4 December 2022 – 2nd Sunday in Advent
MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK
Saturday 3rd December – Bernadette Welch
Monday 5th December – Requiem Mass for Pat Kelly – 1pm
Thursday 8th December – Special birthday
Saturday10th December – Elizabeth Wright RIP
APOLOGY: We are extremely sorry for the distress caused by the mistake in last week’s newsletter re Mass intention. Bernadette Welch is unwell and Holy Mass is being offered for her intentions.
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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
REQUIEM MASS MONDAY 5 DECEMBER, 1pm: We pray for the repose of the soul of Pat Kelly. May she rest in peace.
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: 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!
READINGS FOR 4 DECEMBER
1st Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10, He judges the wretched with integrity
Psalm 71: In his days justice shall flourish and peace til the moon fails.
2nd Reading: Romans 15:4-9, Christ is the Saviour of all men
Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12, Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is close at hand
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight, and all mankind 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.
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
5 Dec – St John Almond
6 Dec – St Nicholas, Bishop
7 Dec – St Ambrose
8 Dec – Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin
9 Dec – St Juan Diego Cuahtlatoatzin
10 Dec – Our Lady of Loreto
FUNDRAISING: OUR CHRISTMAS APPEAL FOR 2022
Please collect a letter from the Fundraising Committee, available in the narthex, which outlines details of our Christmas Collection for Mary’s Meals. This is the charity supported by our own Archdiocese. It only costs £15.90 to feed a child for a whole year, so we have the potential to help a tremendous number of children around the world. If you can gift aid your donation, even better – it frees up 25%-40% more of your donation to go directly to Mary’s Meals. We know this is asking a lot of people, especially as so many of us are facing our own financial and economic challenges, but we hope you’ll feel able to donate even a small amount. It all helps! There are plenty of leaflets in the narthex to collect on your way out. Thank you.
FLOWER DONATIONS – THANK YOU
Many thanks to generous parishioners who have been donating to the flower fund. It has enabled Anne Scholes to make the most beautiful arrangements for our church during Advent.
NOVEMBER LOTTERY WINNERS
1st Mrs K Ricketts, Mawdesley £50
2nd Mr P Fletcher, Hesketh Bank £30
3rd Mrs P Harvey, Heskin £20
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
Comfort Ye My People, Every Valley Shall Be Exalted feat. Levy Sekgapane – Handel’s Messiah – YouTube
A wonderfully exhilarating rendition of the famous – and very demanding – tenor aria, mimicking the words of St John the Baptist. This performance by a very talented singer rolls along at a perfect pace: diction, tone and phrasing are all perfect. Enjoy!
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.