18 December 2022 – 4th Sunday in Advent

 

MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK

Saturday 17th December – Cobham & Whittle Families

Thurs 22nd   Dec – Arthur Smith RIP

Sat 24th Dec – Christmas Vigil / Priest’s Intention

 

LATEST  UP-DATE 

 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:   Thursday 10.00am, with Exposition & Benediction: 10.25am-11.00am

CONFESSIONS: last Saturday of the month (31 December): 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 18 DECEMBER
1st Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14, The maiden is with child
Psalm 23: Let the Lord enter!  He is the king of glory.
2nd Reading: Romans 1:1-7, Jesus Christ, descendant of David, Son of God
Gospel: Matthew 1:18-24, Jesus is born of Mary, who was betrothed to Joseph, son of David.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him Emmanuel, a name which means ‘God-is-with-us’.  Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son; and his name will be called Emmanuel

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
21 December – St Peter Canisius
23 December – St John of Kanty

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.

VATICAN SYNOD Enlarge the space of your tent
A working document has been circulated around the archdioceses, inviting a response from bishops around the world. Chairs of Deanery Synodal Councils attended a meeting on 28th November to learn more about the process and the key points.  These will be discussed in deaneries, which will then provide feedback to Archbishop Malcolm. The document is 56 pages long and available online via this link.
https://www.synod.va/content/dam/synod/common/phases/continental-stage/dcs/Documento-Tappa-Continentale-EN.pdf
Our deanery Synod Council met ear;ier this month, at St Gregory’s, Chorley to discuss this paper and the Archbishop’s summary of it.  The main purpose of this forum at the moment, is to contribute to the Archdiocesan response to the document “Enlarge the space of your tent”.  If you would like to learn more about this process, there is a helpful overview on the Bishops Conference website: cbcew.org.uk/synodal-church where there is a very clear diagram which explains the order of consultations (on pages 51 and 52 of “Enlarge the space of your tent”).

MARY’S MEALS CHRISTMAS FUNDRAISING
We need to collect all the donations prior to Christmas, to pass to Mary’s Meals to ensure the ‘double the giving’ bonus. If you have not as yet, but wish to donate, please contact Ged and Joy who will be in the narthex after Mass today or call 01704 822316 or 01257 826851 and we will arrange to collect. Hopefully we will beat last years’ total…. we are nearly there! Our thanks  to all those who have already donated, it has been a fabulous response and much appreciated in these tough economic times. The final sum will be published after the New Year.
The Fund Raising Committee

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.

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

 

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
Lynne Dawson sings “Rejoice greatly, o daughter of Zion” – YouTube
An absolute delight this week, with a bravura performance of the very demanding Handel aria, Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion.  It really captures the joy and excitement of Our Lord’s imminent birth.  Lynne Dawson is now Head of Vocal Studies & Opera at the Royal Northern College of Music.  Clearly, her students are in very talented and capable hands!

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.