FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
EVANGELIUM VITAE by Pope John Paul II Part 3
In communion with all the Bishops of the world
The Extraordinary Consistory of Cardinals held in Rome on 4-7 April 1991 was devoted to the problem of the threats to human life in our day. After a thorough and detailed discussion of the problem and of the challenges it poses to the entire human family and in particular to the Christian community, the Cardinals unanimously asked me to reaffirm with the authority of the Successor of Peter the value of human life and its inviolability, in the light of present circumstances and attacks threatening it today.
In response to this request, at Pentecost in 1991 I wrote a personal letter to each of my Brother Bishops asking them, in the spirit of episcopal collegiality, to offer me their cooperation in drawing up a specific document. I am deeply grateful to all the Bishops who replied and provided me with valuable facts, suggestions and proposals. In so doing they bore witness to their unanimous desire to share in the doctrinal and pastoral mission of the Church with regard to the Gospel of life.
In that same letter, written shortly after the celebration of the centenary of the Encyclical Rerum Novarum, I drew everyone's attention to this striking analogy: "Just as a century ago it was the working classes which were oppressed in their fundamental rights, and the Church very courageously came to their defence by proclaiming the sacrosanct rights of the worker as a person, so now, when another category of persons is being oppressed in the fundamental right to life, the Church feels in duty bound to speak out with the same courage on behalf of those who have no voice. Hers is always the evangelical cry in defence of the world's poor, those who are threatened and despised and whose human rights are violated".
Today there exists a great multitude of weak and defenceless human beings, unborn children in particular, whose fundamental right to life is being trampled upon. If, at the end of the last century, the Church could not be silent about the injustices of those times, still less can she be silent today, when the social injustices of the past, unfortunately not yet overcome, are being compounded in many regions of the world by still more grievous forms of injustice and oppression, even if these are being presented as elements of progress in view of a new world order.
The present Encyclical, the fruit of the cooperation of the Episcopate of every country of the world, is therefore meant to be a precise and vigorous reaffirmation of the value of human life and its inviolability, and at the same time a pressing appeal addressed to each and every person, in the name of God: respect, protect, love and serve life, every human life! Only in this direction will you find justice, development, true freedom, peace and happiness!
May these words reach all the sons and daughters of the Church! May they reach all people of good will who are concerned for the good of every man and woman and for the destiny of the whole of society!
In profound communion with all my brothers and sisters in the faith, and inspired by genuine friendship towards all, I wish to meditate upon once more and proclaim the Gospel of life, the splendour of truth which enlightens consciences, the clear light which corrects the darkened gaze, and the unfailing source of faithfulness and steadfastness in facing the ever new challenges which we meet along our path.
As I recall the powerful experience of the Year of the Family, as if to complete the Letter which I wrote "to every particular family in every part of the world", I look with renewed confidence to every household and I pray that at every level a general commitment to support the family will reappear and be strengthened, so that today too-even amid so many difficulties and serious threats-the family will always remain, in accordance with God's plan, the "sanctuary of life".
To all the members of the Church, the people of life and for life, I make this most urgent appeal, that together we may offer this world of ours new signs of hope, and work to ensure that justice and solidarity will increase and that a new culture of human life will be affirmed, for the building of an authentic civilization of truth and love.
To be continued.
PARISH CHRISTMAS FAYRE
Our Christmas Fayre will be on Saturday 30th November from 12 noon until 4pm.
Bring the family and enjoy festive treats, shop for handmade gifts and decorations and visit Santa’s grotto. Free gift for anyone wearing a Christmas Jumper. Entry £1 per person with children under 5 years free. If you would like to have a table to sell your festive goods, we still have a few spaces available. Please contact the parish office for more information.
DAY WITH MARY.
A Day With Mary is taking place at St George's Cathedral, Southwark on Saturday 14 December (10.15am to 5.15pm). Mass will be celebrated by the Archbishop of Southwark Diocese, John Wilson. Further information is available at https://www.adaywithmary.org/ or https://eventcatholic.com/
CHARISMATIC RETREAT.
