FR DAVID WRITES
Today is the First Sunday of Advent - the start of the Advent season and a new liturgical year for the Church. Let us begin together with Christ, our Light, who comes to save us. As I wasn’t able to write in the newsletter last weekend, this is my first chance to thank Janet Butterworth and her team of volunteers for a fabulous Christmas Market two weeks’ ago, and thank everyone who helped to support it. Many thanks also to those who supported Red Wednesday and the ACN Coffee Morning last weekend. May God bless you all today and in these privileged weeks of Advent.
WEDNESDAY: ADVENT TALK & CAFOD SOUP LUNCH
This Wednesday, Rev Ruth Moriarty (Minister of Christ Church Baptist Church) will join us to give an Advent reflection immediately after the 10am Mass. I am so pleased that Ruth has accepted our invitation to lead us in a reflection to get our Advent started! If you can’t come on Wednesday, the talk will be recorded and available on the website.
We are also holding a Soup Lunch this Wednesday in support of CAFOD. The lunch will begin in the hall at 12 noon. All welcome!
THURSDAY: PRIMARY SCHOOL ADVENT MASS
Children and staff from Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School will join on us Thursday at 10 am for a special Advent Mass. All welcome.
FRIDAY: IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
This coming Friday is the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Although not a holy day of obligation, it is a nice day to come to Mass in Advent. Masses here will be as usual at 8 am and 10 am. There is no Friday abstinence that day.
SUNDAY & CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES
As announced, please note that from this weekend, the 8.45 Mass reverts to 8.30am, and the 10am Mass reverts to 9.45am. Our Christmas cards with the Mass times for Christmas and New Year will be available to collect from next weekend.
JOINT CAROL SERVICE WITH ST PAUL’S CoE PARISH
Our annual joint service of Nine Lessons and Carols will take place next Sunday 10 December at St Paul’s Church, Woodland Road, beginning at 6.30 pm. Please join us in this special way to mark Advent and in preparation for Christmas.
CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR THE CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S SOCIETY
As you may know, Fr David is a trustee of the Catholic Children’s Society Westminster (also known as the Crusade of Rescue). If you would like to donate a gift for a child from a family in need this Christmas, you can bring them to the parish office (unwrapped) by Monday 11 December, either during office hours or at Mass times. Fr David will then transport the gift to the CCS. Please note that this date is the absolute cut off—he won’t be able to take any later items. Thank you for your consideration and generosity.
CHRISTMAS MARKET RAFFLE
Raffle prizes await collection—please check the notice board at the back of the church and claim from the parish office during opening times or the paper shop after Mass. Thank you all again.
BERNADETTE CLUB
We look forward to seeing our members at our Christmas meeting at 2pm Thursday 7th December.
RED WEDNESDAY THANK YOU
Thank you for your prayers and support for Red Wednesday and for all persecuted Christians and for your generous donations at the coffee morning which amounted to £224.31. You can support for ACN by praying the rosary in church on Sundays at 8am or around 10:50am and/or signing up to the ACN mailing list online https://acnuk.org/newsletter/
THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS PRESENT
Please help support the Christmas Appeal of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, who live in the parish. You can do this by giving virtual gifts that will make a difference to many poor people overseas. There are four gifts; for each one you buy, you will receive a card that you can give as a Christmas present. You will find the Gift catalogue at the church porch. Thank you.
VINNIE PACKS
The SVP are distributing over 10,000 Vinnie Packs, containing cold weather essentials, to the homeless this winter. Please could you consider sponsoring packs at a suggested donation of £4.20 per pack? Donations can be sent to Vinnie Packs, PO Box 72264, London SW1P 9EZ with cheques made out to SVP or by bank transfer to Nat West sort code 60-60-04, account no. 4608 8237 . Thank you so much for your support.