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/

15th/16th SEPT 2018 - 24th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Suffering. Pain. Illness. Death.

These are the greatest mysteries of life, the hardest things to

understand, let alone accept. We make feeble attempts at
consoling those around us who are going through difficult
times, but we ourselves know how inconsolable we can be
when we are the ones going through it. “Why??” we ask.
Reason can only come so far before it hits that wall of
incomprehension which wouldn’t budge nor crack, no matter how we scream and pound at
it in anger or beg tearfully on our knees. The problem isn’t intellectual… it’s existential.

C.S. Lewis – lay theologian and author of The Chronicles of Narnia amongst other things –
once wrote a book entitled The Problem of Pain: “If God were good, He would wish to make
His creatures perfectly happy, and if God were almighty He would be able to do what He
wished. But the creatures are not happy.” And here lies the problem, which Lewis
attempted to address. He received many praises for his work and observations – none of
which was any good to him when he lost his wife to cancer a couple of decades later.
He suffered no less than any other person who had lost a beloved one, shaking his fist at
God in anger and despair, full of anguish, pain, bitterness and doubt… is God a “Cosmic
Sadist, a spiteful imbecile”? No, he concluded. But still he struggled to understand…
In a similar way, perhaps we will never fully understand suffering and the ‘Why?’ of it, but
what we can do is find the best way to live with it. In today’s gospel, Jesus said to his
disciples and all the people around him (i.e. us): “If you want to be my follower, take up
your cross, and follow me.” Note that he never said, “Go find a cross” – there’s no need to
look for it, it’s just there; we each have our own share of pain and suffering in life. But Jesus
invites us to take it up, carry it, and continue walking. As Fr. Joe said at the mass on Friday
(feast of the Exaltation of the cross) “Sometimes it is precisely by embracing the cross and
carrying it that we overcome the cross!”

I pray that we each may find the strength to carry our cross, in the hope and faith of the
Resurrection that comes with it.
God bless, Sr. Devy

RECRUITMENT FAIR: Please join us in the Hall after “We make a living by what we get,
Mass this weekend, and check out the numerous but we make a life by what we give”
ways that you can be part of the life-giving mission ~ Winston Churchill
of the Church by volunteering!!

OFFICE HOURS: Please note that the office will only be open from 10am-11am, Tues to
Friday, for the coming two weeks while Germaine is away on a well deserved break.
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.
We also welcome parishioners on
Thursday mornings after the 9:15am
Mass.
CATECHETICAL PROGRAMMES
REGISTRATION FOR 2018 - 2019
If you have any enquiries, please contact
Sr. Devy on 07455 544 065 or
Parish Office on 020 8888 5518
FIRST COMMUNION PROGRAMME
2018/2019
Monthly on Saturday, 10:00am-11:15am
plus Sunday Mass at 11:00am.
First session: 22nd September 2018
Parents of First Communion Candidates
are invited to a meeting on 22nd September
2018 at 10am in the Jubilee Hall of the
parish centre.
SUNDAY RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
for Children attending State Schools
Sundays, 10:00am-10:55am
+ Mass 11:00am
First session: 30th September 2018
Parents of First Communion Candidates
who attend State Schools are invited to a
meeting on 30th September 2018 at 10am
on the upper floor of the parish centre.
CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME
2018/2019
Saturdays, 3:30pm-5:45pm + Mass 6pm.
First session: 13th October 2018
in the parish hall.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR
ADULTS (RCIA)
Saturdays, 4:00pm-5:45pm + Mass 6pm.
First session: 27th October 2018
If you are interested in preparing for your
First Communion, Confirmation or
exploring your faith, please complete a
registration form (available at the back of
the church) and contact the Parish Office.
THE CELEBRATION OF BAPTISM
If you would like to have your child baptised
on the 13th October or later, the next
session will be on Monday,
8 and 29th October’18 at 7.30pm
th
in the Parish Hall.
Please contact the Parish Office to book
your place on the course.
PARISH RECRUITMENT FAIR
Your Parish needs you!!
Come and find out more about how you can
be part of our parish life at our
Recruitment Fair
in the Parish Hall this weekend,
Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th September
after all Masses.
Refreshments will be served. All welcome.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE OF THE
SOUL of the late Susan Gaudin, RIP
(wife of Andreas Georgiou)
Funeral Mass at St John Vianney
on Wednesday 19th Sept, 10am followed
by burial at Edmonton Cemetery, Church
Street N9. May she rest in peace.
We will remember her family and friends in
our prayers.
 PARISH OUTREACH SOUP RUN
The next Soup Run is on
Sat. 22nd September 2018: Group C
PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO SANTIAGO
If you have signed up for this pilgrimage,
please note that we have a meeting on
Wednesday 19th September at 7:30pm
in the parish hall.
This meeting is also open for anyone who is
still deciding and is interested in finding out
more information about the trip.
FILM NIGHT
The next film night is on the
Sunday 23rd September 2018 at 5pm
showing "The Agony and the Ecstasy"
telling the story of how Michelangelo
painted the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
Light refreshments will be served during the
intermission. Donation of £3 is appreciated.
DIOCESE OF WESTMINSTER
JUSTICE AND PEACE COMMISSION
‘OUR COMMON HOME’
An Interfaith evening of exploration and
reflection during Creation Season,
18:30-21:00 Friday 28th September 2018
St Mary Moorfields Church
4/5 Eldon Street EC2M 7LS
with a panel of Buddhist, Muslim and
Catholic women.
FRIENDS IN SOLIDARITY ACROSS THE
CHANNEL
Southwark and Westminster Justice and
Peace Commissions Invite you to a day to
discuss, reflect and exchange experience of
working to improve our welcome for exiles
at St Paul’s RC Church, Maison Dieu Road,
Dover on Saturday 20th October
from 11am to 16:00pm.
THANK GOD ON FRIDAY!
Make time to spend a moment alone with
God in thanksgiving, prayer and adoration.
The next meeting will be on
5th October 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!
LIVE SIMPLY SUPPORTERS AFTERNOON
Special CAFOD guest speaker: Sr Clara.
Sr Clara, who has first-hand experience of
delivering our work in Zambia, will speak about
how CAFOD is helping communities, thanks to
your support.
The meeting will take place on Saturday, 13th
October, 2:00-5:00pm in the parish hall.
ST IGNATIUS COLLEGE OPEN EVENING
Tuesday 18 September from 5.30.pm to 8pm;
Head teacher’s address at 6.15pm & 7.15pm.
All are welcome to our Open Evening.
Come and join us and experience our superb
facilities and meet members of our Ignatian
community. Tour classrooms and talk to our
students and staff.
We look forward to welcoming you!
ACTIVITIES IN THE HALL
IRISH DANCING CLASSES
For children and adults.
For more info contact Caroline Boyce on
07960 220 526. If you are interested please
sign up on the sheet up on the noticeboard.
KENSHO KARATE DOJO
SELF DEFENCE CLASSES
Every Friday evening in the Parish Hall.
6:30-7:30 Kids and Families (£5per child)
7:30-8:30pm Adults (£6per person). For more
info contact Matthew on 07961 434 810
See noticeboard at the back of the church.
JOB VACANCIES
PLEASE CHECK FOLDER AT THE BACK OF THE
CHURCH
 Entrance Antiphon THIS WEEK WE PRAY FOR
Give peace, O Lord, to those who wait for you,
that your prophets be found true. The repose of the soul:
Hear the prayers of your servant, Molly Welsh
and of your people Israel. Leo Quinn
Susan Gaudin
First reading
Jane Donegan
Isaiah 50:5-9
RIP
Psalm 114:1-6,8-9
I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of RIP Anniversary:
the living. Anna Sista
Second reading Mary Whelan
James 2:14-18 Adele Bragoli

