NEWS & VIEWS

Today we celebrate the Holy and Undivided Trinity – one God in three ‘persons’. Theologians over the centuries have struggled to define, describe and explain this doctrine, and analogies always fall short. For most of us it must probably remain a mysterious matter of faith. Today’s Gospel records Jesus’ instruction to baptise in the name of all three persons and they are invoked or worshipped throughout liturgy. Apart from that, poetic expressions - like ‘God in three persons, blessed Trinity!’ in our first hymn - may be all we can reasonably utter.

CORPUS CHRISTI Next Sunday we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body (Corpus) and Blood (Sanguinem) of Christ - and all that the Eucharist means to us as Christians. Please would you bring rose petals and aromatic herbs to strew in front of the special procession we shall have to honour Christ’s Sacramental Presence. The service will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

FR GARETH is on annual leave today and on a spiritual retreat from after Mass tomorrow (Monday) until Thursday afternoon. There will be no Mass on Tuesday. Fr Stephen Pugh will say the 10am Mass on Thursday.

CONFIRMATION and FIRST COMMUNION Our Deanery’s Confirmations will take place at 2.30pm on Sunday 18 June at St Mary’s South Woodford at the hands of the Bishop of Barking. We are delighted that Riana Pravinth will be presented that day. Please do plan to come along and support her. Would you like to be Confirmed? Please speak to Fr Gareth for further details.

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC By mutual agreement Barry Hopwood stood down as Director of Music and Organist during his trial period with us. We are grateful for what Barry has brought to the parish since his appointment in March and wish him well. John Cox will return to the console during the interim period as we seek to make new appointment as soon as possible. Please pray about this.

DAY PILGRIMAGE TO ST ALBAN’S CATHEDRAL Saturday 23 September St Mary’s, St Margaret’s and St Luke’s (the Ilford MMU) have arranged a pilgrimage to St Alban’s Cathedral, the site of the burial of England’s first martyr. The cost is £27 per person and includes return private coach travel, entrance to the Cathedral and a guided tour. If you would like to come, please pay a (non-refundable) deposit of £10 and put your name and contact details on the sheet at the back of church. Please see posters for further details.

FOR YOUR DIARY 

2.30pm Sunday 18 June
Confirmations at St Mary’s South Woodford
11am Saturday 1 July
Day of Action (church clutter clear-out)
2pm Saturday 22 July
Vicarage Garden Party
10am Sunday 3 September
Patronal Festival (Bishop of Chelmsford)
9am Saturday 23 September
Day Pilgrimage to St Alban’s Cathedral
7.30pm Saturday 18 November
Fish and Chip Quiz

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. We are struggling, so, please, if you don’t already, 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.

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, Kay Higgins, Matthew, Jacqui & Leslie Haigh, Bibi Bacchus, Eddie Burns, Fr Michael Bradley, David Southgate, David Weller, Jacob Hope; Renate Arnold

the recently departed

Ivy Southgate, Richard Marriott priest

those whose anniversaries of death fall this week

Sunday

Dot Rice

Monday

Frank & Charles Wiley, Ogie Eweka, Dora Gilpin

Tuesday

Alfred Edwards, Herbert Coultart

Wednesday

George Lunn, Henry Henderson

Thursday

Francis Smith

Friday

Richard Hall-Dare

Saturday

Lil Joy

please pray especially for

integrity in politics and government

ORDER OF SERVICE