25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

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25th Sunday in Ordinary Time If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all. Dear Parishioners dear Friends, Having grown up in a large family, I can say that I felt many times the desire to be first. Especially, because I was not the eldest one in my family, but the third of nine siblings. Therefore, being nearly in the middle, I strived to push my way through to the top spot. In doing so, I thought that I would have managed to get my parents' attention. In fact, it's only the first one that gets the award in races. The second is simply the first of the losers. Nevertheless, despite the fact that I have always pushed myself hard to conquer that seemingly precious place, I found out that there was always something missing in my life that was preventing me from being happy with myself. In fact, each time my weaknesses emerged that seeming failure was such a great defeat for me to accept.  That's why the message of this Sunday's gospel is quite revolutionary. Indeed, how can you be happy to take the last place? You can be able to do so only if you have begun to experience that God loves you of a love that is personal, unique and unconditional. Discovering that He loves us as we are and not for the kind of persons we would like to be. The more we let God's love penetrate our life, the more we will experience freedom and therefore be able to serve others even to such a great extent. This is what being a disciple of Christ implies. As He who has come to serve and not to be served, so as his followers, we are called to do the same.      Fr Marco   For news and prayer list for the sick and our deceased go to the notice board section of our website.    Latest News   Fr Marco Salvagnini We welcome Fr Marco Salvagnini our new assistant priest. Fr Marco was ordained on June 26 and this is his first appointment as a priest. I know you will give him a warm welcome. Parish Covid  protocols  update : Following advice and consultation with various diocesan and health authorities, we have decided that from next weekend it will not be necessary to sign in for Sunday or weekday Mass. We will keep some seats for those who wish to practice social distance.  If you suspect you have Covid stay at home and join us online. If are not vaccinated you might consider doing the same.    Face coverings/ Masks stay. Best practice suggests that face coverings masks should be retained. The reason for this is that we are spending more than 15 minutes in an enclosed space. We have good ventilation, but as an expression of our concern for others and in particular the most vulnerable face coverings will be retained.  Those who are not wearing a face covering may like to sit together. We will review the protocols we use in line with public health guidance. We are all asked to be socially responsible. I know you will understand the good example we as a community are called to give to each other and the wider community.   Congregational singing with a mask is allowed.    Secondary Transfer: Certificate of Catholic Practice. If you need a CCP please phone the parish office to make an appointment to see Mgr Jim. Help for the Afghan Refugees: There are 670 refugees being placed in 3 hotels in Kensington and Chelsea. We do not know how many are children. St Luke's Church, Redcliffe Gardens,SW10 9HF is hosting  a clothes distribution in the garden around their church on Saturday 18 September. The list of items that have been requested is at the back of the Church. Donations should be delivered on the day to St Luke's Church divided into their sections so that they can be easily placed. We regret we cannot accept any donations at the moment. They are also looking for volunteers and if anyone speaks Pashto, Dari, Farsi. With the assurance of our prayer and every blessing, Mgr Jim & Fr Marco   Mass times during the Weekend: Saturday Vigil 6.00pm Sunday 9.00 am 10.30 am  12.00 am 6.00 pm Welcome to the Season of Creation! For many years Christians have celebrated the Season of Creation from the 1st of September to the 4th of October. Pope Francis states that the Season of Creation "is a season of increased prayer and effort on behalf of our common home". During this time there will be a series of events:    1. Our diocesan Justice and Peace Commission is inviting you to record a short three-minute video in the coming four weeks to showcase how you look after nature in any way you wish - film or pictures of your grounds, flower arrangements, pot-plants or noticeboards, talking heads or interviews, music, drama, dance or animation!   The deadline for submissions is 1st October 2021 and there are prizes of garden centre vouchers on offer. Visit the Justice & Peace website for more details and to see last year's winning videos:   https://westminsterjusticeandpeace.org/season-of-creation-video-competition/    https://westminsterjusticeandpeace.org/   2. A talk and presentation. 5th October  7.30pm- 8.30pm Mum, Dad ,what did you do to stop the Great Warming . An online  workshop and presentation.   How investing in the future is destroying the planet and What to do about it. with Dr David Ko and Richard Busellato. Scan the QR Code to register on Eventbrite [email protected] https://seasonofcreation.org/ Our Lady of Victories 16 Abingdon Road London W8 6AF 020 7937 4778  [email protected]