ST.
JOHN VIANNEY 4 Vincent Road, London N15 3QH
CHURCH
WEST GREEN
29th February / 1st March 2020
1st SUNDAY OF LENT
Dear Parishioners,
Today, the first Sunday of Lent marks a
new beginning. We were marked with
ashes last Wednesday. We may have been
considering Lenten Resolutions (not late
yet!).
The readings remind us of ‘beginnings’.
The passage from the Book of Genesis is
part of the creation account and the story
of Adam and Eve. As the story goes,
everything was fine in the Garden of Eden
until Adam and Eve decided to forget God’s
word and command. They were tempted
and gave in to the temptation. They
realised they had made a bad choice …
“and their eyes were opened”. Not only did
they hide their naked bodies, but also hid
themselves from God! St Paul takes up the
story in his letter to the Romans. He
speaks of our human weaknesses and the
idea of sin entering the world, then tells us
of the Redemption by Jesus Christ after the
Fall. We are pardoned, a “free gift” from
God, and we are “made righteous”. Note
the contrast: Paradise/Fall; Fall/Salvation;
obedience/disobedience; condemnation/
acquittal; sin/grace. All these aspects are
in the scripture texts.
The Gospel tells the story of the ‘Second
Adam’, Jesus Christ. He too was tempted
by the same devil, as Adam and Eve. It’s
interesting to engage in the dialogue
between Jesus and the Devil. Note too,
how freely the devil can quote scripture for
his own evil purposes! This is how clever
Satan still is today.
Parish Office: 020 8888 5518
E-mail: westgreen@rcdow.org.uk
Website: stjohnvianneywestgreen.co.uk
But unlike Adam and
Eve, Jesus does not
give in to temptations.
This is the contrast.
The Devil gives up in
the end.
(I suppose he’s off to
tempt somebody else!)
If Jesus can be tempted to make wrong
choices, surely we must be tempted too.
It is through the power of Jesus that we
can make good choices. These 40 days of
Lent are a time of special effort and a time
blessed by God. Let us pray that we can
have the strength, wisdom, and
determination to do our best each day in
this holy season of Lent.
Let us keep in mind the reading of St.
Matthew’s Gospel received some weeks
ago; a time of prayer each day to invoke
God’s blessing and a promise to carry out
our Lenten Resolutions and look forward in
hope to Easter season.
As in our Prayer for the Year of the Word:
“Your word is our path and your truth is our
light. This day and every day. AMEN”.
VISITING PRIEST FOR SUMMER: with
the new regulations in place, Fr Marcel
Konfon is experiencing difficulties with his
visa application. There is a policy of ‘one
fits all’ which really isn’t so clever; the
contention is that vacancies should be filled
by local personnel. This becomes crazy
when local help is not available. Fr Louis
Periera was hoping to visit us but will also
have visa difficulties. We are trying to work
out a solution.
That’s all for now. Have blessed week.
Fr. Joe
 THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY
LAST SUNDAY!
CATECHETICAL PROGRAMMES
2019-2020
For more information, contact the
office or Sr. Devy on 07455 544 065
SUNDAY MORNING CATECHISM
Next session: Sunday, 15th March, 10am
plus Sunday Mass at 11:00am.
FIRST COMMUNION PROGRAMME
Next session: Saturday, 7th March, 10am
plus Sunday Mass at 11:00am.
FIRST RECONCILIATION PROGRAMME
Next session: Saturday, 7th March,
12pm-1:15pm
Note: Parent’s meeting 12-1pm
CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME
Next session: Saturday, 21st March.
This is a FULL DAY OF RETREAT.
All candidates are to meet at 8:30am
at the Church car park.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION
FOR ADULTS (RCIA)
This Saturday our catechumens were
named by Cardinal Vincent as members of
the Elect (those chosen by God for
baptism) in the Rite of Election at the
Westminster Cathedral. Let us pray for our
candidates’ continued growth in the Spirit.
Next session: Saturday, 7th Mar, 4:00pm
plus Mass 6:00pm
BAPTISM FOR INFANTS
If you would like to have your child
baptised in March 2020 or later, please
contact the Parish Office or Sr. Devy to
make the necessary arrangements.
Note that we cannot confirm any baptism
dates or booking until we receive all the
paperwork required.
We pray for the repose of the soul of:
MARIA OLIVEIRA, RIP
Who sadly died on Wednesday 26th
February, Funeral arrangements to follow.
TERESA FERNANDES, RIP
The Funeral Mass will take place here on
Thursday 5th March 2020 at 9.15am.
PAMELA FAULKNER, RIP
The Funeral Mass will take place here on
Wednesday 11th March 2020 at 9.15am.
We remember their respective families
and friends in our prayers.
May they rest in peace.
YEAR OF THE WORD 2020
The God who Speaks: Matthew’s Gospel
Please read a little passage of the gospel
each day as we journey with Matthew
during this Year of the Word and rediscover
the story of the life, death and resurrection
of Jesus Christ and his teaching.
PARISH OUTREACH
SANDWICH MAKING (PREPARATION):
on Fri. 6th Mar. 2020 after 9:15am Mass.
Next SOUP RUN: Group C
at 4.30pm on Sat, 7th Mar 2020
FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT
The Fairtrade fortnight is an annual event
in which fair and ethical trading values are
celebrated. This year we will have a
“BIG BREW” led by our Confirmandi on
Sunday, 1st March
after 9am and 11am masses
The young people have baked the cakes
and cookies themselves, using Fairtrade
products. Parishioners are invited buy raffle
tickets or join us for a slice of cake.
Please support this worthy cause - a daily
‘cuppa’ for you can mean clean water for
tea farmers and workers!
