DECEMBER IS THE MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.
ADVENT SUNDAY / FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT
Dear parishioners,
The Southwark Directory tells us that Advent has a twofold character, for it is a time of preparation for the Solemnities of Christmas, in which the First Coming of the Son of God to humanity is remembered, and likewise, a time when, by remembrance of this, minds and hearts are led to look forward to Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time. For these two reasons, Advent is a period of devout and expectant delight.
During Advent the playing of the organ and other musical instruments, as well as the floral decoration of the altar, is marked by moderation that reflects the character of the season, but does not anticipate the full joy of Christmas. We usually use seasonal greenery instead of flowers, although white Lilies will decorate the altar on the feast of the Immaculate Conception and after that will be placed in the Lady Chapel.
The role of Mary, the Mother of God, in our redemption is significant in Advent. December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception and we celebrate this great feast next week on Wednesday 8th with a mass in the morning and evening. We put aside ‘Salve Regina’ until Trinity Sunday and the antiphon Alma Redemptoris Mater is sung after Compline, at the end of Masses of Our Lady, on Saturdays and some other masses, including the midnight. The Alma Redemptoris Mater is the Marian antiphon until 1st February.
The new lectionary cycle for Sundays begins, that is ‘C’, the year of Luke. Weekday ferial masses are proper to each day and the readings do not change from year to year. The Gloria is not said except on major feast days such as The Immaculate Conception.
The Celebration of St Francis Xavier's Feast Day. Friday 3rd December.
The celebrations will begin with Mass at 12.00 celebrated by Fr Oliver and followed by music food and drink.
The venue is St. Michael's Community Centre Wrotham Road Welling DA16 1LS
Anyone that wants to attend is welcome and entry fee is £2.00.
Day with Mary at St. George’s Cathedral, Saturday 18th December
10. 15 a.m. – 5.15 p.m. Including Marian procession, Mass, Rosary, Procession of the Blessed Sacrament, Sermon, Benediction with lunch break and tea break.
Food Bank
There is currently a particular need for:
Long Life milk, Long Life juice, Squash, Tins of Rice Pudding, Toilet Paper
The container for donations is in the Church Porch and is taken to Bexleyheath food bank on Monday mornings.
St. Thomas More Catholic Primary School Admissions.
The next open morning for parents considering sending children to our catholic primary school is on Wednesday 10th November and following then on Monday 10th January. For more detail look at the website and video on the school website: www.stm.bexley.sch.uk/admissions/admissions
First Holy Communion 2022
Thanks for submitting your applications on time.
Please note there was a meeting for catechists on Monday this week (22nd) at 7.00 p.m.
Also there was a meeting with parents on Wednesday (24th) last week at 7.30 p.m. in the church. Please read the newsletter every week and listen out for notices at the end of Sunday mass.
The children’s commitments will be made at all masses on the Second Sunday of Advent.
Sunday Children’s Liturgy in the Hall : Hopefully this will resume at 9.00 a.m. this Sunday. Helpers still needed. Please contact me or Fiona Martyres.
CONFIRMATION 2022
Application forms can be picked up by candidates, completed at home and then returned after any Sunday mass. Preparation will begin in the spring term and include a couple of day/evening trips and (hopefully) an overnight retreat.
Deaths For all our brothers and sisters who ate the Body of Christ, the bread of Life, that they may be raised up on the Last Day. (Drawn from the intercession of the Funeral Mass)
Please pray for the soul of:
Ann Ellen Silvestre who died on Monday 15th November aged 85. Her Funeral Requiem is at 10.00 on Monday 13th December followed by committal at Eltham Crematorium. May she rest in peace.
MASSES AND INTENTIONS FOR THE COMING WEEK: THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT.
Psalter week 1
Saturday 27th November ADVENT SUNDAY (C)
6.00 p.m. Confessions
+ 6.30 p.m. MASS [said] Bruno Castanha R.I.P.
Sunday 28th November
8.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+ 9.00 a.m. SUNG MASS. Peter, Grace and Cecilia & siblings R.I.P.
+ 11.00 a.m. SOLEMN LATIN MASS [with English readings] Bridie Lynch R.I.P.
7.00 p.m. Social Evening in Church Hall.
Monday 29thNovember Advent feria.
The Daily Rosary at home.
+ 6.00 p.m. Ray Hawkins R.I.P.
Tuesday 30th November St. Andrew, apostle, patron of Scotland, feast.
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+ 10.00 a.m. Lizzie Dwyer R.I.P. ( 9th anniversary)
Wednesday 1st December Advent feria.
The Daily Rosary at home.
NO PUBLIC MASS TODAY
Thursday 2nd December Advent feria.
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+ 10.00 a.m. The Lonergan Family W.B.
2.00 p.m. Thursday Lunch Club Afternoon Tea in Church Hall.
Friday 3rd December St. Francis Xavier, priest, memorial.
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+ 10.00 a.m. Amniot da Costa R.I.P.
+ 12.00 noon Celebration of St Francis Xavier at St Michael’s Church Hall, Wrotham Road. Mass followed by meal. See notice above.
6.00 p.m. choir practice. New members welcome to come along.
Saturday 4th December St. John Damascene, priest & doctor of the church.
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary & Confessions
+ 10.00 a.m. [Latin] John Hillier R.I.P.
[+ 6.30 p.m. SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Deceased members of the D’Souza & Fernandes Families R.I.P.)
DECEMBER PRAYER TO OUR LADY. The ‘ALMA REDEMPTORIS MATER’
Loving Mother of the Redeemer, gate of Heaven, star of the sea, assist your people who have fallen, as we strive to rise again. To the wonderment of nature, you bore your Creator, yet remained a virgin after as before. You who received Gabriel’s joyful greeting, have pity on us poor sinners.
Alma Redemptoris Mater, quae pervia caeli porta manes, et stella maris, succurre cadenti.
Surgere qui currat, populo: tu quae genuisiti, natura mirante, tuum sanctum Genitorem,
Virgo prius ac posterius, Gabrielis ab ore sumens illud ave, peccatorum miserere.
God bless
Fr Jonathon
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