Saturday 22nd - Sunday 30th November
- bostallpark
- Nov 21
- 7 min read
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE – CYCLE C
WORLD YOUTH SUNDAY 23RD NOVEMBER 2025
MESSAGE FROM POPE BENEDICT XVI – SUNDAY 22nd NOVEMBER 2009
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
On this last Sunday of the liturgical year, we are celebrating the Solemnity of Christ the King, a Feast established relatively recently but which has deep biblical and theological roots. The title "King", designating Jesus, is very important in the Gospels and makes possible a complete interpretation of the figure of Jesus and of his mission of salvation. In this regard a progression can be noted: it starts with the expression "King of Israel" and extends to that of universal King, Lord of the cosmos and of history, thus exceeding by far the expectations of the Jewish people. It is yet again the mystery of Jesus Christ's death and Resurrection that lies at the heart of this process of the revelation of his kingship. When Jesus is hung on the Cross, the priests, scribes and elders mock him saying: "He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him" (Mt 27: 42). In fact, it is precisely as the Son of God that Jesus freely gives himself up to his Passion. The Cross is the paradoxical sign of his kingship, which consists in the loving will of God the Father in response to the disobedience of sin. It is in the very offering of himself in the sacrifice of expiation that Jesus becomes King of the universe, as he himself was to declare when he appeared to the Apostles after the Resurrection: "All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Mt 28: 18). But in what does this "power" of Jesus Christ the King consist? It is not the power of the kings or the great people of this world; it is the divine power to give eternal life, to liberate from evil, to defeat the dominion of death. It is the power of Love that can draw good from evil, that can melt a hardened heart, bring peace amid the harshest conflict and kindle hope in the thickest darkness. This Kingdom of Grace is never imposed and always respects our freedom. Christ came "to bear witness to the truth" (Jn 18: 37), as he declared to Pilate: whoever accepts his witness serves beneath his "banner", according to the image dear to St Ignatius of Loyola. Every conscience, therefore, must make a choice. Who do I want to follow? God or the Evil One? The truth or falsehood? Choosing Christ does not guarantee success according to the world's criteria but assures the peace and joy that he alone can give us. This is demonstrated, in every epoch, by the experience of numerous men and women who, in Christ's name, in the name of truth and justice, were able to oppose the enticements of earthly powers with their different masks, to the point that they sealed their fidelity with martyrdom.
Dear brothers and sisters, when the Angel Gabriel brought the announcement to Mary, he predicted that her Son would inherit the throne of David and reign forever (cf. Lk 1: 32-33). And even before she gave him to the world, the Blessed Virgin believed. Thus she must certainly have wondered what new kind of kingship Jesus' would be; she came to understand by listening to his words, and especially by closely participating in the mystery of his death on the Cross and in his Resurrection. Let us ask Mary to help us too to follow Jesus, our King, as she did, and to bear witness to him with our entire existence.
The celebration for the beatification of Sr Marie-Alphonsine Danil Ghattas is taking place today in Nazareth. She was born in 1843, in Jerusalem, into a Christian family of 19 children. Very early on she discovered her vocation to religious life, of which she became impassioned despite the initial problems raised by her family. She has the merit of founding a female Congregation consisting only of local women whose aim was to teach religion, to put an end to illiteracy and to improve the conditions of women of that time, in the land in which Jesus himself exalted their dignity. The core of this new Blessed's spirituality was her intense devotion to the Virgin Mary, a luminous model of life consecrated to God without reserve. The Holy Rosary was her continuous prayer, her anchor of salvation and the source of her grace. The beatification of such a significant female figure is of special comfort to the Catholic community in the Holy Land and is an invitation to entrust oneself always, with firm hope, to Divine Providence and to Mary's motherly protection. Yesterday, the Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple, was the Day pro orantibus for Cloistered Religious communities. I willingly take this opportunity to address my cordial greeting to them, renewing to all the invitation to support them in their needs. I am also glad, on this occasion, to thank publicly the nuns who have taken turns at the small Monastery in the Vatican: the Poor Clares, the Carmelites, the Benedictines and now, the Visitandines. Your prayers, dear Sisters, are very precious for my ministry. I am happy to greet all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present at this Angelus on the Solemnity of Christ the King. His Kingdom is not built upon the power of this world but comes to us when we accept the presence of God in our hearts and live in his light. Let us strive to follow closely in the footsteps of Christ the Servant King and bear constant witness to his merciful love and his saving truth! God's Blessings upon you all! I wish everyone a good Sunday.
