First Sunday of Advent
1st December 2013
Parish Mass Book 182
Mass Times and Intentions
6.30 pm Vigil Joanne Hayes
Sunday 1 Dec 10.00 am People of Parish
4.00 pm Churches Together Advent Carol Service
Monday 10.00 am Eucharistic Service
Tuesday 10.00 am Ruddy / McDonnell families
Wednesday 10.00 am Bridgie & Jim Kiernan
Thursday 10.00 am John Southern
Friday 10.00 am Catherine Temple
6.30 pm Vigil People of Parish
Sunday 8 Dec 10.00 am Betty & Peter Quinn
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Saturday 5.45 pm - 6.15 pm
and at any time upon request
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Friday 9.30 - 10.00 am
Please pray for:
· all who are sick,
· Loreto Acierda and all who have died recently,
· Andrew Wright and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.
ADVENT
Happy New Year - with this the first Sunday of Advent the Church’s year starts anew. Advent is a time of hope. We are reminded that we are called to be a people of joyful expectation while we acknowledge the fulfilment of God’s presence among us.
Advent Churches Together Carol Service
Today at 4.00 pm we have the ecumenical Advent carol service which will be hosted here. I would encourage as many of you as possible to come to this service. In the past this has been supported well by other churches. It would also be good to support those who are contributing to the service especially our young people. I would like to pass on my thanks to all those who have helped and contributed to the service.
Advent Reconciliation
Bishop Seamus has asked that as happened in Lent confession is offered at a regular time throughout the diocese so for the Wednesday’s in Advent there will be confessions :
Wednesdays 6.00 to 7.00 pm.
St Aidan’s 7.00 to 8.-00 pm
St Bede’s Advent service of reconciliation will be Sunday 22nd December at 4.00 pm.
Youth Sunday
I would like to thank those young people who prepared and shared their reflections for Youth Sunday. Their comments were much appreciated.
Fr Jim Lennon
As many of you will already know Fr Jim Lennon who was a much loved and valued parish priest at St Wilfrid’s in Blyth for 18 years sadly passed away two weeks ago. His memorial Mass will be on Tuesday 10th December at 12 noon at Wilfrid’s, Blyth.
Liturgy Rotas
The new liturgy rota commences on 8th December. If you are involved with the liturgy in any way copies of the rota (with notes attached) are available from the Narthex. Please take a copy today.
Parish Ceilidh
This will take place on Saturday 7th December at 7.30 pm Tickets are £5. I am pleased to say ticket sales are going reasonably well, but tickets are still available from members of the social committee in the Narthex after Mass. Since this is the only social gathering we have as a parish around the Advent and Christmas period I would encourage as many of you as possible to take part. The ceilidh group have given us a very generous discount since they like playing for us.
Parish Pastoral Council
The next meeting of the council will be on Monday 9th December at 7.00 pm. Please contact me or a member of the council if you have any item you wish to have discussed.
Bedlington in Bloom
There will be a meeting on Tuesday 10th December at Bedlington Community Centre at 6.30 pm to promote “Bedlington in Bloom”. If anyone would like to represent the parish at this meeting please contact me.
Survey on Family Life
Yesterday was the deadline for sending off your surveys for the Synod on Family Life. My thanks to all who have expressed an interested and have at least attempted to try and fill in the form. I have to admit that even I found it difficult to fill in the form so I imagine it wasn’t easy to do but I am grateful for those who had a go. It has been very important for people to be able to share their opinions. Let’s pray that the Synod will be guided by the Spirit in its discussions on the family.
Holy Island SVP Camp
The SVP are looking for volunteers to staff their summer camps on Holy Island. Please see poster in Narthex for further details.
Liturgical Formation
· Lay Leaders of Celebrations of the Word and Holy Communion in the absence of a priest. The times and dates for the course of formation for Lay Leaders are given on the poster in Narthex.
· Children’s Liturgy of the Word Study Day led by Rachel Bainton and Mary Cooper will be held at St Joseph’s Emmaus Centre, Gateshead on Saturday 8th February 10.30 am to 3.30 pm. Please bring a packed lunch. Poster in Narthex.
