ST JOHN VIANNEY CHURCH

West Green
4 Vincent Road, London N15 3QH
Parish Office Tel No: 020-8888-5518 E-mail: westgreen@rcdow.org.uk
Facebook: West Green - St John Vianney Church
Our website: http://stjohnvianneywestgreen.co.uk/
(SJV Parish Centre 020-8888-5518)

18th /19th February 2017 SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Dear Parishioners,

In todays gospel, we hear that famous phrase of Jesus: Love your enemy.
Anyone who had tried to put this into practice would know how difficult
this can be: it often goes against our common sense and what the world
says.

I was remembering a conversation I had with my dad. One day, while mum was praying with
the Stations of the Cross in an outdoor pilgrim site, I waited with dad who is (somewhat) an
atheist. After some moments of relaxed strolling along the river in silence, suddenly he asked,
Why is your mum contemplating how this guy died? What good will that do? Wouldnt it be
more useful if your god teaches you how to live, to survive? I dont get his logic. What was that
thing he said? If anyone slaps you on one cheek, let him slap the other side too? Why, only an
idiot would do that! (And since he believed that this is pretty much what Jesus did by choosing
the cross, he was implying that Jesus was... well, an idiot.)

Fair enough. Without faith, the saying (and the Cross itself) does sound ridiculous, especially if
one has no notion of salvation and redemption. It almost goes against everything that we know
about fairness and justice, or even self-defence and survival. But offering the other cheek is not
a matter of passively resigning oneself to whatever violence is done to you or, even worse,
encouraging it. Instead, Jesus is calling us to fight for justice, human dignity and a better world
in a non-violent way, using not brute strength but the power of Love.

As someone once said, An eye for an eye will leave the whole world blind. God, in His infinite
wisdom, knows that Love is the only way to break this vicious cycle. It isnt easy but it is often
the only way that bears fruit of life instead of death, hope instead of despair, joy instead of
bitterness, forgiveness and reconciliation instead of separation. I have seen many miracles
happened because an option was made for Love, and not what seemed most logical to our
human mind. Yes, perhaps it might make us seem foolish to the world, but as St. Paul wrote in
his letter to the people in Corinth, sometimes we must learn to be a fool before we really can be
wise. Why? Because the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. Let us be fools in loving!

As for that conversation with my dad that was a miracle in itself. By the end of it, he came to
realise how; actually, he had experienced the fruits of such illogical and foolish love in his
own life. It seemed like he didnt think Jesus was such an idiot after all!

3rd Imrali Delegation: Fr. Joe is still in Turkey but will be back soon. The meetings have been
very valuable so far, although the delegation hadnt managed to see Abdullah Ocalan.

RCIA retreat: I am away for a retreat with some of our RCIA candidates this weekend, as part
of their preparation to be received fully into the Catholic Church. Please pray for them!