Source: https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/angelus/2009/documents/hf_ben-xvi_ang_20091122.html
PARISH NOTICES
WORLD YOUTH SUNDAY.
This Sunday is the solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, and also World Youth Sunday. There will be a second collection to support the work of the Southwark Catholic Youth Service, which provides a wide range of opportunities and activities for youth and young adults across the Archdiocese. For more information, visit www.tinyurl.com/scys1 or join the Southwark Catholic Youth Network for regular updates at www.tinyurl.com/scysnetwork
ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH 90TH ANNIVERSARY.
Next year our parish will be celebrating the 90th anniversary of our church being built. There will be a meeting on the 13th December at 12 noon in the church porch to start planning for this event. Please come along if you can volunteer in any way.
FHC & CONFIRMATION 2026.
Application forms are available from the parish priest after Sunday Mass.
DEATH. Please pray for the repose of the soul of Allison Jolly. Alison was a regular parishioner here and usually attended the 9am Mass on Sundays. Her funeral was on the 21st November.
RCIA & ADULT CONFIRMATION CLASSES - every Wednesday, till Easter 2026. Venue: Church Porch. Time: 7:15pm. Anyone can join to learn and/or refresh one’s knowledge and faith in God.
NEW PARISHIONERS WELCOME.
The parish will be welcoming all new parishioners at all Masses on the weekend of the 7th December. New parishioners will receive a special blessing and will be given a welcome booklet.
ADVENT & CHRISTMAS NOTICES
SENIOR CITIZENS CHRISTMAS LUNCH.
On the 4th December is by invite only. Please let us know if you have not received your invitation ASAP.
JUNIOR YOUTH GROUP CHRISTMAS PARTY.
The Junior Youth group will be having a Christmas party on the 14th December at 10am in the church hall. Please note there will be no youth group on the 7th December due to the parish Christmas bazaar.
UPCOMING EVENTS
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR.
The parish will be having a Christmas Bazaar on Sunday 7th December in the hall. Entry is free and there will be a free gift for anyone wearing a Christmas Jumper/outfit. There will be lots of stalls, festive food & drink and Santa will be here in his Grotto. We are looking for donations of gifts in a good/like new/brand new condition that can be sold. Examples would be new toiletries sets, new toys, like new books, unused candles, cuddly toys etc. Please leave items with the parish office or the parish priest. If you would like a stall please email the parish office. Also, if you are able to volunteer in any way, please speak to the parish priest or email the parish office. Flyers and posters are available in the porch and raffle tickets will be available from next weekend.
ALTAR SERVERS’ DAY.
Our day for Altar Servers on Saturday 6th December at 2.30pm is for all current servers and is open to new servers. Please speak to the parish priest for more information.
ADVENT 2025 BIBLE STUDIES.
This is a free programme starting on the 26th November which will focus on the Advent Sunday Gospels. It is designed to help you experience Mass in a new way and be beautifully prepared to celebrate the great feast of Christmas. Each session will be online on Wednesday’s at 7pm. To register for free, go to www. comeandsee.org/advent-bible-studies/register. Please see the poster in the porch for more information.
PARISH GROUPS NOTICES
UCM MEETING.
The next meeting will be on Saturday 29th November in the Church Porch at 11.30am. Hot drinks and light refreshments will be available. New members are welcome.
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE
Saturday 22nd November
R St. Cecilia
9.30 a.m. Adoration
10.00 a.m. Holy Souls
W OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE
6.30 p.m. Jacob & Helen Fernandes RIP
Sunday 23rd November W
8.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
9.00 a.m. Holy Souls
10.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
11.00 a.m. Holy Souls
Monday 24th November
R St. Andrew Dung-Lac
No Public Mass Today
Tuesday 25th November
G Feria
7 p.m. Daily Rosary
7.30 p.m. Bruno Castanha RIP
Wednesday 26th November
G Feria
9.30 a.m. Adoration
10.00 a.m. Desmond Rodrigues RIP
Thursday 27th November
G Feria
9.30 a.m. Adoration
10.00 a.m. Felicidade D’Souza RIP
Friday 28th November
G Feria
9.30 a.m. Rosary for the Dead
10.00 a.m. Irene D’Sa RIP
Saturday 29th November
G Feria
9.30 a.m. Adoration
10.00 a.m. Aisha for God’s mercy
P FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
6.30 p.m. Bernie & Victor PI
Sunday 30th November 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. Holy Souls