TAKEHOMENEWS SUNDAY 7 DECEMBER 2025
- RCDOW Burnt Oak
- 13 minutes ago
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Second Sunday of Advent Year A 2025
Waiting through Repentance
‘O people of Sion, behold the Lord will come to save the nations….’
This exilic prophecy from the entrance antiphon of the Mass (Isaiah 30:19,30), expresses the ancient hope of God’s people for a Messiah. Thus, the first reading from Isaiah 11:1-10 foretold of the Messiah upon whom the spirit of the Lord rests, who will judge with integrity and bring peace. Anchoring on this prophecy, God’s people waited in faith.
We look back on ancient Israelites’ hopes and see in Jesus their fulfilment. Knowing that God keeps his promises, this Sunday’s second reading (Romans 15:4-9) reminds us that these were written so that through endurance, we too might be encouraged to have hope by living in harmony with each other.
As we wait in hope during Advent for the One who comes, our actions should signal our hopes and expectations.
This expectant waiting requires constant conversion and repentance. Thus, John the Baptist in this Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 3:1-12) calls us to repentance since God’s Kingdom is near, and says, ‘Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight.’
We are not to presume on our righteousness nor take for granted the opportunity that the Lord offers us during this season, as the Sadducees and the Pharisees did in this Sunday’s Gospel, and claimed Abraham as their Father.
Rather, we are to humbly await with faith in God’s faithfulness and with openness to his mercy, loving each other.
Happy Sunday, Fr. Chinedu
MARY’S MEALS
Mary’s Meals is with us this weekend and they have an exciting announcement to make. The charity, based in Scotland, serves nutritious school meals to children living in some of the world’s poorest countries. The promise of a good meal attracts these hungry children into the classroom, giving them the energy to learn and hope for a better future.
CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING!
Today Sunday 7th December, in the Parish Hall immediately following the 9 am Mass.
ADVENT PENITENTAL SERVICE
Adult: Friday 12 December 7pm
Children and young people: Saturday 20 December after morning Mass. Please note that this is the correct date.
SENIOR CITIZENS' CHRISTMAS LUNCH
This takes place next Sunday (14th December) at 1pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. Today (Sunday 7th December) is the final day for returning application forms.
CAROL SERVICE
Please come along and bring your family to our Carol Service on Sunday, the 21st December, at 6.30pm.
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.
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.
MARRIAGE MATTERS
Walk in the light of the Lord.
Second Sunday of Advent (Isaiah 11:1-10 Romans 15:4-9 Matthew 3:1-12) Advent – a new beginning for us?
Today, Isaiah talks about trust and Matthew focuses on forgiveness. Advent is the opportunity to discover new ways to help our partner to trust us and to share themselves. Our prayer can be that we drop our defenses, become more vulnerable and have the courage to open ourselves to be able to really listen, to share and to change.
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
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