We will be hosting a charismatic retreat on Saturday 14th December in the Church from 12noon till 5pm. All are invited with more information to follow.
LIVE STREAMING. We are hoping for this to start from this coming week. You will see notices in the church to guide you on filming areas. Please remember that all readers, altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, sacristan’s and anyone who needs to enter the sanctuary must complete a consent form which can be found at the front of the sanctuary and given to Fr. Innocent. We cannot be held responsible if you knowingly appear on camera and have chosen to not sign a consent form. Please speak to Fr. Innocent for more information.
PARISH MASS BOOKS.
The Lectionary, which is the book that contains the Scripture readings for Mass and the Sacraments, is changing from this Sunday. Due to the change, the current Mass books that we use will need to be changed which will be at a large cost to the parish. We are asking for donations so we can purchase new versions of the books. We have received £835.00 so far. Donations can be made in the usual ways.
LUNCH CLUB.
There will be no more lunch club meetings this year. The next meeting will be on the 9th January 2025 at 12.30pm.
ST THOMAS MORE SOCIAL CLUB social evening.
On the 13th December, 8pm till late with music by Annie G. See the poster in the porch for more information.
SOUTHWARK ARCHDIOCESE ROSARY PRAYER PROJECT.
Everyone is warmly invited to join this Archdiocese-wide prayer initiative, praying a decade of the Rosary each day for priests and parishes in their deanery. For details see the poster on the noticeboard, pick up an invitation leaflet at the back of church or email southwarkrenewal@gmail.com.
SCOUT FUNDRAISING event on 14th December in the hall from 6pm.
CONFIRMATION 2025.
Closing date for applications is the 1st December. Application forms can be collected after Mass on the weekend and need to be handed to Fr. Innocent.
There will be a meeting for parents & candidates on the 12th December in the hall at 7.30pm.
SENIOR CITIZENS CHRISTMAS PARTY.
The Christmas Party is on Thursday please contact Tony Brook if you have not yet responded on 07833707016. We are still looking for volunteers to help and drivers to taxi so if you are able to help, please contact the parish office or Tony.
FOOD BANK.
Donations can be made in the crate in the Church Porch and they are taken to the Bexley Food Bank on a Monday morning.
NEW WAYS TO DONATE TO THE PARISH.
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DEATHS
Please pray for the souls of:
Antonio Zachariah Fernandes who was a parishioner for many years. His funeral will be on the 11th December at 11am.
Carol James who sadly died recently. Carol was a long standing parishioner who regularly attended the Saturday evening mass.
Her funeral will be on the 19th December at 11:30am.
Muriel D'Souza whose funeral was on Wednesday 27th November.
Elizabeth Carter who died recently. Her funeral was on the 13th November.
Jacinta Townsend who’s funeral was on the 21st November.
May they rest in peace.
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Saturday 30th November R St Andrew
10.00 a.m. Pauline French RIP
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT C
6 p.m. Daily Rosary
6.30 p.m. Veronica & Sally Kelly RIP
Sunday 1st December P
8.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
9.00 a.m. Reagan Pereira TG on his Birthday
10.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
11.00 a.m. Iris Hayward RIP
Monday 2nd December
P Feria
No Public Mass Today
Tuesday 3rd December
W St Francis Xavier
10.00 a.m. Malcolm Snashall RIP
Wednesday 4th December
P Feria
10.00 a.m. Yasmin & Eric Patel TG on their wedding anniversary
Thursday 5th December
P Feria
10.00 a.m. Maisy Nunes for her spiritual wellbeing
Friday 6th December
P Feria
10.00 a.m. Departed souls of the friends & family of Zubie & Clinton Nunes
Saturday 7th December W St Ambrose
10.00 a.m. Denis Murphy RIP
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT C
6 p.m. Daily Rosary
6.30 p.m. Clara D’Souza RIP
Sunday 8th December P
8.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
9.00 a.m. Aadit Pinto TG on her birthday
10.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
11.00 a.m. Helen Gaskin RIP