NEWS & VIEWS

Today the season of Advent continues, and Christmas is only three weeks away. Advent means coming, or arrival, and we prepare both to celebrate Christ’s birth over two thousand years ago and for his second coming at a time only God knows. In the Gospel we hear John the Baptist’s call down the ages to “prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” and “bear fruit worthy of repentance”.

ADVENT AT ST MARY’S This is the season of the church’s year when we prepare for the great festival of Christmas. The scripture readings and liturgical themes turn to the subject of the end times, when Christ will come again (his second Advent) to restore all things and take his people to himself in the Kingdom prepared for us. On Thursdays, during our weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Seminarian Marcel Firth will lead us in special devotions based on the themes of waiting, expecting and hoping.

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.

TRADITIONAL CAROL SERVICE Our service of Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will be at 5pm on Sunday 18 December and will be followed by hot roast turkey and stuffing rolls and mulled cider.  This is a beautiful, atmospheric service for everyone and really puts us in the Christmas mood. Please do plan to attend with friends and family!

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. We pay in monthly instalments.

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).

WEDDING We wish Serkan and Karina every blessing as they prepare for their wedding on Saturday here at St Mary’s. Karina is the granddaughter of Joyce Hinds, who has been looking forward to this great occasion (complete with a gospel choir) all year.

INTERCESSION

OF YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE PRAY FOR

the sick, distressed and bereaved

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

the recently departed

those whose anniversaries of death fall this week

Sunday

Doris Taylor, Jessie Simmans, Daphne Lungley

Wednesday

Albert Hart

Thursday

Jack Long, Peter Jackson, Catherine Dougal

please pray especially for

the unity of the Church

ORDER OF SERVICE