ST JOHN VIANNEY CHURCH
West Green
4 Vincent Road, London N15 3QH
Parish Office: 020-8888-5518 E-mail: westgreen@rcdow.org.uk
Facebook: West Green - St John Vianney Church
Website: http://stjohnvianneywestgreen.co.uk/
12th /13th MAY 2018
FEAST OF THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD
Almost a year ago, Fr. Jaime Bonet died at
the age of 91. He was the founder of the
Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity (the
community to which I belong) and his
death was very much felt by all of us in the
community. In a surprising way though, his
absence was something that proved to be
quite positive and fruitful for us.
Jaime’s ‘passing on’ began roughly a decade
earlier when his faculties began to
deteriorate. Since then, it has been a
challenge for the rest of the community to
figure out how to carry on in his absence as
its leader. No longer were we able to
simply ask him what to do about this or
that situation. Vague attempts to identity a
specific person to ‘replace’ him (someone
who had the same criteria and charism as
him, knew exactly what being “Verbum
Dei” means and can lead all of us as ‘the
next Jaime’ etc.) never quite worked out,
not surprisingly. Instead, we had to explore
uncharted territories and reflect more
seriously about our identity together. We
discovered that the way forward lies in
working together, listening to, empowering
and valuing each other with their gifts and
talents. We grew in our capacity to forgive
and be merciful with each other when we
make mistakes. In a sense, I would even say
that Jaime’s ‘passing on’ made us more
‘Verbum Dei’ instead of less: it pushed us to
grow as a community and to take up the
ownership of our charism, instead of
blindly following directions given by him.
Anyway, he had ‘done his bit’; now it is up
to us to continue this work and be faithful
to God’s call for each one of us.
In a parallel way, I feel that Jesus’ ascension
was not so much about proving how
‘glorious’ and ‘divine’ and ‘holy’ he is (recall
beautiful paintings of Jesus ascending to
Heaven, rising above clouds with rays of
light around him and the disciples gazing
up in awe and wonder), but more about
Jesus making a space for his followers
(including us) to grow as disciples. It’s a
pity that there aren’t as many images of the
sentence immediately after the Ascension:
“The disciples went out and preached
everywhere, the Lord working with them”
(Mk 16:20)
Effectively, the
Ascension is
Jesus passing on
the baton to us,
telling us, “It’s
your turn now!”
It is a call for us
to ask deeper:
What does it mean for me to be a
son/daughter of God? What does it mean
for us to be ‘Church’? How can we bring
about God’s Kingdom to this world?
Whether it is by acts of charity or prayer,
by our words or witness of life, by taking
up certain responsibility or encouraging
and enabling others to do so, by bearing
with pain and suffering in dignity or
standing up for the truth: let us not just
“stand there looking into the sky”, but pick
up the baton and run with it!
On a side note, I find it hard to imagine
Jesus sitting leisurely ‘up there’ in His
heavenly throne... if anything, I think He is
‘running’ non-stop: working with us, in us
and through us!
God bless! Sr. Devy
 THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY IN
LAST SUNDAY’S COLLECTIONS
ADORATION OF THE BLESSED
SACRAMENT
The first Sunday after the 11am Mass and
Tuesdays after our 9:15am Mass
ROSARY
Please join us in praying
the Rosary at 8.45am every weekday,
before the 9.15am Mass.
MORNING TEAS /COFFEE
In the Parish Hall on Sunday,
after 9am and 11am Masses
CATECHETICAL PROGRAMMES 2018
Any enquiries please contact
Sr. Devy on 07455 544 065 or
Parish Office on 020 8888 5518
CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME
We welcome our Confirmation Candidates
to our 6pm Mass this weekend.
Celebration of Confirmation will take
place on Saturday 26th May at 6pm.
There will be a rehearsal for all candidates
and their sponsors on Friday, 18th May
2018 at 6pm in the Church.
