Newsletter 4th Sunday of Advent (Year A)

Our visiting Dominican priest apologises for not being on Thursday evening. By way of amends he will now be in the confessional for anybody who wants to see him this coming Saturday 24th December, 10.30 – 11.30 am.

Next newsletter weekend of 7th/8th January.

Parish Collection Last week’s collection came to £ 862.10. Many thanks.

Cards with times of Christmas services now available – take one home.

Ministers of Communion and Readers

We do not put readers and ministers on a rota for Christmas. Instead we rely on you to sign up. The sign up sheets are in the sacristy. Please go and sign up for a time that is convenient to you.

Children’s Nativity Play for Christmas Eve

A fantastic group of children are rehearsing for the nativity play. Final rehearsal: Fri., 23rd December, 4 – 5 pm, dress rehearsal in church; Sat., 24th December, at 5.40 pm, meet in Church. On Christmas Eve, children who are not part of the play are invited to join in as angels and shepherds. Our narrator will ask you to come forward after the angel’s announcement of the great news of Jesus’ birth.

First Communion Parents Meeting

Our first communion course starts in January with a meeting for parents on Monday, 9th January, in the parish centre. We will present the outline of the course, discuss how you can accompany your child on this special journey and hand out the children’s textbooks. Please bring £20 to go towards the cost of running the course and a photocopy of your child’s baptismal certificate, if you haven’t done so already (no originals please).

Christmas Fair and Raffle

Full results from the fair are still being calculated but both socially and financially it has been a great success. Our thanks to all who worked so hard for it, especially Helen Doran and May Brenning. Final total in first January newsletter.

Many thanks also to all who supported our Christmas Raffle. The draw took place last Sunday. A list of the lucky winners and their prizes is displayed on the inner church entrance door. A reminder to Chrystal, Carla Rossi and Eamonn Doherty to collect their prizes from the sacristy if not already done so.

Grassy Area between the church and the parish centre

Please note that you must not let your children play on the steps or the strip of lawn immediately behind the church. If they play on the lawn above the steps please make sure that there is at least one parent present at all times.

Message from the SVP

The SVP would like to thank everybody for their support this year. The generosity of the parish through individual donations and money raised at teas and coffees has allowed us to feed 30 children in Sudan continuously since March and support our twinned SVP parish in India. Our recent appeal was very successful strengthening our soup kitchen teams and volunteers for visits. Please be patient if you volunteered for visits. There was a great response to the SVP quiz night and the constant generosity of parishioners means we can help more. This Christmas we have continued to reached out to local schools to help us identify families that would benefit from extra support over the festive season, thanks to your donations . Many thanks to all the volunteers for the coffees and the soup kitchen. A special thanks to Fintan McGovern and Cathy Walker who have worked tirelessly for the SVP for more than 19 years. For your diary: Senior citizens lunch, 29th January 2017. Merry Christmas from the SVP.

Confirmation Enrolment

We are now enrolling young people aged 13+ (Year 8+) for preparation for Confirmation in 2017. Forms are available from Fr Terry or Sandra (finchleyeastcat@rcdow.org.uk). Preparation will begin next year.

Room for One

Can you help? Kristy Bradnum, the chair of our parish council, is looking to rent a one bedroom flat (without stairs ie ground-floor or with a lift) in East Finchley or nearby. If you are in a position to offer accommodation or know someone who is, please speak to Kristy (kristybradnum@gmail.com) or leave a phone message for her via the parish office: 0208 883 4234.

Parish Diaries available – donation suggested. Also 2017 Westminster Year Book for £4.50 – last year we sold out, so hurry if you want a copy.

CRISIS at Christmas Carol-Singing – 23rd December 2016

Helen Tierney writes: Every year I organise the carol-singing at the opening of the CRISIS at CHRISTMAS day centre based at Westminster Kingsway College ( near Kings Cross).It has been great to have singers from St Mary's joining the group in the last few years. This year the session is from 6-7pm on Friday December 23rd. It is completely informal so no rehearsals and open to all adult singers, (You have to be over 18) however experienced or inexperienced. We sing traditional carols and Christmas songs as the clients arrive to use the centre's services. If you are interested in taking part then get in touch- email is tierneyhelen@hotmail.com or 02088832851.

Diocesan Accounts

The 2015 Annual Report and Accounts for the Diocese of Westminster are now published, and a copy can be inspected at the back of the church. They are also available on the diocesan website at www.rcdow.org.uk/publications

Applications for Reception and Nursery - Our Lady of Lourdes School

Applications are invited for the Reception Class for September 2017 - for children born between 1st Sept. 2012 and 31st August 2013. You must also complete a CAF (Common Application Form) from Barnet - the on-line system is already open. Deadline is 15th January 2017.

Applications are invited for the Nursery for the Academic Year starting September 2017 – this is for children born between 1st April 2014 and 31st March 2015. Deadline is 27th January.

CAFOD Office Volunteer required to help co-ordinate workshops/sessions in Secondary Schools

CAFOD are looking for a computer-literate volunteer with good admin skills - ideally with some experience of working in a secondary school or college. You would be liaising with a team of experienced school volunteers and full training will be given. Our CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development) Westminster Volunteer Centre is based at the Catholic Church of Christ the King, Oakwood N14 4HE. To find out more telephone Joanna Jarvis at the Volunteer Centre on 0208 449 6970 or email jjarvis@cafod.org.uk

St Martha’s School – Invigilators required for Friday 6th January 2017

St Martha’s School will be holding their entrance tests for prospective pupils on Friday 6th January 2017 and are looking for invigilators to assist from 8.30am-12.30pm. Previous experience preferable but not essential. Please contact Mrs Naismith on 0208 449 6889 for more information or email: headspa@saint-marthas.org.uk

CAFOD World Gift Catalogue

Stuck for a Christmas present? CAFOD World Gifts offers a great alternative for friends or family who don’t need anything, but might appreciate a gift which helps poor communities to access services like basic healthcare, clean water, and education. CAFOD provides you with a certificate detailing a gift that has been given to a community overseas on your behalf. Please take home a CAFOD World Gift Catalogue after Mass.

Please pray for the sick esp. Sister Sheila, John & Carmel Bates, Cathy Walker, Finola Hickey and Kelly-Marie O’Donnell.