What does Christmas mean to you? Frantic shopping building to a crescendo of family oriented consumption? Desperate dilemmas over what to do with warring relatives? Children nagging for presents you can't afford? Every year we hear complaints from people about the loss of the real meaning of Christmas, so here's a chance to find that again.

Slow down.

Stop.

Spend half an hour with the Lord.

Every Sunday in Advent we are having Eucharistic Adoration in the church, from 1.30pm to 5.30pm. Can there possibly be a better way to prepare for Christmas than to spend time in the Real Presence of Christ Himself? So, go on, give yourself a break and take the time for God. Please sign up for one of the half hour slots in the list on the table at the back of the church. The Eucharistic Adoration cannot take place unless all the slots are filled, so please put your name down. Of course, you are welcome to simply pop in at any time, but I must emphasise that all the half hour time slots must be filled before the Eucharistic Adoration can take place.

Find again the real truth of Christmas.

If you do anything, anything at all, to help in the running of the Parish, we want to thank you. And, since talk is cheap, to show our thanks we're also having a Christmas Party for all the Volunteers, on Saturday 8th December at 7.30pm. No need to sign up, simply come along to the Parish Hall and eat and drink your fill.

If you are celebrating a significant wedding anniversary in 2008, eg. 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th etc., the Cardinal would like to invite you to a special Mass of Thanksgiving for the Sacrament of Matrimony on Saturday 10th May 2008.  Please hand in your name, full address, email if possible and the number of anniversary you are celebrating to us in the Parish Office by 10th December.  The Diocese will then send you a personal invitation in the New Year.

The Scouts will be cooking up a storm next Sunday 2 December for another of their famous Big Breakfasts. So bring your hungry stomachs to the Parish Hall after Mass, from 8.30am to midday, and have them filled.

ST. IGNATIUS COLLEGE.  RETIREMENT OF THE HEADMASTER, MR P. ADAMS

You will know that Mr Adams will be retiring at the end of this term.  He was appointed Deputy Head in 1987 and has been Head Master since 2003.

The Parents Association is hosting an evening on 7th December so that members of the extended Ignatian community have an opportunity to say an official farewell.  The evening will begin at 7 pm with Mass in the College Chapel, followed by a buffet in the school hall.  There will also be live music.  The cost of the tickets will be £5 for adults but there is no charge for children.

Please contact the College for further details on 01992 717835.