Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

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What really matters? Dear parishioners and friends, Our life in faith is a constant journey of personal renewal. As we heard in the words of St Paul 'We have been called and chosen to be living image of Christ'. The Greek word for image is ikone from which the English word icon derives. To be a living icon of Christ. This is our call, in a nutshell. This may seem quite obvious for a priest who is called to reflect the person of Christ in his words and actions. Well, the truth is that every Christian is called to do the same. To be a Christian is to be a bearer of Christ. Therefore, as with Solomon, God also ask us 'What would you like me to give to you?' 'What is it that really matters to you?' or like the Spice Girls would say 'Yo, I'll tell you want I want, what I really really want. So, tell me what you want, what you really, really, want.' And so often what we want defines the way in which we live our life. If we want pleasure we will live our lives striving to get more and more pleasure. If we want success, we will work hard and put our heads down to reach the best spot. If we aim to be healthy, we will spend more time going to the gym. Nowadays, there are more people going to the gym than going to the church. So, what is that we are seeking? What is your precious pearl? Or maybe we constantly experience that what we consider as important and precious soon becomes secondary and swiftly passes away. Christ promises us eternal life, eternal happiness, something that never fades nor withers away. He is the eternal wisdom promised by the Father. Our life is so precious in his sight that he doesn't wish that we waste it on what is worthless and can't satisfy us. He has come so that we may have life, life to the full. But like Solomon in order to get it, we have to recognise that despite the fact that we know what we want, we don't really know what we need. When we realize and accept this we are already starting to look in the right direction. If you are travelling we pray you may have a safe and restful time.  Mgr Jim & Fr Marco Summer Mass Schedule There will be no e- parish newsletter during August, and the website will be regularly updated.  Summer Sunday Mass schedule:  Weekday Mass Mon– Fri 10 am  6 pm Saturday  Vigil Mass Sunday  9 am 10.30 am & 12noon. No 6 pm in August.  During August, a mass will be available at 6 pm on Sundays at the Carmelite Church, 41 Kensington Church Street, W8 4BB.   Registration for the Sacraments of First Confession and First Holy Communion. Parents of children who will be in Year 3 in a Catholic School in September, and who REGULARLY attend Mass here in our parish, should contact Sr Maureen McNamara for registration. A copy of their child’s Baptism Certificate will be required.  Children attending non-Catholic schools join a pre-Sacramental class for a year when they are in Year 2 prior to the year when they will be part of the First Communion programme (Year 3). These families must also be parishioners attending Mass here regularly.  Registration contact is Sister Maureen McNamara, at maureenmcnamara@talktalk.net and a copy of the Baptism Certificate is also required. OLOV Young Adults meeting after 6 pm mass on Sunday 30th July We are excited to announce another young adult event happening next Sunday the 30th of July!   If you are interested in attending, meet us outside after the 6 pm mass (around 7 pm), and we will move towards the Handsome Cap Pub shortly after, located a short 5-10 min walk away. Alternatively, join us at the pub for a cold drink and a chat.  This event is aimed at people in their 20s and 30s and aims to build a community in the parish. We are looking forward to seeing you this Sunday!  If there are any questions, please send us an email at: christian.partik@gmail.com or call Christian at 07494649448 or Nikita at 07555513494. Best Wishes, Christian and Nikita Young Married Couples Group Are you a young married couple seeking to build friendships and desiring to connect with other young married couples? Well, a young married couples group is present in our parish. The purpose of the group is to offer support and foster friendship and connection among the many young married couples present in our parish. The ideal age range of the group is under 40. The group meets every month to socialize and foster communion and support. Among the different activities offered are meals together, trips out, games nights and social exercises. If you’re interested in attending, please email Steve and Annie Caprio at annieandstevecaprio@gmail.com  WYD celebration in London on 5th August For all young people who for whatever reason would not be able to go to the World Youth Day in Lisbon, we invite you to join the WYD in London. A day celebration in Central London on Saturday 5th August 2023 from 11 am-5 pm in the church of Notre Dame de France in Leicester Square.  It will be a day of prayer, talks, music, activities and mass, bringing together a young community of different nationalities in one faith! Please fill in the form available by clicking on the button below to register yourself (or your group) for the day. We will be in touch with further information in due course. If you have any questions, please contact tramy@assumptionreligious.org or 07541967287.  WYD London Registration Form Pauline Books and Media The Sisters of the Pauline run their shop in the repository at Our Lady of Victories Church from Tuesday to Friday and Sunday from 9 am to 1 pm. The contact number is 07561456074.  OLOV LATEST NEWS GIFT AID DONATIONS:   Dear Parishioners:   We have worked with our colleagues in the Parish Support Team towards procedures for processing the Gift Aid from contactless donations through the Dona provider. When signing a Gift Aid declaration on the device, you will also be asked if you would like your previous contactless donations to be Gift Aided.  Further, as entering a Gift Aid declaration on the device can take a couple of minutes, we want to help reduce the amount of time you may spend on the device, and reduce the queue for it. Leaflets have been created and placed at the back of the church and on the notice board. These contain a QR code that will enable you to use your smartphone to make your Gift Aid declaration. You can also access the Dona portal and leave your donation by simply scanning the underneath QR code: You can also donate securely by debit or credit card by clicking on the button created at the section end.   WEEKLY MASS SCHEDULE:   Monday to Friday - 10.00 am Saturday - 6.00 pm Sunday - 9.00 am, 10.30 am, 12.00 pm and 6.00 pm.    ALL OUR MASSES WILL BE LIVE-STREAMED FROM OUR WEBSITE.    EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Each Wednesday, soon after mass, there will be the possibility to spend some time in prayer in front of the most blessed sacrament, immediately after mass. During that time a priest will be available to hear your confession. Adoration will finish at noon with the prayer of the Angelus.  Confessions are also available every Saturday from 5 pm to 5.45 pm. BLESSING OF HOUSES:   For anyone who would like to have the house blessed, Fr Marco we will available to arrange it. Please send an email to marcosalvagnini@rcdow.org.uk   Please do keep an eye on the website: www.ourladyofvictories.net which will be updated weekly. To all who are travelling at this time, stay safe and travel well.   Mgr Jim Curry & Fr Marco Salvagnini   Our Lady of Victories 16 Abingdon Road London W8 6AF 020 7937 4778  kensington1@rcdow.org.uk