NEWS & VIEWS

Today’s Gospel is Mary’s song of praise, known as the Magnificat, that she sings upon hearing from the archangel Gabriel that she is to be the mother of Jesus, who is God. Though this vocation would have been a massive shock for Mary, her words show great insight and prescience. For example: “from now on all generations will call me blessed”, and “the Mighty One has done great things for me”. We join in calling her blessed as we celebrate the “great thing” that is her assumption into heaven – her special reward for her crucial role in our salvation.

ASSUMPTION Today we celebrate Our Lady’s assumption into heaven at the end of her earthly life. Though not mentioned in the Bible, this was not unprecedented: Elijah was taken directly into heaven in a chariot of fire (II Kings 2. 11), and Enoch (father of Methuselah) ‘did not see death’ (Hebrews 11. 5).

A WARM WELCOME to Alex Coutts on his second visit to us deputising at the organ for John Cox.

PATRONAL FESTIVAL On Sunday 3 September at 10am we will anticipate the celebration of Our Lady’s Birthday with a Solemn Pontifical Mass followed by a buffet lunch with celebratory drinks. The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford (our Diocesan Bishop) The Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, on her first visit to Ilford, will be our Principal Celebrant and Preacher. Please mark this in your diaries and make every effort to be in church for this important occasion in the life of our church and parish.

LEARN TO RING CHURCH BELLS On each Saturday in August from 2-4pm our friends the East London Bell Ringers are holding sessions here at St Mary’s for beginners/learners. All are welcome to come along to try this fun, social, traditional activity. More details from june1gray@hotmail.com / 07817 561263.

SPONSORED WALK On Saturday 9 September Nicky Tann is to walk 50km (31 miles) along the Thames Path in aid of Dementia UK. She would welcome sponsors via justgiving.com/nickytannThamesPath23 and adds “I will also accept cash donations and prayers for my poor feet!”

FR GARETH is on leave, returning on Wednesday. There will be no weekday Mass until Thursday and any urgent matters should be referred to a Churchwarden. There will be no Evening Prayer during August.

ILFORD MMU BBQ Our Mission and Ministry Unit (MMU) is hosting a FREE BBQ after Mass on Sunday 17 September from 12.15pm in the grounds of St Margaret’s Church, Balfour Road, Ilford, IG1 4HZ. This is an opportunity for the congregations of our 3 churches (St Mary’s, St Margaret’s, and St Luke’s) to get to know each other better over food and drinks. All are welcome!

BLESSING AND DISMISSAL Please note the subtle change to the Blessing and Dismissal (now called Blessing and Commission). The change in the response reflects the sense that at the end of Mass we are not so much ‘dismissed’ as ‘sent out’ into the world and commissioned to proclaim the good news (Gospel) in our lives.

SIM CARDS Fr Gareth has a number of Vodafone SIM cards with 6 months’ free unlimited data, calls and SMS. These are intended for those struggling to pay mobile phone bills. If you would like one, please speak to Fr Gareth in confidence - when he is back from leave - and he will be able discreetly to issue one to you.

REGULAR GIVING Giving to fund the ministry of the Church is an essential part of our Christian faith. Please, if you don’t already, would you consider giving a regular amount? No amount is too small. Using our parish giving scheme is easy and you are in full control (and Margaret Quinney will be pleased to help you if needed). One-off donations can be made using the Parish Giving Scheme, or with the card machine at the back of church, or by putting cash/cheques in the offering plate. Cheques should be made payable to St Mary’s Ilford PCC.

INTERCESSION

OF YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE PRAY FOR

the sick, distressed and bereaved
John & Joan Cassidy, Richard Holland, Lucy Ball, Amberly Crediton, Kathy Valentine, Margaret Harding, Mel Taylor, Bernard Street, Muriel Masters, Keith Holland, Sally Cox, Matthew, Jacqui & Leslie Haigh, Bibi Bacchus, Eddie Burns, Fr Michael, David Weller, Jacob Hope, Fr Elwin Cockett, Brenda Fitter Katharine & Edward Lewis; Denis Deasey

the recently departed 

those whose anniversaries of death fall this week

Sunday

Harold Mason

Monday

Caroline Holland, Prescott Hedley

Tuesday

George Enders priest, Amy Taylor

Wednesday

Thomas Seabrook junior, Ivy Holgate

Friday

Michael Cassidy, Amelia Seago

Saturday

Olive Thompson

please pray especially for

refugees and asylum seekers

ORDER OF SERVICE