Second Sunday of Advent 04.12.2022
MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS
Sun 4th Dec
8.30 am People of the Parish
10 am Patsy Armstrong
12 noon Kathleen Connolly, anniversary
Mon 5th Dec Advent Feria
10 am Michael Lowry, RIP
Tues 6th Dec Advent Feria
10am Communion Service
Weds 7th Dec NO MASS
Thurs 8th Dec Feast of the Immaculate Conception
10am Kathleen Connor, RIP
Fri 9th Dec Advent Feria
10 am Gerry McDonagh, get well intentions
Sat 10th Dec 3rd Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)
5 pm Monica Fitzsimons
10am – 11am; 4:30pm – 5pm: Confessions and Exposition.
Your Prayers:
Let us keep in our prayers: Christna Cahill, Eric Nicholas Darwent, Therese Kemp, John O’Shea, Rekha, Bina, Jose Luis Pérez, Alice, Lilian Murphy, Karina McKiernan, Izabela Lissowska and Florida Regina Karawgodage– all unwell at this time.
We also pray for:: Gino Tomei, James Meally, Peter Sartori, Noel Ryan, Donato Merola, Aurora Lobo–Buckland, Christine Pavlou, Tom Lohan, Siobhan Lynch, Dennis Lennane, Susan Wren, Geraldine Day, Catherine Kelly, Josephine Okuyiga, Betty Murray, Jane Ikwueke, Gail Yates,Ronald Kinsella, Maureen O Sullivan, Patrick Reilly, Ann Gourdarznia, Nina Cole, Lorenzo Marcantuono, Pat McMahon, Michael Walsh Esther Ampomah Arhin, Peter McHugh, Marguerite Kyunga, Kathleen Molloy and Maria Pini,whose anniversaries occur at this time or have died recently. May they Rest in Peace.
Offertory:
The offertory collection for week ending 27th November - £636.07. Many thanks. Please do not forget, that arranging a standing order is the easiest way to support St Mary’s.
Circles of Life talks:
On Tuesday at 7:30pm, over some mulled wine and the odd mince pie there will be a presentation on the Advent “O” Antiphons. All are very welcome – let us learn, share and pray together.
Have you any Old Foreign Coins?
For Advent, St Mary’s has gone into partnership with “Mary’s Meals” in its endeavours to serve nutritious school meals to children living in some of the world’s poorest countries. ” Marys Meals” is already feeding more than two million children every school day. The promise of a good meal attracts hungry children into classrooms, giving them the energy to learn. An inexpensive way to support “Mary’s Meals” during Advent, is to search out any old foreign coins or notes and put them into an envelope and drop them through the presbytery letter box. The charity has an agreement with banks to turn them into “cash” …..and pay for meals. Many thanks.
A St Mary’s Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2023
Fr Peter writes: “I am looking into planning a 5 day, 4 night weekday full board pilgrimage to Lourdes departing 24th April, returning 28th April for approximately £609 per parishioner and I need a minimum of 20 parishioners! The hotel on offer is 3 star and flights are from Stansted to Lourdes airport (making your own way to Stansted). I know Lourdes very well, can arrange Masses and tours to suit a 4 day trip. I have put a sign-upsheet at the back of the church for those who would like to come.
Timetable Of Christmas Masses at St Mary’s.
There is an additional newsletter in church detailing times of Masses over the Christmas Season.
A BIG THANK YOU!
Fr Peter writes: “Last Sunday’s Christmas Fete raised a yuletide £4187 for the parish. These are difficult days, and I am very grateful for your genoristy and kindness. Thank you to everyone who provided treasures to sell, eat or act as a prize. I would also like to thank a long roll call of parishioners who either managed a stall or helped to set up the fete and clear away afterwards. The list is marvelously long: Nicola, Jean, Mike, Tom,Kristy, Cathy, Patrizia, Lio, Ruby, Nisrin, Holly, Deacon Dom, David Winton, Braulio, Shannon, Danielle, Wilfredo, Helen Tierney, Dowling family, MacCrossans, Rachel Effioawan, May Brennan, Peter, Finbar, Jamie, Josephine, Fintan, Julius and many more! Finally a reindeer sized Thank You to Helen Doran for acting as the marvellous chair and organiser.
The Christmas Raffle:
The raffle draw takes place today, after the 10am mass. There are 3 cash prizes of £100, £75 and £50 and there are prizes of Champagne, Whiskey, perfume and much more. Good luck! ☘
Fr Peter needs your Help.
Fr Peter writes: “I am so very grateful to everyone who volunteers at St Mary’s. Many of you offer time and assistance. I remember last year asking for parishioners to sit on a building committee to help look after the fabric and fittings of the church compound. Sadly I never had time to organise anything. Lately St Mary’s hasbeen inundated with repairs and I would now really value a committee of men and women who have building or maintenance knowledge to give me advice. If you can help, either email or phone or come up to me and I will sort out a building committee meeting. Many thanks.
Calling all Altar Servers – and those who would like to learn.
Please sign the list at the back of the Church if you are able to serve over Christmas. Deacon Dom will arrange a practice for the Christmas Eve celebrations. For those who would like to be an altar server (you need to have made your First Holy Communion) please sign the alternative list and Deacon Dom will teach you. Adult parishioners can also sign up to be servers!
St Mary’s Special Commemorative Calenders
The special St Mary’s calanders celebrating 125 years of the parish will be available to collect or buy (we printed some extra copies) next weekend. Cost per calender is £7:50.
Do you want a Good Excuse to avoid the World Cup Final?
If you have grown tired of World Cup football, why not come to Deacon Patrick Van Der Vorst talk on art and the Eucharist at 7:00pm on Sunday 18th December in the parish centre. Deacon Patrick spent a summer at St Mary’s last year and is editor of the hugely successful webpage “Christian art”.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament:
There is a unique chance to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament every Saturday morning between 10am-11am (and go to confession) and during weekdays (except Wednesday) from 9:30am to 10am (just before Mass).
Can you help in some market research?
This year is the 10th anniversary of Caritas Westminster, the social action arm of the Diocese. We are inviting anyone who would be interested to be part of a focus group happening in the coming fortnight to get in touch. There are three Zoom focus groups to choose from: Thursday 1, Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 December from 6.30-7.45pm. Your opinion would be very helpful. If you would like to take part, please email Julie Christie-Webb, Caritas Fundraising Manager, to register, at juliechristiewebb@rcdow.org.uk
CARITAS Impact Film
Want to know what Caritas has been up to in the past 10 years? Watch these beautiful films which can be uploaded when you click on the link: https://youtu.be/Vgxvakd-8Ug
SVP – Vinnie Packs
Siobhan Garibaldi, SVP Vinnie Pack Project Coordinator writes: "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."
Thursday is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception…..
“Mary's greatness consists in the fact that she wants to magnify God, not herself.”
Pope Benedict XVI
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