Weekday services resume on Tuesday 3 January

NEWS & VIEWS

Today is Christmas Day, the first full day of Christmas. At Midnight Mass last night we heralded the Christ-child and this morning we greet his birth with carols and blessing of the crib. This celebratory season continues until Candlemas - the fortieth day of Christmas (which this time we keep on Sunday 29 January) encompassing the season of Epiphany.

WEEKDAY SERVICES There will now be no weekday services until our usual pattern resumes on Tuesday 3 January.

WELCOMERS We are looking volunteers to be welcomers at Mass on Sundays. This is an important ministry of hospitality, but something we sadly lost during the pandemic. It involves being in church 15 minutes before Mass to welcome those coming into church and handing them a service sheet, assisting those who are new, and being generally warm and friendly! With enough help, this would only be once every 3 or 4 weeks for any one person. We need to get this together urgently, so please speak to Fr Gareth ASAP.

PARISH SHARE If you haven’t already, please take home and read the leaflet explaining the new Parish Share system for the diocese. Each parish in the diocese is expected to pay its share - the leaflet explains what the money is used for. Next year, St Mary’s is being asked to pay £50,000 - nearly £959 per week. This is one of the lower amounts being asked of the parishes in this area, but nevertheless it is our largest single annual expense.

CHURCH FINANCES We rely on the people who worship at St Mary’s to cover the costs associated with our church. Financial giving to fund the ministry of the Church is part of being a Christian and an essential part of our commitment to our faith. Please, if you don’t already, would you consider giving a regular amount each month? We are really struggling to make ends meet! No amount is too small. Using our parish giving plan is easy and you are in full control (and Margaret Quinney will be pleased to help you if needed).

INTERCESSION

OF YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE PRAY FOR

the sick, distressed and bereaved
John & Joan Cassidy, Richard Holland, Lucy Ball, Amberly Crediton, Kathy Valentine, Margaret Harding, Mel Taylor, Bernard Street, Muriel Masters, Fr Oliver Coss, Keith Holland, Helen Johnson, Joe & Sally Cox, Kay Higgins, Peter Decker, Joy Bewick, Doris & Dave Collom, Matthew; Joyce Hinds

the recently departed

John Bewick, Doris Nisbet

those whose anniversaries of death fall this week

Sunday

Doris Purser, Brenda Pipkin

Monday

John Fisher priest, Cyril Archer

Tuesday

Charles Hayhoe

Wednesday

Helen Hensher, Edward Prynne

Thursday

Frank Holgate, Victor Gilpin, Ceinwen Pendry, Betty Roberts

Friday

Pat Christian, Elizabeth Young

please pray especially for

a just end to industrial unrest

ORDER OF SERVICE