Thirty-Second Sunday Ordinary Time Year A

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Don't let your light go out: Matthew 25:1-13 Dear parishioners and friends, Too late, far too late. How many times have I left things too late, emails, letters, phone calls, visits? Too many times.   Three weeks before his death, the respected BBC newscaster and journalist George Alagiah dictated to his wife the words he wanted to be read aloud at his memorial service.   “If you haven’t already told the people you love that you love them, tell them; “If you haven’t already told them how vulnerable you sometimes feel, tell them; “If you want to tell them that you’d like to be with them until the front hall stairs feel like Everest, tell them. “You never know what is coming around the corner. “And if, lucky you, there is nothing around the corner, then at least you got your defence in first.”   When we read the Parable of the Lamps with the foolish and wise maidens, try substituting the word faith for oil. It makes a difference. Mgr Jim Sick and Retired Priests’ Fund Collection - Thank You Thank you for so generously supporting the Sick & Retired Priests’ Fund collection last weekend. So far, we have raised £1057.01. Our priests give us years of dedicated service and it is only right that, together, we ensure that they live out their days with dignity and the care they need. If you didn’t get a chance to donate, it’s not too late. Envelopes are still available at the back of the Church or from the parish office, and you can give online at www.rcdow.org.uk/donations. You may also wish to consider becoming a Patron of our Sick & Retired Priests’ Fund. If so, please take a leaflet home today. Thank you again. Please keep our sick and retired priests in your prayers. 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. Mary’s Meals Appeal 18th/19th November Representatives from the charity Mary’s Meals will be speaking after all Masses next weekend, the 18th and 19th November. 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 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] 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]