Fourth Sunday of Advent
First reading Micah 5: 1-4
Second reading Hebrews 10: 5-107
Gospel Luke 1: 39-1458
Preface of Advent 2
Eucharistic Prayer 3
Saturday 19th December
5.30pm Mass Tony Poulton & Anne & Albert Shaves, RIP
Sunday 20th December
8am Mass Christopher Maybe, RIP (Anniv)
9.30am Mass Peter William Robson, RIP (Anniv)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Third Sunday of Advent - Gaudete
Dear friends in Christ
This Third Sunday of Advent increases the sense of anticipation of the Birth of Jesus: Gaudete semper in Domino…Rejoice in the Lord always since our Saviour draws near to us. This admonition is repeated in these days by the preaching of St John the Baptist. He calls us to prepare by proclaiming the loving mercy of God. We have begun the Jubilee Year of Mercy announced by Pope Francis. Within the Parish we shall mark this by the praying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet each day at three o’clock; please sign-up for leading this on the list in the Sacristy. There are small prayer cards beneath the image of Divine Mercy in the Lady Chapel which everyone can take; please encourage the sick and housebound the join in praying this too. Our prayer intention for this month is for the conversion of sinners, that they may return to the Sacrament of Reconciliation for Christmas. This is a call to mercy for ALL of us! Over the days leading to Christmas there will be additional opportunities for the Sacrament, including after Sunday Masses. During this Year of Mercy I suggest we alternate the Hail Mary with Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy during the Prayers of the Faithful.
I extend a huge thanks to those who helped arrange our Parish Bazaar last weekend; also, those of you who donated goods and who supported it on the day. As a result we raised £2,604 which we will be sending via Aid to the Church in Need to help relief work with Christian Syrian refugees. In a letter, the Archbishop of Aleppo, Syria, writes of the suffering he and his people face on a daily basis. Here we are, for a fifth year now, celebrating the Feast of the Nativity as bombs are raining down. I do not know how many of you have lived through such a depressing and sad experience, but I can assure you it is painful these beautiful days, so ardently awaited each year, amidst shortages and lack of security, or electricity and, to top things off, cut off from the rest of the world by a strict and very tight boycott. Despite everything, we are continuing on in this most difficult situation ever to brave the storm that is lashing our poor faithful, who are reduced to poverty and I would even say utter misery. We are doing everything we can to sustain them and help them in this adversity that is killing them pitilessly. Thanks to ACN there are over 140 emergency and pastoral projects in Syria and Iraq. Our small contribution will go a long way in relieving the suffering of those who, in the words of St Paul are members of the household of the Faith.
Next weekend at the end of the 5.30pm & 9.30am Masses we have the traditional Blessing of the Crib figures of Baby Jesus; please remind your children to bring them along to Mass in preparation for placing them in the Crib on Christmas Day. God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Third Sunday of Advent - Gaudete
Dear friends in Christ
This Third Sunday of Advent increases the sense of anticipation of the Birth of Jesus: Gaudete semper in Domino…Rejoice in the Lord always since our Saviour draws near to us. This admonition is repeated in these days by the preaching of St John the Baptist. He calls us to prepare by proclaiming the loving mercy of God. We have begun the Jubilee Year of Mercy announced by Pope Francis. Within the Parish we shall mark this by the praying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet each day at three o’clock; please sign-up for leading this on the list in the Sacristy. There are small prayer cards beneath the image of Divine Mercy in the Lady Chapel which everyone can take; please encourage the sick and housebound the join in praying this too. Our prayer intention for this month is for the conversion of sinners, that they may return to the Sacrament of Reconciliation for Christmas. This is a call to mercy for ALL of us! Over the days leading to Christmas there will be additional opportunities for the Sacrament, including after Sunday Masses. During this Year of Mercy I suggest we alternate the Hail Mary with Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy during the Prayers of the Faithful.
