Fourth Sunday of Advent

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Christmas Day

Feast of the Holy Family

22nd December 2013 to 5th January 2014

 

Mass Times and Intentions

 

                                     6.30 pm  Vigil  Fred & Dominic Devine

Sunday 22  Dec           10.00 am  People of Parish                    

 

Monday 23                     10.00 am  Eucharistic Service

Tuesday 24                    10.00 am  Francis Reid McAlroy

               

                                         8.00 pm Vigil  First Mass of Christmas

                                                                 (Carols from 7.30 pm)

CHRISTMAS DAY         10.00 am  People of Parish

 

Thursday  26                   11.00 am  Molly, Owen & Patrick ruddy

Friday 27                        10.00 am  Jim Craik

                                

                                     6.30 pm  Vigil  People of Parish

Sunday 29 Dec                10.00 am  Dorothy & Owen Tomlinson     

Monday 30                    10.00 am  Eucharistic Service

Tuesday 31                   10.00 am  Sick Person

 

NEW YEAR’s DAY       11.00 am  Private Intention

 

Thursday 2 Jan                 10.00 am  George Mullen

Friday 3 Jan                  10.00 am  Joe & Anthony Watson

 

                                  6.30 pm  Vigil  People of Parish

EPIPHANY 5th Jan       10.00 am  Alan & Pat Langan

 

Please pray for

 

· all who are sick, 

· all who have died recently,

 

· all whose anniversaries occur at this time.  

 

 

Welcome

 

On behalf of the parish I would like to offer all those who are visiting the parish while they visit family and friends.  We hope you enjoy your time in the area and please feel free to join us for tea/coffee if you have joined us for 10.00 am Mass.

 

Decorating the Church

The Church will be decorated for Christmas on Tuesday 24th December after 10.00 am Mass.   Could we please have volunteers for this -  more helpers the merrier. Mince pies and hot drinks will be available. 

 

Reconciliation   

 

There will be a penitential service today (22nd) at 4.00 pm.

 

Tea/Coffee  will be served after on Sunday mornings after 10.00 am Mass in the Parish Hall.

 

 

Christ in the World group will meet on Friday 3rd January at 7.00 pm. The meeting will not be too serious where we will be sharing our “epiphanies of grace” in our lives and in our world.  Drinks and nibbles will be provided.

 

Sick and Housebound

 

It is important that our sick and housebound feel they are part of the Church and are able to receive the sacraments.  If you are aware of any sick and housebound among your family and friends who are not able to attend Mass regularly due to illness or infirmity could you please let me know. 

 

Refugee & Asylum Seekers

 

There will be a collection next weekend for tins of food and meat (not pork). For refugees and asylum seekers.  Please leave your donations in the Narthex.

 

Preaching of the Gospel of St Matthew with Fr Michael Winstanley for all clergy and laity on Thursday 16th January at St Michael’s Church, Houghton le Spring, 11.00 am to 3.30 pm.  Further details on poster in Narthex.

 

Thanks  At the end of the year it is an opportunity to look back and reflect on all that has happened in the parish over the past twelve months.  I am aware of many blessings and give thanks to God for them.  I am acutely aware that the parish is dependent on so many people  being generous with their time, talents, energies, and resources, in so many different ways.  It has been a very memorable life in the year of the church with the resignation of Pope Benedict and the Papacy of Pope Francis.  On a parish level the successful confirmation programme and the increasing involvement of young people in the parish is a sign of blessing and hope for the future also it was good to see an increased involvement of lay people with the pastoral care of the sick and housebound in the parish. We pray that our parish will continue to be  blessed in 2014.