Fr Andrew writes…
This Sunday is Guadete Sunday. Guadete is latin for rejoice. And it comes from the original latin of the entrance antiphon for our mass this Sunday which says; “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice. Indeed the Lord is near.” So the theme or key note of this third Sunday of Advent is rejoicing at the coming of Jesus. That’s why we light a pink candle on the Advent Wreath and the priest even wears pink vestments.
You might wonder why we can’t just wait until Christmas before we start rejoicing, especially since its just around the corner. Well, that would be fair enough if we were only talking about the celebration of Christ’s first coming at Christmas, but we’re not. The real reason we are rejoicing is because Christ’s second and third comings are near.
When you think of the second coming of Jesus you might think of someone holding a sign saying “the end of the world is near”, the idea of which is to terrify everyone into being good. For us Christians that is only half right. The end of the world may very well be near for all we know and that is just the point, we don’t know when it will come and so we must live in the expectation of Christ’s coming at the end of the world. But that should not make us afraid, it is something that we look forward to with joy and hope because we know that Christ will come to bring everything to its completion. This is how Christians live, always in joyful hope. Looking ahead, not rejecting the world nor fearing the end of everything but living with such joy that we transform this world. And we rejoice at the nearness of Christ in another sense, because he is near to us, coming to us right now. This is the message of joy which we are called to spread, that God so loved the world that he sent his only Son and that that same Jesus, who is the very love of God, is right here among us now.
God bless you all.
SACRAMENTS
BAPTISMS—Please speak to Fr Andrew and collect a form for the preparation course. Next course on Monday 8th January at 7.00pm in the Guild Room.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION—The next meeting for parents and children will be in January in the Guild Room. Date to be announced soon.
CONFIRMATION—Applications are now closed. If you have registered you will be contacted in the New Year.
RCIA—Next meeting will be on Monday 18th December at 7pm in the Guild Room.
NO 10.00AM MASS NEXT SUNDAY
There will be no 10.00am Mass here next Sunday because it’s Christmas Eve. There will be Family Christmas Eve Mass at 6.00pm here and Christmas Eve Mass in the Holy Night at 10.00pm at Limehouse. There will however be Mass for the 4th Sunday of Advent here on Saturday 23rd at 6.00pm and on Sunday 24th at 11.00am at Limehouse.
NEW YEAR’S DAY – SOLEMNITY OF MARY MOTHER OF GOD
There will be a Special Mass here at 12noon during which we will dedicate the coming year to God through Mary. After Mass, there will be a gathering in the Guild Room for refreshments. It would be wonderful if people could bring along some festive snacks. Something fizzy with which to raise a toast will be provided.
CHRISTMAS PRESENTS FOR CHILDREN IN NEED
This year we will be continuing our tradition of placing Christmas presents under our beautiful Christmas trees here in Church for distribution to needy children. Please label the presents with the age range and gender of the intended recipient and don’t go over the top!
EXTRA CONFESSIONS – SATURDAY 23rd
Additional time will be dedicated to confessions on Saturday 23rd, starting at 4.45pm until 5.45pm.
CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS
Special envelopes are now available at the back of Church for you to put your Christmas offerings in. The collections at Christmas and Easter (together with offerings you give for masses to be said and for baptisms, weddings and funerals through the year) all go to determine the amount which the parish has to support a resident priest. All the financial support that you give for the parish, as well as your involvement in the life of the parish, is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
SANCTUARY LAMP
If you would like to have our Sanctuary Lamp burning for a week before the Blessed Sacrament in memory of a loved one, please make a donation using the envelopes at the back of Church. This week the lamp is burning for the intentions of Georgia Christodoulou.
LAST SUNDAY’S OFFERTORY COLLECTION
| Envelopes | Loose | Total |
| £90.00 | £290.00 | £380.00 |
| Standing Orders: OCTOBER: £617.74 NOVEMBER: £513.34 Many thanks for your continued generosity. | ||
NEWSLETTER ITEMS—Need to be received by noon on Thursday.
WEDDINGS—The Church requires that at least six month’s notice of any intended wedding be given so that full preparation can be made.
REPOSITORY—Now well stocked with Christmas Cards, Calendars, and other religious items.
NEIGHBOURS IN POPLAR
| MSF Final collection this weekend with mince pies and hot chocolate after Masses. To date MSF does not run medical programmes in Israel. They are based in Gaza’s Al Shifa hospital, without electricity, and with thousands of injured patients everywhere. Sadly, they have lost many members of staff, volunteers and thousands of patients. KEEP AN EYE OUT for neighbours who are having problems keeping Warm! Not only the elderly but also families and people on their own. We are now asking you to ensure that your elderly neighbours are not going to be on their own for Christmas, often a very lonely time for those alone. Perhaps you might ask a neighbour to join you for Christmas dinner, in that way putting Christ back into your Christmas! Extra drivers needed on 25th/26th & 1st The Dinner Project will be delivering hot festive dinners again this year, let us have names etc. of anyone you would like us to include(nip65@msn.com). Deliveries will be on December 25th, 26th and January 1st. Extra Drivers are really needed during those dates and would be most welcome as we expect extra addresses! Peelers will be welcome on Saturday December 23rd and Saturday 30th, from 9am onwards. A million thanks! |
PRAYERS PLEASE FOR
Those who are sick at home or in hospital, especially Michael Rush and Francis Charles; Peace especially in Israel and Palestine; Those who have died recently, including Joan Curtis, Maria Anne Galley, Eileen Hamilton, Marietta Ben, Barry McCarthy, Elizabeth Annie Jones, and All whose anniversaries occur at this time.
ART CLASS FOR OVER 60’s
This popular group welcomes new members (aged 60+) on Tuesdays from 2.00pm to 4.00pm in the Guild Room. Beginners welcome. (Entrance in Canton Street).
THE UNIVERSE CATHOLIC WEEKLY
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CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE
The Bishops Conference of England and Wales website has numerous articles on many other subjects. Go to www.cbcew.org.uk for the latest Catholic News.