ST JOHN VIANNEY CHURCH

West Green
4 Vincent Road, London N15 3QH
Parish Office Tel No: 020-8888-5518
E-mail: westgreen@rcdow.org.uk
Facebook: West Green - St John Vianney Church
Our website: http://stjohnvianneywestgreen.co.uk/
(SJV Parish Centre 020-8888-5518)

21st /22nd JANUARY 2017

THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMES

Dear Parishioners,
Todays readings reminded me of an experience I had 9 years ago. Having
lived in cities most of my life, Ive always taken light for granted. It wasnt until I went for a
retreat and spent a couple of weeks in the woods that I came to understand how scary it can be to
be out in the wild, with your eyes wide open, and yet seeing nothing but black. One night I forgot
my torch, and had to return to my hut in that total darkness from the prayer tent. At first, I was
absolutely terrified I couldnt even see my hand, mere centimetres away from my face! But then
a voice in me said, Its okay... Im here with you, youll be alright. Just keep your eyes fixed on the
light. Fifty metres away, I could see a tiny white light illuminating the name of the hut I was
staying in. As I took one tiny step at a time on the footpath towards that light, arms outstretched
to feel my way through the bush, my fear gradually turned into peace... and as I reached the door
of my hut, I felt relief, pride and, mostly, JOY. The experience was so mysteriously and profoundly
beautiful, that I took great pleasure in walking that path torch-less, on purpose, for the rest of my
stay there. And, in another sense, that is how Ive walked my life ever since.
Isnt this what Isaiah and Matthew the evangelist were talking about in the readings today? The
people that walked in darkness has seen a great light. We are this people, and we have seen a
great light, The Light that is Jesus himself. We have seen it: else we wouldnt be here at all. Even
if it seems tiny (dont worry, it gets bigger as you walk towards it!). Even if sometimes we forget
(and need to be reminded)... or are facing the wrong way (and need to re-orient ourselves)... or
get distracted with false lights (lets be honest: we know those are false lights)... or feel
discouraged by the darkness (courage: and fix our eyes on the light again!). We have seen it: and
we need to hold on to this through thick and thin and perhaps even more so when life gets
difficult, so that we can say with the Psalmist, The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I
fear?. We have seen it: and we are called to keep this light in sight, fix our eyes on it, walk
towards it, to make life decisions that are coherent with it, even if it requires us to abandon our
boats as the first four disciples of Jesus did.
Perhaps we can say/sing/pray these beautiful words of John Henry Newman:
Lead, Kindly Light, amidst th'encircling gloom, lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home, lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see the distant scene; one step enough for me...
Courtyard: we welcome Tadz who will be speaking at the end of each Mass this weekend to
promote this youth outreach project. All are welcomed to find out more on Wed, 25 th Jan, 7pm.
Youth Alpha: will be launched this coming Monday, 7pm. If youre aged between 13-18, do come!
If youre not, please support our young people through prayer or by extending the invitation.
This week is the International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This years theme is
Reconciliation, marking the 500th anniversary of the beginnings of the Reformation with Martin
Luthers Ninety-Five Theses. In the words of St. Paul, let us pray that all Christians may be
united again in our belief and practice, instead of disagreeing among ourselves
God bless! Sr. Devy

