TAKEHOMENEWS SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2025

 

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR A

Rejoicing in the God of my salvation

On this Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday), the Church invites us to     rejoice.  “Rejoice in the Lord always… the Lord is near.” As we move closer to Christmas, the light of Christ, symbolised by the white candle, which we will light at Christmas, already shines through. That gentle infusion of Christ’s approaching radiance brings forth a lighter, hopeful mood, beautifully expressed in today’s pink candle. Because His light is breaking in, we rejoice even now.

Of course, this joy does not ignore our sufferings; rather, it proclaims that God’s saving love can and will in the end triumph. Isaiah’s prophecy (Is 35:1-6,10) comes to God’s people in exile and describes their experiences like people with “weary hands and trembling knees,”. But then it calls them to rejoice because God is coming to save them and promises that even the desert will bloom, and courage and joy will replace fear and sorrow.

We, too, are invited to trust God’s promises, even when life feels barren, and we wonder if we had trusted and believed in vain, just like John the Baptist felt in this Sunday’s Gospel (Mt 11:2-11).

When our own waiting feels long, and our spirits question, St. James (James 5:7-10) asks us to wait patiently just as the farmer patiently waits for the precious harvest. God’s faithfulness in the past should inspire hope and a joyful courage in us to say: “I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.”

Happy Sunday

Fr. Chinedu

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE ADVENT PENITENTAL SERVICE

Saturday 20 December after morning Mass.

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. 

SENIOR CITIZENS' CHRISTMAS LUNCH

This takes place today Sunday (14^th December) at 1pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre.

CAROL SERVICE

Please come along and bring your family to our Carol Service on Sunday, the 21^st December, at 6.30pm.

CHRISTMAS ARRANGEMENTS

Please take a Christmas Blessings card giving the times of services over the Christmas period. This doubles as our Christmas card to you.  Please note that the night Mass on Christmas Eve will be at 10pm this year.  This will be in addition to the Children’s Mass on Christmas Eve at 6.30 pm.

CHRISTMAS EVE CHILDREN’S MASS

At the 6.30pm Mass on Christmas Eve, the readings will be read by the children and there will be a presentation of the Nativity. Those who would like to take part – either as actors (Reception and above) or readers (Years 3 to 10) – are asked to give their name and parent/carer’s contact details in at the Repository. There will be a rehearsal immediately after the 10.30am Mass on Sunday 21st December that those who wish to take part must attend.

CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS

Fr Colin, wishes you every blessing for the Christmas season and New Year.

Christmas Bazaar

Thank you and well done. We are very grateful to all who donated gifts, baked cakes and food, helped with setting up and packing away, along with all who    supported the event over £2,000 was raised. Please pick up your unclaimed prizes from the office before 21 December.

Annunciation School. 

The school has a vacancy for a Foundation Governor. This may interest a parishioner that has a historic connection with the school or one that simply wants to support Catholic education. If you are interested, please call the school OFFICE for more information. 020 8906 0723

MARRIAGE MATTERS

(www.marriagecare.org.uk)

Third Sunday of Advent (Isaiah 35:1-6, 10 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11)

Cherish the gift

John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ coming. When Jesus came, the Magi brought gifts. We are preparing gifts for family and friends. When you married, and every day since, you have gifted yourself...entrusted yourselves ...to each other; do you still cherish the gift? How much has trust helped you on your journey together? Thank the Lord!

RETROUVAILLE

Helps marriages. It can bring hope and healing to relationships. Next date: 12th February 2026. www.retrouvaille.org.uk   Tel: 07887 296983