4th SUNDAY of ADVENT (A)
On the final Sunday before Christmas, we usually focus on Mary and her ordeal leading up to the birth of Jesus. This year the Gospel approaches the situation from Joseph’s perspective. He was betrothed to Mary and when he was shocked to find that Mary was expecting a child, he thought that the honourable thing to do would be to divorce Mary. However, he received a message in a dream that he should take Mary as his wife because she had conceived by the Holy Spirit. This is what Joseph proceeded to do. Joseph was an honest, upright and devout man, always determined to do the right thing. His child would be a Saviour, he would be God-with-us, Emmanuel.
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
NATIVITY Presentation on Christmas Eve
The children will be taking part in a Nativity presentation on Christmas Eve at the 4pm Mass. The children are asked to meet after the 10.30 Mass this Sunday to go through the presentation.
CONFESSIONS DURING THE COMING WEEK
The priests will be available for confessions after all weekday Masses during the coming week in addition to the usual Saturday times of 10.30 – 11:00 and 5.45-6.15 on Christmas Eve. The confessional box will resume being our place for confessions.
CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES
If you did not do so last week, please take a card giving the times of the Services over the Christmas and into the New Year. This doubles up as our Christmas card to you.
SENIOR CITIZENS CHRISTMAS LUNCH
This takes place today (Sunday) at 1.pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. We thank Four:12 for their hard work putting on this occasion.
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.
THANKS FOR WINTER WONDERLAND
We thank Four:12 who organised the excellent Winter Wonderland dinner last weekend. A great evening was had by all. The Four:12 worked extremely hard preparing for the event and then until 2.00 in the morning clearing up.
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.
READERS MEETING
There will be a meeting for all Mass readers on Saturday 14th January at 2.pm. The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is the Sunday of the Word of God and at this weekend (21st/22nd January) the readers will be commissioned or re-commissioned for their ministry. Anyone who would like to start being a reader is also invited to the meeting on 14th January.
CAROL SINGING
There will be carol singing around the streets this evening (Sunday), gathering in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre at 6.30pm and returning later for refreshments.
Mary’s meals
Mary’s Meals would like to thank everyone in the parish for their wonderful generosity. We spoke at the end of each Mass in mid-November and were delighted by the total given – a terrific £895.13! This will feed 56 children one good meal every school day for a whole year.
Takehomenews
Next week’s newsletter will cover 2 weeks.
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."
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.
THE ‘O’ANTIPHONS
17 December O wisdom, you come forth from the mouth of the most High. You fill the universe and hold things together in a strong yet gentle manner. O come to teach us the way of the truth.
18 December O ruler of the house of Israel, who gave the law to moses on Sinai, o come and save us with outstretched arm.
19 December O Root of Jesse, you stand as a signal for the peoples, come to save us and delay no more.
20 December O key of David and sceptre of Israel, what you open no one can close again; what you close no one can open. O come to lead the captive from prison; free those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
21 December O rising sun, you are the splendour of eternal light and sun of justice o come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
22 December O king whom all the peoples desire, you are the cornerstone which makes all one. O come and save us whom you made from clay.
23 December O Emmanuel, you are our king and judge, the one whom the peoples await and their saviour. O come and save us, lord, our God.
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