A message from the Parish Priest Fr Philip Barnes
Dear Friends,
November is a month for Remembrance. We begin this Sunday with the glorious festival of All Saints, as we recall that great company of the saints in every age who provide a witness to Jesus in their lives. It’s a great feast of light, for their lives are ‘luminous’ with God’s presence, and as we celebrate Mass on Sunday we delight in their fellowship and ask a share of their prayers.
The link for those joining on-line at 11am this Sunday will be:
I also need to make an apology, I have incorrectly advertised the Vespers for All Saints at St Matthew’s Church, Sinclair Road. It takes place at 5pm on Saturday 31 October – not as advertised on the Sunday Notice Sheet.
Following on from the celebration of all the saints we turn to the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed, and Monday 2 November is All Souls’ Day. Just as we are part of one great company with the saints, so, in Christ we believe we are still connected to those who have gone before us. The bonds of love and prayer that we shared together on earth are unbroken by death, and we offer Mass for our departed loved ones confident that God holds us in death as in life.
If you would like a loved one prayed for at Mass here on All Souls’ Day please sign their names on the list at the back of church or email them to me at frphilipbarnes@btinternet.com Join us in church at 12.30pm for the Requiem Mass, or via the live stream at:
Sunday 8 November is, of course, Remembrance Sunday. I’m pleased to say that you will be able to purchase a poppy to support the work of the Royal British Legion from St Stephen’s, and these will be available this Sunday at the back of church. My thanks to Sue Michelmore for arranging this.
We will gather at 10.50am on Remembrance Sunday, and the Sung Mass, which is offered in commemoration of the sacrifice and service of those who fell in the great conflicts of recent times, follows the Act of Remembrance at our War Memorial.
Lastly, a huge thank you to our newly elected parish officers! At the APCM on Sunday Patrick Rodier and Ross Egerton were re-elected as Churchwardens, and David Colville, Anthony Gardner, Iain Hunter, Sue Michelmore, Minette Moss and Elizabeth Olunloyo were elected to serve on the PCC. Please offer a prayer for our ‘Dream Team’ as they begin their term of office!
I hope this finds you all well and thriving, and not too disheartened by dismal autumnal weather!
With very best wishes and the assurance of my love and prayers,
Fr Philip
020 7937 4263
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