THE BAPTISM OF TH4 LORD (C)
Today’s feast day marks the conclusion of the Christmas Season as such Tomorrow we move into a period of Ordinary Time. But the Baptism of the Lord heralds the start of Jesus’ public ministry. It is a significant moment. The Father , the Son and the Holy Spirit were present in different forms: The voice of the Father was heard from heaven; the Son was present in the waters of the River Jordan; the Holy Spirit was there in the form of a dove. Ever since this time, people have been baptised in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. It marks the moment that they became Christians. For Jesus, it marked the moment he would start proclaiming the kingdom of God and bringing it by word and action to all peoples.
MEETING FOR FIRST COMMUNION PARENTS
There will be a meeting for the parents of children who have applied for First Holy Communion on Tuesday at 7.45pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. The first of seven sessions for the children will be next Sunday 16th January at 9am, also in the Parish Centre.
READERS MEETING
There will be a meeting for all Mass Readers this Thursday 13th January at 7.30pm in the church. Anybody who would like to become a Mass Reader is invited along as well. Sunday 23rd January is the Day of the Word when Readers will be commissioned or re-commissioned.
WHITE FLOWER APPEAL
White Flower Appeal 2022 - the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) will be holding its annual appeal next weekend.
SPUC is currently campaigning to protect Pro-Life speech. Pro-Life witness is being restricted now more than ever; we must be able to speak freely to protect unborn babies.
Please be as generous as you can to help SPUC defend unborn babies and their mothers from this new attack.
RECENTLY DECEASED
Please pray for the repose of the soul of JOYCE MACLEAN whose funeral Mass will be on Tuesday 18th January at 11am. Her body will be brought to the church on Monday 17th January at 5pm. Also please pray for JOSEPHINE HETHCOTT whose funeral Mass will be on Friday 21st January at 12.30.
Baptism Preparation
There will be a preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised next Sunday 16th January at 4.pm in the Church
Weddings in 2022
Couples who wish to be married in this church this year or require us to prepare them for their marriage elsewhere, please get in touch with Fr Colin or Fr David.
WESTMINSTER YEAR BOOK 2022
The 2022 edition of the Westminster Year Book is available in the porch priced £4.50. It gives useful information about parishes, priests, schools and organisations in the Westminster Diocese together with a liturgical calendar for the year.
CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME 2022
Applications are now complete for the Confirmation Programme. There will be a meeting for the parents of the candidates on Wednesday 26th January at 7.30pm in the Canon Smyth Parish Centre. The first session for the candidates will be on Wednesday 2nd February at 7.00pm, also in the Parish Centre. Bishop John Sherrington will minister the Sacrament of Confirmation on Thursday 12th May at 7pm.
CRIB OFFERINGS
As in previous years, the crib offerings will be sent to the Catholic Children’s Society. During the past year, it has provided mental health services and family support for thousands of vulnerable children and families. You can donate at the crib or via the CCS website www.cathchild.org.uk/crib.
Sixth Form at St Richard Reynolds Catholic College (SRRCC)
The deadline for SRRCC Sixth Form applications is Friday 14th January. Apply by visiting our website: https://www.strichardreynolds.org.uk/sixth-form/sixth-form-admissions.
We welcome applications from all faiths and none. If you have any questions, we would be really pleased to help. Feel free to email sixthformadmissions@srrcc.org.uk
FOODBANK FOR THE COMMUNITY
Items for the local foodbank can be left in one of the boxes in the porch. Many thanks to those who have donated already. It has been very much appreciated.
DATES FOR 2022
It is customary on or near the Feast of the Epiphany to announce the important dates in the liturgical calendar for the coming year:
Ash Wednesday 2nd March
Annunciation Friday 25th March
Palm Sunday 10th April
Good Friday 15th April
Easter Sunday 17th April
The Ascension Thursday 26th May
Pentecost Sunday 5th June
Corpus Christi Sunday 19th June
Assumption of Our Lady Sunday 14th August
All Saints Tuesday 1st November
All Souls Wednesday 2nd November
1st Sunday of Advent 27th November
Christmas Day Sunday 25th December Days of Fasting and Abstinence: Ash Wednesday
Good Friday Fridays on which there is no abstinence required: 25th March (Annunciation) 22nd April (Easter Octave) 24th June (Sacred Heart) 30th December (Christmas Octave)