11 December 2022 – 3rd Sunday in Advent
MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK
Saturday10th December – Elizabeth Wright RIP
Monday 12th Dec – Bernadette Welch
Thurs 15th Dec – Bill & Stephen Higham RIP
Sat 17th Dec – Cobham & Whittle Families
LATEST UP-DATE |
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MASS TIMES: SATURDAY VIGIL MASS at 5pm SOCIALLY-DISTANCED SEATING: As far as possible, the side benches will be available for those who wish to remain cautious. OFFICE HOURS : FRIDAYS, 10am to 4pm |
PARISH NEWSLETTER
CHRISTMAS PERIOD OFFICE HOURS
Wednesday 21 December, 2.00pm to 4.30pm; church will be open for private prayer 2.30pm-4.00pm
Please Note: The Office will be closed on Friday 23 December
Friday 30 December, 9.30am to 12.30pm; church will be open for private prayer 10.00am – 12noon
VISITS TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT & PRAYER / REFLECTION: Fridays 11am to 1pm
HOLY MASS: Mondays, 10am and Thursdays 10.00am, with Exposition & Benediction: 10.25am-11.00am
CONFESSIONS: last Saturday of the month: 4.15pm-4.45pm
COVID / ‘FLU AWARENESS
If you have a cough / sore throat / feel generally unwell with cold-like symptom, please take a Covid test right away. If it’s positive, then please stay at home, keep it to yourself and get better soon!
Whilst the Sunday Obligation has been restored, the Archdiocese advises parishioners to celebrate Mass at home, if they are unwell with coughs and colds – especially at the moment, with so many infections doing the rounds.
READINGS FOR 11 DECEMBER
1st Reading: Isaiah 35:1-6;10, God himself is coming to save you.
Psalm 145: Come Lord and save us.
2nd Reading: James 5:7-10, Do not lose heart, for the Lord’s coming will be soon.
Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11, Are you the one who is to come, or have we got to wait for someone else?
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! The spirit of the Lord has been given to me. He has sent me to bring Good News to the poor. Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: Say to the faint of heart: Be strong and do not fear. Behold, our God will come and he will save us.
INTENTIONS THIS WEEK
We join Pope Francis’ prayer intention for December
For volunteer not-for-profit organisations
We pray that volunteer non-profit organisations committed to human development find people dedicated to the common good and ceaselessly seek out new paths to international cooperation.
SPECIAL FEASTS THIS WEEK
12 December – Our Lady of Guadalupe
13 December – St Lucy
14 December – St John of the Cross
MARY’S MEALS CHRISTMAS FUNDRAISING
Thank you to all those whose have kindly returned donations already. The donation window closes next weekend to enable us to collate the monies and pass to Mary’s Meals. This means that the total amount we’ve raised will be doubled by Mary’s Meals’ supporters. There is still time, so if you wish to donate, please leave your donation in a clearly-marked envelope at any of our three churches by next weekend at the latest. Thank you, your generosity it is very much appreciated.
The Fund Raising Committee
CHRISTMAS MASSES
Christrmas Mass will be celebrated here on Sat 24 December at 5pm
Christmas Day: Our Lady’s Tarleton at 9.15am; St Agnes Eccleston at 11am.
MISSION TODAY CALENDARS 2023
Mission Today calendars are available from the narthex for all those with red Mission boxes. Please help yourself!
CHRISTMAS PLATE
So many demands are being made of us at present, that it has been agreed that we should cancel the traditional Christmas Plate collection this year.
GAUDETE SUNDAY: 3rd SUNDAY OF ADVENT
“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4) The Third Sunday of advent is here! The third candle is lit. Known by the Church as Gaudate Sunday – the rose Sunday full of joy. Children often know it as ‘Nearly-There’ Sunday. For a child, the anticipation can be tremendous and the excitement certain to overflow. For an adult, it can feel overwhelming at times and it can be a challenge to keep the spirit of anticipation throughout this preparation period. Focussing on prayer, especially at this moment, can make a huge difference to our ability to cope with the extra demands that are made of us at this time: Loving Father, help me to make you the centre and heart of my daily life, especially when I’m at my busiest, so that I can make you really present to all those I meet. Amen.
COST OF LIVING CRISIS
The Archdiocese has created a network of warm and cosy spaces for winter with hot drinks, TV and internet access. Please see the list at http://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/index.php?p=2561
Everyone will find warm & cosy parish centre, a warm cup of tea or coffee, biscuits or cakes and a chance to meet some new friends you haven’t met yet. Please spread the word. If you would like to get more involved or to find out more, please contact p.guidi@rcaol.org.uk
Our nearest churches are:
St Teresa’s, Penwortham PR1 0DS – Mondays, 1pm to 3.30pm
St Mary’s, Chorley PR7 2SR – Tuesdays, 1pm to 3.30pm
Please notify the Parish Office if you know of any other, more local, Warm Spaces, so that we can mention them in next week’s newsletter. Thank you.
CAFOD ADVENT PRAYERS & RESOURCES
CAFOD ‘Pray this Advent’ and ‘Prayers for Christmas’ Daily Advent calendar reflections will go straight to your inbox if you sign up. See: https://cafod.org.uk/Pray/Prayer-resources
JUSTICE & PEACE ADVENT REFLECTION RESOURCES
Prepared for the National Justice and Peace Network of England and Wales, this has an A4 sheet for each week of Advent on the themes: living in harmony with nature; inviting Christ into our lives; waiting with joyful expectation, and bringing hope. https://paxchristi.org.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/ADVENT-REFLECTIONS-2022.pdf
The Archdiocese has created a network of warm and cosy spaces for winter with hot drinks, biscuits and cakes, TV and internet access plus people to chat to. Please see the list http://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/index.php?p=2561.