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY IN

LAST SUNDAYS COLLECTIONS
CATECHETICAL PROGRAMMES
All the activities take place in the Parish
Hall. Any enquiries please contact
Sr. Devy on 07403 784463
SATURDAY MORNING RELIGIOUS
INSTRUCTION
Next session on 28th January
at 10am-11.15am
(entrance on Vincent Road N15)
FIRST RECONCILIATION PROGRAMME
Session Three Saturday 28th January
from 12noon to 1pm in the Parish Centre.
FIRST COMMUNION PROGRAMME
Theme Six - Sat. 4th February, 10am in
Hume Hall
Leaders Meeting: Sat. 4th February, after
the session
Church Mass - Sun. 5th, 11am
CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME
Theme Six on Saturday 4th February from
3.30pm in the Hume Hall, followed by 6pm
Mass.
RCIA RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION
OF ADULTS:
Next session on 11th February in the Hume
Hall: 4.00-5:45pm - Followed by 6pm
Mass.
THE CELEBRATION OF BAPTISM
If you would like to have your child baptised
on the 11th February 17 or later, the next
sessions will be on Monday, 6th & 20th
February 17.
Please contact the Parish Office to book your
place on the course.
ALPHA YOUTH GROUP
Everyone aged 13-18 is invited for music,
food, games, & discussion on life/faith, on
Monday 23rd January from 7pm - 9pm in
the parish hall. Fun guaranteed, or your
money back. Cost: Free
PARISH OUTREACH SOUP RUN
The next Soup Run on 28th January 2017
Group C

ALTER SERVERS MEETING

The meeting will take place next Sunday,
29th January from 12.30-1.30pm in the
parish hall.
EPIC: A JOURNEY THROUGH CHURCH
HISTORY
The history of our Faith is a fascinating
story of adventure, rebellion, tragedy and
triumph - a story 2,000 years in the making.
This course is a captivating and fast-paced
look at the story of the Catholic Church,
beginning with the lives of the apostles all
the way up to the present day. Join us
either on Tuesdays (7.30-9.00pm) or
Wednesdays (10.00-11.30am) in the
Jubilee Hall. Sessions will begin on 24th/
25th January 2017.
Cost: 15 for study materials. To register or
for more information, contact Sr. Devy on
devy.fmvd@gmail.com or 07403 784463.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE OF THE
SOUL of
The Late Mr Tobia Gargiulo, RIP
Who died recently, we remember his family
in our prayers.
His Funeral Mass will take place here at
9:15am on Wednesday 1st February,
followed by burial.
May he rest in peace.
PEACE SUNDAY:
Thank You from PAX Christi, the
International Catholic Movement for Peace.
This year the theme is "Nonviolence: a Style
of Politics for Peace,". The Retiring Collection
last weekend raised 491.50. Thank you for
you kind generosity, without this income
their work cannot continue.
PARISH / FUND RAISING ACTIVITY:
TEAS /COFFEE
In the parish hall after (Sun.) 9am and 11am
Masses
WELCOMING NEW PARISHIONERS!!
We invite all new parishioners to join us for
refreshments in our parish hall after our
6pm Mass on Saturday 4th and our 9am and
11am Masses on 5th February 2017.

UN-NEEDED CHRISTMAS GIFTS and CAKE

SALE!!
We all know it is difficult to buy presents for
friends who have everything!!
We plan to hold a sale of un-needed gifts
and Cake Sales to help us raise fund for the
Parish. The sale will be on Saturday 4th and
Sunday 5th February after all the Masses. If
you have any un-needed Christmas gifts you
would like to donate, please leave them in
the Church or the Parish Office.
Parishioners are also invited to support the
event by bringing in cakes and buying. It
would be much appreciated.
SURGERY HOURS DROP-IN TIMES
As a parish team, we want to be available to
meet the pastoral needs of all parishioners
in St John Vianney Church as much as we
can. Complementing the existing office
hours and our general availability, we would
like to offer the following drop-in times
Tue 3.30-4.30pm
Fr Joe
4 Vincent
6.30-7.30pm
Road
Wed
11.30amFr
4 Vincent
12.30pm
Damian
Road

Thu

3.30pm
4.30pm
11.30am12.30pm
6.30pm
7.30pm

Sr Devy
Sr Devy
Sr
Catherine

4a Vincent
Road
4a Vincent
Road

THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF

THE UNBORN CHILDREN (SPUC)
Will be holding its annual appeal next
weekend.
In 2017 SPUC is commemorating the 50th
anniversary of the passing of the 1967
Abortion Act. Please help make 2017 a
landmark year in SPUCs historic campaign
to win legal protection for unborn children.
There will be a Retiring Collection next
weekend, 28th /29th January in aid of SPUC
annual White Flower Appeal in support of
Be a Witness to Life.
Please give generously as you can.