I extend a huge thanks to those who helped arrange our Parish Bazaar last weekend; also, those of you who donated goods and who supported it on the day. As a result we raised £2,604 which we will be sending via Aid to the Church in Need to help relief work with Christian Syrian refugees. In a letter, the Archbishop of Aleppo, Syria, writes of the suffering he and his people face on a daily basis. Here we are, for a fifth year now, celebrating the Feast of the Nativity as bombs are raining down. I do not know how many of you have lived through such a depressing and sad experience, but I can assure you it is painful these beautiful days, so ardently awaited each year, amidst shortages and lack of security, or electricity and, to top things off, cut off from the rest of the world by a strict and very tight boycott. Despite everything, we are continuing on in this most difficult situation ever to brave the storm that is lashing our poor faithful, who are reduced to poverty and I would even say utter misery. We are doing everything we can to sustain them and help them in this adversity that is killing them pitilessly. Thanks to ACN there are over 140 emergency and pastoral projects in Syria and Iraq. Our small contribution will go a long way in relieving the suffering of those who, in the words of St Paul are members of the household of the Faith.
Next weekend at the end of the 5.30pm & 9.30am Masses we have the traditional Blessing of the Crib figures of Baby Jesus; please remind your children to bring them along to Mass in preparation for placing them in the Crib on Christmas Day. God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Third Sunday of Advent
Monday 14th St John of the Cross, Pr, D
9am Mass Mary Johnson, RIP
Tuesday 15th Feria
9am Mass Intentions of Jill Yates
Wednesday 16th Feria
9am Mass Ione & Bob Waite, RIP (Anniv)
Thursday 17th Feria
9am Mass John & Gertrude Caden, RIP
Friday 18th Feria
12Noon Paul Emmerson, RIP (Anniv)
Saturday 19th Feria
10am Mass Private Intention
Third Sunday of Advent
Monday 14th St John of the Cross, Pr, D
9am Mass Mary Johnson, RIP
Tuesday 15th Feria
9am Mass Intentions of Jill Yates
Wednesday 16th Feria
9am Mass Ione & Bob Waite, RIP (Anniv)
Thursday 17th Feria
9am Mass John & Gertrude Caden, RIP
Friday 18th Feria
12Noon Paul Emmerson, RIP (Anniv)
Saturday 19th Feria
10am Mass Private Intention
HEADTEACHER VACANCY
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School (Group 1, NOR 112), Dovercourt, Harwich are seeking to appoint a Headteacher from April 2016. The school is pleasantly located in the town of Harwich, close to the sea and attractive coastal areas. The school has ‘Good’ Ofsted and Diocesan ratings. Visits to the school are welcomed. Please contact Gill Colley on 01255 503493 or admin@st-josephs-dovercourt.essex.sch.uk. Application packs can be downloaded: www.essexschoolsjobs.co.uk
Closing date: 4th January 2016 at 12 noon.
HEADTEACHER VACANCY
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School (Group 1, NOR 112), Dovercourt, Harwich are seeking to appoint a Headteacher from April 2016. The school is pleasantly located in the town of Harwich, close to the sea and attractive coastal areas. The school has ‘Good’ Ofsted and Diocesan ratings. Visits to the school are welcomed. Please contact Gill Colley on 01255 503493 or admin@st-josephs-dovercourt.essex.sch.uk. Application packs can be downloaded: www.essexschoolsjobs.co.uk
Closing date: 4th January 2016 at 12 noon.
Headteacher Position at St. Peter's Catholic Primary School, Billericay
Our Headteacher is retiring and we are seeking to appoint a new Headteacher to start in September 2016. For further information about this position, please contact the Chair of Governors by email to chair@st-peters-pri.essex.sch.uk
Headteacher Position at St. Peter's Catholic Primary School, Billericay
Our Headteacher is retiring and we are seeking to appoint a new Headteacher to start in September 2016. For further information about this position, please contact the Chair of Governors by email to chair@st-peters-pri.essex.sch.uk
Money Matters
Offertory: Thank you for your generous offerings received last weekend, which amounted to £1,758.51.
Counters: Clare English, Mary Cook & Jacky Hoggett.
Newsletter Folders: Amanda Phipps & Clare English.