God bless, Sr. Devy

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY IN EPIC: A JOURNEY THROUGH CHURCH
LAST SUNDAYS COLLECTIONS HISTORY
The history of our Faith is a fascinating story of
CATECHETICAL PROGRAMMES adventure, rebellion, tragedy and triumph - a story
All the activities take place in the Parish Hall. 2,000 years in the making. This course is a
Any enquiries please contact captivating and fast-paced look at the story of the
Sr. Devy on 07403 784463 Catholic Church, beginning with the lives of the
apostles all the way up to the present day. Join us
SATURDAY MORNING RELIGIOUS either on Tuesdays (7.30-9.00pm) or Wednesdays
INSTRUCTION (10.00-11.30am) in the Jubilee Hall. Next sessions
Next session: 25th Feb, 10am-11.15am on 20th & 21st February 2017.
(Entrance on Vincent Road N15)
FIRST RECONCILIATION PROGRAMME FUNERALS:
Session Five Saturday 25th February, Please pray for the repose of the soul of:
12noon to 1pm in the Parish Centre. The Late Cyril Augustin, RIP
FIRST COMMUNION PROGRAMME (husband of Monique) We remember his family in
our prayers. His funeral Mass will take place here
Theme 7 - Sat. 11th March, 10am, Hume Hall at 10 am, Monday 27th February.
Parents Meeting: Sat. Sat. 11th March,
10am in the Jubilee Hall The Late Doris King, RIP
Church 11am Mass We remember her family in our prayers. Her
Funeral Mass will take place here, date and time to
CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME be confirmed
Next session on 11th March, 3.15-6.00pm.
The session will be held in St. Pauls, Wood May they rest in peace.
Green. A DAY WITH ST JOHN VIANNEY
RCIA - RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION Next Saturday, 25th February
OF ADULTS: starting at 10am.
th
Next session on 4 March in the Hume Hall: 4.00- To plan the day it will be helpful especially for
5:45pm - Followed by 6pm Mass. catering purposes to have an idea of numbers.
Please put you name in the list at the back of the
THE CELEBRATION OF BAPTISM
church if you hope to attend.
If you would like to have your child baptised on the
For further information see flyer/poster.
11th March 17 or later, the next sessions will be on
Monday, 6th & 20th March 17. Please contact the
FRIENDS OF ST JOHN VIANNEY:
Parish Office to book your place on the course.
We invite all parishioners to join us and be part of
ALPHA YOUTH GROUP the Friends of St John Vianney. Our main duty
There is no Alpha during this half term. All will be to welcome everyone to our parish.
Catholics, Christians, and non-Christians, aged 13- If you would like to join this group, please contact,
18, are invited for music, food, games, & discussion Mariantha or Germaine
on life/faith, on Monday 20th February from 7pm -
ST JOHN VIANNEY SCHOOL & LONDON
9pm in the parish hall. Cost: Free. Donations:
CITIZENS
welcome. Invites you to an
PARISH FUNDRAISING - TEAS /COFFEE Open Meeting on Monday 20th February at 3.30pm
In the Parish Hall after (Sun.) 9am and 11am at St John Vianney School,
Masses to support them in getting the Council to improve
the Stanley/Culross Open Space area for the pupils,
GUIDED PRAYER FOR LENT parents and the wider community; to meet
Opening Meeting takes place on Sunday 5th March developers and Councillor Blake from Haringey
at 12noon in the Hume Hall. Meet with guide on Council, who will be there to put forward their
Fridays, 10, 17 and 24th March. proposals and answer question.
Leaflet with further details at the back of the All who are interested are welcome!
church, along with the signing in sheet.
 PARISH FUN-D-RAISING EVENTS THE ANNUAL MASS
FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT: IN THANKSGIVING FOR
27 FEBRUARY 12th MARCH 2016
th
THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY
The Fairtrade fortnight is an annual event in which will take place on
fair and ethical trading values are celebrated. Saturday, 3 June 2017, at 3.00pm.
This year we would have a If you are celebrating significant anniversaries (25th,
BIG BREW 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th and every year over 60) of
on Saturday 4th March after the 6pm Mass and Catholic marriage in 2017, please give your parish
Sunday 5th March after each Mass. clergy or administrator, the following details:
Parishioners are invited to bring in Fairtrade cakes husband and wifes names, wedding date, full postal
and biscuits on the day 4th/5th March. address and email (or telephone number, if no
