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)
Dear Parishioners,
There is so much news in todays readings Moses is
minding his sheep; the burning bush representing Gods presence
; the holy ground we stand on; the Exodus from slavery in Egypt;
Gods name. I am who I am; the Lord is compassion and love; we all drink from the
spiritual rock, Christ; why some suffer more than others; God is a God of second chances.
So how do we unpack all these treasures?
God appears to Moses in the Burning Bush in the wilderness, while he is minding the
sheep, not in a Temple. God appears in a secular place whole Moses is engaged in his
everyday task. Here the sacred and the secular are entwined. This is a challenge for us to
be able to see and meet God, yes in Church, but also in our everyday lives.
Moses, Moses, God calls; here I am, Moses answers. Take off your shoes for the
place on which you stand is holy ground I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Moses covered his face; he was afraid to look at God. While there was fear, there was also
AWE and REVERENCE in his reaction. An awe-inspiring moment is so precious that we
want it to continue. It is just like St Peter in last Sundays Transfiguration story; Lord, it is
wonderful for us to be here! This is the WONDER of God, of Jesus that we need to treasure
and capture in our lives.
We need to wonder, appreciate and treasure the ordinary things in our lives that is
ourselves; other people; a new dawn; a new life; a sunset; a daffodil breaking through the
cold earth, etc., this is what Celtic Spirituality teaches us that is seeing God in nature this
in turn helps us to see God and listen to Jesus in his Words of Scripture and in the Eucharist
and Sacraments we celebrate.
What a series of ideas to dwell on during Lent!
Here in the Church we are on holy ground too. While we do not remove our shoes like
the Muslims do, we can still gain a sense of reverence. This may well be in the form of quiet
greeting and respectful silence. If there is confusion between the secular and the sacred it is
ours, not Gods!
In our Passover Meal in a few weeks time we commemorate the freedom of the
Israelites from slavery in Egypt. During the Year of Mercy we try to celebrate and
understand God as a God of compassion, forgiveness, new beginnings. The mystery of why
there is suffering in our world is still a mystery. We begin to get the answer in Holy Week as
we celebrate the suffering of Jesus.
Thats all for now. Have a good week.
Fr Joe
YEAR OF MERCY:
24HOURS FOR THE LORD: on the 4th and
5th of March we will celebrate 24 hours of
prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Please
sign up on the list at the back of the Church
with the time that you will commit to spend
with the Lord.
CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME: We
welcome our Confirmation candidates to
participate in our 6pm Mass. Our next
meeting on the 12th March at 3:30pm in
Wood Green Church.
Entrance Antiphon
My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues
my feet from the snare. Turn to me and have
mercy on me, for I am alone and poor.
First Reading
Responsorial Psalm:
Psalm 102
The Lord is compassion and love.
Second Reading 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12
Gospel Acclamation
Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God!
Repent, says the Lord, for the kingdom of heaven
is close at hand.
Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God!
Gospel
Luke 13:1-9
Communion Antiphon
The sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a
nest for her young: by your altars, O Lord of
hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are they who
dwell in your house, for ever singing your praise.
PARISH TEAM:
Fr. Joe Ryan, Parish Priest
Sr. Clara Segui, Parish Sister
Germaine Ng Ying, Parish Adm/Secretary
In Residence: