FR DAVID WRITES
We have entered the inner and final part of Advent which is our ‘way’ towards the Lord’s Nativity at Christmas. We look forward to seeing many celebrate Christmas here at church. Please note the times of Masses over Christmas and New Year. There are no Masses on Christmas Eve morning, and no Vigil Masses for Sunday on Christmas Day and New Years’ Day. The Christmas Vigil Mass begins at 6pm and the ’Midnight’ Mass at 11pm. In the week between Christmas and New Year there are only 10am Masses. This week, there are confessions after Mass on Wednesday (Thursday is now a funeral, so the confessions are not possible that day after all). New Year’s Day Mass is at 12 noon.

GAUDETE SUNDAY
Today is Gaudete Sunday (the Third Sunday of Advent) when we light the rose coloured candle in our Advent wreath. This is a day of light and joy in the Advent journey. We rejoice and are glad for the approaching feasts and for the coming of Christ.

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR MASS TIMES
Cards with Mass times for Christmas and New Year are available at the back of church. Please take one and refer to it—to avoid any confusion over the festive season! At the back of church there are also free parish diaries and some free newspapers.

FR DAVID WRITES
Today is the First Sunday of Advent and the beginning of the Church’s new year. This year follows the readings in the liturgical cycle ‘Year C’. These Sunday Gospels are drawn mainly from the Gospel according to St Luke. In Advent, we remember especially that Christ our Saviour is coming! At this new beginning, let us pray that the Holy Spirit will guide us through the coming season towards Christmas. Many thanks to all involved in last Sunday’s wonderful Christmas Market. Thank you also to everyone who supported it with such generosity. Finally, I celebrated the 13th anniversary of my priestly ordination last Monday. Thank you to the whole parish—by your presence, prayers and friendship you bring me so much joy and satisfaction in my way of life. May God bless all of you!

FR DAVID WRITES—PRIMARY SCHOOL FORMS
If parents have primary school forms for me to sign, I will be available next Saturday 11th December at 5pm-6pm, just inside the parish centre. Please bring all your paperwork ready for me to sign. I will be available again on Saturday 8th January for any further paperwork to be signed, 5pm-6pm. There is no need to sign up for an appointment.

Picture: By John Stephen Dwyer, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11102388

FR DAVID WRITES
Today is the solemnity of Christ, the Universal King. This is the last Sunday in Ordinary Time and the final Sunday in the Church’s calendar. Next Sunday will mark the beginning of a new liturgical cycle as we begin the First Sunday of Advent. Today (Sunday), please do visit our Christmas Market in the parish hall. With many thanks to those who have worked hard to organise this lovely event. If you would like to support Red Wednesday this week please do come to 10am Mass and exposition on Wednesday morning—wear something red!? There will also be an opportunity today for you to take Aid to the Church in Need information or to give towards their work. Have a lovely Sunday and a great week—best wishes to you all.

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