CHRISTMAS
The church is blessed with 4 different Masses for Christmas. The readings for the Vigil Mass (which we celebrate at 4pm and 6.30pm) focus on how Jesus Christ came to be born and how he is given the name Emmanuel which means ‘God is with us’. The children will be presenting a Nativity scene at the 4pm Mass.
At the Midnight Mass we hear from the prophet Isaiah titles that the new-born child will receive: ‘Wonder Counsellor’, ‘Eternal Father’, ‘Prince of Peace’. The Gospel relates the story of Jesus’ birth and how shepherds were the first to hear about this.
At the Dawn Mass (9.00) more titles are given but this time to those who acknowledge the birth of the saviour: ‘The Holy people’, ‘The Lord’s Redeemed’. Mary was one of these. She treasured what had happened in her heart.
At the Day Mass (10.30 and 12 noon) we join in the chorus ‘All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God’. The Gospel is the prologue of St John, tracing the Word of God in the beginning to the Word becoming flesh.
THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY (FRIDAY 30th DECEMBER)
On this day we will remember how Mary & Joseph had to escape with the new-born Jesus to Egypt to avoid the threats of Herod who was going to kill all children under the age of 2. Eventually the Holy Family would settle in Nazareth.
THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD
On the Octave day of Christmas when Jesus was circumcised, we recall how after the shepherds had visited the baby Jesus in the stable at Bethlehem, Mary treasured all these things in her heart. We treasure in our hearts that Mary had become the Mother of God. There will be a Midnight Mass as we enter the New Year as well as the usual Sunday Masses.
THE EPIPHANY (FRIDAY 6th JANUARY)
We recall how three wise men followed the star to find the new-born king in the stable at Bethlehem. It was the first time that anyone outside Bethlehem had encountered Christ. Hence today we celebrate the manifestation of God-made-man to the wider world and so are encouraged to play our part as Christians to make Jesus known.
This feast day is a Holy Day of Obligation, which means that we are expected to attend Mass on this day. Masses in the Annunciation Church will be at 9.am and 7.30pm. There will also be a Mass in the Annunciation Junior School at 2pm.
WEEKDAY MASS TIMES
On Monday 26th December, the Feast of St Stephen, Mass will be at 10.30 and will include the enrolment of altar servers into the Guild of St Stephen. For the rest of the week, Mass will be at 10.00am. Mass will also be at 10am on Bank Holiday Monday 2nd January and revert to 9am on 3rd January.
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 Church..
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.
MISSIO RED BIOXES
Missio thanks everyone for their response to the Red Box appeal over the last year. A total of £884-59 has been collected this year from the Annunciation parish.
NO FRIDAY ABSTINENCE
This may not be good news for the fishing industry but there is no need to abstain from meat on the next two Fridays. Friday 30th December is within the Easter Octave and Friday 6th January is the Feast of the Epiphany.
TAKEHOMENEWS
This newsletter covers two weeks. The next Takehomenews will be on 8th January.
MANY THANKS
Fr Colin and Fr David would like to thank everyone for their kindness and generosity over the last year in so many ways and wish you a very blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.
MESSAGE FROM ANN MROZ
Ann Mroz, daughter of the late Maria Mroz, has written to thank those who donated recently in the memory of Maria, and to tell you that she has sent £1,000 to Polish Humanitarians Action to help Ukrainian refugees in Poland.
CRIB OFFERINGS
As in past years, crib offerings will be sent to the Catholic Children’s Society (Westminster) to support local children and families in need.
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 14thJanuary.
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.
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.
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
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