Thirty-First Sunday Ordinary Time Year A

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Praying for the Dead Dear parishioners and friends, The Catechism of the Catholic Church (§1032) teaches us that prayer for the dead is one of the spiritual works of mercy. But why should we pray for the dead? Surely when we die, it is already decided whether we’re going to heaven or hell? The Catechism teaches that ‘all who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. The church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned’, (§1030-1031). Therefore, we are praying for those who are in purgatory, that they may be purified and be granted swiftly their eternal reward. Because we do not know whose souls are in purgatory and whose are not, we pray for all the faithful departed, especially those who were closest to us in this life or those most in need of prayer. They rely on our prayers because the souls in purgatory cannot pray for themselves. The most perfect prayer of course is the Mass, which is why often people will have a Mass celebrated for the repose of the soul of the person who has died. In fact, the dead are remembered at every Mass in the Eucharistic Prayer. For example, in Prayer II the priest says: ‘Remember also our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection, and all who have died in your mercy: welcome them into the light of your face’. In this month of the Holy Souls, we might consider praying this traditional prayer for the dead: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. Fr Francis Sick and Retired Priests’ Fund Collection Today’s second collection is for the Sick & Retired Priests’ Fund. Please give generously and help ensure our sick and older priests are financially supported, having given us a lifetime of dedicated service. They have baptised us, welcomed us into the Church and offered comfort and prayer at times of sorrow. Now, we have a chance to give back and ensure that they have peace of mind during their senior years, when they may be facing failing health and declining mobility.   Please give generously using the envelopes in the Church. You can also donate online at www.rcdow.org.uk/donations. The envelopes and posters feature a ‘QR Code’ that you can scan with a phone camera to give online. You may also wish to consider becoming a Patron of our Sick and Retired Priests’ Fund. If so, please take a leaflet home today, for more information. Thank you in advance for your kindness. Remembering our dead, our loved ones in November: The month of November is a time when we are invited to especially remember the memory of our loved ones who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. The November dead list envelopes will be available for Masses to be offered during November (and during the year to come) for the faithful departed. Chorister Opportunities at Westminster Cathedral Choir School Every September, Westminster Cathedral Choir School welcomes up to six choristers into Years 4 or 5. Boys also receive an outstanding education at one of London’s leading schools, up until the end of Year 8. Choristers board during the school week only. If you are interested and would like further information, the next Zoom session for families is on Wednesday 22nd November at 6.30 pm. Please contact Lucy Auger for a link: [email protected] Sacrament of Confirmation 2024 Deadline for submitting registration forms for sacramental preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation 2024 is Sunday 26th November. Forms can be returned to Fr Francis or to the Parish Office. Advent Summit The Advent Summit is an opportunity to come together to meet other young Catholics in an afternoon of speakers, testimony, worship, Adoration and Confession. Enter into Advent with a true sense of The Dwelling Place (Ps. 84). Saturday 2nd December 14:00 - 17:00 at Church of Our Lady, Queen of Heaven, Queensway (46 Queensway London W2 3RY). Register here: https://youth.rcdow.org.uk/events/advent-summit-2/ News from the Holy Land and the Holy Family Parish In Gaza Pope Francis and our own Cardinal, Vincent Nichols, have called for a ceasefire and at least a humanitarian pause in the hostilities of the Gaza war. Cardinal Nichols also calls for respect for all communities in this city of ours. Please lend your prayers and support to their plea. See the link: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/48368   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 Donations to relieve those in need can be given through Friends of The Holy Land: Charity Number: 1202568 Website: www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk Synod Updates Thank you to those of you who took part in our Synod discussions at the beginning of this process. Work is continuing as we move forward. Below, please find a summary of the latest news.   Letter to the People of God from the Synod Participants in the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops have produced a ‘Letter to the People of God’ giving thanks for their experience, detailing the work of the past few weeks, and expressing the hope that in the coming months, everyone will be able to "concretely participate in the dynamism of missionary communion indicated by the word 'synod'". It was published on 25th October 2023 and can be found on the parish website in the ‘Synod’ section (https://www.ourladyofvictories.net/synod-and-evangelii-gaudium.html).   Synthesis Report On Saturday 28 October 2023, the members of the Synod adopted the Synthesis Report, which can be found on the parish website in the Synod section or here. 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 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: 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:  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]