FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR B)
Today is the First Sunday of Advent and the beginning of a new cycle in the Church’s calendar. Advent is a season of hope and of preparation for the coming of Christ. It is also a time when we prepare for the liturgical celebration of Jesus’s birth in Bethlehem at Christmas.
END OF LOCKDOWN—WEDNESDAY
This week the lockdown ends at 12.01am on Wednesday 2nd December. That means the faithful will be able to come to public Masses, the first being Wednesday lunchtime 12 noon. The system we had in place until 5th November will recommence. Saturday Mass 4pm & 6pm; Sundays 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm; Monday-Friday 12pm & 6pm. We will hear Confessions on Saturday afternoons at 2pm. The same procedures apply to the church as before: limit on numbers, face covering, hand sanitiser, shorter Mass. Please note there are no toilet facilities available.
MASS TIMES ONLINE (UNTIL END OF LOCKDOWN)
Monday-Friday 12 noon; Saturdays 6pm; Sundays 10am. Fr Johnson will celebrate Mass in Malayalam weekdays 7pm online; Sunday Malayalam 3.30pm.
CHURCH OPENING TIMES (PRIVATE PRAYER)
Sunday 10.30am-12 noon
TELEPHONE MESSAGE—020 8016 2207
Please call this number 020 8016 2207 if you are at home and would like to hear a message of news and spiritual input from church.
IF YOU VISIT THE CHURCH FOR PRIVATE PRAYER
HANDS - use the hand sanitiser on the way in and out of church (no exceptions)
FACE - always wear the face covering unless exempt
SPACE - maintain social distancing inside and outside church
TEST & TRACE - please sign in using the QR code or email address
Thank you to our volunteers who supervise and clean the church!
CHRISTMAS ARRANGEMENTS
In normal times about 2500+ people would pass through our doors for Christmas Mass. The feast of the Lord’s Nativity is so special to all his faithful people. This year, we will have nowhere near the capacity to cope with that number. Our maximum limit will be just short of 800. Additionally, it would be irresponsible of us to allow or turn a blind eye to large gatherings of people in the car park or parish centre. This means we all have to think carefully about how to celebrate Christmas spiritually and safely, in a way that also allows others to have opportunities too. Christmas is normally a holy day but the obligation remains removed. Christmas is also an ‘octave’. Perhaps if you’re unable to come to Christmas Day Mass, it will be possible to come on another day in the octave—to hear Mass and visit the crib. For Christmas Eve and Day the Masses will be ticketed. Sadly, if you don’t have a ticket you won’t be able to come into the car park or church. This also means that this will be particularly taxing for our wonderful volunteers and stewards who have worked so hard. We also need more help during Christmas—can you help us? The Christmas Mass times are:
Christmas Eve Masses 4pm, 6pm, 8pm—tickets needed
Christmas Day Masses 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm—tickets needed
Boxing Day (No morning Mass); Masses 4pm & 6pm—no tickets needed
The tickets will be available either from the office or from staff/volunteers at the back of church from next weekend: beginning Saturday 5th December. Please note that if you take a ticket you must use it—don’t waste it. Please don’t ask for tickets for others, e.g. friends and neighbours. Please only take for yourself and your own household. Thank you in advance for your faith, patience and cooperation.
ADVENT INTO CHRISTMAS
During Advent, as we head towards Christmas, we often have many opportunities to prepare and celebrate together—both spiritually and socially. Obviously, most of these events will not be possible this year. However, we do hope to have at least some opportunities for spiritual preparation. One example is our online Carol Service that we have been working on with St Paul’s Church. More information about further opportunities next week.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS
Thank you to those who came to pray for an end to the pandemic on Sunday, and for persecuted Christians on Red Wednesday. Thank you to our Aid to the Church in Need group for persevering despite the current difficulties.
CHRISTMAS TREES
The Scouts will be selling Christmas Trees this weekend from the Church Car Park. For further details please call Joe on 07773 808156
PRIMARY SCHOOL FORMS
If you need a Certificate of Catholic Practice for Primary School signed please put completed forms in an envelope with stamped self addressed envelope through the Presbytery letter box; we will sign it and send it back to you. Please don’t wait till the last minute.