First Sunday of Advent

First Sunday of Advent

30th  November 2014

 

Parish Mass Book  -  page  82

 

                                    Mass Times and Intentions

                                       6.30 pm  Vigil  People of Parish

Sunday  30 Nov              10.00 am  Private Intention   

                                                                                                                                           

Monday                        10.00 am  Eucharistic Service

Tuesday                       10.00 am  Sick Person

Wednesday                     1.00 pm  Mass for sick & Housebound

Thursday                      10.00 am  Annie & Sean McDermott

Friday                           10.00 am  Walter Cox

 

                                       6.30 pm  Vigil  Tom & Mary Devine

Sunday  7 Dec               10.00 am  People of Parish

 

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

 

Friday 9.20 - 9.50 am

 

Sacrament of Reconciliation

 

Saturday 5.45 pm - 6.15 pm

 

Please pray for:

 

 

· Carol Charlton, Peter Maley and all who are sick,

 

· all who died recently,

 

· all whose anniversaries occur at this time. 

 

 

Finance …

 

     Parish Offertory:   £295..92

    

                                                    Many Thanks

 

Advent  Happy New Year!   From the church’s perspective we start a new year on this first Sunday of Advent.  Advent is a time of joyful hope as we reflect on the two comings of Christ.  From now until 16th December we will reflect that we are waiting for Christ and His Kingdom to be fully established.  From the 17th December we reflect on those events that took place before the first coming of Christ as we prepare to welcome Him on Christmas Day. 

 

To help make this time of Advent a time of prayer for ourselves and our community.  I invite you  to choose a favourite line from the bible  or a prayer and with the sheets that we have provided  to write it out  four times and cutting it out to place one at your bedside, one on the bathroom mirror, one on the fridge and one at your computer, if you have one.   We can faithfully reflect on a piece of scripture that means something to us it will hopefully help us to prepare for Christmas. 

 

Mass for Anointing for the Sick and Housebound

The annual Mass for the sick and housebound will be on Wednesday  at 1.00 pm.  The sacrament of the sick will be available to anyone who would like to receive it.   

 

Youth Sunday  -  Christ the King

It was a joy to hear Lydia Barras and Patrick Shields speak so eloquently and powerfully about what their faith and this community means to them.  I would like to thank them both for their efforts.  They are a credit to the school and our parish.

 

Youth Mission

During the mission on 10th, 11th, 12th, 16th and 17th December there will be Mass in St Benet’s School at 12.30.in the new school chapel which is based in the school’s business centre. People can bring a packed lunch and stay for Exposition in the chapel from 2-3pm. Our parish will take responsibility for “hosting” the Masses on Wednesday 10th December and  Wednesday 17th December. These Masses will be the parish Masses of the day so there will be no Mass at 10.00 am. I have had a request for volunteers to guide people from the deanery who will be using the parish car park  through the grounds of St Bede’s School to St Benet’s Chapel.  I would like three volunteers from 12.10 to 12.30 pm on 10th, 11th, 12th, 16th and 17th December. Please sign the list in the narthex. During Advent we will say the Mission prayer at the end of each Mass. There is also a family night for all on at the end of the mission on Wednesday 17th December in St Benet’s at 7.00pm. All are very welcome

 

Journey of Faith Programme

The Journey of Faith Programme continues on Wednesday at 6.30 pm in the Presbytery.   This week we will continue to look at the Passion of Jesus on the cross.  Please continue to pray for our three enquirers.

 

Ecumenical Advent Carol Service

This year the event will be hosted by the Salvation Army.  It will take place on Sunday at 4.00 pm.  We hosted this event last year, and the Pentecost event, and there was a great deal of support from other churches.  I think it is very important that as a community we reciprocate the support that has been given to us. I would encourage as many people as possible to come to this service.

 

Parish Council

There is a meeting of the parish council on Monday 8th December at 7.00 pm.  Please let m, or any members of the parish council, of any issues you may wish to raise.

 

Refugee/Asylum Seekers

There will be a collection next weekend for tins of food (not pork) for refugee and asylum seekers.  Please leave in Narthex.  Next collection first Sunday of the month

 

Parish Fayre

My thanks to anyone who contributed in any way to making the Christmas fayre a great success.  It was not just about the money which so far has far come to  £868.67 but the strong sense of welcome and community that was experienced both by parishioners and outsiders.  My thanks to you all for making this great witness. 

 

Advent Service of Reconciliation

The following dates have been arranged;

 

  St Wilfrid’s  -  Tuesday 16th December at 7.00 pm

  St Bede’s  -  Sunday 21st December at 4.00 pm

 

Day of Reflection for Forward Together in Hope

As mentioned by Bishop Seamus in his pastoral letter last week, he is keen to ensure that the ‘Forward Together in Hope ‘ process is rooted in prayer. On 2nd December  at 10.30am to 12 noon and 6.30 pm to 8.00 pm, both  Laity and Clergy have opportunities to listen to a 30 minute presentation by Bishop Seamus followed by an hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament. I would encourage people to attend either of these events if they can.   

 

CAFOD Emergency Ebola appeal

This will remain open for the rest of the month.  Baskets will be in the Narthex for your donations.  My thanks to those who have already contributed.  Please keep CAFOD in your prayers at this time  as they are experiencing structural changes.