CHRIST THE KING ( C )
We have reached the climax of our liturgical year and so celebrate the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. It is a triumphant Feast Day but the scene presented to us in today’s Gospel would have seemed far from triumphant to observers at the time. Jesus was dying on the Cross flanked on either side by 2 criminals. Darkness had come down and there was much weeping as well as mocking. But Jesus’ throne was the Cross, his crown was a crown of thorns. When Jesus claimed to be the King of the Jews, the authorities saw it as a threat to their power. But Jesus was not speaking about an earthly kingdom but his own heavenly kingdom, to which he invites all of us to be members. Today we rejoice in our one Lord, Jesus Christ our King, who calls us to freedom and forgiveness of our sins.
BAPTISM PREPARATION
There will be a preparation session this afternoon (Sunday) for parents who wish to have their baby baptised at 4pm in the Church.
FUNERAL MASS for Maria Mroz
The Funeral Mass for MARIA MROZ will be on Wednesday at 1.30pm. This will be in addition to the 9am Mass that morning but there will be no Holy Hour this week. Her body will be brought to the church at 7pm on Tuesday. The family have requested that those who come to the funeral wear something bright (not black).
FINANCE COMMITTEE
There will be a meeting of the Finance Committee on Thursday 24th November at 7.30pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre.
PARISH COUNCIL
There will be a meeting of the Parish Council at 7.45pm on Thursday 1st December in the Parish Centre.
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.
FIRST COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2023
Application forms for parents who wish their child to receive First Holy Communion next year are available at the back of the church. Children should be in Year 3 or above. Please return the form to the presbytery by 4th December 2022. Sessions for parents and the children will start in January.
CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME 2023
Application forms for those in Year 10 or above who would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation next year are available in the porch. . Please return the form to the presbytery by 4th December 2022.
There will be a session for the parents of the candidates at 7.30pm on Wednesday 25th January in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. The first of seven sessions for the candidates will be on Wednesday 1st February at 7pm in the Parish Centre.
SENIOR CITIZENS’ CHRISTMAS LUNCH
This takes place on Sunday 18th 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 sheet by Sunday 11th December.
WINTER WONDERLAND
Four:12 is pleased to host Winter Wonderland, the annual family Christmas 3-course dinner on Saturday the 10th of December in the Parish Hall. Doors open at 7pm. The dinner is open to everyone and is priced at £10 for adults over 16 years and £5 for those aged 5-16. Children under 5 years eat for free. Tickets will be on sale after Sunday Masses on the 27th of November and 4th of December. You can also reserve tickets using the email address: four12.oak@gmail.com
PREPARE FOR THE COMING OF CHRIST THIS CHRISTMAS A Retreat Day on Saturday 26th November from 10.30 to 2.30pm at St Roses, 160 Anson Road, Cricklewood, NW2. 6 BH. Light refreshments. Speaker: Sr Marie Henry Keane OP.
ADVENT MATERIAL
In the porch you will find some items relating to Advent which starts in 2 weeks time:
Walk With Me: Daily meditations for each day of Advent (£1.00)
- Advent Calendars for children (free).
FLOWER ARRANGING
We are in need of more volunteers to help arrange the flowers. This is normally done on a Saturday. If you are willing to join the rota, please speak to one of the priests.
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."
HOMES FOR UKRAINE MATCHING SERVICE
Caritas Social Action Network, in partnership with St John of God Hospitaller Services, an international Catholic Charity with many services for the vulnerable in the UK and Ireland, have launched a service to bring together Ukrainian people displaced by the brutal war in their country with people in the Catholic Community willing to host them in their homes for six months. Once the match is confirmed the Ukrainian guest can apply for their visa. We know that coping with the cost-living-crisis will be the main concern for many people this winter, but if you have room in your home and in your heart to consider welcoming a stranger displaced by war, then we’d love to hear from you. Please visit https://sjog-homesforukraine.uk/ for more information.
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