Today is the second Sunday of Advent.
First Reading – Isaiah (about 600 BC.) predicts the coming of the Messiah and the gifts he will have. These gifts are remarkably similar to six of the seven-fold gifts of the Spirit. He will also bring in an age of peace.
The Psalm (one of the ‘royal’ psalms) continues the foretelling of the Messiah, who will be king and saviour.
The Second Reading shows us how our belief in Christ should have a practical outcome - we should treat each other as he has treated us. In this way glory will be given to God.
In the Gospel the great Advent figure of John the Baptist appears. He is the last of the OT prophets, preaching repentance and dressed like Elijah. He prepares the way for Christ. Like the Baptist we too should prepare a way for Christ, both for him to come afresh into our own lives, and also for other people to receive the good news (‘gospel’) of Christ.
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Attendance last week was 615.
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Sunday 8/12/13 |
Second Sunday of Advent 6pm (Sat) – People of the Parish 9.15am – Florence Fulton, RIP (Hannah Harrison) 11am – Joe McPartlin, RIP (Kate Clubbs)
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Monday 9/12/13 |
No Monday Mass |
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Tuesday 10/12/13 |
Feria of Advent 9.30am – David Kelly, RIP (M. Stanley)
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Wednesday 11/12/13 |
Feria of Advent 9.30am – Lisa Martina Mooney, RIP (Pat Murray)
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Thursday 12/12/13 |
Feria of Advent 9.30am – David Kelly, RIP (Ann Eggleton and family)
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Friday 13/12/13 |
St Lucy, virgin, martyr 9.30am – Deceased relatives and friends of the Nelligan family (Denis Nelligan)
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Saturday 14/12/13 |
St John of the Cross, priest 9.30am – Relatives and friends of the Fyson family
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Sunday 15/12/13 |
Third Sunday of Advent 6pm (Sat) – Reg Griffin, RIP 9.15am – In loving memory of Peter Hefer, RIP (Peter’s family) 11am – People of the Parish
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Today (Sunday): We have our Christmas Minimarket after the 9.15 and 11am Masses. Thanks to the many people who have generously donated items (and their time and energy) to help raise parish funds.
Please come in to the hall after Mass even if you do not usually do so......and buy a few Christmas goodies!
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Christmas Masses: Readers, Ministers, and Welcomers please sign up TODAY to cover all the Christmas Masses. This really is important. I suspect most people know what they are doing at Christmas by now. Please see lists in back corridor after Mass.
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Church School applications: SIFs to Fr. Bryan personally after Mass and by noon on December 15th at the latest.
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Monday: Pondering the Word (11am-12 noon, in church-the last before Christmas).
Craft group at 1.30pm (hall).
St. James’ School Advent Carol Service at 6pm. The retiring collection will be for our St. Vincent de Paul Society branch, which does so much good work (behind the scenes) to help many people.
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Thursday: Christmas Choir practice at 8pm.
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Saturday: Mass at 9.30am. Confessions heard 10am-10.30am. Church cleaning (confirmation group) 10 -11 am. Confirmation catechists meeting (11 am- meeting room.) It would be good to see more people at Mass on Saturday mornings.....especially during Advent and Christmas.
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Next Sunday (15th- Advent 3): 2nd collection for our Maintenance Fund (please Gift Aid.) Senior Citizens’ Lunch at 1pm. 7’s and 8’s at 5pm. Confirmation Group at 6.30pm (NEXT session: Sunday 5th January 2014).
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PWCT Christmas cards. Many thanks to all those who delivered last week. There are a few roads left if you can help......hopefully all roads will be covered this weekend. Please write your name by the road and say how many you have taken – thank you! (back corridor).
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Carol Singing in Barclays Bank, Station Square. Petts Wood. Weds 18th Dec. 30 min. slots. Please contact Candida Chamberlain – canpanic22@hotmail.com if you can help.
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Carols by Candlelight; here in St. James’ on Sunday 22nd Dec. followed by mulled wine and mince pies. A wonderful preparation for Christmas, with our special Christmas Choir.
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Christmas Crib. We would be grateful for gifts of poinsettias to decorate the crib in front of the altar. Please bring them in no later than w/e of Dec.21/22. Thank you. |
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Confessions before Christmas: Saturday 21st Dec: 10am-11am – Fr. Barry Hughes 11am- 12 noon – Fr. Bryan Wells.
Do ask the priest if you prefer to make your confession ‘face to face’ and not in the ‘box’ -this can easily be arranged. I encourage everyone to make their confession before Christmas. |
Eco tip of the week
Household cleaning – the LiveSimply way
Bathtub rings can be removed by rubbing with neat lemon juice and wiping off with a sponge.
Wachet auf’
a poem for Advent by Ann Lewin
Advent.
Season when
Dual citizenship
Holds us in
Awkward tension.
The world, intent on
Spending Christmas,
Eats and drinks its way to
Oblivion after dinner.
The Kingdom sounds
Insistent warnings:
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Repent, be ready,
Keep awake,
He comes.
Like some great fugue
The themes entwine;
The Christmas carols,
Demanding our attention
In shops and pubs,.
Bore their insistent way
Through noise of traffic:
Underneath, almost unheard,
The steady solemn theme of
Advent.
With growing complexity,
Clashing, blending,
Rivals for our attention,.
Themes mingle and separate,
Pulling us with increasing
Urgency,
Until in final resolution,
The end attained,
Harmony rests in aweful
Stillness, and
The child is born.
He comes,
Both Child and Judge.
And will he find us