Newsletter - August 2025
Dear brothers and sisters,
The year 2024/25 is already over. When I think of August 2024, it seems just behind the door and yet, so many things have happened since then. We have all gone through so much… or so little…
As says the Qoheleth, vanity of vanities. On the one hand, we might have the impression that the year was full to the brim in terms of activities and duties. Indeed there have been much toil and pain: full of work, responsibilities and duties. Also a fair amount of joys, excitement, sorrows and grievances. Our days, weeks and months are so full that we barely find any possibility to add anything more.
On the other, we might think “After all, what has really changed?” Deep inside, is there anything in movement? Beyond all the toil, work and busyness, I can ponder and ask: where am I at the moment? Am I at the same point as last year or has something moved? Has my involvement in these activities enabled me to experience something inside? I think brothers and sisters that it is only our relationship with the Lord which can bring this question into the right perspective.
On the feast of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus on 29 July, Jesus said “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary” (Lk 10:41). Martha was very preoccupied by all the tasks to complete and Jesus rightly points this out. Things have to be done and indeed this is important, because we live in the world and we are all incarnate. But what comes out from all these experiences? Where is my essential, my necessary?
When pondering on this question through a review of the year, we could take into account St Ignatius’ consideration of three things: “first to consider the place where I lived, secondly my dealings with others and thirdly the office I have held” (SE56). In the light of these three points, we could ponder how these areas have brought us closer or further to the Lord. What I have learnt of the Lord and of myself? St Ignatius of Loyola also invites us in each one of the Spiritual Exercises to “ask for what I desire”. A review can be very fruitful for me to ask what I want for the coming year.
To all of you dear brothers and sisters, a blessed holiday.
Fr Pascal
Focus of the week
AUGUST MASS TIMES
Sunday Masses
As in previous years the Mass times will vary slightly during August. On Saturdays there will be a Mass at 5.30pm as usual.
On Sundays there will be a 10am Mass in place of the 9am/11am Masses – (2/3, 9/10, 16/17, 23/24, 30/31 August (no 9am/11am).
Weekday Masses
Fr Pascal will be taking some time out for a summer break. There will be no 11am Mass from Wednesday 6 – Saturday 16 August (except Assumption, see below).
Assumption
There will be two Masse on Friday 15 August at 11am and 7pm.
Local churches will have a daily Mass as follows:
Our Lady of Mount Carmel & St George, Enfield @ 9.30am Saturday and 12 noon on Sunday
St Monica’s, Palmers Green @ 9:30am on Sunday
Our Lady of Lourdes, New Southgate @ 10am on Sunday
Our Lady & St Vincent, Potters Bar @ 10am, but no mass on 7, 8, 12, 13 August, then Vigil Mass of Assumption, 7.30pm 14 August