Second Sunday of Advent (B)
John the Baptist appears on the scene today, proclaiming a baptism of repentance and fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy to prepare a way for the Lord. This is our task during Advent—to repent of our sins and to prepare for the coming of the Lord. The Advent Season can be a good spiritual period, when we become more aware of God’s presence in our midst and do all we can to give him a good welcome.
Welcome to Bishop John
We welcome Bishop John Sherrington to the parish as he makes his official visitation this weekend. Today (Sunday) he will be blessing the new stone plaque, dedicating our parish centre to Canon Frederick Smyth who was a priest of this parish for 50 years. This takes place at the end of the 12 noon Mass which will be followed by a shared lunch to which everybody is welcome. At about 2pm, the Parish Council and the Finance Committee will meet with Bishop John in the Dominic Room.
Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch
This takes place next Sunday at 1pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. There will be a collection after Mass today to help fund the event.
Carol Singing around the Streets
Next Sunday we will be gathering at 6.30pm in the Parish Centre and set off to sing carols around the nearby streets. Everyone is welcome to join us and bring a Santa hat if you have one. We will return to the Parish Centre afterwards for refreshments.
Westminster Year Book 2018
The 2018 edition of the Westminster Year Book is available in the porch, price £4.50. It gives details of all the parishes in Westminster Diocese, all the priests and deacons as well as information about schools and hospitals. For instance, you can find the whereabouts of Fr Oscar, Fr David and Fr Carlos, as well as how old they are. There is also a very useful Liturgical Calendar for 2018.
Advent Reconciliation Service
This takes place on Wednesday 20th December at 7.30pm when several priests will be available for confession. There is no better way to prepare a way for the Lord.
Christmas Flowers
There will be a second collection next weekend to help finance the purchase of Christmas flowers and plants.
First Communion Programme
The children will be taking part in a Celebration Mass this morning at 10.30, and tomorrow (Monday) the children will be making their First Confession.
Signing School Forms
Father Colin will be available to sign school forms on Thursday between 3 and 4pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. There will be another session on Saturday 6th January between 12 and 1pm.
Christmas Arrangements
Please take a card giving the arrangements for services over the Christmas period. This doubles up as our Christmas card to you. Please note that the Night Mass on Christmas Eve will be at 10am, not at Midnight. However, these will be a Midnight Mass to see in the New Year.
Baptism Preparation
There will be a session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised on Sunday 28th January at 4pm in the Dominic Room. Application forms are available in the sacristy.
Confirmation 2018
Next Sunday is the final day for submitting application forms for those in Year 10 who wish to be confirmed next year. There will be a session for their parents on Wednesday 24th January at 7.30pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. The first session for the candidates is on Wednesday 31st January at 7pm. Bishop John Sherrington will be here to confirm the candidates on Friday 25th May at 7pm.
Nativity Presentation
Children are invited to take part in a presentation of the Nativity at the 6.30pm Mass on Christmas Eve, either acting or reading. If you are interested, please gather in the church after the 10.30am Mass next Sunday.
Mass at Appletree Court
There will be a Mass at Appletree Court at 12 Noon on Thursday.
Kanyike Project
To Canon Colin & the whole community of The Annunciation I am most grateful for the sum of £931-20 given for the KANYIKE PROJECT. May God bless you all until we meet again, hopefully, in two years’ time. Mwebale! Mwebale! Mwebale! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Fr. Kakuba Kapia
Catholic School Entries
Do you support Catholic schools and the right of Catholics to send their children to them? Then we need you to make your voice heard. The Government is making a critical decision on whether to overturn the admissions cap which prevents Catholic schools from allowing all Catholic pupils to attend. They have acknowledged that this policy discriminates against Catholics and promised to abandon it; now we need you to tell them not to U-turn on their promise to Catholics.
Visit http://catholicnews.org.uk/ or search for ‘Catholic Education’ in your search engine to write to the Government and urge them to drop their policy which bans new Catholic schools.