15 December 2024 – 3rd Sunday of Advent
MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK
Saturday 14th 5.00pm Cobham & Whittle families
Monday 16th 10.00am Frank & Elizabeth Wright RIP
Thursday 19th 10.00am John Singleton RIP
Saturday 21st 5.00pm Parishioners
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MASS TIMES: SATURDAY VIGIL MASS at 5pm PARISH OFFICE IS OPEN ON FRIDAYS from 10am to 4pm |
PARISH NEWSLETTER
MASSES THIS WEEK
Monday at 10am
Thursday at 10am, followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, 1025am – 11.00am.
CHURCH OPEN Church is open on Fridays, from 11am to 1pm for prayers before the Blessed Sacrament
CONFESSIONS:
READINGS FOR 15 DECEMBER
1st Reading: Baruch 5:1-9 God will show your splendour
Psalm 126: What great deeds the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.
2nd Reading: Philippians 1:3-11, be pure and blameless for the day of Christ
Gospel Reading: Luke 3:1-6, All flesh shall see the salvation of God.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight; all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: Jerusalem, arise and stand upon the heights, and behold the joy which comes to you from God.
THE POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR DECEMBER
For pilgrims of hope
We pray that this Jubilee Year strengthens our faith, helping us to recognise the Risen Christ in our daily lives, and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope.
FEAST & SAINTS DAYS THIS WEEK
21 December – St Peter Canisius
REFLECTION FOR THE 3rd SUNDAY OF ADVENT: The Joy of God’s Promise
The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word meaning “rejoice.” This Sunday is so named because “Rejoice” is the first word in the entrance antiphon for today’s Mass taken from Philippians 4:4,5: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! In some churches, the Advent wreath features a pink candle on this Sunday, symbolising the dawning of joy in anticipation of Christ’s arrival, which is rooted in God’s presence, salvation, and promises.
ADVENT SERVICE OF RECONCILIATION
A Service of Reconciliation will take place within our family of parishes at St Gregory’s, Weld Bank, Chorley PR7 3NW on Sunday 15 December at 3pm. Several priests will be available to hear confessions, following a general service of sorrow
ADVANCE NOTICE: CHRISTMAS WEEK MASSES
Monday 23 December, 10.00am
Tuesday 24 December, Vigil Mass of Christmas at 5pm
Saturday 28 December, 5.00pm
LOTTERY WINNERS – DECEMBER
1st Mr S Mercer, Bretherton £50 (23)
2nd Mrs V Owen, Burscough £30 (30)
3rd Mr K Sharrock, Bispham £20 (87)
SSPPM FUNDRAISING GROUP CHRISTMAS APPEAL 2024
Thank you to all those who have already given a donation to Mary’s Meals. It’s fantastic to see so many donations arriving, mindful of how we have all felt the pinch in recent years. Today is the last opportunity to donate if you wish to be included for the raffle to win the Hamper next Saturday (21st Dec). This will be drawn at the end of Holy Mass. We will also update you with the total that has been raised to date.
If you haven’t donated yet but still wish to give, the fund will be open till Christmas. Just pop your envelope marked “Marys Meals” in the collection basket. We will be grateful of every penny. Please remember to gift aid your donation, if you can.
If you can’t get to church and wish to donate, ring 01704 822316 and we will arrange to collect any donations from you. For more info about Mary’s Meals go to: www.marysmeals.org.uk/ourstory which is full of fascinating and humbling information.
Thank you.
Ged Tyrer (Chair SSPPM, FRC)
CAFOD’s WORLD GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS
This Christmas, give your loved ones something exceptional and life-changing. Buying CAFOD’s virtual World Gifts makes a real difference for our sisters and brothers facing the injustice of poverty around the world. Choose from a range of beautifully illustrated cards, each representing a gift of hope, inspired by real people and real needs. Cards can be sent by post, as an eCard, or printed at home. You may also wish to purchase World Gifts and other gifts such as Advent calendars and jute bags at www.worldgifts.cafod.org.uk/ or pick up a catalogue in the narthex.
CHURCH FLOWERS
We’re always grateful to our flower arrangers, Ann & Tony and Shirley & Paul, who makes sure our church is filled with beautiful flower arrangements every week. Many of the flowers are sourced from their garden and also the grounds of the church, but inevitably many flowers also need to be bought and this incurs costs. Any donations therefore are particularly welcome and will help to ensure that our altars continue to provide a fitting tribute to Our Lord.
MAGNIFICAT
Now is a good time to buy a yearly subscription to Magnificat. It works out at less than £1 per week at £49 pa.
The Magnificat is published monthly. For each day, it contains the readings and prayers for Mass, with a meditation from the great spiritual writers of the Church throughout history and prayers for morning and evening inspired by the Liturgy of the Hours. You will also find the lives of the saints, articles on spiritual topics by contemporary writers, prayers at night, hymns, reflections and essay on a great example of Christian art in each issue.
Please order online at www.magnificat.com or phone Margaret Hiscock on 020 3882 9432.
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. They are particularly short of tinned pasta, tinned meat / fish and puddings.
Please check that donations are well before their BB date!
Thank you all for your kind-hearted generosity. It makes such a big difference.
LITTLE THEATRES & MENTAL HEALTH / WELL-BEING
Chorley and Southport have their own theatres and Southport’s in particular, has just brought out its new season pamphlet of plays and productions for 2024-25. Visiting the theatre can provide a welcome form of relaxation and enjoyment, and at Southport, the volunteers are very good at putting people at their ease. You will be sure of a grand welcome.
In addition, there is news of a number of special packages available, that afford real value for money.
The pamphlets, containing full details, are available in the narthex.
CATHOLIC PICTORIAL
Keeping you up to date with all the news from around the Archdiocese online: www.catholicpic.co.uk
Postal subscriptions are available: 3 issues = £9.50, 6 issues = £19 and 12 issues = £37.50.
Email enquiries@cpmmmedia.com or ring 0151 709 7567.
Digital copies are also available. Please use the phone number / email address above.
THE UNIVERSE CATHOLIC WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS
These are available to order directly from the publisher (www.thecatholicuniverse.com or call Michelle on 0743 661 7650. ). It can be posted to you each week. A 3 months print subscription is £42.00 – 6 months is £75.00 and the year at £140.00.
HOW TO DONATE TO THE CHURCH
Standing Orders – Many find this an easier alternative to trying to remember to bring cash along each week. Forms are available in the porch / from the Parish Office. You can determine the amount and when it is deducted each month. Please post compoleted forms to your bank.
Envelopes – easy, because they can be prepared before coming to church. They afford some ‘privacy’ for the amount donated. Please contact the Parish Office so we can arrange this.
Cash / cheque donations each week and very gratefully received.
Gift Aid If you are a taxpayer then you can easily help the parish to claim 25% extra on top of every donation you make. Eg: your donation of £10 per week could become £12.25 going to the church. Filling in a simple form to register your name and address means we can claim an additional 25% of your gift
Please collect a form from the narthex on your way out today, complete and return to the Parish Office.
THANK YOU for your continuing support and generosity in these very challenging times.
MUSICAL TREAT FOR THE WEEK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1xlYIoekE8
A sublime performance by the wonderfully impressive Lynne Dawson of Handel’s brilliant ‘Rejoice, greatly’, which perfectly captures the joy and assurance of God’s promise to us this Advent.
WITH EVERY BLESSING FOR PARISHIONERS & FAMILIES THIS WEEK