Rejoice! Lord is nigh!

Transcription

1 OUR LADY OF CANVEY & ENGLISH MARTYRS 224 Long Road, Canvey Island, Essex SS8 0JS Parish Priest: Fr Eamonn Power Tel.: Presbytery Tel.: Office Hours: Monday-Friday pm Charity No Rejoice! Lord is nigh! Dear friends in Christ #this weekend we reach the 4 th and final Sunday of Advent, a very short Advent this year, with Christmas Day falling on Tuesday! Today we hear the episode of the Visitation, where Our Lady sets out to visit her elderly cousin Elizabeth and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, proclaims, Blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled. So an encounter with Our Lady leads directly to an encounter with the Holy Spirit. So, with Christmas being so close let us ask her to pray for us; Our Lady, Spouse of the Holy Spirit, pray for us A happy and Blessed Christmas to all By the time most of you read this my friends we will only be a couple of days away from the great celebration of the Birth of Jesus, an event that was to change the whole course of human history. We remember the words of the gospel of Saint John in the Prologue, The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Can we imagine the immensity of this Divine love? Let us all take time to go to the crib and meditate, even very briefly, on the incredible love of God revealed in Jesus. In the meantime I wish you all a very blessed celebration of the Lord s birth. Unto us a child is born; unto us a son us given. And the government will be upon his shoulder. And his name will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God Everlasting Father Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9, 6-7) Extra opportunities for Confession I will be available after both Masses this weekend and also after Mass on Monday morning for anyone who might want Confession. Diocesan Vision and Parish meeting AS we know my friends, the Diocese recently issued its document regarding provision for the future. We will have a parish meeting about the implications of this very soon. But my friends, please do not become anxious about any of this. A good starting point might be to have a public screening of the Bishop s video, even though this is freely available online, have a discussion afterwards. I think the best time for this to happen would be straight after the Sunday morning Mass and, God willing, we can have a public viewing of the Bishop s video. The date set is the 13 th of January. In the meantime, we once again pay heed to the advice of Saint Pio, pray, hope and don t worry. God Bless you all, Fr Eamonn

2 Our Lady of Canvey Liturgical Timetable Feria Saturday 22nd December 5:15pm: Confessions 6:00pm Mass: Pro Populo Fourth Sunday of Advent Sunday 23rd December 9:15am: Confessions 10:00am Mass: Fr David Maher (RIP) Feria Monday 24th December 10am Mass: Norah Grey & Barry Ashton-Jones (RIP) Nativity of the Lord 5:30pm Carols 6:00pm Family Mass 9:30pm Carols 10:00pm Mass Christmas Day (Holyday of obligation) Tuesday 25th December 10:00am Mass: Pro Populo St Stephen, the First Martyr Wednesday 26th December 10:00am: Rosary 10:30am Mass: Fr James McCormack (RIP) St John, Ap Thursday 27th December 9:30am: Rosary 9:50am Mass: Richard Lockwood (RIP) The Holy Innocents, Mm Friday 28th December 9:30am: Rosary 9:50am Mass: Mary Mooney (Ints) Followed by Divine Mercy Chaplet & Prayers for Healing St Thomas of Canterbury, Bp,M Saturday 29th December 5:15pm: Confessions 6:00pm Mass: Richard Lockwood (RIP) The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph Sunday 30th December 9:15am: Confessions 10:00am Mass: Pro Populo Seventh Day within the Octave of Christmas Monday 31st December 9:30am: Rosary 9:50am Mass: Patricia Bowden (Ints) 6:30pm Mass: O Brien Family (Ints) Mary, Mother of God Tuesday 1st January 9:30am: Rosary 10:00am Mass: James O Brien (RIP)

