FR DAVID WRITES
Today is the Second Sunday of Advent when we meet again St John the Baptist. He comes with a radical call to repentance. We are invited to change our hearts to make way, and make room, for Christ who is coming to save us. Today we light the second purple candle on the Advent wreath. Thank you to everyone for your support last weekend for our great Christmas market. It was a wonderful and enjoyable event. Thank you to all our organisers and volunteers who gave so much time and energy! Finally, Bishop John Sherrington will join us at church on the weekend of the Fourth Sunday of Advent. We look forward to seeing Bishop John as he visits us just before the great feast of Christmas. We send you all best wishes for the coming week and for the beautiful Advent season.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
This coming Thursday is the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Masses here are at 8 am and 10 am.
OUR CHRISTMAS MARKET
A massive thank you to everyone who supported the Christmas Market last weekend. A fantastic £2,000 was raised towards the Church refurbishment. Many thanks to the wonderful volunteers who helped and those who donated gifts and cakes. The Raffle prize numbers are on the wall in the porch—you can collect your winnings from the Office during opening times.
JOINT CAROL SERVICE WITH ST PAUL’S CHURCH OF ENGLAND PARISH
The annual service of Nine Lessons and Carols will take place at St Paul’s Church, Woodland Road, at 6.30 pm on Sunday 11th December. All welcome!
ALTAR SERVERS
Our annual altar servers’ Mass takes place on Boxing Day at 12 noon—St Stephen’s Day, the patron saint of altar servers. We have a number of new altar servers. If you wish to be enrolled into the Guild of St Stephen and receive the medal please add your name to the list in the sacristy. ALL servers are invited to join us in the sanctuary for the Boxing Day Mass.
BERNADETTE CLUB
Well done and thanks to the Bernadette Club for organising a lovely Christmas tea last Thursday—an enjoyable time was had by all!
CONGRATULATIONS
On Thursday Fr Jerome celebrated his birthday, and today is his anniversary of priestly ordination. Best wishes to Fr Jerome!
CONFIRMATION APPLICATIONS AND TIMETABLE AMENDMENT 2023
Forms to be returned to the presbytery letter box by 4th December. Please note that the timetable has been amended and all candidates should collect a new timetable available at the back of the church today. The timetable needed to be rearranged (for example, since the date of Coronation Day was announced).
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR MASS TIMES
There are cards available with the times of Masses here over the festive period. Please take a card next weekend and keep it in view at home.
AUDREY DOWLING RIP
The funeral will take place on Wednesday 7th December at 10 am.
MARY HISHON RIP
The funeral will take place on Monday 12th December at 10 am.
MARY JORDAN RIP
The funeral will take place on Thursday 15th December at 10am.
HILARY CARRASCO RIP
The funeral will take place on Tuesday 20th December at 10am. May they all rest in peace.
PARISH OFFICE
Please note the Parish Office will be closed on Monday 5 December. Fr David will also be out so please remember there will be no office on Monday.
WESTMINSTER YEAR BOOKS 2023
These are now available in the Paper Shop, priced £5, or £6 for the ring bound version.
CAFOD-WORLD GIFT CATALOGUES
Please take a catalogue from the back of church to request of gift for someone in need. Thank you for the continued support for CAFOD and those who supported our soup lunch!
CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S SOCIETY CHRISTMAS GIFT APPEAL
Thank you all so much for your generous donations of toys for those children facing Christmas without presents. They will be delivered to the Catholic Children’s Society. Please note that after today, Sunday 4th December, we will not be able to take any more toys.