THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT, ‘GAUDETE’ SUNDAY
Rejoice! The Lord is near!
As we draw near to Christmas, the readings for this ‘Gaudete’ Sunday are full of rejoicing. We light a pink Advent candle to focus our attention on that spirit of joy. Perhaps this year, more than any other, our hearts are longing for news of joy and happiness. Though it may not be possible for us to worship today with those we long to gather with, Christ shares in our longing, standing among us and within us wherever we come to pray.
At this time we are like the people of whom the prophet Isaiah speaks in the First Reading; a people who long for the One who will bring good news and proclaim liberty to captives.
In the Responsorial Psalm we pray the words that Mary proclaimed as she rejoiced when visiting her cousin Elizabeth. Her joyful prayer of thanks celebrates God’s saving promise to us all.
In the Second Reading we are encouraged to pray at all times with a spirit of gratitude, never dampening the flow of the Spirit in our lives.
The Gospel introduces John the Baptist as a messenger for the light. Hidden within a challenging dialogue with the priests and Levites, John reveals a deep truth: Christ stands among us and is truly Emmanuel – God with us – even when we are ignorant to his presence.
Let us remember each other, and the needs of the world in our prayer this week. We remember also that we belong to a loving community of prayer that longs for and trusts in the light of Christ, even in the midst of the dark winter nights and difficult times in which we live.
So may our hearts and lives proclaim with every fibre of our being …
‘Rejoice! The Lord is near!’
(From Prego)
MASS INTENTIONS – A few Masses still left for January 2024. Please note that if you asked for an intention on a specific date and a funeral is subsequently arranged on that day, the intention will be moved to the next available date.
BAPTISMS – Please ring the Parish Office on 0208 888 2390 to arrange a time to come and meet with Fr Perry.
WEDDINGS – If you are planning to get married either in St Paul’s church or elsewhere, the Diocese requires the minimum of 6 months in order for preparation and paperwork to be completed. We will be running our pre-marriage course in the new year. Please register with Fr Perry as soon as possible.
ADVENT LEAFLET – If you would like to receive a copy of the leaflet from St Beuno’s please sign up at www.stbeunosoutreach.wordpress.com
WEDNESDAY 20th – We will be joined by the pupils of St Paul’s School for the end of term Mass. St Martin of Porres will have Mass in the school at 11am.
MASS TIMES – Please note the times of Masses on 24th, 25th and 26th December. Details on the Parish Christmas Card available at the exits of the church.
THE FAMILY MASS CHOIR – have been preparing a Christmas play which we will be showcasing on Sunday the 17th of December at 4pm here at St Paul’s. It will be an opportunity for us all to sing Christmas Carols and, if you want, to dress up as a shepherd, wise man or angel. Come and take part!
ALTAR SERVERS – Please sign up for serving at Masses over Christmas and New Year.
THANK YOU – A big thank you to the SVP and all the other volunteers who helped at the Christmas Meal last Sunday for the older people.
THANK YOU – to the parishioners who helped at the Deanery Christmas Meal last Tuesday.
THANK YOU FOR THE COLLECTION OF – Sunday 10th December. Total £860.20 (Loose £555.95; Envelopes £304.25).
Contactless £340.70.
LAS POSADA –Thank you to those parishioners who generously offered to host Las Posada in their homes. Parishioners are welcome to the following homes at 7pm each evening for a short time of prayer and a cup of tea.
Saturday 16th 6 Jack Barnett Way, N22 6SZ
Sunday 17th 117 Devonshire Hill Lane, N17 7NE
Monday 18th 26 Brownlow Court, Brownlow Road, N11 2BH
Tuesday 19th Fr Perry
Wednesday 20th Wallman Place, Caravan Site, Bounds Green Road
Thursday 21st 43 Braemar Avenue, N22 7BY
Friday 22nd 86 Upsdell Avenue, N13 6JL
Saturday 23rd 5pm in Church
CHRISTMAS DAY COLLECTION – The Christmas Day Collection goes towards the stipend (salary) given to Fr Perry. For those in the planned giving please use the Christmas Day Envelope (white numbered) in your box. All other parishioners are asked to use the envelopes available at both entrances to the church OR use the Contactless machine. If you give by Standing Order, this does not go towards the support of Fr Perry. We would ask you to either use the Contactless machine where you will be able to Gift Aid your donation or one of the Christmas envelopes.
CRIB – The crib offerings this year will be applied, as is our custom, to the Catholic Children’s Society for the relief of poverty at home.
POINSETTIAS – If you would like to give a Poinsettia in memory of a loved one this Christmas, please bring it to the church from Friday 22nd December. Please leave the pot at the back of the church. We need them by 10am on Saturday 23rd December.
HOLLY FOR THE CRIB – Do you have any holly with lots of berries in your garden? Can you bring in a few cuttings with berries to help decorate the Crib – preferably on Friday 22nd / Saturday 23rd.
CHRISTMAS – The Parish Shop has lots of items for sale to help us celebrate the great feast of Christmas.
MESAGE FROM CARDINAL VINCENT – An appeal has arrived from the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pizzaballa, who is also deeply concerned about the impact on the Palestinian population in the West Bank, for many of whom sources of earning have effectively ended. I ask that you hold a special collection immediately after Christmas, on the Solemnity of the Epiphany, for relief for those suffering from the conflict in the Holy Land. The collection will be forwarded to the Latin Patriarch as a response to his appeal.
EPIPHANY – the retiring collection on Sunday 7th January after all Masses will be for this appeal.
SCHOOL STREET – On Tuesday 9th January 2024, Bradley Road will become a School Street. This will operate during Term Time only, Monday to Friday from 8:15am – 9am and 2:45pm to 3:30pm. Motor vehicles (cars, vans, motorcycles etc) will not be allowed to enter the School Street during the above times except if they have been issued an exemption.
PARISH FEAST DAY – The Conversion of St Paul – 25th January. We will mark the feast on Sunday 28th January with an International Mass at 12 noon followed by a party in the Parish centre. Top help organise the celebration we will meet on Wednesday 3rd January at 7pm in the Parish centre.
LOOKING AHEAD – Our Lent Course next year will be ‘A Biblical Walk Through the Mass’ with Edward Sri – beginning Tuesday 6th February. More details in the New Year.
POPE’S INTENTION FOR DECEMBER – For persons with disabilities – We pray that people living with disabilities may be at the centre of attention in society, and that institutions may offer inclusive programs which value their active participation.
| PARISH DIARY Sunday 17th Dec Refreshments after 10am Mass 4pm Carol Service, followed by Mulled Wine & Mince Pies Tuesday 19th Dec Church Cleaning after Mass Wednesday 20th Dec 12 noon to 3pm Welcome Space NEXT SUNDAY 24th DECEMBER – FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT 1st Reading 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14-16 2nd Reading Romans 16:25-27 Gospel Luke 1:26-38 | SUNDAY 31ST DECEMBER – THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY & JOSEPH 1st Reading Esslesiasticus 3:2-6, 12-14 2nd Reading Colossians 3:12-21 Gospel Luke 2:22-40 SUNDAY 7TH JANUARY 2024 – THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD 1st Reading Isaiah 60: 1-6 2nd Reading Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6 Gospel Matthew 2:1-12 |