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THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (A)

Today’s Theme: The Joy of Expectancy

At his coming, Christ fulfilled the expectations of the Prophets.  He made the blind see again, the lame walk, and the lepers clean.  We must not lose heart in face of all the evils of the world, for we too have a glorious expectation.  Come Lord Jesus and save us.

 

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
 
Saturday 10 December   9.00am   For all the holy souls in Purgatory especially                                                                deceased members of FOSS (Gloria & Tony Laws)
                                       6.00pm       Parishioners

Sunday 11 December    8.30am    Carmel & Henricus plus De Fonseka Family                                                               (Anne De Silva)
                                10.30am    Deceased members of the Gray Family (Liam & Family)

Monday 12 December         9.00am       Wellbeing of Tony Frake (Tim Bowman)

Tuesday 13 December         7.00pm       Susie De Sousa RIP (Alex & Dahlia Fernandes)
                                    Followed by Adoration & Our Lady & St Pio’s Prayer Group

Wednesday 14 December   10.00am    Sonny, Patrick & Mary Sheehan RIP (Eileen & Family)

Thursday 15 December        9.00am      Eucharistic Service

Friday 16 December   9.00am   For all the holy souls in Purgatory especially                                        deceased members of FOSS (Gloria &Tony Laws)                                   

Saturday 17 December          9.00am     Patrick McQuaid RIP Anniversary                                                                       (Seamus, Patricia and Siobain)
                               6.00pm     Maria & Giuseppe Nucera RIP (Graziella & Family)

Sunday 18 December            8.30am     Rita Bertram De Silva RIP (Gregory De Silva)
                                        10.30am    Deceased members of the O’Keefe Family (Iris & Bill)

Feast Days:   Sun. St Damasus I, Pope)   Tues. St Lucy, Virgin and Martyr. Weds. St John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church.

Sick: Audrey O’Hara, Christine White, Kevin Harper, Ed Jones, John Bird, Gail Noel, Chris Neal, John Edwards, Tony Speed, Elvira Vaz, Geoffrey Hildebrand, John Underwood, May Jones, Mary Stubbs, Josie Keeley, Una Carpenter, John Harrington, Ida Leitao, John Larkin, Norma Brooker, Nina Szredski, Nora Lenihan, Angela Gillespie, Ann McDonald, Eileen Weald, Geoff Birch, Maureen Fitzpatrick, David Shaw, Clare Kent, Liam Gray, Arthur Moss.

Anniversaries: Walter Trembalaluk, Bernard Fitzjohn, Tom Ryan, Ernie Hildebrand, Myfanwy Hogg.

ROTAS:  Readers: Saturday 6pm  Kathy Fogarty  Sunday 8.30am Larissa O’Halloran 10.30am John Rayer.  .  Collection for 8.30 Mass Mrs R Jameson.   Parishioner Attending To Front of Church on Saturdays: John Stanton.  Eucharistic Ministers Saturday 6 pm Ivan Pereira (1)  Rob O’Halloran (2)   Sun 8.30am Peter Hammon  (3)  Patricia McQuaid (4)   Sun 10.30am Paul Rowland (5) Mary Henden (6) Carole Hughes  (7)  Eileen Wheatley (8)  Molly Robins (9).  Newsletter Typist: Venus Bernarte.   Photocopying of Newsletter: Emma Fox.   Washing of Purificators: Molly Robins.

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: Sunday 4^th December 2016:       

Offertory                              Gift Aid         £400.20       Loose    £165.63       Total  £565.83

Retiring Collection:  Saturday Friends        £   25.00                     £585.90                  £610.90

This week’s retiring collection is for: Bexley Deanery Developing World Group.

AIC “SATURDAY FRIENDS”:  Thank you so much for your always generous response in financing our work with the homeless people for this coming year.  Donations at the last count were £610.90.  We will leave the display in the porch for another week.  Below it are leaflets advertising a Passage major fund raising event – a Westminster Carol Service on 16^th December – another way to donate and enjoy.  God bless your kindness.  AIC ”Saturday Friends”.

