NEWS & VIEWS

Today’s Gospel tells of St Peter’s Confession at Caesarea Philippi: He professes Jesus as “the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” In turn, Jesus promises Peter the ‘keys of the kingdom of heaven’ and authority to forgive sins (or not to!). In Jesus’ first recorded use of the term ‘church’ he says he will build his church ‘on this rock’: His meaning is much discussed by scholars – is the ‘rock’ Peter himself (his name in Aramaic is the same as the word for ‘rock’, and it’s similar in Greek) or is it his confession?  Also the Messianic Secret persists: Jesus orders his disciples not to tell anyone he’s the Messiah.

PATRONAL FESTIVAL Next Sunday 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 – see below. 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 and the Deputy Mayor of Redbridge will be our guest. Please be in church for this important occasion in the life of our church and parish.

BUFFET CONTRIBUTIONS At the back of church there is a list of food we would like to offer at the buffet next Sunday after Mass. Please have a look, and if you can contribute something, write your name against the selected item and tear off the little strip to keep as an aide memoire. Thank you for your generosity.

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; Renate Arnold

the recently departed 

Eric Murphy

those whose anniversaries of death fall this week

Monday

James Moore, John Avery, Dorothy Meah

Tuesday

Elsie Bunn, Bill Crane

Wednesday

Roy Newman

Thursday

Dennis Smith

Friday

John Thompson, William Sharpe, Eulalie Josiah

Saturday

Myrtle Pates

please pray especially for

Our Local Authority

ORDER OF SERVICE