Second Sunday of Advent Year C 2024
We Expectantly Wait in Faith
Last Sunday, the First Sunday of Advent, we reflected on the theme of hope. We considered Ancient Israel’s hope for a Messiah. Thus, we lit the advent candle of Hope.
By faith, we now see in Christ a fulfilment of this Hope which speaks of God’s faithfulness. We are invited then to reflect on God’s faithfulness amid our life’s challenges, trusting that God’s promises are not weakened by our dark or challenging moments. So, this Sunday, we light the Advent Candle of Faith as we faithfully wait.
Today’s first reading (Baruch 5:1-9) calls us to “Take off the robe of mourning and misery and put on the splendour of God’s glory.” Despite life’s challenges we are encouraged to remain hopeful and faithful, drawing strength from the memory of God’s faithfulness in the past.
As we await the Holy One, this Sunday’s Gospel invites us to prepare the way for the Lord to come and dwell in our hearts. We are to recognise our woundedness, and our need for God and thus, turn to God in repentance for His healing and restoration.
As we strive daily to do this, Philippians 1 assures us that the Lord will complete the good works he has started in our lives. Lord, in Hope and Faith, may we expectantly await your coming, trusting in God’s faithful promises. Amen
You can access Fr Chinedu's full audio reflection on Purifying Word or Spotify.
Happy Sunday
Fr Chinedu
PLANNED GIVING DRIVE Week 3
As we look to the future with confidence, you are encouraged to think about how you are playing your part, always keeping in mind your means and circumstances. Father or a member of the Parish Finance Committee will take you through the filling out of the Booklet, which is available on the benches with pens for you to update your information.
BAPTISM PREPARATION
There will be a preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised on Sunday 5th January at 4pm in the church.
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.
ADVENT SERVICES 2024 Annunciation church
Please take one of our orange cards from the back of the church with the Advent Service timings
Weekly reflection 7pm-8pm Friday, 13 December & Friday 20 December
Advent Penitential Service Friday 13 December 7pmCarol Service Sunday 22 December 6.30pm
CHRISTMAS EVE CHILDREN’S MASS
At the 6.30 Mass on Christmas Eve, the readings will be read by children and there will also be a presentation of the Nativity. Those who would like to take part– either actors or readers— are asked to give their name and parent/carer’s contact details in at the Repository. There will be a rehearsal for those taking part immediately after the 10.30am Mass on Sunday 22nd December.
SENIOR CITIZENS' CHRISTMAS LUNCH
This takes place next Sunday (15th December) at 1pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. Today (Sunday 8th December) is the final day for returning application forms.
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR - THANK YOU AND RAFFLE PRIZE WINNERS
A huge thank you to everyone that helped to support the event and to those that volunteered to make it possible.
Thanks to your generosity over £1,200 was raised for the parish.
Raffle prize winners that were not present at the prize draw will all have been contacted and are requested to collect prizes no later than the 31 Dec. Unclaimed prizes will not be available after 31 Dec.
Winning ticket numbers of unclaimed prizes - 38, 831, 733, 37, 722, 99, 843, 784, 502, 91, 32 and 105.
SACRED HEART AND MARY IMMACULATE MILL HILL
Parish Christmas Fair on Saturday 14th December at 12 Noon.
A DAY WITH MARY IS TAKING PLACE AT ST GEORGE'S CATHEDRAL, SOUTHWARK
On Saturday 14 December (10.15am to 5.15pm). Mass will be celebrated by the Archbishop of Southwark Diocese, John Wilson. Further information is available at https://www.adaywithmary.org/ or https://eventcatholic.com/
CONFIRMATION APPLICATIONS FOR 2025
Application forms for those in Year 10 or above who would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation next year are available at the back of the church. Please return the form to the presbytery by 15th December.
THE DIVINE MERCH APOSTOLATE RETREAT
Saturday 14 December 1-4:30pm at All Saints Church 531 Kenton Road Kenton London HA3 0UL on the corner of Claremont Avenue; 600 yards west of Kingsbury Circus/Kingsbury TfL Station, via Bus 183
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