8 December 2024 – 2nd Sunday of Advent
MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK
Saturday 7th 5.00pm Parishioners
Monday 9th 10.00am Holy Souls NDL
Saturday 14th 5.00pm Cobham & Whittle families
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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: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
CHURCH OPEN Church is open on Fridays, from 11am to 1pm for prayers before the Blessed Sacrament
CONFESSIONS: Confessions will now be heard on the last Saturday of the month, 28 December, 4.15pm-4.45pm
READINGS FOR 8 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
9 December – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
10 December – Our Lady of Loreto
11 December – St Damasus I, Pope
12 December – Our Lady of Guadalupe
13 December – St Lucy
14 December – St John of the Cross
REFLECTION FOR THE 2nd SUNDAY OF ADVENT: Repentance for our Blindness
We can be blind to our sin, but see clearly the sins of others. It’s never easy to admit that we’re wrong or make mistakes. But when we acknowledge our sins and wrongdoings, we receive a rich blessing: our burden is lifted and we receive forgiveness, reconciliation and healing.
As St Ambrose says, “He waits for our tears, that he may pour forth his goodness”.
Our loving Father is always full of mercy and compassion. And forgiveness.
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
MISSION TODAY CALENDARS 2025
Calendars for next year are now available for parishioners on the table in the narthex..
MISSION BOXES: Please bring boxes in for counting, or contact Sandra Cobham on 01704 821609 and she will arrange to collect. Thank you.
SSPPM FUNDRAISING GROUP CHRISTMAS APPEAL 2024
Thank you to all those who have already returned their envelopes towards the fundraiser for Mary’s Meals. We are so grateful for every donation. If it has slipped your mind, next Saturday (14th Dec) is the last day you can donate if you wish to be included in the raffle for the Hamper. The draw for the Hamper will be on Sat 21st Dec at the end of Holy Mass. Any late donations for Mary’s Meals will still be gratefully received up till 21/12/24.
We need to send the total sum raised to Mary’s Meals promptly after Christmas to ensure our donation is doubled in value.
Thank you for your support for Mary’s Meals which provides a daily meal on a school day to children in many countries who would otherwise not receive one. A sobering thought…
Ged Tyrer (Chair SSPPM, FRC)
ARCHDIOCESAN SYNODAL COUNCIL REPORT
Our Archdiocesan Synodal Council met recently to discuss the life of the archdiocese. Each deanery, including our own was represented at the Council and a Summary Report has been produced. Please take a copy from the back of church to have a look at the main points discussed
APPLICATIONS FOR BISHOP RAWSTORNE ACADEMY
One of the entry requirements of C of E schools requires evidence of the commitment of one of the parents or guardians of the prospective pupil to the Christian faith, ie fortnightly worship for a period of at least one year. Please note that the Church is contacted to verify attendance for the year preceding entry. So, for pupils hoping to enter in Sept 2026, the period of assessment started on 1 Sept 2024. Therefore, for entry in Sept 2026, the period of assessment has already started.
This means that unfortunately, anyone hoping that their child will be admitted to Bishop Rawstorne next September (2025) has missed the deadline. Please pass this info on to parishioners who may not always manage to see the newsletter – which is on the website every week. Please check the school’s website for further details: https://bishopr.co.uk/parents/admissions
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=kuUl522_8jQ
‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord…’, according to the musical ‘Godspell’. What could be more uplifting for this second Sunday of Advent…?
WITH EVERY BLESSING FOR PARISHIONERS & FAMILIES THIS WEEK