Thirty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

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The Sacrifice of Christ and its importance for Remembrance Sunday On this Remembrance Sunday, we honour those who gave their lives in service to their country. In this act of remembrance, we contemplate the ultimate example of sacrifice: Jesus Christ, whose self-giving love on the Cross offers redemption for all humanity. The book of Hebrews reminds us that Christ’s sacrifice was not merely a symbolic act, but one that took place “once for all.” His sacrifice was definitive, taking away the sins of the world, and unlike the repeated offerings of the Old Testament, Christ’s death occurred once, for the eternal salvation of all. This passage from today’s lectionary has a powerful resonance for us on this Remembrance Day. We remember those who laid down their lives for the sake of peace and freedom. Their sacrifice, like Christ’s, speaks of a love that goes beyond self-interest—a love that seeks the good of others, even at great personal cost. The sacrifice of Christ, once for all, described in Hebrews, offers us the promise of eternal life and everlasting peace. As we honour those who have fallen in war, we hold firm to the hope that Christ’s sacrifice gives us—a hope for a future where God’s peace will reign fully. On this Remembrance Sunday, we draw strength from Christ’s ultimate act of love, and pray that we reflect his peace in our own lives. We pray for the peace of Christ in all those areas of the world in which there is still war and violence. We ask the Queen of Peace to intercede with us for an end to all war, and to give comfort to all who have lost their loved ones in war. Our Lady, Queen of Peace, Pray for us. Deacon Paul Please pray for those who are sick: Pilar Chester, Duncan Taylor, Canice Carson, Laetitia Smith, James Langan, Theresa Chee and Pamela Faber.   Please pray for those who are recently deceased:  Tommy Freeman, Monica Strafford, Iris Emma Howard.   Pray for those whose anniversaries occur at this time:  MaTsang Lin, Rose Doherty, Arthur Dale, Henry Akrawi & Martin Hall.  Assisted Suicide Bill Pray with the Bishops on the Dignity of Human Life Cardinal Vincent and all the Bishops of England and Wales will be gathering on the evening of Wednesday 13 November to pray together, before the Blessed Sacrament, in a Holy Hour asking God’s blessing on our country.   He writes: ‘The debate and vote on the Terminal Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in the House of Commons on 29 November is uppermost in our prayers. We pray that many minds and hearts will be opened to understand the life of every person as a gift from God. We pray that our legislature will not diminish that dignity of each person, and not create circumstances in which a misplaced ‘right to die’ become a duty placed on others to take part in a deliberate killing. We will also give thanks to God for all who accompany the dying and provide palliative care with tenderness and compassion. May there be an increase in resources dedicated to this fine work’.   Cardinal Vincent invites each of us to make our own Holy Hour and has provided these prayer resources. A Day in the Life of a Parish Priest Have you ever thought about what a Catholic Priest does in his daily life? Get an insight into this as you experience a day in the life of Fr Pius, Fr Matt, Fr Simon and Fr Joe. Four priests with various ministries, from visiting hospitals, schools, and universities, to walking with people at the most important parts of their lives, all centred around the Sacraments. You watch the videos here: A Day in the Life of a Parish Priest - Fr Pius and Fr Matt A Day in the Life of a Parish Priest - Fr Simon and Fr Joe Sick & Retired Priests’ Fund Collection Next weekend is the annual collection for sick and retired priests in the Diocese of Westminster. Last year, the Diocese provided care to 72 retired priests, at a cost of £976,000. The number of priests over 65 is increasing; caring for our priests in their senior years, or at a time of illness, is part of the mission of our diocese. Whilst we work with the NHS and local authorities to ensure funding gaps are met, we still rely heavily on the generosity of parishioners who contribute to this worthy fund. So we ask for your help once again for the annual appeal for our Sick & Retired Priests.   Many retired priests continue to work in our  parishes and schools, visit our sick or elderly, and are available at our time of crisis and need. By giving to the Sick & Retired Priests’ Fund, you can ensure these needs are met. Do take a donation envelope and return it next weekend, or scan the QR code, on the envelopes or posters at the back of the church, to give online. Thank you so much and please continue to pray for all our clergy: active, retired or ill. Sacrament of Confirmation 2024 Sacramental preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation begins in January 2024, for those in Year 9 or above. Candidates can collect a registration form from Fr Francis after any Sunday Mass. BEWARE - SCAM EMAILS! Do not open any email ending “gmail.com” claiming to be from one of the priests of the parish, it will almost certainly be a scam! Genuine clergy emails always end with “rcdow.org.uk” - spread the word!  Parish Readers’ morning on the new translation of the Lectionary Saturday 16th November 2024 - 11am  to 1pm Anyone wishing to become a parish reader also welcome to attend. Please contact Fr Francis for more information. Catholic Children’s Society Christmas Gift Appeal The Catholic Children’s Society is appealing for Christmas Gifts for local children and families facing a Christmas without presents, food or basic essentials. Note: Only brand new gifts and we are not able to collect gifts. Please bring your gifts to the parish office before Sunday 24 November 2024. Please see poster here for more details or visit www.cathchild.org.uk UPDATED: The Year of Jubilee 2025   Theme: Pilgrims of Hope Opening Mass for the Holy Year will take place in Westminster Cathedral on Sunday 29th December 2024 at 12 Noon. There will be opportunities to walk various pilgrimage routes including a new route within London. More details to follow. Pauline Books and Media The bookshop will be open from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Friday and Sunday.   The contact number is 07561 456074. 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 parishioner registration form which can be found on our website:  https://www.ourladyofvictories.net/support.html Here you can also find further information on all our parish activities. 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 Wednesdays, after the 10am Mass, there is Eucharistic Adoration. This is an opportunity to spend some time in prayer before the exposed Blessed Sacrament. A priest will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation from 10.30 to 11.15am. Adoration concludes at Noon with the prayer of the Angelus. Confession also available every Saturday from 5 to 5.45 pm. Parish Team: Fr Nigel Woollen (Parish Priest) Fr Francis Thomas (Assistant Priest) Rev. Paul Hewitt (Permanent Deacon)  Sr Maureen McNamara rsm (Sacramental Programmes) Mrs Rachel Mulira (Parish Secretary) Our Lady of Victories 16 Abingdon Road London W8 6AF 020 7937 4778  [email protected] Support our Parish Financially here