THE FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT
DECEMBER IS THE MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Dear parishioners,
THE CHRISTMAS GIFT OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.
On this last Sunday of Advent, we look towards Christmas and the coming of God’s son into the world through the Blessed Virgin Mary. The very same Holy Spirit of God, which hovered over the waters of Creation at the dawn of time descended upon her and she conceived a son. As the first Spirit brought life to the world, so through the Blessed Virgin Mary, the same Spirit brings true life and salvation in the incarnation of God’s son. In the Blessed Virgin Mary, a new creation comes to life and his name is Jesus.*
The Blessed Virgin Mary therefore plays a pivotal role in all human history, for it is through Our Lady that God’s presence came into the world, through her the people of Palestine two thousand years ago came to have God in their midst and today we can also say in the Church, that God is in our midst too. It is Blessed Mary who brings about God’s presence in the world and because He came through her, only she of all people in the world can say of that Real Divine Presence ‘This is my body, this is my blood’ for the Lord Jesus was flesh of her flesh. The body of Christ is in this sense, her gift to us to too.
Through the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Divine Presence of Jesus was adored in Bethlehem. We adore the same Real Presence among us in the Eucharist and give thanks to the Blessed Virgin Mary for giving us the Body of Christ through her own Yes to God. The Catholic Church has always knelt to adore the same body of Christ at the Mass and received him on the tongue into our own bodies and souls as the Blessed Virgin received him into her own. This is the truly Catholic and reverent way to receive the Body of Christ, and indeed, at the traditional Latin mass, the only way known.
The Blessed Virgin Mary, who was immaculately conceived, was already full of grace when the Holy Spirit came to her but we, through her role in our salvation, may be full of grace like her when we have confessed our sins, received absolution and kneeling in adoration, receive the Body of Christ through Holy Communion.
On the morning of Saturday 24th December, from 10 o’clock, there is an opportunity to make your confession and spend an hour in silent adoration before the Body of Christ at Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. In this hour with the Lord, with the Blessed Virgin Mary, let ask for God’s peace in our hearts this Christmas.
*see Fr D. McBride ‘Seasons of the Word’
God bless,
Fr Jonathon
Masses & Intentions for the Fourth Week of Advent
Instaurare Omnia in Christo: "to restore all things in Christ."
Saturday 17th December Ember Saturday of Advent TC
9.00 a.m. Confessions.
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+10.00 a.m. (Latin 1962) Eileen Bower R.I.P.
6.00 p.m. Confessions.
+ 6.30 p.m. FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Tracey D’Souza TG
Sunday 18th December
8.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+ 9.00 a.m. SUNG. Maxine Hatmeld and Family W.B..
+ 11.00 a.m. SOLEMN LATIN MASS (Latin with English Readings/ missa XVII advenutus). The people of the parish.
7.00 p.m. Parish Social Evening in the Hall.
Monday 19th December Advent Feria.
SORRY, NO MASS TODAY DUE TO SICKNESS. PLEASE CHECK THIS SPACE FOR TOMORROW.
Tuesday 20th December Advent Feria.
SORRY, NO MASS AGAIN TODAY DUE TO SICKNESS. PLEASE CHECK THIS SPACE FOR THURSDAY.
Wednesday 21st December Advent Feria.
The Daily Rosary at home.
NO PUBLIC MASS TODAY.
Thursday 22nd December Advent Feria.
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+10.00 a.m. Fr Francis R.I.P. (for his anniversary of death on 12/12)
12.00 noon Thursday Lunch Club
Friday 23rd December Advent Feria.
8.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
+9.00 a.m. Bernadette Keaveney R.I.P. (for third anniversary)
10.00 a.m. First Communion Children’s Choir Practice.
6.00 p.m. Parish Choir Practice. New members welcome.
Saturday 24th December Advent Feria.
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
10.00 a.m. An hour before the Lord. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with Confessions.
THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD (CHRISTMAS EVE)
5.30 p.m. Carols led by our First Communion Choir.
+ 6.00 p.m. Vigil Mass of Christmas. Joachim D’Souza (Bernie’s father) R.I.P.(sung)
9.30 p.m. Carols led by St Thomas More Parish Choir
+10.00 p.m. Solemn Midnight Mass (in Latin and English/missa de Angelis)
Sunday 25th December (CHRISTMAS DAY)
+8.00 a.m. Mass of the Dawn (said)
+10.00 a.m. Mass of the Day (sung)
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