Second Sunday of Advent (Year B) 10th December 2017
Anniversary Mass for Sergio and Luigi Castello
There is a Funeral Mass place at the 10 am Mass on Monday 18th December. The anniversary Mass intention for Sergio and Luigi Castello has had to be moved to the 12 noon Mass on Sunday 17th December. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Funerals
On Thursday 14th December at 10 am, we have the Funeral Mass for Stanislaw Dziadzio.
On Friday 15th December at 10 am we have the Funeral Mass for Nuccio Santi. May they rest in peace.
A huge thank you from the AYSANEW KASSA TRUST
Jean Bailey and trustees of the Aysanew Kassa trust thank the many parishioners who have helped the blind children and girls to complete their education in Azezo, Ethiopia again this year. Jean is going to Ethiopia to work with the children over the Christmas and New Year period. The annual AKT newsletter is in the porch to update you on its achievements. Please take one.
RCIA
Are you not a Catholic and wondering whether to take the step of joining the Catholic Church? Or are you an adult and wanting to be confirmed? If so let Fr Terry know. There might be a course for you in the first half of next year.
RAFFLE PRIZE DRAW
The draw takes place today in the parish hall after the 10am mass. Come along to find out if you are the lucky recipient of one of our many prizes.
FAIR VOLUNTEERS – THANK YOU!
Calling all Christmas Fair volunteers – sit back, relax and enjoy a well-earned cup of tea and cake in the parish hall after the 10am mass today.
Nativity Play for Christmas Eve
This year our First Communion children will rehearse and perform a Nativity Play for the Family Mass on Christmas Eve. All children of the parish are welcome to join in on 24th December by coming to Mass dressed as either angels or shepherds.
A Jesse Tree for St Mary’s
A Jesse Tree is an old Catholic Advent tradition, also described as Jesus’ family tree. This year, we are inviting the children of our parish and all who’d like to take part to decorate one of our Jesse Tree ornaments and create a big display in the parish centre. Ornaments available from Sandra, finchleyeastcat@rcdow.org.uk
Looking ahead: special arrangements for Christmas
Card with service details: There is a card with Mass times available. Please take one away
Confession: It is right and proper to prepare for Christmas through the sacrament of reconciliation.
On Thursday 14th December we will have exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 8-9 pm, and occasional meditative music. The church will be heated! And Father Leo Edgar, a wise and compassionate Dominican priest, will be in the confessional. Fr Terry will be available in the Sacred Heart chapel. If necessary both priests will continue past 9 pm.
Saturday 16th December: Fr Tony Convery and Fr Terry will be swopping churches. Fr Tony will be here in the confessional from 5 pm onwards.
Sunday 24th December: The 4th Sunday of Advent is on 24th December. The Sunday obligation still applies, but because this is also Christmas Eve we must trim one Sunday Mass. Please note that we will cancel the 12 noon Mass on the 24th December.
Fr Terry says: In the last two Christmases I have had had open table for anyone on their own on Christmas Day. Alas, this year it will not be possible. I am so sorry.
St Mary's Carol Service Thursday 21st December at 2.30pm
Helen Tierney writes: This year we share a joint carol service with residents and staff at Nazareth House. The service will be an informal programme or traditional carols, solo musical items and readings and is in the chapel of Nazareth House, followed by refreshments. We will as usual be forming a choir from St Mary's to sing a few items in the programme and any singers ( any or no experience welcome too!) are invited to join. Rehearsals will be for 45 minutes on the following evenings in the church - Wed 13th December 8pm, Wed 20th Dec 8pm.
Supporting Local Refugees: Eggs Please!
Many thanks for your generous support for the local drop-in centre for destitute refugees and asylum seekers last Sunday. We were able to take 200 eggs to the centre. Next date for eggs: Sunday, 7th January 2018. Contact: finchleyeastcat@rcdow.org.uk
CAROL SINGING for CRISIS 23rd December Helen Tierney writes: In recent years it has been great to involve parishioners in the group formed to sing carols to welcome guests at the opening of CRISIS at CHRISTMAS North London Day Centre. This is SAT 23rd December at Westminster Kingsway College in Grays Inn Rd 5-6pm. Last year we had about 40 singers. It is open to anyone over 18. It is really appreciated by both Crisis organisers and the men and women who use the scheme at Christmas. If interested contact Helen Tierney for details as you will need to register with Crisis as security is always a priority. tierneyhelen@hotmail.com
Our Lady of Lourdes School N12 – Reception and Nursery
Our Lady of Lourdes, Bow Lane, N12 0JP is inviting applications to their Reception class for September 2018 for those children born between 1st Sept 2013 and 31st Aug 2014. The deadline to return this to the school is 15th Jan 2018 and you must also complete the Barnet Online Application form.
Nursery applications are invited for those children born between 1st April 2015 and 31st March 2016. See the school website, http://www.ololbarnetschool.org.uk.
Good Counsel Network – Extra Day of Prayer and Fasting
Stuart McCullough of The Good Counsel Network writes: Please join us for an extra day of prayer and fasting on Monday 11th December, the vigil of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, please pray and fast for the end of abortion and euthanasia in this country. For information on the days of Prayer and Fasting see www.GoodCounselNetwork.com