 OUR LADY’S FILM EVENING: Wednesday 14 December: Inspiring movie on Bl Duns Scotus, the holy Franciscan priest and theologian who won a famous debate against the Dominicans in the 13^th century in defending Our Lady’s great privilege of her Immaculate Conception, preparing the groundwork for the Church’s dogma.  Film employs subtitles.  Bar open and stall selling homemade crafts and with Christmas theme.  All Welcome 7.00pm for 7.30pm start.

CAMINO DE COMPOSTELA:  Social evenings. 1)  Fri. 20 Jan: movie about Way of St James; and 2) Fri 27 Jan: presentation. 7pm for 7.30pm start.

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT – SUNDAY 18^TH DECEMBER AT 3PM:  This year, the Choir and Liturgy Group children invite you to a Nativity Play with Carols in the church, followed by mince pies and other goodies in the hall afterwards.  Children are asked to come as an angel, a shepherd or a king.

CAN YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?  Can you sight read?  The choir need help in brushing up old favourites and learning new pieces.  If you could help out at choir practices, please let Carol Anderson know on 07913 698 912 or carolmcanderson@hotmail.com

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!  Churches Together in Old Bexley will be singing carols on Wednesday 14 December, 6-7pm, outside Cherry Blossom Florist, High Street, Bexley, to remind commuters and passers- by of the real meaning of Christmas.  We are not collecting donations, just singing Christian cheer.  Please come and join us – the more voices, instruments, jingle bells and Christmas hats the merrier!  Kathy Fogarty, Parish Unity Contact.

NEW YEAR FAMILY DISCO:  31 December –  8 pm – 1 am.  Church Hall.  Bring own nibbles.  Bar open.  Tickets only £10 per adult and £1 per child.  Contact Noel McCarthy on 07813 890 556.

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (A)

Today’s Theme: Our Baptism with The Holy Spirit and Fire

May the Lord who gave us baptism purify us in our celebration today; for he can brook nothing that lacks integrity and truth.

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Sat 3rd December   9.00 am Margaret Kyne and Family (Bridie Haylett)
                                6.00 pm Mick and Elizabeth Minihane RIP
(Eileen Sheehan and Family)
Sun 4th December 8.30 am Parishioners
                               10.30 am Deceased members of the Creasy Family
                               (Ken, Pauline and Helen)
Mon 5th December 9.00 am Alexander and Irena Milanowski RIP                                                       (Danusia Ellsmore)
Tues 6th December 7.00 pm Barry Franklin RIP (Paddy Dennehy)
                Followed by Adoration and Our Lady and St Pio’s Prayer Group
Wed 7th December 10.00 am Jim, Dan and Julia Harrington RIP
                               (Eileen Sheehan and Family)
Thur 8th December 9.00 am Eucharistic Service
Fri 9th December    9.00 am Wellbeing of Arthur Moss (Carole Hughes)
Sat 10th December    9.00 am For all the Souls in Purgatory especially                                                deceased members of FOSS (Gloria and Tony Laws)
                                 6.00 pm Parishioners
Sun 11th December 8.30 am Carmel and Henricus plus De Fonseka Family
                                     (Anne De Silva)
                              10.30 am Deceased members of the Gray Family (Liam)

FEAST DAYS: Sunday, St John Damascene, Priest and Doctor of the Church; St Osmund, Bishop. Monday St John Almond, Martyr. Tuesday St Nicholas, Bishop. Wednesday St Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Thursday, The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Friday St Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin. Saturday, SS John Roberts, Polydore Plasden, Eustace White, Edmund Gennings and Swithun Wells, Martyrs.

ANNIVERSARIES: Rita Marsh, Sylvia Ann D’Rozario, John Flewitt, Mary Anne Lee and Jennifer North.

PRAY FOR THE SICK: Audrey O’Hara, Christine White, Kevin Harper, Ed Jones, John Bird, Gail Noel, Chris Neal, John Edwards, Tony Speed, Elvira Vaz, Geoffrey Hildebrand, John Underwood, May Jones, Mary Stubbs, Josie Keeley, Una Carpenter, John Harrington, Ida Leitao, John Larkin, Norma Brooker, Nina Szredski, Nora Lenihan, Angela Gillespie, Ann McDonald, Eileen Weald, Geoff Birch, Maureen Fitzpatrick, David Shaw, Clare Kent, Liam Gray, Arthur Moss .