FIRST COMMUNION PROGRAMME and
SUNDAY MORNING R.E. CLASSES
The Celebration of First Holy
Communion will take place
this Sunday 13th May at 2pm.
We ask parents to ensure their children are
on time, for the actual day of celebration.
Next Session – Theme Nine – Sat 19th May
10am in the Hume Hall
Sending Out Mass – Sun. 20th May at 2pm,
followed by party in Hume Hall.
CELEBRATION OF INFANT BAPTISM
If you would like to have your child baptised
on the 9th June or later, the next session
will be on Monday 4th & 18th June
at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall.
Please contact the Parish Office to book
your place on the course.
PLEASE PRAY FOR
THE REPOSE OF THE SOULS OF:
The late Mary Teresa Flattery (mother of
Christ) who died on 27th April 2018.
Her funeral will take place here on
Monday 14th May at 10am
followed by cremation.
May she rest in peace.
We will remember her family and friends
in our prayers.
PLANNING GIVING & GIFT AID
OFFERTORY ENVELOPES 2018-2019
We thank all parishioners for their
generosity and those who support our
parish through the weekly offertory
envelopes and Standing Orders.
There are several Offertory Envelope boxes
still to be collected. Please let us know if you
still interested in receiving the offertory
envelopes
It is also important that you inform us if
you no longer pay tax, so that we can
adjust the tax claim on your donations.
Please contact Germaine during office hours
on 020 8888 5518. Thank you.
PRIESTS TRAINING FUND
Thank you for your generosity to the Priest
Training Fund collection of £1,015.06 to
date. It is not too late to make a donation if
you wish. Envelopes are available in the
back of the church, or by contacting the
parish office. Please continue to pray for
vocations to the priesthood. For more
information, or to make a donation, visit
www.rcdow.org.uk/donations
THE LIVE SIMPLY GROUP
invites all parishioners, young and old
for a walk in Downhills Park today,
Sunday 13th May
in solidarity with the poor.
Meet in the churchyard after 11.00 Mass.
PARISH OUTREACH SOUP RUN
The next Soup Run is on
Sat. 19th May 2018: Group A
Volunteer drivers needed
 THANK GOD ON FRIDAY!
Make time to spend a moment alone with
God in thanksgiving, prayer and adoration.
The next meeting will be on 8th June from
7:30-9:00pm in St John Vianney Church.
There will be a short talk, adoration and
music led by the Verbum Dei Missionaries.
All are welcome!
MASS WITH ANOINTING OF THE SICK –
Takes place here at St John Vianney Church.
on Saturday 26th May at 12noon.
If you know of someone who is sick and
housebound and would like to attend:
please contact
Germaine on 020 8888 5518
during office hours. Drivers are urgently
required to help with transportation.
CAFOD LENTEN PYRAMID BOXES
Thank you for your support of our Lent
Family Fast Day appeal which raised
£1,457.23.
Any moneys donated up to 12th May will
be doubled by the UK Government.
REFUGEE WEEK 2018
Westminster Justice & Peace, CARITAS and
CAFOD invite you to a Lampedusa Cross
Service for Refugees and Migrants in
Westminster Cathedral on
Friday 15th June 6:15pm for 6:30pm
in the side chapel.
Church of Our Lady of Muswell
ALL NIGHT PRAYER VIGIL
On the First Friday each month, May to
October from 7pm – 7am.
Refreshments will be served at intervals
during the night.
All welcome, even for a short time.
Contact: 07947 579 508
PILGRIMAGE TO
LOURDES & MONT ST MICHEL
From 8th – 16th June 2018
There are 4 places available on the
pilgrimage by coach.
For further details contact
Iris on 020 8885 4397
NEW ACTIVITIES IN THE HALL
KENSHO KARATE DOJO
SELF DEFENCE CLASSES
Train your Mind and Body.
Every Friday evening in St John Vianney
Parish Centre.
