Christmas Day
Today we celebrate the birth of our Saviour. This event changed the course of the world. For ourselves, Jesus comes to us in a new way this Christmas. We need to be open to Him, receive with gratitude the great gift of himself and then be determined to imitate Him in his love, care and understanding. May Christ be reborn in as today.
The Solemnity Of Mary, Mother Of God
On 1st January, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Motherhood of Our Lady. The first outsiders to witness Mary as a mother were the shepherds, ordinary working people. They had the responsibility of being the first to spread this Good News. Like all mothers, Mary thanked God for the gift of her child and then spent time pondering on what would happen. She met many obstacles but put her trust in God.
In addition to the usual weekend Masses, there will be a Midnight Mass to start the New Year. Cardinal Vincent Nichols has sent us a pastoral letter which will be read out at all Masses on the New Year weekend.
The Christmas Crib
This year we have a new crib, designed at St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre in Hendon. It houses our new crib figures which were displayed for the first time last Christmas. Donations at the crib will be sent to the Catholic Children’s Society. (Westminster)
Mass of Anointing of the Sick
On Saturday 11th February at 2pm in Westminster Cathedral, there will be the Annual Mass in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes during which the Sacrament of the Sick will be administered. Everyone is invited but if you are attending in a wheelchair, please let Fr Colin know your name and the name of the person who is accompanying you so that adequate space can be provided.
Christmas Carols
Many thanks to all those who joined us for carol singing around the streets last Sunday. A total of £307.85 was collected and this will be sent to a charity called “Solving Kids’ Cancer.”
Novena & Holy Hour
After a couple of weeks break, the Tuesday Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help resumes on 10th January at 7pm. The Wednesday Holy Hour resumes on 11th July at 9.30am.
Epiphany Mass at 10.30am
On 8 January at the 10.30am Mass, we will have a special visit of the three Wise Men. We encourage parents to bring their children to meet the Wise Men. The children may even receive a special surprise.
Funeral of John Hyde
Please pray for the soul of John Hyde who has died. The Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday 3rd January at 10am. There will be no 9am Mass on that day.
Weekday Masses
Mass on Monday 26th December will be at 10.30am at which altar servers will be enrolled into the Guild of St Stephen. On Tuesday 27th December, which is a Bank Holiday, Mass will be at 10am. For the remainder of the week, Mass will be at 9am.
In New Year Week, Mass will be at 9am each day except on Tuesday when the 9am Mass will be replaced with a 10am Funeral Mass. Fr Colin will say the Monday Mass and then be away until Friday. Mgr. Canon Harry Turner, who was a priest in this Parish in the 1970’s, will celebrate Mass on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Friday Abstinence
There is no need to abstain from meat on Friday 30th December as it falls within the Octave of Christmas and is also the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Baptism Preparation
The next session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised is on Sunday 22nd January at 4pm in the Dominic Room. Application forms are available in the sacristy.
Confirmations 2017
The application list for Confirmations is now closed. There have been 27 applications. There will be a meeting for the parents of the candidates on Wednesday 25th January at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre. The first session for candidates will be on Wednesday 1st February at 7pm. The Confirmations will take place on Friday 26th May at 7pm.
White Flower Appeal
The Annual White Flower Appeal from the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children takes place on Sunday 8th January. SPUC urgently needs to increase their outreach to young people, the medical profession and the media who are particular targets of the abortion lobby. Our contributions to the White Flower Appeal will help in that.
Westminster Year Book 2017
Copies of the 2017 Westminster Year Book are available in the porch, price £4.50. It gives useful information about parishes, priests, schools and organisations in our Diocese.
Deborah Lodge Mass
There will be a Mass at Deborah Lodge on Friday 6th January at 3pm
Fr Colin and Deacon Carlos
would like to thank you for the many cards and gifts that you have given to us for Christmas.
We wish you a very
Happy and Peaceful Christmas
and wish you every Blessing for 2017.
WATCH THIS SPACE—J.D.S
A man went to a church and asked the priest to pray for his hearing. “Ah, certainly,” said the priest, somewhat taken back. The man knelt down and the priest placed a hand carefully on each ear. In a loud voice he asked God to help the man with his hearing. “I hope that will help,” he shouted to the man. “Well, we won’t know for a while,” the man said softly, “it isn’t until next month.”