Parish Newsletter – Sunday 26 April 2026

4th Sunday of Easter
St Ann’s Catholic Church, Kingston Hill

A Word to Our Parish Family

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us: “My sheep listen to my voice.” In a world filled with noise, distractions, and competing voices, we are gently invited to pause and ask: whose voice are we listening to?

The voice of the Good Shepherd leads us to peace, love, and truth. When we return to Him, we rediscover what truly matters in life.

Thank you for the wonderful participation last Sunday. The tomato plant sale raised £85, supporting our refreshments fund. A special thanks to Barry Wood for his generosity. The Readers’ Rota and booklet are now available – please do collect your copy.

10th Ordination Anniversary – A Moment of Gratitude

Friday, 1st May 2026 marks my 10th Ordination Anniversary. I humbly ask for your prayers.

You are warmly invited to join the Thanksgiving Mass on Sunday, 3rd May at 10:30 am as we thank God for His faithfulness.

“I have become all things to all people…” (1 Corinthians 9:22)
“The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.” (Psalm 126:3)

Safeguarding Sunday

This Sunday we observe Safeguarding Sunday – a reminder that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Let us grow as a parish that protects, supports, and honours the dignity of every person, especially the vulnerable.

Contact: safeguardingoffice@rcaos.org.uk
Parish Representative: Nimasha Anne

Parish Life & Upcoming Events

Youth Group
Saturday, 9th May at 4:30 pm
A meaningful opportunity for young people to grow in faith and friendship.

Family Mass
Sunday, 23rd May at 10:30 am
Altar servers to arrive 15 minutes early.

Children’s Gardening Activity
After Mass on Sunday, 26th April
A joyful space for children to learn, care, and grow together.

Special Parish Event

Visitation of Our Lady of Fatima
Saturday 30th May & Sunday 31st May 2026

We will welcome the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue and relics of Saints Jacinta and Francisco. A grace-filled time for prayer, renewal, and devotion.

Journeying in Faith

A gentle invitation to deepen your faith through Scripture, Tradition, and reflection:

• Bible Study – Third Fridays at 7:30 pm (Next: 15th May)
• Spiritual Evenings – Second Tuesdays at 7:30 pm (Next: 5th May)

Inspired by Mary who “sat at the Lord’s feet and listened” (Luke 10:39), these gatherings help us move from knowing about God to truly encountering Him.

Well-being at St Ann’s

Creating harmony of body, mind, and spirit:

• 60+ Club – Wednesdays, 10:45 am – 12:15 pm
• Meditation, Breath & Yoga – Wednesdays, 6:00 pm
• Reflexology & Healing Touch sessions available

A welcoming space for companionship, healing, and renewal.

Homily for 4th Sunday of Easter – Family mass (Children’s Homily)

My dear brothers and sisters, and especially my dear children,

Today I want to begin with a small question…
Very simple… but very important.

When your mum calls your name from another room…
do you recognise her voice immediately?

………

Of course you do.
Even if there are many people… even if there is noise…
you know — “That is my mum.”

And if a stranger calls you…
do you go?

(No…)

Why?
Because you know the voice.

This is exactly what Jesus is telling us today in the Gospel.
In Gospel of John 10:
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

Now let me tell you a small story…

There was a boy… very happy… very joyful.
He loved playing… he listened to his parents…
he did his homework… he prayed with his family.

Everything was simple… peaceful… beautiful.

But one day… he got something new.
A mobile phone.

At first… just a little time.
Then a little more…
Then more…

Colourful videos… cartoons… games… advertisements…
Everything looked exciting… attractive…

Slowly… without even realising…
his time changed.

Less talking with family…
Less playing outside…
Less prayer…

And something else came in… quietly…

Restlessness…
Tiredness…
Sometimes even difficulty to sleep…

Not something very bad…
Just… a little too much… a little extra…
But enough to disturb his peace.

One day… something touched his heart.

He realised…

“These things look beautiful…
but they don’t really care about me.
They only want my attention… my time… even my money.
But they are not giving me real joy.”

And that day… something beautiful happened.

He went to his mother…
hugged her… and said, “Thank you.”

And the mother embraced him.

That embrace…
that love…
that peace…

was something no screen could ever give.

That evening… during family prayer…
his mother read the Gospel:

“My sheep listen to my voice.”

And suddenly… he understood.

There are many voices in life…
but not all voices are good.

Some voices are like strangers…
They attract… but they don’t protect.
They excite… but they don’t love.

Jesus says very clearly:
“Anyone who does not enter through the door is a thief.”

A thief does not come to care…
but to take away.

My dear children,

Let me ask you again…

How many voices do you hear every day?

Voices from games…
from videos…
from friends…
from the world…

But among all these voices…
can you still hear the voice of Jesus?

Can you hear the voice of your parents?

Because your parents…
they are like shepherds for you.

They protect you…
they guide you…
they love you… even when you don’t see it.

Jesus is our Good Shepherd.

Bible says:
“The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.” (Psalm 23)

He does not force…
He calls.

He does not shout…
He speaks gently.

But to hear Him…
we need silence in the heart.

Sometimes… it is not that we don’t know His voice…
we already know.

But there is too much noise.

Too many distractions.

Too many “colourful things” that look like happiness…
but are not real joy.

As someone once said:
“Not everything that shines is gold.”

And another wise saying:
“The soul becomes what it listens to.”

So today… a small invitation.

Not something difficult.

Just small steps:

• Spend a little less time with distractions
• Spend a little more time with family
• Listen when your parents speak
• Give a few moments for prayer
• Come to Jesus… quietly

And you will begin to feel something…

Peace.

And my dear altar servers…
you are very special today.

You stand close to the altar…
close to Jesus.

Always remember…
you are not just helping in the Mass…
you are learning to listen to His voice.

Stay close to Him.

My dear brothers and sisters,

The boy in the story did not become perfect overnight.

But he chose something very simple…

He came back.

He listened again.

He recognised the true voice.

And from that moment…
peace returned.

So today… let us ask ourselves:

Whose voice am I listening to?

The voice that distracts…
or the voice that leads?

Because Jesus says:

“My sheep listen to my voice…
I know them…
and they follow me.”

Let us be those sheep…

Not lost… not confused…
but safe… joyful…
in the care of our Good Shepherd.

Amen.