THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD (A)
We have jumped 30 years from the scene of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem to his baptism on the banks of the River Jordan by John the Baptist. It was an awe-inspiring scene but there were probably not many there to witness it. A voice was heard from heaven saying—This is my Son, the Beloved, my favour rests on him. The Holy Spirit was there as well, in the form of a dove, hovering over Jesus in the water. This occasion marked the start of Jesus’ public ministry and is a time for us to recall the significance of our own baptism. Not many of us will remember our own baptisms but it was the moment we became members of God’s kingdom. We became children of God, anointed with the oil of Chrism to become like Christ, priest prophet and king. Each time we enter the church and make the sign of the cross with holy water, we are recalling our baptism. May each of us be renewed in the coming year in our journey to become more like Christ.
READERS MEETING
On Saturday at 2.pm in the church, there will be a meeting for all Mass readers and anyone who would like to become a reader at Mass. The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is the Sunday of the Word of God and on this weekend (21st/22nd January) the readers will be commissioned or re-commissioned for their ministry.
ANNIVERSARY MASS
There will be an extra Mass at 12 Noon on Saturday on the 1st anniversary of the death of Jaime Tojeiro.
WHITE FLOWER APPEAL
The Society for the Protection of Unborn children (SPUC) will be holding its annual appeal next weekend.
SPUC wants a world where abortion is unthinkable, and is raising awareness of the widespread problem of abortion coercion.
According to an independent poll, 87% of GPs are concerned that the Government’s “pills by post” scheme leaves women vulnerable to coerced abortion. SPUC is calling on the Prime Minister to condemn this abhorrent tragedy.
Please be generous as you can to help SPUC defend unborn babies and their mothers by highlighting this urgent crisis.
PEACE SUNDAY
Next Sunday is also Peace Sunday. At the forefront of our mind is the situation between Russia and Ukraine. But these are not the only countries suffering from war around the world. The constant faithful voice of Pope Francis urges us to keep going in our efforts to bring peace and justice to our world, Pac Christi is based on the gospel and inspired by faith, with a vision of a world where people can live in peace, without fear of violence in all its forms. If you would like to make a donation towards the work of Pax Christi, envelopes are available on the table at the back of the church but there won’t be a general collection because we are already donating to the White Flower Appeal that Weekend.
A PRAYER FOR PEACE
May we see the sorrow of war in the eyes of those who suffer and have known only violence in their lives.
Give us a voice for those who have no voice and are not heard; those who know that there is no tomorrow in war, and the violence of weapons destroys both the beauty of creation and the joy of life.
That way, with your help, we will become true instruments of your peace. Amen
CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME 2023
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.
MANY THANKS
Fr Colin and Fr, David would like to thank everyone for their generous gifts, cards and wishes at Christmas and wish you all a very Happy New Year.
BRENDEN EALVAREZ
We welcome to the parish Brenden Alvarez, a seminarian currently studying in Valladolid, who will be staying in the presbytery during January while on a pastoral placement at St Joseph's Pastoral Centre in Hendon.
DATES FOR 2023
It is customary on or near the Feast of the Epiphany to announce the important dates in the liturgical calendar for the coming year.
Ash Wednesday 22nd February
Annunciation Saturday 25thMarch
Palm Sunday 2nd April
Good Friday 7th April
Easter Sunday 9th April
The Ascension Thursday 18th May
Pentecost Sunday 28th May
Corpus Christi Sunday 11th June
St Peter & St Paul Thursday 29th June
Assumption of Our Lady Tuesday 15th August
All Saints Wednesday 1st November
All Souls Thursday 2nd November
1st Sunday of Advent 3rd December
Christmas Day Monday 25th December
SEAN KELLEHER R.I.P.
The Funeral Mass for the late SEAN KELLEHER will be on Wednesday 18th January at 10.30am. This will be in addition to the 9am Mass but there will be no Holy Hour that Wednesday.
FIRST COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2023
Families who have applied for First Communion are being informed of the dates of their sessions. We pray that they will value the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist as they journey towards the sacrament.
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.
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.
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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