3RD SUNDAY of ADVENT (A)
Today we have a little interlude on our Advent journey. It is Gaudete Sunday—a day of rejoicing in the middle of Advent. Rose coloured vestments are used. The rose-coloured candle is lit. We focus on expectancy and celebration. This is expressed poetically by the prophet Isaiah who speaks about the wilderness and the dry lands exulting, weary lands being strengthened because God is coming to save us. John the Baptist had much later an important role in the preparation for the Lord’s appearance. Our Gospel today has John in prison while many are still questioning whether Jesus is the one who was to come. Jesus explains the role which John the Baptist took on. He was the one who prepared the way by his way of life, his preaching and his example. It is because of this that we are able to rejoice at the imminent appearance of the Messiah.
ADVENT LITANY
Lord Jesus you are the light of the world COME LORD JESUS
You are the light in our darkness COME LORD JESUS
Son of God, save us from our sins COME LORD JESUS
Bring hope into the lives of all people COME LORD JESUS
Give your peace to all nations COME LORD JESUS
Be the joy of all who love you COME LORD JESUS
Bless us as we gather here in your name COME LORD JESUS
Lord Jesus, stay with us. COME LORD JESUS
CHRISTMAS ARRANGEMENTS
Please take a card giving the times of services over the Christmas period. This doubles as our Christmas card to you. Please note that the night Mass on Christmas Eve will be at Midnight this year. This will be in addition to the Masses on Christmas Eve at 4pm and 6.30pm. At the 4pm Mass there will be a nativity presentation by the children. We will be inviting the children to take part in this presentation. Children who would like to take part are asked to gather near the altar after the 10.30 Mass this morning (Sunday) and there will be a rehearsal after 10.30 Mass next Sunday, 18th December.
Priests will be available for confessions after the weekday Masses starting 19th December and at the usual Saturday times on Christmas Eve.
In addition to the Christmas card available at the back of the church, the Knights of St Columba have provided us with Christmas posters which can be put up in your window at home. They are available in the church porch.
CAFOD WORLD GIFTS
As in previous years, we are encouraged to send a Christmas gift to share the peace and joy of Christmas with our brothers and sisters throughout the world. Catalogues for this are now available in the porch. There are several suggestions such as a Clever self-catering Garden, a Greenhouse, Water for a Family, a Terrific Toilet, a Goat that Gives, Chirpy Chickens and many others.
SENIOR CITIZENS’ CHRISTMAS LUNCH
This takes place next Sunday (18th December) in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre at 1pm.
Today (11th December) is the final day for returning application forms. We thank Four:12 for their hard work in putting on this occasion.
CAROL SINGING
There will be carol singing around the streets next Sunday, 18th December. Parishioners from St Alphage Church will be joining us. Please gather in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre at 6.30pm. Everyone is welcome. We will return later for refreshments.
THANKS for CHRISTMAS FAYRE
Many thanks to everyone involved in the Annunciation Infants and Junior Schools Christmas Fayre on Friday 2nd December, organised by their Parents and Teachers Association. We are grateful for all the hard work put in by the organisers as well to everyone who came along.
WESTMINSTER YEAR BOOK 2023
The 2023 edition of the Westminster Year Book is available in the porch, priced £5.00. It gives useful information about parishes, priests, schools and organisations in the Westminster Diocese together with a liturgical calendar for the year.
MAINTENANCE CO-ORDINATOR
We are looking for someone who could co-ordinate the maintenance work required on the church premises. It would mean keeping an eye on the structure and efficiency of the various parts of the church, parish centre and presbytery. It would suit someone who is available during the day who could contact the various builders etc. and be around when they come. If you think you could help, please speak to one of the priests.
BAPTISM PREPARATION
There will be a preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised at 4pm on Sunday 22nd January in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre.
WEDDINGS in 2023
Couples who wish to be married in this church next year or require us to prepare them for marriage elsewhere, please get in touch with Fr Colin or Fr David.
FIRST COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2023
Applications are now complete for the First Communion programme. Sessions for parents and the children will start in January, the dates of which will be sent to the parents by email.
CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME 2023
Applications are now complete for the Confirmation programme. There will be a meeting for parents of the candidates at 7.30pm on Wednesday 25th January in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. The first session for the candidates will be on Wednesday 1st February at 7pm in the Parish Centre.
VINNIE PACKS
"The SVP are distributing over 10,000 Vinnie Packs containing cold weather essentials to the homeless and those spending the principal part of their day on the streets. Each pack contains thermal gloves, thermal hat, two pairs of socks, wet wipes or flannel, toothbrush, toothpaste, information sheet and pen. Please could you consider sponsoring packs at a suggested donation of £4.10 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."
MARRIAGE CARE
Willing to help couples forge a lifelong loving relationship? Marriage Care is a charity that runs marriage preparation courses for couples marrying in a Catholic church, and is looking for new course facilitators. Training is provided and volunteers will join the local Centre. More information can be found at: https://www.marriagecare.org.uk/mpcf/
USED STAMPS
If you have any used stamps please can you put them in the box in the porch. Just leave a border around them. They will go to the Royal National Institute of the Blind. Thank you.
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