Feast of Christ the King Year A

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A Kingdom among the ruins: Matthew 25:31-46 Dear parishioners and friends, Sir Ridley Scott’s new block buster film Napoleon, has, as expected, caused much comment. In the great  sweep of history empires come and go. Kingdoms and republics rise and fall. The frontiers written into treaties and the sand change and lives are constantly shaped by famous men and women. This is history viewed from the top down. Sundays gospel invites us to view the world from another perspective.   History happens in the lives of people. In our kindness and neglect. The presence of Jesus is hidden among the poor, the vulnerable, where their needs are recognised, Jesus is acknowledged. The blessed, in the gospel, are praised for the smallest actions-and they are all actions not attitudes-to those who experience simple human needs.   Here we find no stories of conquest, no great trials ,or marvellous triumphs over disaster. The requirements are simple. And those who are blessed are not conscious of having done anything special in their  service to Jesus. They have simply  responded  with mercy to those in need …“when did we see you?”  They ask. The answer? when you do or fail to do this  to one of the least of these sisters or brothers of mine. Those who are cursed  fail to respond to the simplest human need. The shared problem of the blessed and cursed  is  when did we see you? The Gospel challenges us to see the broken body of Christ in each other. To build a different Kingdom among  the ruins of the Empires we create . Mgr Jim Welcome Knights and Dames of EOHSJ Next weekend we welcome Knights and Dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem to our noon Mass. The Order will have celebrated their autumn investiture weekend which includes a visit to a local parish for Sunday Mass. The Order under the Popes express mandate supports the social welfare, educational and pastoral work of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, who has the care of the Catholics in  Israel, the Palestinian territories, Gaza, Jordan and Cyprus. To learn more about the work of the EOHSJ go to: www.eohsj.or.uk 30th November and 1st December Next week due to BBC recording, the Church will be closed after 10.00am Mass on Thursday 30th November and will be closed all day on Friday 1st December. Please note Mass on Friday 1st will be held in the Parish Centre at 10.00am. Sunday 3rd December Next Sunday will be the First Sunday of Advent.  Advent Retreat for Young Adults (18-30s) with the Assumption Sisters on Sunday 3rd December 2023 in Kensington. Young people are invited for a day retreat to prepare spiritually for Christmas, with reflections, prayer, adoration, and confessions. Venue: Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St Simon Stock, London W8 4BB. Timings: Mass at 12.15pm, Lunch at 1pm, Retreat from 2pm-5.30pm. Donations only. Register: [email protected] The Friends of Westminster Cathedral Big Give Campaign Westminster Cathedral the mother Church of our diocese has improved the lighting of its main sanctuary. The previous aged and inefficient system had to be replaced as spare parts were no longer available. The improved lighting is of great benefit on major occasions particularly if they are being broadcast or live streamed. The improvements are being funded by the Friends of Westminster Cathedral. They are asking for our help by supporting their Big Give Campaign with online donations.  For donations made from 12.00 noon on Tuesday 28 November and before 12.00 noon on Tuesday 5 December every £1 given is worth £2 with matched funding and £2.25 if you can tick the Gift Aid box.  The link to the donation site is https://bit.ly/FriendsBG23 Mary’s Meals Mary's meals are very grateful for your generosity. A total of £4455 was raised. News from the Holy Land and the Holy Family Parish In Gaza Pope Francis continues to call the Parish Priest of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza every day. Please keep our brothers and sisters in your prayers. For further information, please see: www.vatican.va   Friends of the Holy Land Christmas Appeal: Light your candle with a donation today at www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/christmas For updates, prayer resources and news from the Christian communities in Israel-Palestine and Gaza go to:  www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/Blogs/holy-land-update  and we have a prayer page to provide inspiration for prayer www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/Blogs/holy-land-conflict/reflections-and-prayers-for-peace Friends of the Holy Land a Christmas Concert Helping Christians in Need Thursday 14th December 2023     7.30pm Featuring The London Welsh Male Voice Choir   Guest Soloists Margaret Keys & Anthony Stuart Lloyd at Our Lady of Victories Church  235a Kensington High Street London W8 6SA   Tickets through Eventbrite: search for FHL Christmas Concert Info at: https://www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/Event/christmas-concert-2023 Gospel Power Pauline Books and Media have in stock Gospel Power an invaluable little book to enrich our reading of God’s word in the daily Gospel throughout the liturgical year. For more information: see the Sisters in the shop at the back of the Church. PACT Annual Advent Carol Service Tuesday 5th December 7pm at Our Lady of Victories. Free Admission. Everyone welcome.   Christmas is a tough time to have a family member in prison. Pact has been supporting people in prison and their children and families for 125 years. This event will take place at 7pm on Tuesday 5th December 2023 and you are warmly invited to join us. The Rt Revd Richard Moth, Liaison Bishop for Prisons, will be presiding at the service. One of Britain's best-loved poets, Roger McGough, will be reading his poetry at the Carol Service. With the choir of Sacred Heart High School, Hammersmith. After the service there will be a collection for Pact’s work with prisoners and their families.  Stay for refreshments in the Hall downstairs. We look forward to meeting you in person and continuing the conversation. There is full disabled access for this event. To register and for further information contact: [email protected] See poster here. 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 [email protected]. You can also join our Whatsapp group using the QR code below: Young Adult Group This is a group for people in their 20s and 30s and aims to build a community in the parish. More events will be coming soon. If there are any questions, please send us an email at: [email protected] or join our WhatsApp group using the QR code:  Welcome to all our Parishioners If you are new to the parish, please come and say hello and complete the new parishioner registration form which can be found on our website:  https://www.ourladyofvictories.net/parish-registrationfinancial-support.html Here you can also find further information on all our parish activities. Leaving a Legacy In the last year, the parish has received a number of legacies from parishioners who have remembered the work of the parish in their wills. Please pray for the repose of the souls of those parishioners. They will be remembered in our annual donors Mass. Please consider remembering the parish in your will. See the leaflets at the back of the Church or call 0207 798 9375 or email [email protected] 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 9am to1pm. 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 ARE LIVE-STREAMED FROM OUR WEBSITE.    Eucharistic Adoration and Confession On Wednesday's, after the 10am Mass, there is Eucharistic Adoration. This is an opportunity to spend some time in prayer before the exposed Blessed Sacrament. During that time a priest will also be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Adoration concludes at Noon with the prayer of the Angelus. Confessions are also available every Saturday from 5 pm to 5.45 pm.   Please do keep an eye on the website: www.ourladyofvictories.net which will be updated weekly.  Mgr Jim Curry & Fr Francis   Our Lady of Victories 16 Abingdon Road London W8 6AF 020 7937 4778  [email protected]