NEWS & VIEWS

Today’s Gospel tells the miracle of a Canaanite woman who wants Jesus to heal her daughter. Jesus declines at first (as she is not one of ‘the lost sheep of the house of Israel’) but her persistence and her faith pays off and Jesus grants the healing. We pray that we may have faith - at least as strong as that Canaanite woman’s - in God’s power to heal.

PATRONAL FESTIVAL On Sunday 3 September at 10am - two weeks’ time - 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 Saturday from 2-4pm our friends the East London Bell Ringers are holding the last (for the time being) of their sessions for beginners/learners here at St Mary’s. All are welcome to come along to try this fun social activity. More details about this session and bell ringing generally are available from ilford@eacr.org.uk / 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!”

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!

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.

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.

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, the Brant family; Charlie Brinkley

the recently departed 

  Ian Smith, Sally Bedeau

those whose anniversaries of death fall this week

Sunday

Peter Halsey

Monday

Eric Metcalfe

Tuesday

Marion Rome, Franklin Rust, Mabel Metcalfe

Wednesday

Ivy Cook

Thursday

Margaret Knight

Friday

Frank Lunn

please pray especially for

those affected by the fires in Maui

ORDER OF SERVICE