Christmas Shoebox Appeal Update
The destination of your filled shoeboxes this year was to Iraq and Belarus. Thanks on behalf of all the children.
Christmas Shoebox Appeal Update
The destination of your filled shoeboxes this year was to Iraq and Belarus. Thanks on behalf of all the children.
Parish/Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 14th-20th August 2016
Next year the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place around the Solemnity of Our Lady’s Assumption. A Parish group is being planned to coincide with the Diocese being there with our Bishop (and Vicar General!). Six nights (full board) travelling with British Airways via Toulouse and staying at the Grand Hotel Moderne will cost £635. Please indicate your interest by putting your name on the list in the Parish Office.
Catechesis for children from year 6 to year 9
Starting at the end of January 2016 there will be a monthly meeting for children from year 6 to year 9. It will be a fantastic opportunity to get together, receive catholic formation and learn how to pray. If you are interested , please leave your details at the parish office.
CWL Christmas Hamper
Tickets for the CWL Christmas Hamper will be on sale after all Masses. The draw for the Hamper will take place on the 21st December. You will have plenty of time over the two weekends to buy your tickets. Proceeds will be divided between ‘Serving the Homeless’ and other CWL National Charities.
CWL Christmas Hamper
Tickets for the CWL Christmas Hamper will be on sale after all Masses. The draw for the Hamper will take place on the 21st December. You will have plenty of time over the two weekends to buy your tickets. Proceeds will be divided between ‘Serving the Homeless’ and other CWL National Charities.
Live Simply
The Live Simply group meets every Monday morning in the Bernadette room from 10.15 until 11.45am. On Monday 21st Dec, we will hold a short Advent service in the Church at 11.00am on the theme of justice and peace.
All are welcome.
We Pray For Our Sick
Christine Noden, Tina Doveaston, Pat Lynch, Rose Craft, Teresa Yates, Addi Brady, Gerard Rodgers, Ben Wilson, Patricia Fleming, Nicky Wigmore, Brita Irons, Eileen Wilson, Patricia Spikin, Sandra Fagan, Edna Wallace, Beryl Dixon, Nan Carrit, Nick Evans, Margaret Harrington, Lyn Gopee, Kristin Hallenga, Anne O’Neill, Cheryl Shallis, Vicky Jack, Vera Farrow, Anthony McEvoy, Sheila Netherton, Dympna Addecott, Marcia Clarke, Justin Stark, Monica Neate, Mark Braley, Margaret Roberts, Roy Widdecombe, Anne Breen, David Blyth, Lynne Hilkene, Johanna Lynch, Janet Woods, Thomas Corrigan, Mary Boyce,
June Moncaster, Breda Lynch, Sheila McBrearty, Anthony King, Trudy Sighe, Norma McCleverty, Belinda Balazsi, Edward Martin, Joanna Luciani,
Pauline Wilsher, Simon Marshall, Johnnie Pool, Kriston Barnes, Barbara Sheaf, Maureen Regan, Maria Clark, Antonella McConalogue, Josephine Griggs, Coleen Worley, Fr Jean Laurent Marie, Eddie McConalogue, Georgina Cornwell, Pat Armstrong, Lorraine Hart, Dawn Deleigh, Noel Kolb, Wyn McCafferty, Annie Holland, Fr Martin Buckley, Peter Wilkinson, Chas Taylor, Martha Braun, John Lavery, Ivor Knight, Linda Dean, Brian Beresford, Rebecca Peake, Connor Bourke, Mattia Mollica, Sharon Levill, Bernadette Lane, David Kislingury, Hannah Harris, David Askew, Frank Nagle, Sr Imeda, Joanna Wright, Tracy White, Harry Buckingham, Maureen Ward, Jane Jowers, Jim Scott, Henry De Souza, David Clark, Les Sweeney, Doreen Troughton and children Thomas Ball,
Liam Davis, Albert Chambers, Fergus Grant, Peter Robson, Lucy Price,
Mary Isherwood, Frazer Gregory, baby Talia Emery, Hattie Seymour and
Aoife O’Sullivan.