ST.

JOHN VIANNEY 4 Vincent Road, London N15 3QH

Parish Office: 020 8888 5518
CHURCH E-mail: westgreen@rcdow.org.uk
WEST GREEN Website: stjohnvianneywestgreen.co.uk

7th /8th March 2020
2nd SUNDAY OF LENT
Change.
It’s an interesting part of life. Things
change for better or for worse, and some
changes make no difference at all. Some
things are easy to change, others can seem
impossibly difficult. Some changes are easy
to accept, others are painful. Some of us
seek to constantly change things in our
lives, others prefer stability and want the
least changes possible and. At times we are
excited about a change and can’t wait for
that ‘something new’, other times we fear
the ‘unknown’. We love it, we hate it. We
welcome it, we reject it. Yet however we
feel about it, there is no denying that it is a
fact of life, from the very first moment of
existence until the end of time.
Today’s readings speak to me very much of
these changes. There was Abram in Haran,
living a comfortable and rich life with his
wife, when God told him, “Leave your
country.” It seemed like the most illogical
thing to do – why should he risk losing it all
to embark on this journey to the unknown?
He didn’t even have any idea at that point
where this ‘promised land’ was! Yet in faith
and trust, Abram took on the challenge,
and ended up becoming the father of a
great nation.
Yet it was at this very point that Jesus
began to understand that He had to go to
Jerusalem, despite the suffering that
awaited him there. A week after He first
announced this to the disciple, we have the
Transfiguration. Jesus was transfigured,
‘transformed’, and “His face shone like the
sun.” I’d like to think that it was at this
point that Jesus fully acknowledged the
cross that was to come, and His
transformation was due to the fact that He
was ready to face it with courage and
strength, trusting in the love of His Father!
Is life not mostly about learning how to
face changes? We are constantly needing
to adapt and adjust to changes in our
environment: a new school, new home,
new country, new people, new language,
new job, new state of life, new viruses...!
We can face each one of these changes
with anguish, fear, anxiety, despair... or we
can learn to confront it with courage and
strength, in faith, hope and love.
We ask for God’s grace in this season of
Lent – that it may be a time for each one of
us to continue growing in wisdom and
maturity, allowing for changes to make us
into a better person!
God bless! Sr. Devy

In the Gospel, we have the Transfiguration

of Jesus. Perhaps a bit of context is needed
here: there was Jesus, living his mission to
the full by preaching, performing miracles,
healing and gaining followers. He was at
the height of His ministry, with Peter finally
professing Him to be the Son of the living
God. He could’ve continued this ‘easy’ life.
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
th
Next session: Sunday, 15 March, 10am
plus Sunday Mass at 11:00am.
FIRST COMMUNION PROGRAMME
Next session: Saturday, 25th April, 10am
plus Sunday Mass at 11:00am.
FIRST RECONCILIATION PROGRAMME
First Reconciliation Day:
Friday, 13th March, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Thanksgiving Liturgy and celebration:
Saturday, 14th March, 12pm – 1:30pm
CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME
Next session: Saturday, 21st March.
This is a FULL DAY OF RETREAT.
All candidates are to meet at 8:45am
at the Turnpike Lane Tube Station.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION
FOR ADULTS (RCIA)
Next session: Saturday, 28th Mar, 4:00pm
BAPTISM FOR INFANTS
If you would like to have your child
baptised in May 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.
SANDWICH MAKING (PREPARATION):
on Fri. 13th Mar. 2020 after 9:15am Mass.
Next SOUP RUN: Group D
at 4.30pm on Sat, 14th Mar 2020
We pray for the repose of the soul of:
PAMELA FAULKNER, RIP
Her Funeral Mass will take place here on
Wednesday, 11th March 2020 at 9.15am.
SIMON CLITES BICAR, RIP
His Funeral Mass will take place here on
Thursday, 19th March 2020 at 9.15am.
MARIA OLIVEIRA, RIP
Her Funeral Mass will take place here on
Thursday, 26th March 2020 at 10.00am.
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.
FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT – THANK YOU!
We thank all our Confirmation Candidates
who hosted the FairTrade “BIG BREW” last
Sunday and all parishioners who
contributed to the event. Special thanks to
Isobel who donated FairTrade items for the
hampers. We raised £331.00 – well done!
CAFOD LENT FAMILY FAST DAY
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. Please give what you can in
the Retiring Collection this Sunday 7th/8th
March. Thank You.
PRE-MARRIAGE COURSE
Couples who are planning to get married
this year are reminded that the
Pre-Marriage Course takes place
this Sunday 8th March 1:00pm - 4:00pm
in the Parish Hall.
LENTEN ACTIVITIES
Stations of the Cross:
Fridays at 7.30pm
[13th, 20th, 27th Mar
& 3rd Apr]
Passover Meal:
Wednesday 1st April at 7.30pm
in the Parish Hall.
Tickets available at the back of the church.
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
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.
THE ALPHA COURSE
Following a successful run
in 2019, Alpha will be back
in April (after Easter) for
those who missed out!
Join us for an evening of sharing over a
meal, a video talk and group discussions
on life and faith.
If you are interested or are able to give a
hand in running the sessions, either to
prepare food or be part of the group
discussion, please join our preparation
meeting on Tue, 17th March at 7:15pm
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.
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
ST. MARTIN OF PORRES
CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL
We are looking to appoint a teacher to
cover the maternity leave of our Year 1
class teacher.
Job shares, NQTs and full time teachers are
all welcome to apply to work in our happy
school with our delightful pupils. Please
contact the school office for further details.
Tel: 0208 361 1445 / Email:
admin@st-martinporres.haringey.sch.uk
PLANNING GIVING & GIFT AID
OFFERTORY ENVELOPES for
2020-2021.
We thank all those who support our parish
through the weekly loose plate offerings,
offertory envelopes and Standing Orders.
From next weekend we will be giving out the
2020-2021 envelopes for your offertory
donations.
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[Funeral of the
late Pamela Faulkner]
Thursday 9:15am
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
John Danaher
Joyce Kirton
Maria Oliveira
Martin McLoughlin
Pamela Faulkner
Patrick Cleary
Pearl Dhanukdharrisingh
Simon Clites Bicar
Teresa Carmelita Fernandes
RIP Anniversary
Margaret Toher
Phyllis O’Brien
Special Intentions
Christina
The Family of Maria Oliveira
The Family of Pamela Faulkner
The Family of Pearl Dhanukdharrisingh
The Family of Simon Bicar
The Family of Teresa Fernandes
And for all the sick and those in our
parish
NAMES NOT LISTED ABOVE ARE
LISTED IN OUR BOOK OF INTENTIONS
Matt 17:1-9
Meditate
Jesus climbs up a mountain with some of
his friends and there he is transfigured. In
a few weeks we will contemplate him going
up another mountain on which his face will
be disfigured. The experiences of light help
us go through experiences of darkness in
our lives.
Act
The disciples had to remember the
revelation of God’s face in order to confront
the Cross. At times we have to remind
ourselves and others God’s blessings in
order to stand firm in the moment of trial.
Consider if someone close to you needs
that sort of encouragement.