Gospel Acclamation Special Intentions:

Alleluia, alleluia! Angelina Boi, Anita Awele Isama, Agnes
I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, says the Lord; Ryan, Anne O’Brien, Anastasia Clarke,
No one can come to the Father except through me. Bridget Murphy, Chloe Quillec, Christine
Alleluia! O’Meara, Con Kelleher, Dominic Kelly,
Gospel Eduardo & Angela Pane, Fr Patrick Downes,
Mark 8:27-35 Fr Tom Quinn, Gerry Tomnay’s Parents,
Gwendoline O’Connoll, Jim Cassim, Jocelyn
Communion Antiphon Luxon, John & Kathy O’Rourke, Joe Breen,
How precious is your mercy, O God! Kathleen Murphy, Maria Terzaga, Mary’s
The children of men seek shelter in the shadow of Intentions, Matthew & Joyce Stapleton,
your wings. Mavis Todd, Myra Scully, Nellie O’Shea, Niala
Cattini, Norma Bradish, Odette St Guillaume,
Patricia, Phil Devane, Peggy Hosty, Rita
MASS & SERVICE TIMES Mongelard, Robert Szajkowski, Sarah
Namagambe, Sharon Grey, Sheila, Sheila
Monday 9:15am Courtney, Sheila Shea, Stanislaw Rybka, The
Tuesday 9:15am Ahmed Family, Theresa McManus, Thomas
Breen, Tony & Bernadette Stapleton,
Wednesday 10:00am [funeral for the late Yvonne Joseph
Susan Gaudin, RIP]
And for the sick and those in our parish
Thursday 9:15am
Friday 9;15am Birthdays:
Saturday 9:15am Gretta Sweeney
Kathy Foley
[6pm – Sunday Vigil Mass] Marie France Cavalot
Sunday 9:00am and 11:00am Rita Mishra

NAMES NOT LISTED ABOVE

Saturday Sacrament of Reconciliation ARE LISTED IN OUR BOOK OF INTENTIONS.
from 9:45am – 10:15am
PARISH OFFICE HOURS
Tues to Fri 10am-11am
PARISH TEAM To make an appointment
Fr. Joe Ryan, Parish Priest Phone: 0208 888 5518 or
Sr. Devy Pranadjaja, Parish Sister email westgreen@rcdow.org.uk
Germaine Ng Ying, Parish Admin/Secretary We cannot guarantee to have anyone available
outside of these hours.