4.30pm Road Aid please consider putting your offertory
Thu 11.30am- in Gift Aid.
Sr Devy 4a
12.30pm If you pay UK tax you can join the Gift Aid
Vincent Scheme and the Church as a registered
6.30pm Sr Road
7.30pm Catherine charity, will claim the tax back on your
offertory contributions increasing this gift
FUN-D-RAISING EVENTS by 25p for each 1 given, if your annual
TEAS /COFFEE income tax is more that the tax we will
In the Parish Hall after (Sun.) 9am and reclaim. Over the past few years several
11am Masses parishioners did not collect their box of
The next envelopes.
ST. JOHN VIANNEY FILM NIGHT If you no longer pay tax please contact
Showing The Miracles of Our Lady of Germaine. Thank You!
Fatima will take place on Thursday LIVE SIMPLY MEETING
20th April at 5pm in the Parish Hall. Sunday 9th April from 10am 11.50am in
Watch this space! the Parish hall.
PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA CARDINAL LENT APPEAL
Fr Damian will be leading St. Peters For those who wish to contribute to the
Catholic Church, Hatfield, Herts on a Cardinals Appeal Lenten Alms. Please use
pilgrimage to Fatima from Saturday 21st the envelopes provided.
October to Thursday 26th October.
If you would like to come, please speak to FOLK MASS WORKSHOP at St.
Fr Damian for an itinerary, and a booking Mellitus Catholic Church on Saturday
form. 29th April from 2- 4 pm. An opportunity
Price: 699 per person. Deposit of to learn a number of new hymns that may
200.00. Places are limited and on a first- not be found in the regular hymn books,
come, first-served basis. and scripture based specially for folk Mass.
For more information contact, Cecil by
PARISH OUTREACH SOUP RUN
calling, 07588 110 038 or email,
The next Soup Run on 8th April 2017
ccssquared@hotmail.
Group A
 Entrance Antiphon THIS WEEK WE PRAY FOR
Give me justice, O God,
and plead my cause against a nation that is The repose of the soul:
faithless. From the deceitful and cunning Margaret Toher
rescue me, for you, O God, are my (mother of Kathy OBrien)
strength. Satesh Latchman
Chantal Barton
First reading
Kieran Mulkere
Ezekiel 37:12-14
Kathleen Kelleher
Psalm 129: 1-8 Cornelius Kelleher
With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of Mary Kelleher
redemption. John Kelleher
Bharti Devi Oza
Second reading RIP
Romans 8:8-11
Gospel Acclamation
RIP Anniversary:
Glory and praise to you, O Christ! Vincent Danker
I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord;
whoever believes in me will never die. Special Intentions:
Glory and praise to you, O Christ! Kathy Obrien & Family
Jatan Oza & Family
Gospel
John 11:1-45 Birthday
Sean P Ng Ying
Communion Antiphon Daphne Phillips (Birthday Remembrance)
Everyone who lives and believes in me John Kennedy (Birthday Remembrance)
will not die for ever, says the Lord.
MASS & SERVICE TIMES For the sick and those in our parish
Frank Fox, Helen Shine,
Mass 9:15am
Joan OCallaghan, John & Kathy
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,
Friday, Saturday
ORouke, Nellie OShea, Sherry Arul,
Pauline & John Mooney, Rita Mongelard,
(Sat.) 6pm; Sarah Namagambe, Val Eaves,
Sunday: 9:00am and 11:00am Yvonne Joseph,

Sacrament of Reconciliation: NAMES NOT LISTED ABOVE,

ARE LISTED
Penitential Service on Friday at 7.30pm IN OUR BOOK OF INTENTIONS.
Saturday: from 9:45 am 10:15am

PARISH OFFICE HOURS

PARISH TEAM Tues to Fri 10am-12noon, 1pm-4pm
Fr. Joe Ryan, Parish Priest
Fr Damian Ryan, Assistant Priest To make an appointment
Sr. Devy Pranadjaja, Parish Sister Phone: 0208 888 5518 or email
Germaine Ng Ying, Parish Adm/Secretary westgreen@rcdow.org.uk
We cannot guarantee to have anyone available outside
of these hours.