COMMEMORATING NICAEA
Webmaster • May 30, 2025
This year we celebrate 1700 years since the Council of Nicaea in 325, which gave the Church the Creed still used at Sunday Mass. Deacon Ken Carleton, dean in the formation programme for deacons, and accomplished church historian, will lead a study day to explore how the Creed was produced, and what role was played by the Emperor Constantine in this first world Council of the Church. The study day will take place on Saturday 7th June from 10.30 (Coffee) until 2 pm, with a break for lunch, at the Catholic Church of Christ the Eternal High Priest, Gidea Park, RM2 6DH. Easy access on the Elizabeth Line, or from the M25. The programme will be live-streamed on www.whatgoodnews.org and available subsequently on the same website. You will be very welcome to attend in person as we celebrate that the Lord Jesus is ‘consubstantial with the Father’.
North Ilford Fellowship of Churches are inviting everyone to Pentecost Songs of Praise on Sunday, 8 th June in Ashurst Drive Baptist Church. There will be refreshments afterwards. I attended the NIFOC committee meeting this afternoon. People were saying how much they enjoyed the World Day of Prayer service at our church.
Missio is the Pope’s charity for World Mission. We ignite God’s love by helping local missionaries to walk alongside global communities who are poor or in need, regardless of their background or belief. I would like to thank you on behalf of Missio and the Mill Hill Missionaries for raising £3202.88 in 2024 through the Red Box and direct giving, including direct debits and online donations. Thank you for your continued support for our global church, through prayer and generous giving, despite the challenging times we live in. On the poster at the back of the church is Fr Glenn, a Mill Hill Missionary, with his parishioners at Mary Mother of God Church, in the rural parish of Tamping, Cambodia. In 2024, you provided essential support to enable Missionary Priests, just like Fr Glenn, to go out to some of the most remote areas of their parish to share the Sacraments and the message of the Gospel with their communities. This is the very essence of being a missionary disciple, and something we can all share in. Our Parish here today is connected to our global community through the celebration of the Eucharist and through prayer.
Many thanks to those who support this scheme. The parish bank account was recently credited with £17,209.59 by the tax[wo]man. Very many thanks also to our gift aid administrator, Ms Maxima Emmanuel, for all her hard work in making this possible. If you pay income tax and would like to join the scheme please see me after Mass. It takes just one simple form and it costs you nothing. The parish simply claims back the income tax you pay on any donations you already make to the parish in the weekly collection.
HOLY MASS for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis will be celebrated by Bishop Alan in the Cathedral on Sunday 27th April At 11.30am.
VERY MANY THANKS for all your prayers, cards, presents and generous Easter offerings. They are, as always, very much appreciated.
Those who wish to, are invited to gather at the magistrates' court (suggest 9.15am - 9.30am) and walk in small groups, along the pavements to Ken Aston Square as we have done for the past two years. Other than that, please ask people gather at the Square as usual, where we hope to start the service at 10.00am.
Thursday, 17th April at 7.30pm . Volunteers, please, for the Mandatum [Washing of the feet] during the Mass. List on the notice board at the back of the church (women and men, of course).
The debate regarding this issue has been somewhat truncated by the fact that the government has allowed the matter to be dealt with by means of a private member’s bill. Such an important change in the law should never have been allowed to happen in this way. Whilst not impugning the sincerity of those who back this change the amateurish and shambolic way in which it has staggered through a “packed” committee stage in the House of Commons is worrying to say the least. For example, does anyone really believe that a handpicked group of “experts” chosen by the prime minister [who backs the change] is any substitute for an impartial and objective High Court judge being required to oversee the process of dying? Postcards provided by Not Dead Yet UK, a network of disabled people who oppose the legislation, have been included in the newsletter. These are intended to be sent to your local MP. However, please be aware that Wes Streeting, the member of parliament for Ilford North and Secretary of State for Health, has already voted against the bill at second reading. Jas Athwal, the member for Ilford South, voted in favour.