NEWS & VIEWS

Today’s Gospel is the parable of weeds among the wheat. Developing on the parable of the sower, which we heard last week, Jesus explains that the weeds (causes of sin and evil doers) sown by ‘an enemy’ are not to be uprooted until harvest time (meaning the end of the age) for fear of accidentally uprooting the wheat (the ‘children of the kingdom’). No - the reapers (angels) will come to harvest the wheat and the weeds will be ‘burned up with fire.’ Then, the righteous ‘will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father’.

PATRONAL FESTIVAL On Sunday 3 September we will anticipate the celebration of Our Lady’s Birthday with a Solemn Pontifical Mass at 10am 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.

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!”

VICARAGE SUMMER GARDEN PARTY CANCELLED We are very sorry that this had to be cancelled due to inclement weather. We will be making full refunds to those who have bought tickets.

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 free unlimited data, calls and SMS for 6 months. These are intended for those struggling to pay mobile phone bills. If you would like one, please speak to Fr Gareth in confidence and he will be able to discreetly issue one to you.

ILFORD COMMUNITY GROCERY for £5 a year anyone can fill their grocery basket twice a week for £4 each time at City Gates, 25-29 Clements Road, between 9.30 and 4.30 Monday-Friday. The quality of the food available is very good and free support courses are on offer at the same venue. Details at communitygrocery.org.uk/ilford or from 020 3422 6511. There are flyers at the back of church.

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 plan is easy and you are in full control (and Margaret Quinney will be pleased to help you if needed). For one-off donations please use the card machine at the back of church or the offering plate for cash/cheques.

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, Helen Johnson, Sally Cox, Matthew, Jacqui & Leslie Haigh, Bibi Bacchus, Eddie Burns, Fr Michael, David Weller, Jacob Hope, Fr Elwin Cockett, Brenda Fitter; Fr Christopher

the recently departed 

Robert Barnett, David Kester   

those whose anniversaries of death fall this week

Sunday

Norman Crabb, Alan Hart

Monday

Donald Noble

Tuesday

Gladys Higgs, Thomas Jackson, Anna Jackson, Emily Ayrton

Wednesday

Thomas Willcock, Frank Wood

Friday

Phyllis Smith, Georgina Jackson

please pray especially for

those suffering from extreme weather

ORDER OF SERVICE