NEWS & VIEWS

TODAY is known as Bible Sunday. The bible is an anthology (ta biblia) of books, letters, poetry, history, instruction, and prophecy written over a period of about 3500 years under the inspiration of God (Divine Inspiration). The gospels, which form part of the scriptures unique to Christians (the New Testament) tell us about the life and teachings of Jesus and record the words he spoke. The bible, together with Sacred Tradition, contains the true revelation of God’s purposes for humankind and when we read the bible, or hear it read to us, we are hearing God speaking to us in our own day – This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

HARVEST THANKSGIVING Thank you to all who generously donated to our harvest appeal last week. The goods and financial donations have been taken to The Welcome Centre, who work locally with those who are homeless and destitute, on St Mary’s Road. Thank you also to Margaret Quinney who created the beautiful themed floral display in church.

FR GARETH is on leave from after Mass today, returning next Monday. Please refer any matters that cannot wait for his return to a Churchwarden. The only weekday Mass this week will be on Thursday.

NEXT SUNDAY is All Saints’ Day (transferred from 1 November). We thank God for the exemplary Christian women and men who bore witness to the faith in their earthly lives and now ‘rest from their labours’ and intercede for us in heaven. We look forward to welcoming Fr Mark Kenny as our celebrant and preacher.

QUIZ EVENING 7.30pm Saturday 19 November. Tickets for our annual Fish and Chip Quiz Evening, costing £15 (free for children under 12) are available from Margaret Quinney today. The price includes a supper of fish/chicken/sausage (vegetarian option available) and chips with soft drinks. If you would like other drinks, please bring your own. Our quiz will be led by Fr John Brown, Vicar of St Luke’s Ilford.

BUT IT'S NOT YET CHRISTMAS ... ADVENT QUIET DAY

On Thursday 1 December, from 10am to 4pm, Fr Chris Burke, Archdeacon of Barking, will lead an exploration of Advent as a season for hope, commitment and transformation, building on some of the traditional Advent themes, at The Diocesan House of Retreat in Pleshey (CM3 1HA). Using scripture rooted in the great Advent themes, and some of the great Advent prayers the group will shape its reflections on how the season gives us space to wait upon God with expectation and to be ready for joyful action. The cost is £28 or £42 including lunch. You will need to arrange your own transport. Book by Thursday 24 November at tinyurl.com/advent-retreat.

FR JACOB, our assistant priest, has returned to Ghana until at least the end of December. We look forward to welcoming him back in 2023.

CONGRATULATIONS to the area Bishop of Bradwell (in this diocese) and former Archdeacon of Barking, the Rt Revd Dr John Perumbalath, who has been appointed Bishop of Liverpool.

INTERCESSION

OF YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE PRAY FOR

the sick, distressed and bereaved

John & Joan Cassidy, Richard Holland, Lucy Ball, Amberly Crediton, Christine Taylor, Nik, Kathy Valentine, Margaret Harding, Mel Taylor, Bernard Street, Muriel Masters, Fr Oliver Coss, Keith Holland, Fazie, Helen Johnson, Joe & Sally Cox, Kay Higgins; Denis Deasey, Malcolm Avery.

the recently departed

Alison Clarke priest

those whose anniversaries of death fall this week

Sunday

Amy Batten, Peggy Holland

Wednesday
Irene Noble

Friday

Jessie Welch

Saturday

Ron Richardson, Bert Cornish, Alan Arnold, Eileen Boyes

please pray especially for

our mental health services

ORDER OF SERVICE