NEWS & VIEWS

Today, we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord (transferred from 6th). Epiphany was denoted ‘the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles’ - Magi (or wise men) from “the east” followed The Star to the house where ‘the new-born king’ was staying, and presented to him their symbolic gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. In in keeping with pious tradition, chalk is blessed and distributed for you to mark the entrance to your home – the rite is included below and may be used with your own chalk.

 A WARM WELCOME and thanks to The Venerable Chris Burke, Archdeacon of Barking, our principal celebrant and preacher today.

FR GARETH returns from leave next Sunday and the only weekday service this week will be Mass on Thursday at 10am. Any urgent matters should be referred to a Churchwarden.

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, Jacqui & Leslie Haigh; Linda Decker

the recently departed

Benedict XVI Pope

those whose anniversaries of death fall this week

Sunday

Joan Fitzsimmons

Tuesday

Dorothy Moore, Brian Cull, William Slater, Carl Dash

Wednesday

Roy Fairweather, Pat Hedley

Thursday

Arthur Horne, Margaret Judd

Friday

Maurice Harper priest

Saturday

Maud Simmans, Connie Lamy, Edna Cator

please pray especially for

our church family

ORDER OF SERVICE