3 Goodwill Club The Goodwill Club have now started in the Parish hall. They will be in there every Friday from 7-10pm & it is open to anyone who is interested. Entrance fee is 3 & they do different things each week which are bingo, sequence dancing & much more & they even do holidays & day trips out. They currently have around 40 people attending. Your first session to try it is completely FREE so come along & find out more! St Vincent De Paul (SVP) The SVP have space available for new members. Anyone interested in joining the SVP please give your contact details to Fr Eamonn who will pass this on to a member who will then contact you. They meet every two weeks in the Parish meeting room for a maximum of one hour. For more information on what the SVP do please visit Parish Diaries 2019 Parish Diaries are now available at the back of the Church. Friendship Club The Friendship Club meet the last Friday of each month in the Parish meeting room at the back of the Parish office 1:00-3:00pm & are a group of ladies that come together for a chat with tea/coffee & cakes/sandwiches provided. Brentwood Diocesan Directories The Brentwood Directories are now for sale. Ring bound 4.00 & normal Parish Office The Parish office closes on 21 st December & re-opens on Monday 7 th January. The next newsletter will be the weekend of 12 th January. SVP - We would like to thank our generous parish for the they gave to us the SVP last Sunday s coffee morning. We matched this with money from previous coffee mornings. This has been translated to food parcels for Christmas. The recipients said please convey our heartfelt thanks & best Wishes for a Holy and Happy Christmas to the Parish. PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK AND HOUSEBOUND Carol Tebbitt, Ernie McSweeney, Joan Dettke, Elizabeth Roche, Peter Brand, Peggy Fearne, Kit Kilford, Doreen Hind, Meryl Ponder, Kathy Rose, Shirley Chrichton, Joseph Sullivan, Maureen Pring, June Fen, Elizabeth O Connell, Fr. Jean-Laurent Marie, Clare Ashford, Pat Collins, Joseph Pisani, Edward Horton, Patrick O Brien, Peter Holland, Michael De Cruz, Lorraine Ballin, Matt Bynorth, Marie McDonagh, Winnie Holland, Dorothy Feary, Bridie George, Michael Lamberti, Maureen & Eddie Preshaw

4 Ss Basil the Great & Gregory of Nazianzen, Bpp, Dd Wednesday 2nd January 9:30am: Rosary 9:50am Mass: Patrick Flaherty (RIP) Thursday 3rd January 9:30am: Rosary 9:50am Mass: Violet Wright (RIP) Friday 4th January 9:30am: Rosary 9:50am Mass: Angelina Kafunekwu Odoguw (RIP) Followed by Divine Mercy Chaplet & Prayers for Healing Saturday 5th January 5:15pm: Confessions 6:00pm Mass: Pro Populo The Epiphany of The Lord (Holyday of obligation) Sunday 6th January 9:15am: Confessions 10:00am Mass: Anne O Sullivan (RIP) Monday 7th January 9:15am: Confessions 10:00am Mass: Peggy & Jim O Brien (Ints) Tuesday 8th January 9:15am: Confessions 10:00am Mass: Brendan O Connell (RIP) Wednesday 9th January 9:15am: Confessions 10:00am Mass: Johnny, Eileen & Family (Ints) Thursday 10th January 9:15am: Confessions 10:00am Mass: Nancy Harris (RIP) Friday 11th January 9:15am: Confessions 10:00am Mass: Chris Zambra (Ints) 12th January 5:15pm: Confessions 6:00pm Mass: Pro Populo The Baptism of the Lord Sunday 13th January 9:15am: Confessions 10:00am Mass: Paddy Flaherty (RIP)

5 ago The Sanctuary lamp burns for Our Lady of Canvey Deceased Parishioners RIP Pray Together, Work Together, Play Together St Joseph s Catholic Primary School Vaagen Road, Canvey Island Essex SS8 9DP Telephone: admin@st-josephsrc.essex.sch.uk Head Teacher - Miss Jacqueline Walker.. Sunday 6 th January SVP Coffee Morning (After Mass) Parish Events Sunday 13 th January Parish Restructuring our Diocese meeting (After Mass) Sunday 3 rd February First Holy Communion Coffee Morning (After Mass) Sunday 10 th February SVP Coffee Morning (After Mass) Sunday 24 th February Social Committee Coffee Morning (After Mass) Sunday 3 rd March SVP Coffee Morning (After Mass) Sunday 17 th March Social Committee Coffee Morning (After Mass) Sunday 7 th April SVP Coffee Morning (After Mass) Sunday 28 th April Social Committee Coffee Morning (After Mass) Sunday 5 th May SVP Coffee Morning (After Mass) Sunday 19 th May Social Committee Coffee Morning (After Mass) Sunday 2 nd June SVP Coffee Morning (After Mass) Sunday 16 th June Social Committee Coffee Morning (After Mass) Sunday 7 th July SVP Coffee Morning (After Mass) Sunday 14 th July Social Committee Coffee Morning (After Mass) Sunday 6 th August SVP Coffee Morning (After Mass) Sunday 1 st September SVP Coffee Morning (After Mass) Sunday 22 nd September Social Committee Coffee Morning (After Mass) Sunday 6 th October SVP Coffee Morning (After Mass) Sunday 13 th October Social Committee Coffee Morning (After Mass) Sunday 10th November SVP Coffee Morning (After Mass) Sunday 17 th November Social Committee Coffee Morning (After Mass) Sunday 1 st December Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner Sunday 7 th December SVP Coffee Morning (After Mass)

