Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Assisted Dying Bill - Call to Action The Assisted Dying Bill (proposed legislation to be introduced into Parliament) has recently sparked fervent debate in the UK, raising profound ethical, moral, and social questions about the sanctity of human life. In this context, the Catholic Bishops have taken a clear and vocal stance against the Bill, arguing that it undermines the intrinsic value of life and opens a dangerous door for vulnerable individuals.   The Bishops' response is rooted in our Christian belief that all life is sacred, a gift from God that should be respected and protected from conception until natural death. They warn that legalising assisted dying is normalising a "culture of death," where the value of a life may be measured by perceived productivity or the absence of suffering. This runs against Catholic Social Teaching that human dignity is absolute and does not diminish because of illness, disability, or vulnerability.   The Bishops have expressed concern that legalising assisted dying will begin to place undue pressure on those who are elderly, terminally ill, or disabled, subtly implying that their lives are less valuable and that choosing death is a preferable or even an expected course of action. They fear that what begins as a legal option could eventually become a duty for those who feel themselves to be a burden on family or society. The Catholic Bishops urge instead, for greater investment in palliative care, compassion, and support for those nearing the end of life. In line with the mind of Christ, true compassion lies in accompanying people in their suffering, not in hastening their departure from this world. As Catholics, we must not stand aside and let this happen. Now is the time to get vocal. Now is the time for Action. The Bishops have urged us as Catholics to use our democratic rights, to contact our MPs and voice our concerns. We can also use our voice and influence within our professional and social networks e.g. through the medical council to prevent the Bill from progressing.   For more information and ways to get involved, visit the Bishops' Conference website. We invoke the intercession of Our Lady of Walsingham at this critical time in the political life of our country.   Our Lady of Walsingham - pray for us. Deacon Paul Pastoral Letter - Cardinal Vincent Nichols This weekend Cardinal Vincent has written a Pastoral Letter on Assisted Suicide to be read in all parishes and chaplaincies at all Masses. You can find a copy here. In response to the proposed legislation (a Bill) to be introduced into Parliament next week, there are several ways to act by clicking here and here. Congratulations to Asun and Finaly who were married in Madrid, Spain on Friday 4th October.  May you enjoy all the graces and blessings of married life. to Olivia who was baptised on 27th Septmeber. May the waters of baptism renew your family. Please pray for those who are sick: Gill Frances Lee, Sandy Leitch, Duncan Taylor, James Langan, Theresa Chee and Pamela Faber.   Please pray for those who are recently deceased:  Pauline Ezeudu, Luciana Battista.   Pray for those whose anniversaries occur at this time:  Ann Doherty, Carolina Strambio, Rose Murray & Claro Lerit. Schola Cantorum of Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School Faure Requiem marking the centenary of Faure’s death with music by Bach, Rheinberger and MacMillan. On Thursday 7 November at 7pm at Our Lady of Victories Church, Kensington High Street. Tickets £15 (£8) available at: scholacantorum.co.uk or use the link: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/DWSN  Exciting News for Families! Our Parish’s local primary school, Our Lady of Victories Catholic Primary School, is welcoming new pupils for September 2024! We’re a close-knit community with incredibly supportive parents, passionate teachers, and a fantastic curriculum that inspires our children every day. Plus, we offer a great variety of after-school clubs to keep our little ones engaged and happy.   If you’re considering a place for your child, please feel free to contact our school office at [email protected] or give us a call at 0207 373 4491 to arrange a visit. We look forward to meeting you soon! World Mission Sunday Theme: ‘Go and invite everyone to the banquet!’   World Mission Sunday this year is on 20 October. On this day the whole Church unites in prayer for its missionary activity, and in collecting funds to support Catholic communities across the world experiencing situations of poverty and conflict. To support mission year round visit mission.org.uk or call 020 7821 9755  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. Catholic Children’s Society The Catholic Children’s Society invite all parishioners to the “£1 million Crisis Fund Celebration”: Mass celebrated by Cardinal Vincent Nichols at Our Lady of Victories on Wednesday 16th October at 6pm - all welcome! Chorister Opportunities Westminster Cathedral Choir School invites boys with music potential in Years 2,3 or 4 to email [email protected] See notice board for more details. 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