The Epiphany
Today we celebrate the revealing of God’s plan to the Gentile nations. The Magi, who represent the non—Jewish people, come to Jerusalem as they search for the recently born king of the Jews and are sent on to Bethlehem, the city of King David. They bring gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, indicating that Jesus was God, was human and was king. We give thanks today that we have been included in this revelation, that we believe that Jesus is both God and man.
Dates for 2020
It is customary on the Feast of the Epiphany to announce the important dates in the liturgical calendar for the coming year:
Please note that from next year the Feast of the Epiphany will be celebrated on 6th January, unless it falls on a Saturday or a Monday. Epiphany 2021 will be on Wednesday 6th January.
Thank You
Fr. Colin would like to thank everybody for their most generous gifts and offerings that he received at Christmas as well as all the cards. I wish you every blessing for the new year.
Thank you to the many who volunteer their help in the parish in so many ways. When submitting our parish accounts to the diocese, we are now required to submit an estimate of the number of hours volunteers give to the parish. My estimate amounted to over 1,100 hours per month. This would include Altar Servers, Catechists, Cleaners, Counters, Eucharistic Ministers, Hospitality, Finance Committee, Flower Arranging, Maintenance, Parish Council, Musicians, Choirs, Office Administration, Readers, Repository, Visiting the Sick and Housebound, Four-12 and several other roles. Very many thanks for your great efforts.
First Communion Programme
There will be a meeting for parents of First Communion children on Tuesday at 7.45PM in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. The children have a session next Sunday 12th January, at 9.15AM.
Confirmation Programme
Applications are now closed for those joining the confirmation programme. We have a healthy number of 44 candidates. There will be a session for parents of candidates on Wednesday 29th January at 7.30PM in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. There will be 7 sessions for the candidates, starting on Wednesday 5th February at 7PM.
Congratulations
Many congratulations to our altar servers who celebrated the 90th anniversary of the Archconfraternity of St. Stephen in our parish on St Stephen’s Day. It was a wonderful occasion with 50 Altar Servers on the sanctuary (or nearby). Several were enrolled, received upgrading's and certificates for long service.
Novena and Holy Hour
The Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help resumes this Tuesday at 7PM. The Holy Hour resumes on Wednesday at 9.30AM.
The Year of the Word
On 26th January we will celebrate the Sunday of the Word of God. On this day we invite our parish readers to be commissioned at whichever Mass they attend, including the Saturday 6.30PM Mass. There will be a meeting for parish readers and anyone who would like to become a reader on Thursday 23rd January at 8.00PM in the church.
Year of the Word Scripture Quote
‘Your light has come, the glory of the Lord is rising on you’. (Isaiah 60:1)
Westminster Year Book 2020
The 2020 edition of the Westminster Year Book is available in the porch price £4.50. It gives useful information about priests, parishes, schools and organisations in the Westminster Diocese together with a liturgical calendar for the year.
Crib offerings
Crib offerings will be sent to the Catholic Children’s Society (Westminster), which gives hope to families by offering a range of services. A team of mental health professionals work in over 80 schools supporting children with issues such as bereavement, abuse, neglect and family breakdown. It operates a Crisis Fund which provides emergency grants for families facing a crisis in their lives.
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.
Caritas Westminster
Caritas Westminster is recruiting at least one Representative for Social Outreach from each parish to help communication between the Parish and Caritas to support and grow charitable activities. They will help to display posters, flyers, speak in Masses, learn about new tools and models for social action and share best practice between parishes. If you would like to become a Caritas Representative, please first obtain consent from your Parish Priest, then contact us on
020 7931 6077 or email caritasreps@rcdow.org.uk
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.
White Flower Appeal
The Society for the Protection of Unborn children (SPUC) will be holding its annual appeal next weekend. On 21st October 2019 the most extreme abortion regime in Europe was imposed on the people of Northern Ireland by the government at Westminster. Abortion will now be permitted for any reason up until at least 24 weeks, and even beyond that.
The abortion lobby now wants to introduce this in England and Wales.
Please be generous as you can help SPUC defend unborn babies and their mothers from this new attack.
Four:12 Sleepout 2019
Four:12 would like to thank everyone who contributed to a second collection in December, this raised £250.22 for Emmaus UK. We have also received more individual donations; these will all be sent to the charity. Thank you all for your continued support and encouragement.
School Admissions - September 2020
We welcome applications to our school Reception Class starting in September 2020. This is for children who were born between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2016. All applications need to be completed and returned to the school office by 15 January 2020. All forms can be found on our website www.annunciationinf.org.uk. You must also apply online at www.eadmissions.org.uk. The Head Teacher is happy to show prospective parents around the school. Please contact the school on 020 8959 2325 to arrange a convenient date.