6 The Vision Document The Vision Document with regards to restructuring the Diocese is now available at the back of Church but we have only been given 45 copies. We have however uploaded a link for direct access to it via the Parish website & it is on the home page under vision document. If not the Diocesan link to it is & as another option if you would like & hard copy & don t have a printer the Parish office will print a black & white version for you. Legion of Mary The Legion of Mary meet every Monday morning in the Church at 10:30amfollowing Mass. We are always looking for new members to join us. If you are interested in or would like more information on what is involved please contact Cathy on New Year s Parish Disco This event is now cancelled due to lack of numbers. Lourdes Pilgrimage - 27 th May Friday 31 st May FLYING FROM SOUTHEND AIRPORT Staying at the 4* Hotel Grande Moderne on full board basis. Price includes 545 per Adult Based on two sharing a twin room. Children under Full spiritual direction Under Fr. Alex Poblador. Further details please ring Sue on Christmas Angels In remembrance of a loved one, we invite you to dedicate a symbolic angel on our Christmas tree of angels. This will remain a symbol of remembrance throughout this holy season of joy. They are 2 each and all money goes to the Brentwood Catholic Children s Society. Parish Bazaar list of winners There is a list of the winners at the back of the church so please check if you have won & speak to Cliff to obtain your prize. The prizes are in the Parish office to be collected. Many thanks.

7 Questions of the Catholic Faith My friends, the days around Christmas, both immediately before and after, are especially grace-filled and present a wonderful opportunity to get closer to Jesus in prayer, especially through the intercession of his Mother, Mary. Let us all make an extra effort to thank Mary for what she has done in agreeing to conceive and give birth to the Son of God and let us all make some extra time for prayer. So:- How is Abraham a model or prayer? Abraham is a model of prayer because he walked in the presence of God, heard and obeyed him. His prayer was a battle of faith because he continued to believe in the fidelity of God even in times of trial. Besides, after having received in his own tent the visit of the Lord who confided his plan to him, Abraham dared to intercede for sinners with bold confidence. How does Moses pray? The prayer of Moses was typical of contemplative prayer. God, who called to Moses from the burning bush, lingered in conversations with him often and at length, "face to face, like a man with his friend" (Exodus 33:11). In this intimacy with God, Moses attained the strength to intercede tenaciously for this people: his prayer thus prefigured the intercession of the one mediator, Christ Jesus. What is the plan of God for man? God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life. In the fullness of time, God the Father sent his Son as the Redeemer and Saviour of mankind, fallen into sin, thus calling all into his Church and, through the work of the Holy Spirit, making them adopted children and heirs of his eternal happiness. You are great, O Lord, and greatly to be praised [...] You have made us for yourself and our heart is restless until it rests in you. (Saint Augustine) Very happy Hammers! My friends, I m getting spells of dizziness and confusion 4 wins on the spin! Watford at home this weekend, will they make it 5?

8 Christmas Mass Times for the Parish Christmas Eve Monday 24 th December Children s Vigil Mass at 6pm (carols at 5:30) Midnight Mass at 10.00pm (Carols at 9:30pm) Christmas Day Tuesday 25 th December Mass at 10am (carols at 9:30am) Feast of St Stephen, the First Martyr, 26 th December Rosary 10.00am Mass at 10.30am This Mass celebrates the contribution of all our altar servers, so all are invited, along with their families and the wider community