6:30-7:30 Kids and Families (£5per child)
(first lesson free for kids)
7:30-8:30pm Adults (£6per person)
Trained Martial Art Instructor: Matthew.
For more information Tel: 07961 434 810
www.kenshokaratedojo.co.uk
See noticeboard at the back of the church.
IRISH DANCING CLASSES
for children and adults; come learn all you
need to know about Irish dancing. All
classes are taught by former professional
dancer, Caroline Boyce who performed in
shows such as Lord of the Dance and
Riverdance. Please sign up if you are
interested. Watch this space!
THE SISTINE CHAPEL CHOIR,
Holy Father’s personal choir performs a
sacred choral music concert from the
repertoire they sing in the Vatican on
Saturday 26th May 2018 at 8pm in
Westminster Cathedral.
The concert will last an hour, and is free of
charge (no tickets required).
Come and experience this world-famous
choir singing in the beautiful setting of
Westminster Cathedral. All are welcome.
COMMUNITY SPONSORSHIP –
THURSDAY 31ST MAY
Join Caritas Westminster and Sponsor
Refugees for an event on Community
Sponsorship. The event will be held on
Thursday 31st May 2018, at Vaughan House,
46 Francis Street, London, SW1P 1QN, from
6.30-8.30pm. Tea and coffee will be
available from 6.00pm.
Please RSVP by calling 0207 931 6077 or
e-mail caritaswestminster@rcdow.org.uk
See poster for full details
 Entrance Antiphon
Men of Galilee, why gaze in wonder at the
heavens? This Jesus whom you saw THIS WEEK WE PRAY FOR
ascending into heaven will return as you The repose of the soul:
saw him go, alleluia. Mary Flattery
Barbara Cotter
First reading
David Narsiah
Acts 1:1-11
James & Christine Ng Ying
Psalm 46:2-3, 6-9 RIP
God goes up with shouts of joy; the Lord goes up
with trumpet blast. RIP Anniversary:
Second reading The King Family
Ephesians 1:17-23
Gospel Acclamation Special Intentions:
Alleluia, alleluia! The Mooney Family
Go, make disciples of all the nations. Odette St Guillaume
I am with you always; yes, to the end of time. Kathy Buckley
Alleluia! Tommy McGowan
The Family of Mary Flattery
Gospel The Family of Michael Mills
Mark 16:15-20
Communion Antiphon Birthday:
Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of Peter John
the age, alleluia.

MASS & SERVICE TIMES For the sick and those in our parish
Angelina Boi, Anne O’Brien,
Monday 10:00am – Funeral Mass for Ave Maria Ubaka, Con Kelleher,
the late Mary Teresa Flattery, RIP Eduardo & Angela Pane, Gretta Lattice,
Tuesday 9.15am John & Kathy O’Rouke, Joseph Breen,
Nellie O’Shea, Maria Terzaga, Mavis Todd,
Wednesday 9.15am
Niala Cattini, Phil Devane, Rita Mongelard,
Thursday 9.15am Sarah Namagambe, Sharon Grey,
Friday 9.15am Sheila Courtney, Toni Kamen,
Yvonne Joseph,
Saturday 9.15am
[6pm – Sunday Vigil mass]
NAMES NOT LISTED ABOVE
Sunday 9:00am and 11:00am ARE LISTED IN OUR BOOK OF INTENTIONS.
2pm – First Communion Mass
PARISH OFFICE HOURS
Saturday Sacrament of Reconciliation
Tues to Fri 10am-12noon, 1pm-4pm
from 9:45am – 10:15am
To make an appointment
PARISH TEAM Phone: 0208 888 5518 or
Fr. Joe Ryan, Parish Priest email westgreen@rcdow.org.uk
Sr. Devy Pranadjaja, Parish Sister
We cannot guarantee to have anyone available
Germaine Ng Ying, Parish Admin/Secretary outside of these hours.