A daily cuppa for you can mean clean water for email), no later than 24th March 2017, so that
tea farmers and workers. personal invitations from the Cardinal can be sent
in time.
The next
ST. JOHN VIANNEY FILM NIGHT FOR THE FAIRTRADE
will take place on Sunday 5th March at 5pm. PROMOTER/ORGANISER:
showing Fairtrade Fortnight is Feb 27th to March 12th, and
"The Million Pound Note", if you have not organised an event in your parish,
a story about how people respond to wealth. do consider coming along to one of the talks we are
Starring Gregory Peck. organising. Or as well as your own event! One is
in Hitchin, one in Holborn. Two excellent
ST PATRICKS CELEBRATION speakers from Traidcraft, the organisation which
Our St Patricks celebration with Traditional Bacon provides a lot of our parish FT goods. What does
& Cabbage Dinner/Social Brexit mean for Fairtrade? Come and find out!
SUNDAY, 12th MARCH Bring a group, bring your cash and stock up!
FROM 5:00pm to 9.00pm.
Join us to celebrate St Patrick. VACANCY YOUTH WORKER
Ticket 10 per Adult; 5 child (primary school to A Youth Worker is sought by
age 10); pre-school/baby free Westminster Justice and Peace Commission to
Tickets are available. Watch this space!! promote peace and social justice concerns in
schools and parishes across the diocese. Energy
SURGERY HOURS DROP-IN TIMES
and enthusiasm to encourage young people to
As a parish team, we want to be available to meet
make a difference in the world around them is
the pastoral needs of all parishioners in St John
key. See diocesan website for details. Closing date
Vianney Church as much as we can.
13th March 2017
Complementing the existing office hours and our
http://rcdow.org.uk/diocese/jobs/youth-worker--
general availability, we would like to offer the
westminster-justice--peace-commission-1/
following drop-in times
Tue 3.30-4.30pm Fr Joe 4 Vincent CREATION QUOTES FROM LAUDATO SI
6.30-7.30pm Road People may well have a growing ecological
Wed 11.30am- Fr Damian 4 Vincent sensitivity but it has not succeeded in
12.30pm Sr Devy Road changing their harmful habits of consumption
3.30pm 4a Vincent which, rather than decreasing, appear to be
4.30pm Road growing all the more. A simple example is the
Thu 11.30am- Sr Devy increasing use and power of air-conditioning.
12.30pm 4a Vincent (LS 55)
6.30pm Road
Sr PILGRIMAGE TO MALTA - 17-22 JUNE 2017
7.30pm Led by Fr Rob Morland
Catherine
Meeting will be held on Wednesday 22nd February
PARISH OUTREACH SOUP RUN at 8pm in Room 3 of St John Vianney Centre
The next Soup Run on 25th February 2017 (entrance Vincent Road N15). See poster at the
Group C back of the Church for further details.
 Entrance Antiphon THIS WEEK WE PRAY FOR
O Lord, I trust in your merciful love. The repose of the soul:
My heart will rejoice in your salvation. Alan OSullivan
I will sing to the Lord who has been bountiful with me. Ann McDonagh
Cyril Augustine
First reading Domenico Cusano
Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18 Francesca Hanley
Jacob Varughese
Psalm 102: Joe McGee
The Lord is compassion and love. Johnny Hearne
Louis Portelli
Second reading Nuala McCole
1 Corinthians 3:16-23 Patricia Shovlin (Months Mind)
RIP
Gospel Acclamation RIP Anniversary:
Alleluia, alleluia! Giovina Mitchell
If anyone loves me he will keep my word, Helena Aversani Freire
and my Father will love him, Rosario Fernandes
and we shall come to him.
Alleluia! Special Intentions:
Helen Shine
Gospel Laura Oliveira
Matthew 5:38-48 Noelle Jhumun
The Jaggs Family
Communion Antiphon
I will recount all your wonders, Thank You
I will rejoice in you and be glad, The Priests and Parishioners of St John Vianney
and sing psalms to your name, O Most High. For the sick and those in our parish
Eduardo Pane
Frank Fox
Helen Shine
MASS & SERVICE TIMES Jim McGeoghegan
Joe Breen
Mass 9:15am John & Pauline Mooney
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Rita Mongeland
Saturday Rita Miller
Sarah Namagambe
(Sat.) 6pm; Val Eaves
Sunday: 9:00am and 11:00am Yvonne Joseph

Sacrament of Reconciliation: Names not listed above, are listed

Saturday: from 9:45 am 10:15am in our Book of Intentions.

PARISH TEAM PARISH OFFICE HOURS

Fr. Joe Ryan, Parish Priest Tues to Fri 10am-12noon, 1pm-4pm
Fr Damian Ryan, Assistant Priest To make an appointment
Sr. Devy Pranadjaja, Parish Sister Phone: 0208 888 5518 or email
Germaine Ng Ying, Parish Adm/Secretary westgreen@rcdow.org.uk
We cannot guarantee to have anyone available outside of
these hours.