OFFERTORY: Gift Aid £401.70, Loose £185.49, Total £587.19. Retiring Collections: next week Bexley Deanery Developing World Group. This week Saturday Friends.

ROTAS: Readers: Saturday 6pm Christine Hand. Sunday 8.30am Ann Wilkes; 10.30am Joseph Ebare. Eucharistic Ministers: Saturday 6pm Anne Harris (1) Peter Whiffen (2). Sunday 8.30am Marlene Burt (3) Ann Hyde (4); 10.30am Kathy Connolly (5) Margaret Gillis (6) Patricia McQuaid (7) John Stanton (8) Rob O’Halloran (9). Collector 8.30am Mass: Mrs T Li/Ray. Front of Church: Paul Rowland. Typing Newsletter: Graziella Highland. Photocopying Newsletter: Philippa Chaplin. Washing of Purificators: Kathy Connolly. Flower Arranging: N/A.

CHURCH CLEANING: The new rota for church cleaning is now available for collection from the cupboard at the back of the church.

AIC SATURDAY FRIENDS will be reporting on how generous donations of last December were used to help homeless people who use The Passage Day Centre to ‘transform their lives’. We will be speaking to you this weekend to let you know what can be achieved this coming year with your help..
Christine Crump, AIC

CHRISTMAS FAYRE Next Saturday 10th December at 10am in the church hall: Appeal for donations & items to sell at our Fayre. We are particularly short of items for the “Bottle Stall” and presents to be given freely to children by Father Christmas on the day.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING! Churches Together in Old Bexley will be singing carols on Wednesday 14th December, 6-7pm, outside Cherry Blossom Florist, High Street, Bexley, to remind commuters and passers-by of the real meaning of Christmas. We’re not collecting donations, just singing Christian cheer. Please come and join us – the more voices, instruments, jingle bells and Christmas hats the merrier! Kathy Fogarty, Parish Unity Contact

OUR LADY’S FILM EVENING –Wednesday 14th December: inspiring movie on BL Duns Scotus, the holy Franciscan priest and theologian who won a famous debate against the Dominicans in the 13th century in defending Our Lady’s great privilege of her Immaculate Conception. Film employs sub-titles. Bar open and stall selling home-made crafts with a Christmas theme. All welcome, 7pm for 7.30pm start.

SVP HAMPERS FOR CHRISTMAS: If you know someone locally who would find it helpful to have a little extra for Christmas, please put a note through the Parish Office door, marked ‘SVP’.

CAMINO DE COMPOSTELA: Two social evening dates to note: Friday 20th January (film) and Friday 27th January (presentation). Details to follow from Tim Bowman.

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY: Aylesford Retreat 2017 is Friday 12th May – Sunday 14th May 2017.

First Sunday of Advent

Our Liberation from Fear

Fear is the most crippling of all the emotions and there are many things in life and in the world to make us afraid. We lack integrity because we are afraid to be ourselves. But today we lift up our souls to Christ who comes to deliver us from fear. We can stand erect, hold our heads high, and dwell in confidence.

A hymn for Advent:

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK 26 NOVEMBER – 4 DECEMBER

Sat 26 Nov     9am Holy Souls
                        6pm Thomas Harrington RIP (Eileen Sheehan & Family)

Sun 27 Nov     8.30am Parishioners
                        10.30am Mrs O’Callaghan RIP: Anniversary
                                              (Kay & Danny Lyons)

Mon 28 Nov     9am Wellbeing of Liam Gray (Carole Hughes)

Tues 29 Nov     7pm Intentions of Amanda Coutinho: recovery from                                                                       operation  (Alex & Dahlia)
                        followed by Adoration and Our Lady & St Pio’s Prayer Group

Wed 30 Nov         10am Donal, Patrick, Gary & Phillis Sheehan RIP                                               (Eileen Sheehan & Family)

Thu 1 Dec        No Eucharistic Service
                        11am Requiem Mass for Ellen Bunce

