1st SUNDAY OF Advent (A)
Today we start a new year in the Church’s calendar with the Season of Advent. The first part of Advent is devoted to preparation for the Second Coming of Christ. That is why the Gospel gives us the instruction to STAY AWAKE, to be ready for our master to come. It involves a constant effort on our part. The effort is like climbing a mountain. It involves going to God’s house. It involves walking in the paths that the Lord has taught us, to walk in the light of the Lord. It means being ambassadors of peace, living decently and proclaiming the light rather than the darkness of sin. May our hearts be confirmed in holiness.
Advent Litany
Lord Jesus you are the light of the world COME LORD JESUS
You are the light in our darkness COME LORD JESUS
Son of God, save us from our sins COME LORD JESUS
Bring hope into the lives of all people COME LORD JESUS
Give your peace to all nations COME LORD JESUS
Be the joy of all who love you COME LORD JESUS
Bless us as we gather here in your name COME LORD JESUS
Lord Jesus, stay with us. COME LORD JESUS
Advent Booklets and Events
Copies of the booklet ‘Walk With Me’ are available in the porch, price £1.00 They give a daily reflection right through until the Feast of Our Lord’s baptism on 12th January.
We will be having a Day of Exposition from 9.30am until 6.30pm on Friday 13th December. Please sign up for a half-hour watching slot on the sheet at the back of the church. The day will conclude with Benediction at 6.30pm.
The Advent Reconciliation Service with several priests available for confession will be on Wednesday 18th December at 7.30pm
Christmas Arrangements
We will be issuing a card with all the Christmas arrangements in mid-December. Please note that this year the Night Mass on Christmas Eve will be at 10.pm.
Kanyike Project
Father Kakuba Kapia will be here once again this weekend to give an update on developments in the Kanyike Project in Uganda which we have been supporting over the years. There will be a second collection and Gift Aid envelopes are available for those who wish to take one.
Advent Giving Calendar
Advent is a special season in the Church's year when we prepare to celebrate the coming of Christ. However, for many people facing food poverty, Christmas can be a difficult time. Currently, 8.4 million people in the U.K. regularly do not get enough to eat. The Caritas Food Collective is a new project working to tackle food poverty in the Diocese of Westminster. This year, we have created an 'Advent Giving Calendar' to help use this season as a time when we think of those who might be struggling, and do our bit to help them in the run up to Christmas.
Please take a calendar from the back of the church which gives items that can be donated to a foodbank and if you are able, donate them directly to the local foodbank.
Baptism Preparation
The next session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised will be on Sunday 19th January at 4.00pm in the Dominic Room.
Lately Dead
The Funeral Mass for ANNE CHRISTIAN will be on Wednesday 4th December at 10.30.am. This will be in addition to the 9.00am Mass that morning but there will be no Holy Hour. Her body will be brought to the church at 6.00pm on Tuesday. The Novena will follow at 7.00pm.
Centre Point
We thank those who contributed towards the 2020 calendars designed by Elise. A total of £484.00. was sent to Centre Point, a charity for the homeless.
First Communion Programme
The children have a class today at 9.15 in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. Next Sunday they will be taking part in a celebration Mass at 10.30.
Confirmation 2020
Those who are currently in year 10 or above are invited to apply to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Application forms are available in the porch and should be returned by 15th December at the latest. There will be seven sessions for the candidates starting in February and there will be a meeting for parents on Wednesday 29th January at 7.30pm. Bishop John Sherrington will be coming on Friday 22 May to administer the Sacrament.
Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch
This takes place on Sunday 15th December in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre starting at 1.pm. Application forms are available in the porch and should be returned as soon as possible as there is a limit to the numbers we can cater for.
Lately Dead
The Funeral Mass for ANNE CHRISTIAN will be on Wednesday 4th December at 10.30.am. This will be in addition to the 9.00am Mass that morning but there will be no Holy Hour. Her body will be brought to the church at 6.00pm on Tuesday. The Novena will follow at 7.00pm.
Centre Point
We thank those who contributed towards the 2020 calendars designed by Elise. A total of £484.00. was sent to Centre Point, a charity for the homeless.
First Communion Programme
The children have a class today at 9.15 in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. Next Sunday they will be taking part in a celebration Mass at 10.30.
Confirmation 2020
Those who are currently in year 10 or above are invited to apply to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Application forms are available in the porch and should be returned by 15th December at the latest. There will be seven sessions for the candidates starting in February and there will be a meeting for parents on Wednesday 29th January at 7.30pm. Bishop John Sherrington will be coming on Friday 22 May to administer the Sacrament.
Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch
This takes place on Sunday 15th December in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre starting at 1.pm. Application forms are available in the porch and should be returned as soon as possible as there is a limit to the numbers we can cater for.
Youngsters Choir
Children, Youngsters, Teenagers are being invited to come and join for a new Youngster's Choir Initiative for the 12 noon mass on second Sunday of every month. Before we get going with it, we would need a few practice sessions with them. The practice has already begun and is taking place in the church on all Sundays from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Please support this initiative by sending the kids for the practice sessions. For any queries, please speak to Fr. Colin or contact Nancy Joseph - 07459436414. We look forward to meeting you.
CAFOD World Gifts
As we begin to think about Christmas gifts to our family and friends, it is good to think about gifts for the needy throughout the world. As in recent years, CAFOD has produced a catalogue of suggestions for various gifts that can be sent to the needy such as a goat, a pig, a vegetable garden and a sewing kit. Please take a catalogue and make your order direct to CAFOD.
Winter Wonderland 2019 The Parish’s annual winter get-together takes place next Saturday (7th December); doors open at 7:15pm. Enjoy a 3-course meal and an evening of festivities. Tickets are priced at £8 for adults, £5 for 5-16-year-olds and free for under 5s and they will be on sale after all Masses this weekend. Please only purchase tickets if you intend to come to the event – last year we had to disappoint some people after we ran out of tickets but then fifteen ticket-holders failed to turn up on the night! All tickets must be paid for and collected by today (Sunday); there will be no tickets available for purchase or collection on the door.
90th Anniversary of Affiliation to the Guild of St Stephen
This year marks the 90th anniversary of the affiliation of the altar servers of this parish to the Guild of St Stephen. To mark the occasion, the servers will be celebrating with their annual St Stephen’s Day Mass on Thursday 26th December at 10.30am, followed by a reception in the parish centre. All are welcome. We extend a special invitation to all former servers – please take a flyer from the back of the church and spread the word to any family members or friends who have served in the parish in the past, particularly those who may be visiting over the Christmas period.
Pilgrimage Holy Land
14-21st May to the Holy Land. 4 places left £1333 per person in shared accommodation. If interested or for more information please contact Fr Carlos at Bishop Stortford Parish 01279 654063.
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Year of the Word Scripture Quote
Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen. Luke 21:36
Weddings in 2020
Couples who wish to be married in this church next year or require us to prepare them for their marriage elsewhere, please get in touch with Fr Colin.
Repository
Christmas stock now available, come look and buy!