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING

the next meeting will take place on
Wednesday 1st February at 7:30pm in the
Parish Hall.
PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA ON 24
THUR 27 APRIL 2017
We will join Cardinal Vincent on the
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Fatima.
3 nights full board accommodation.
Parish Pilgrimage: A full itinerary
including a visit to Lisbon on day of arrival,
daily Mass, 2x1/2 day excursions, Price:
530 per person (excluding transport to and
from SJV Parish), Travel Insurance 26 per
person, Price includes flights with Air
Portugal from London Heathrow.200
Deposit, make cheque payable to Tangney
Tours Ltd.
Booking forms are available, please contact
Germaine on 07711582620.
CREATION QUOTES FROM LAUDATO SI
Many of the poor live in areas particularly
affected by phenomena related to warming,
and their means of subsistence are largely
dependent on natural reserves and
ecosystemic services such as agriculture,
fishing and forestry. They have no other
financial activities or resources which can
enable them to adapt to climate change or to
face natural disasters, and their access to
social services and protection is very
limited. (LS 25)
ANNUAL MASS IN HONOUR OF OUR LADY
OF LOURDES
will take place in Westminster Cathedral on
Saturday 11th February 2017 at 2.00 pm.
The Sacrament of the Sick will be
administered during the Mass by the
bishops and priests.
If you will be attending in a wheelchair
please contact the parish office by 29th
January to ensure that a space is reserved..
All parishioners are invited to participate in
this celebration.
If attending the Mass, please sit in the main
lobby of the Cathedral, not in a side chapel.

Entrance Antiphon
Ps 95: 1, 6
O sing a new song to the Lord;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
In his presence are majesty and splendour,
strength and honour in his holy place.
First reading
Isaiah 8: 23 - 9:3
Psalm 26:1, 4, 13-14
The Lord is my light and my help.
Second reading
1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17
Gospel Acclamation
Mt4:23
Alleluia, alleluia!
Jesus proclaimed the Good News of the kingdom
and cured all kinds of sickness among the people.
Alleluia!
Gospel
Matthew 4:12-23
Communion Antiphon
Ps 33: 6
Look toward the Lord and be radiant;
let your faces not be abashed.

MASS & SERVICE TIMES

Mass 9:15am
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday,
Friday, Saturday
(Sat.) 6pm;
Sunday: 9:00am and 11:00am
Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Saturday: from 9:45 am 10:15am

THIS WEEK WE PRAY FOR

The repose of the soul:
Margaret Foley
Thomas Kelly
Tobia Gargiulo
Bornali Shade
Ernesto Silva
Maria da Conceiao Casimiro Garces
RIP

RIP Anniversary:
Peter Fernandes
Filomena Gargiulo
Aurora Antonio Baptista De Paulo
Peter Jules
Deceased members of the Towell Family
Tony Rowley
Michael McDonagh
Special Intentions:
Clara Kwentoh (Safe Journey)
Con Xin Le
Gio An Nguyn
Gio An Auc
An Na Sui
Cau Cho Cac Linh Hin
Mo Coi
Birthday:
Eustace Pereira (Remembrance)
For the sick and those in our parish
Patrick Kiely,
Sister M Rita
John Mooney
Val Eaves
Eduardo Pane
Cyril Augustin
Frank Fox
Names not listed above, are listed
in our Book of Intentions.

PARISH OFFICE HOURS

PARISH TEAM

Tues to Fri 10am-12noon, 1pm-4pm

Fr. Joe Ryan, Parish Priest

Fr Damian Ryan, Assistant Priest
Sr. Devy Pranadjaja, Parish Sister
Germaine Ng Ying, Parish Adm/Secretary

To make an appointment
Phone: 0208 888 5518 or email
westgreen@rcdow.org.uk

We cannot guarantee to have anyone available outside of

these hours.