LIVERPOOL ARCHDIOCESE ONLINE ADVENT CALENDAR
This Advent, the archdiocese will be running an online Advent calendar which will feature daily videos from various people across the archdiocese. The videos will include reflections, an insight of what Advent means to them and their plans for Advent.
To see the Advent calendar, please follow the archdiocese’s social media channels
https://www.facebook.com/liverpoolarchdiocese and https://www.instagram.com/liverpoolarchdiocese/
OPPORTUNITIES TO GET INVOLVED IN THE PARISH
Now that parish activities are starting up again, there are a number of opportunities to become a bit more involved in parish life, particularly: stewarding/welcomers, driving deliveries to St Mary’s foodbank every other week, singing with the choir, flower arranging, church cleaning, altar serving, fund-raising. Help is welcome from all ages! Please contact the Parish Office by email or ring on Fridays, in order to find out more.
MUSICAL TREATS FOR THE WEEK
Handel: Messiah | And the glory of the Lord | VOCES8 & Academy of Ancient Music – YouTube
A wonderfully uplifting, crisp and dynamic performance by Voces8 and the Academy of Ancient Music, heralding the coming of the Lord. The diction is excellent – and the period instruments sound perfect.
WITH EVERY BLESSING FOR PARISHIONERS & FAMILIES THIS NEXT WEEK
MAGNIFICAT
The Magnificat publication can be a wonderful aid to prayer and of course, you also get the readings for Mass for every day of the week! At a cost of less than £1 a week, you may be interested in subscribing now: tel. 020 7448 3618; email: uk@magnificat.com or visit the website: www.catholic-herald.myshopify.com
ARCHDIOCESE RESPONSE TO UKRAINE
The fourth consignment of aid for Ukraine travelled last weekend taking dried food, thermal clothing, tools and generators. Please pray for peace https://www.cbcew.org.uk/pray-for-peace-in-ukraine/
RED MISSION BOXES
Please bring them to church when you attend Mass next weekend, or drop them off at the presbytery on Friday, between 10am and 4pm. Please contact the Parish Office if you would like someone to collect your box for you. Alternatively, please contact Sandra Cobham to arrange collection on 01704 821609. Thank you.
DON’T FORGET! PARISH FOODBANK – DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME
Thank you for donations already received, which have been taken to the foodbank centre at St Mary’s in Leyland. During Advent, we will be collecting Christmassy food items.
SS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL, MAWDESLEY
RESPECT BELIEVE INSPIRE: Learning through Jesus. Opportunities for all to reach their full potential. Valuing all in our school family and the wider world. Encouraging everyone to be unique. Please ring Mrs A Parkinson on 01704 822216 to find out about Open Days/Evenings, or check the website on https://www.sspeterandpaulsschoolmawdesley.co.uk/
CLOTHING DONATIONS FOR AFGHAN REFUGEES
Donations to Care4Calais are being collected in Aughton L39 5DW: Please email mcevoyden@gmail.com to arrange drop-off time / venue. Care4Calais is specifically asking for the following items, which must be in good condition: baby / children’s clothes & shoes (trainers), jeans and leggings, t-shirts, hoodies, & other winter clothes / shoes. You may wish to donate directly to Care4Calais: Care4Calais | Refugee Crisis Charity | Fundraise Donate Volunteer
THE UNIVERSE CATHOLIC WEEKLY
The Universe Catholic Weekly has launched their new online newspaper with the full support of their first subscriber, none other than His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols.
Order your Digital copy by going to www.universecatholicweekly.co.uk or ring 0743661 7650 and ask for Michelle.
Special offer: Only £20 for 3 months
EWTN – GLOBAL CATHOLIC TV & RADIO
Getting connected is easier than you might think. EWTN is free, there’s no subscription. You can stream live and on demand via the website: www.ewtn.co.uk/get-ewtn or get the app for your mobile (EWTN APP), or Amazon’s Echo Auto.
Every day: daily Mass at 1pm and Children’s Rosary every day, at 7.30pm
CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMES ON EWTN
Children’s religious programmes, based on the teachings of Jesus, are available on EWTN every week day, from 3.30pm to 4.30pm – and on Saturday mornings, from 9am to 10am.
WEEKLY MASS FOR CHILDREN: FREE RESOURCE BOOKLET
Redemptorist Publications is pleased to introduce Celebrate: an initiative designed to help children grow in their faith.
Each week they will provide a Children’s Liturgy in the form of a video of the week’s Gospel reading, a reflection and a final prayer.
Fun, engaging and practical worksheets/resources will also be provided to help children continue to practise their faith during this time. Please ring 01420 592974 or check the following link for the RP KidZone: https://www.rpbooks.co.uk/celebrate-following-your-faith?utm
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OFFERTORY DONATIONS
Instead of putting money in offertory envelopes each week, those who are able to make an offering are asked to either:
- Write a monthly cheque (payable to ‘Ss Peter & Paul Church’) and post to the presbytery with a covering letter and one offertory envelope for gift aid purposes.
- Contact the office (by phone or email) to request a Standing Order mandate for your bank –
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you would like to discuss this further.