33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
As we approach the end of the Church’s liturgical year, the readings take on an advent tone of waiting and expectation. In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives a parable of a master who gave talents to his servants and travelled. The expectation was that the servants would invest their talents so that on their master’s arrival, they would greet him with good tidings of fruitfulness.
God has given gifts to each of us according to his purpose and calls us to fruitfulness/faithfulness while we await his coming at an hour we do not know. But the questions are: When the Lord comes, are we going to greet him with good tidings of fruitfulness having invested our gifts and talents in the service of God and his people? Or like the servant with one talent in today’s Gospel, am I going to allow fear, judgment, and ignorance to stop me from putting into use God’s gifts in my life? Lord, help us to bear fruits in faithfulness, loving our neighbours as you taught us. Amen Happy Sunday, Fr Chinedu.
Appeal by St Francis Leprosy Guild
Eileen Murray from the St Francis Leprosy Guild will give a talk at the end of Mass sharing the charity’s mission to “Leave No One Behind”.
BLESSING OF GRAVES
Sunday, 19th Bells Hill, 3pm
NOVEMBER CANDLES
Please put your money in the wall boxes for the November Candles.
MISSIO RED BOXES
Thank you to everyone who brought in their red box. You have raised £653.29. Please pick up your red box from under the table at the back of the church. If your box has your name and address on it, please pick it up from the sacristy. Thank you. The Missio team.
SAYING GOODBYE REMEMBERANCE SERVICE—LONDON
26th November 2023—3.0pm at Methodist Central Hall, Westminster, This service is for anyone who has lost a baby in pregnancy, at birth or in early years. Whether the loss was yesterday or 80 years ago. This event is also for those grieving that they have never been able to conceive. For more information saying goodbye.org
PARISH FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Parish Finance Committee meet on Tuesday 28th November at 7.00pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre.
FIRST COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2024
Application forms for parents who wish their child to receive First Holy Communion next year are available in the porch. Children should be in Year 3 or above. Please return the form to the presbytery by 3rd December 2023. Sessions for parents will start in January 2024.
CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME 2024
Application forms for those in Year 10 or above who would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation next year are available at the back of the church. Please return the form to the presbytery by 17th December 2023. Sessions will start in January.
Winter wonderland & CHRISTMAS RAFFLE
Four:12 is pleased to present Winter Wonderland, which will take place on Saturday 9th December at 7.15pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. Tickets – which include a 3-course meal and complimentary soft drink – will be on sale until Sunday 3rd December, subject to availability, and are priced at £10 for adults and £5 for 5–16-year-olds. Children under 5 eat for free but still need to collect a ticket in order to attend. A selection of soft and alcoholic drinks will be available to purchase from the bar and the Four:12 Christmas Raffle will be drawn during the event. If any young people in Year 7 or above would like to volunteer at this event, please speak to Kenneth, Frances or Arinze.
The Annunciation Infant & Junior School
The Annunciation Infant & Junior schools are having their Christmas Fayre - Friday 1 December 2023 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm, here in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. They would greatly appreciate donations of raffle prizes, bottles for the tombola, toiletries, and home baked goods. All donations can be dropped to the parish office. Everyone is welcome to attend and enjoy the festivities.
The Annunciation Infant School Nursery
Currently has spaces, if you have a child who is 3 years old and you are interested in applying for a place please contact the school office for more details on 020 8959 2325.
Pastoral Visits
If you need or know a parishioner who needs a pastoral visit at home or at the hospital, please, feel free to speak with any of the priests here.
St. James' Catholic High School - Sixth Form Open Evening
This key event takes place on Thursday 23 November 6-8pm. We look forward to welcoming prospective sixth form students and their parents looking for a sixth form place for September 2024. It will be a great opportunity to discover our broad range of subjects and the outstanding results that our students are achieving in their sixth form studies.
Parking will be available on the evening using our playground which can be accessed at the far end of Great Strand
RCIA
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults usually starts in October, if you know anyone who may want to become a Catholic, invite the person to speak with any of the priests.
Who is RCIA for?
1. Unbaptised adults asking for baptism, confirmation, and communion.
2. Adults baptised in another Christian tradition or candidates asking for reception into full communion in the Church.
3. Baptised Catholics asking for Confirmation and Eucharist
Senior Citizens’ Christmas Lunch
This year’s Christmas Lunch takes place on Sunday 17th December at 1pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. Application forms can be found in the church porch. Please retain the top sheet for your information and return the application form by Sunday 10th December.
Flower Arranging
We are very grateful to those who arrange the flowers in the church. However, we do need more flower arrangers to join the rota. No experience is required. If you would like to help, please speak to Emilia or one of the priests.
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