TAKEHOMENES SUNDAY 30 NOVEMBER

First Sunday of Advent Year A 2025

Maranatha, Come, Lord Jesus.

As we begin the Advent season, we open our hearts more fully to Jesus, the King of our hearts. This season is a time of great anticipation, which reminds us that Christ’s birth is the fulfilment of God’s promises of salvation.

During this Advent season, we will be hearing about promises, expectations, and fulfilment. In the first reading, the Prophet Isaiah invites us to journey towards the mountain of the Lord. He speaks of the One who shall judge nations, settle disputes and bring about peace. Therefore, he invites us to walk in the Light of the Lord. This prophecy also expresses our deep longing for the Adventus (the One who comes). This longing will deepen as we advance in our Advent journey.

This Sunday’s second reading and the Gospel urge us to stay alert and attentive to the Lord’s coming since we do not know the hour. We remember God’s past faithfulness and thus draw strength from the knowledge that he keeps His promises. This strengthens our unfailing hope, which is born of God’s love. (Romans 5:5). But here is the thing. However, those who entertain this hope (says the scripture) must then purify the heart; thus, the Advent season is also penitential in its very nature.

However, St Paul reminds us that we await Christ’s coming not with fear, but with confidence and patience. So, in confident hope, we pray: Maranatha, Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Happy Advent Season, 

Fr. Chinedu

ADVENT PENITENTAL SERVICE

Adult: Friday 12 December 7pm

Children and young people:  Tuesday 23 December after morning Mass

SOMETHING IS BREWING! YOU'RE INVITED TO OUR COFFEE MORNING!

Next Sunday, 7^th December, in the Parish Hall immediately following the 9 am Mass.

 RECENTLY DECEASED

JOHN AHEARNE (ASH), may his soul and the souls of all the departed rest in peace. Funeral reception  Tuesday 2^nd December 7pm.

SENIOR CITIZENS' CHRISTMAS LUNCH

This year’s Christmas Lunch takes place on Sunday 14^th December at 1pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. Application forms can be found at the back of the church. Please retain the top sheet for your information and return the application form by Sunday 7^th December.

VINNIE PACKS

The SVP are distributing over 10,000 Vinnie Packs containing cold weather essentials to the homeless this winter. 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.

YOUNG ADULTS ADVENT RETREAT DAY 

The Assumption Sisters on Saturday 6th December 2025, 10am – 6pm. Venue: Milleret House, 20 Kensington Square, London, W8 5HH (closest tube station: High Street Kensington). Programme includes talks • prayer, adoration and confessions • faith sharing • mass and social time. £5 registration fee/ subsidised student places available on request. Register now by emailing: rebecca@assumpta-eu.org   

MARY’S MEALS

Mary’s Meals is a charity that sets up school feeding programmes in communities where poverty and hunger prevent children from gaining an education.  Their Volunteers will speak after Masses next weekend.

MARRIAGE MATTERS

(www.marriagecare.org.uk)

Walk in the light of the Lord.

God’s Word is clear – we can only be certain of each current moment in our day-to- day lives. To live as couples in the ‘present moment’ more often, we need to apply ourselves to today’s call from Jesus to “stay awake”. Also, St Paul tells us, “the time has come: you must wake up now”, because now is all we have.

BAPTISM PREPARATION

There will be a preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby  baptised  on Sunday, 4 January at 4pm in the church.  There will be no baptisms in December. 

MARRIAGE CARE

Join Marriage Care for a Growing Together Marriage Enrichment Day. The workshop style event, for couples at any stage of marriage whose relationship is stable or in a good place, is on Saturday 17th January, from 10 am to 5 pm in Finchley. The day offers a meaningful opportunity to strengthen and deepen your bond alongside developing some practical tools. The cost is £75 per couple, but please speak to us if this is more than you can afford to pay. For more details or to book, contact Marriage Care on 0800 389 3801 (Monday–Thursday, 9 am–6 pm) or email: appointments@marriagecare.org.uk