Corpus Christi

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The Deacon as Minister of the Altar Dear parishioners and friends, Once ordained as a permanent deacon at Westminster Cathedral on the 6th July, my role as a Minister of the Altar will become both deeply symbolic and practical, extending beyond simple participation in the Mass to a more profound involvement in various liturgical functions.   My responsibilities during Mass will be extended from my current role as acolyte. I will carry the Book of the Gospels, underscoring its significance in the liturgy, and I will have the privilege of proclaiming the Gospel. This is not merely a duty; it is an honour that underscores my role in evangelisation, preaching, and the transmission of faith.   In preparing for the Eucharist, I will be more intimately involved in setting up the altar, assisting in the reception of the offertory gifts, and preparing the chalice and the paten for the sacrifice that will follow in the next part of the Mass. This solemn preparation creates the sacred space for our divine worship and emphasises the central importance of the altar in our celebration of the Mass.   During the Eucharistic Prayer, I will stand close to the priest, a position that emphasises the diaconal role in supporting the priestly ministry and serving you as the community of believers. I will initiate the sign of peace and continue to be involved in the distribution of Holy Communion.   After Communion, I will be responsible for purifying and caring for the liturgical vessels, a role that demonstrates respect and reverence for the sacraments and their proper handling. As a deacon, I will also dismiss the congregation at the end of Mass. This will serve as a reminder of my diaconal duty to send us out into the world as the faithful People of God, to live out the Gospel message in our daily lives.   My role as Minister of the Altar will be to bridge the sacred and the ordinary and embody the service that is central to our Christian faith. In the role of deacon, I will also be able to officiate at baptisms, conduct marriage ceremonies and funerals outside of Mass, and give house blessings as needed.   Please do talk to me about the role of the permanent deacon if you are interested in hearing more details. Most importantly, please continue to pray for me and my family as I move into the final stages of my formation. Paul Hewitt Anthony (Tony) McLoughlin RIP   Our heartfelt condolences go out to the McLoughlin and the wider Meadway family on the death of Anthony (Tony) McLoughlin RIP. Tony was a faithful and long standing parishioner here at Our Lady of Victories. May his brave soul rest in peace. Amen. Funeral details will be announced in due course. UPDATED: Episcopal Ordination June 18 Ordination Mass: Westminster Cathedral June 18th  at 12.00 noon. Tickets for the parishioners who requested them are available from the parish office and after Mass this weekend. We have no more of this allocation. It is possible to attend without a ticket. Those with tickets will be seated together in one section of the Cathedral. You should arrive by 11.15am. Parish celebrations: The new Bishop will celebrate the 10.30am and 12.00Noon Parish Masses on Sunday 23rd June. There will be refreshments after both Masses. If you would like to help contact the parish office. Diaconal Public Profession of Faith On Sunday 2nd June 2024 at the 10.30am Mass, Paul Hewitt will declare his Profession of Faith, as one of the final stages of formation before ordination as a Deacon on the 6th July 2024. The Profession of Faith is intended to be a public witness by Paul in front of the community he will be serving as a Deacon. Paul will sign the Profession of Faith at the Mass, witnessed by Monsignor Jim, as the Parish Priest. Deacon Adrian Cullen, who is the Director of Formation for the Diaconate Programme in Westminster, will also be present at the Mass and afterwards.   The Profession of Faith by Paul will replace the recitation of the Creed in the Mass, but it will be an opportunity for all of us to renew our commitment to the Catholic Faith and publicly declare our assent to our Christian faith as members of Christ’s body, the Church.   Whilst Deacon Adrian is with us, it will be an opportunity for any man interested in the permanent diaconate to come forward informally with his enquiries. We continue to pray for Paul and his family as he prepares for diaconal ordination. 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 Sister 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 and a copy of the Baptism certificate is also required. Final date for registration is 7th July. Pauline Books and Media The bookshop will be open from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Sunday 2, Monday 3, Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 June. The contact number is 07561 456074 Holy Hour with Solemn Benediction - Sunday 2nd June 3pm-4pm On the Solemnity of Corpus Christi (the Body and Blood of Jesus) we will have a Holy Hour. This is a special time of prayer where Jesus will be exposed in a monstrance on the altar, for us to adore in a time of silent prayer. The hour of prayer will conclude with Solemn Benediction, the blessing of all present by Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament (the eucharistic host). All are welcome. FHL Summer Garden Party The West London Committee of Friends of the Holy Land cordially invites you to A Party in the Garden at Saint Michael and All Angels Church, Bath Road, Chiswick, W4 1TT on Friday 5th July from 6.00pm to 10.00pm. Tickets: £30 To buy tickets contact [email protected] or [email protected] FAITH & ART IN FLORENCE 24th - 29th March 2025 Join us for a fascinating look at the artwork and churches of a wonderful city. The city of Florence is known as the cradle of the Renaissance and is home to some of the most beautiful works of art ever created. Many of these were made for churches to glorify God and illustrate the story of salvation. Our stay in the city will give us time to experience these masterpieces first hand and dwell on their spiritual significance for us today.  We visit churches and museums such as the Uffizi, the church of San Marco and the famous Duomo to see works by Donatello, Ghirlandaio, Fra Angelico and Michelangelo amongst others. The tour will be led by Sarah Burles. Sarah is an art historian and authorised lay minister who worked in museums and galleries for many years. She knows Florence well and has led a number of tours to the city.   TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST Email: [email protected] Tel:  0800 612 3423 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] 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]