Fri 2 Dec         9am Those who are sick in our parish (OLPG)
                           Followed by First Friday Adoration for one hour

Sat 3 Dec         9am Margaret Kyne & Family (Bridie Haylett)
                        6pm Mick & Elizabeth Minihane RIP (Eileen Sheehan & Family)

Sun 4 Dec         8.30am Parishioners
                        10.30am Deceased Members of The Creasy Family
                        (Ken, Pauline & Helen)

Feast Days: Wed 30th Nov: St Andrew, Apostle, Patron of Scotland.  Sat 3rd Dec: Day of Prayer for Migrants.

Sick
Audrey O’Hara, Christine White, Kevin Harper, Ed Jones, John Bird, Gail Noel, Chris Neal, John Edwards, Tony Speed, Elvira Vaz, Geoffrey Hildebrand, John Underwood, May Jones, Mary Stubbs, Josie Keeley, Una Carpenter, John Harrington, Ida Leitao, John Larkin, Norma Brooker,Nina Szredski, Nora Lenihan, Angela Gillespie, Ann McDonald, Eileen Weald, Geoff Birch, Maureen Fitzpatrick, David Shaw, Clare Kent, Liam Gray, Arthur Moss

Anniversaries
Grace Rose Ferrara, Mary Mulraney, Maria Angerer, Greg Wemyss, Fr Ernest Akorsou, Violet Gray, Maria Williamson

ROTAS:  Readers: Sat 6pm Carol Anderson, Sun 8.30am Peter Wilkes, Sun 10.30am Tony Frake.     Eucharistic Ministers: Saturday 6 pm Peter Hammond(1) Paul Rowland (2) Sun 8.30am Bridie Haylett (3) Peter Whiffin (4) Sun 10.30am John Stanton (5) Marlene Burt (6) Kathy Connolly (7) Dorothy Speed (8) Eileen Wheatley (9). Collection for 8.30am Mass: Mrs M Weeks.  Parishioner Attending To Front of Church on Saturdays: Ken Crump. Copying of Newsletter: Mollie Hobson.  Newsletter Typist: Molly Robins.  Washing of Purificators: Norma Brooker

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: Sunday 20th November 2016
Offertory – Gift Aid: £380; Loose; £152.96; Total £532.96
Second Collection (Catholic Youth Work) – Gift Aid £137.49; Loose £150.83; Total £288.32
Next week’s retiring collection is for: Saturday Friends

RIP ELLEN BUNCE: Sadly we have received the news that Ellen Bunce has passed away. Many of you will remember Ellen as the wife of Vernon and mother of Vincent. Also Ellen was School Secretary at Our Lady of The Rosary Primary School for many years. Her Requiem Mass will be held on Thursday 1st December at 11.00 am.

AIC SATURDAY FRIENDS will be reporting on how generous donations of last December were used to help homeless people who use The Passage Day Centre “transform their lives”. We will be speaking to you at Masses on the Second Sunday of Advent, 3rd/4th December, letting you know what can also be achieved this coming year, with your help. Thank you. Christine Crump, AIC

FAYRE 10th December: Appeal for donations & items to sell at our Fayre. We are particularly short of items for the “Bottle Stall” and presents to be given freely to children by Father Christmas on the day.

SVP HAMPERS FOR CHRISTMAS: If you know of someone locally who would find it helpful to have a little extra for Christmas, please put a note through the Parish Office door, marked “SVP”.

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY: AYLESFORD RETREAT 2017 is Friday 12 May – Sunday 14 May 2017. More details on the noticeboard.

OUR LADY’S FILM EVENING – Wed 14th Dec: Inspiring movie on BI Duns Scotus, the Holy Fransiscan Priest and theologian who won a famous debate against the Dominicans in the 13th century defending Our Lady’s great privilege of her Immaculate Conception. Film employs subtitles, Bar open and stall selling home made crafts with a Christmas theme. All welcome, 7 pm for 7.30 pm start.
CAMINO DE COMPOSTELA: two social evening dates to note: Friday 20 January (film) and Friday 27 January (presentation). Details to follow from Tim Bowman.