FINANCE COMMITTEE & PPC MEETINGS
Takes place in the Hume Hall on
Wednesday 4th March: FC at 6.30pm and
PPC at 7.30pm
LENTEN ACTIVITIES

Thank God on Friday
(Meditation with the
cross and Adoration):
Friday, 6th March
7:30 - 9:00pm
Stations of the Cross:
Fridays at 7.30pm
[13th Mar, 20th Mar, 27th Mar & 3rd Apr]
Passover Meal:
Wednesday 1st April at 7.30pm
in the Parish Hall. Tickets available at the
back of the church.
PRE-MARRIAGE COURSE
Next Sunday, 8th March 1.00pm-4.00pm
in the Parish Hall for couples who are
planning to get married this year.
Please contact the parish office to make
the necessary bookings.
JOURNEYING WITH THE BIBLE
A series of talks for the Year of the Word
on the Bible. The next session is ‘The Major
Themes of the Old Testament’, on
Tue, 10th Mar at 7:00pm-8:30pm
Vaughan House, 46 Francis St. SW1P 1QN
Suggested donation £5.
Please register at livingfaith@rcdow.org.uk
THE ALPHA COURSE
Tuesdays, 7:15pm
starting from 17th March.
Following a successful run in 2019, Alpha
is back for those who missed out last year!
Join us for an evening of sharing over a
meal, a video talk and group discussions
on life and faith.
Everyone is welcome – you don’t have to
be part of the Parish – so pass the word!
You can sign up on the form at the back of
the Church or contact Phil & Joe Di Leo on
0208 889 4979 or pndileo@btinternet.com.
CAFOD LENT FAMILY FAST DAY
Friday 6th March
This Lent, please support the life-saving
work of local experts like Sister Consilia in
Zimbabwe who gives vital medication at
her health centre. These experts are the
hands that reach people living in the most
remote places. Fast on Friday 6th March and
give what you can in the retiring collection
on Sunday 7th/8th March.
Please pick up a Fast Day envelope at
church today. Thank You.
ST PATRICK’S CELEBRATION
Traditional Bacon & Cabbage Dinner/Social
Sunday 15th March, 5:00pm to 9.00pm
Ticket – £10 per Adult; £5 child (primary
school to age 10); pre-school/baby – free.
Tickets available at the back of the church.
ANNUAL MASS OF THANKSGIVING
FOR THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY
Saturday, 30th May 2020 at 3pm
Westminster Cathedral
If you are celebrating a 5th, 10th, 25th, 30th,
40th, 50th and 60th (and every year over 60)
wedding anniversary of Catholic marriage
in 2020 and would like to attend this mass
with the Cardinal, please give your Parish
Priest / Parish Office the following details
before 31st March: husband and wife’s
names, wedding date, full postal address
and email (or telephone if no email)
ST. JOHN VIANNEY NURSERY
If you wish to apply for a Nursery place for
September 2020 at St John Vianney
School, please come and collect an
application pack from the school office.
Address: Stanley Rd, Tottenham N15 3HD
Telephone: 020 8889 8421
SETTLEMENT SCHEME FOR EU CITIZENS
The deadline for applications is
30th June 2021.
See full details at the back of the church.
 MASS & SERVICE TIMES
Monday 9:15am
Tuesday 9:15am
Wednesday 9:15am
Thursday 9:15am [Funeral of the
late Teresa Fernandes]
Friday 9:15am
Saturday 9:15am
6pm (Vigil Mass)
Sunday 9:00am
11:00am
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Saturday 9:45am – 10:15am
ADORATION
OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
Tuesdays – after 9:15am Mass
st
1 Friday of the month – 7:30pm
st
1 Sunday of the month – after 11am Mass
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Fridays [during Lent] 7:30pm
ROSARY
Weekdays at 8:45am (before mass)
First Saturday of the month at 3:00pm
MORNING TEAS /COFFEE
(in the Parish Hall)
Sundays, after 9am and 11am Masses
Thursdays, after the 9:15am Mass
PARISH TEAM
Fr. Joe Ryan, Parish Priest
Sr. Devy Pranadjaja, Parish Sister
Germaine Ng Ying, Parish Admin/Secretary
PARISH OFFICE HOURS
Tues- Fri: 10am-12noon & 1pm-4pm
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.
THIS WEEK WE PRAY FOR:
The repose of the soul
Anne O’Brien
Dan Brosnan
Simon Clites Bicar
Maria Oliveira
Marlene Maenhout
Norma Bradish
Patrick Cleary
Roger Glace
Susan Purdy
Teresa Fernandes
RIP Anniversary
John Danaher
Rose Nwanonaku Okwuazi-Gynefi
Special Intentions
Christina
Pearl
The Bicar Family
The Family of Susan Purdy
The Fernandes Family
The Harris Family
The Hempenstall Family
The Maenhout Family
The O’Brien Family
The Oliveira Family
And for all the sick and
those in our parish
NAMES NOT LISTED ABOVE ARE LISTED IN
OUR BOOK OF INTENTIONS
Matt 4:1-11
Meditate
Temptations, ordeals and hardships are
part of life and are most certainly needed
as we set to serve the Lord. These are the
moments when we choose whether or not
we want to follow Jesus. However, as St.
Paul reminds us nobody is tempted beyond
their strength. Because Christ has
conquered we are confident we can be
victorious as we share in Jesus’ triumph.
Act
Angels came to serve Jesus at the moment
of his trials. We are surrounded by people
who are going through moments of trials in
their family life, their health or work.
Ponder how you could be an angel to serve
them and so help them pass through this
moment.