stbernadettewhitchurch.org » Advent

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Fr. Christopher — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:04:15 +0000

18th December 2011 – Fourth Sunday of Advent (B)

THIS SUNDAY: Here we enter a new stage of Advent: having spent so much time on the Second Coming, now we look back, to remember the details of the Lord’s First Coming. Today we focus on the character of Mary, and hear of the angel Gabriel being sent to her, to invite her to take her part in the mystery of the Incarnation, “the revelation of the mystery kept secret for endless ages”. This mystery springs from the House of David, and so we lead into the Gospel by hearing of the establishing of that house. An interesting idea is that the first reading talks of David wishing to build a house for the Lord; through the prophet he is told not of the house that he would build, but the House which is his line: eventually, in Mary (betrothed to Joseph) the House of David does itself become the house of the Lord, the womb wherein he has a dwelling place.

RETIRING COLLECTION this Sunday morning (only): The Flower Ladies are seeking your help and support with their Christmas flower collection. Your support enables them to make our Church look so beautiful and stunning for the Christmas feasts. Thanks to the Saturday evening ‘crew’ for your kindness last weekend.

FAMILY CRIB SERVICE: This Sunday afternoon, we gather with the children of our parish to begin to re-trace that journey to Bethlehem and reflect upon the beauty of the Christmas story. The children are invited to come dressed as one of the characters of the nativity to help focus our reflection upon the people who responded to the invitation to welcome Christ into our world. All are most welcome and we begin at 3.30pm.

BLESSING OF THE BAMBINO: If you would like to bring into Mass over the Christmas weekend the bambino from your crib at home, please place them beneath the altar at which ever Mass you come to over the Christmas weekend. Seeking God’s blessing, we pray that his peace may rest upon us and in our homes.

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR THE HOMELESS: You’ve been great in previous years wrapping socks, jumpers, toiletries and chocolates for the homeless at the Julian Trust shelter. Please leave your gifts in the Lady Chapel.

CHRISTMAS CONFESSIONS: There will be the usual Saturday morning session of Confessions Christmas Eve. On Tuesday 20 December, there will be a couple of priests hearing confessions from 7.00pm – 8.30pm. Then on Thursday 22 December, an opportunity from 10am – 10.45am. Make room for the Lord this Advent!

BIG CLEAN FOR CHRISTMAS: On Wednesday 21 December from 10am onwards, willing volunteers are needed just to get the Church ready for the Christmas weekend. If you can spare a little time along with a duster and a brush, just turn up for half an hour or so and lend a hand. Many hands make light of the work.

A CHRISTMAS WELCOME AND OUT-REACH: There’s still time to take those postcards away with you and hand them around. Use this Christmas as an invitation to folk who may have lost touch with Church, and bring them home for Christmas.

CHRISTMAS TREE: The decorated and illuminated tree will be blessed at the Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve.

CRIB OFFERINGS: As usual, there will be a little basket next to the crib for your offerings. This year, our crib offerings will go in support of the work done at St Nick’s, Lawford’s Gate for the homeless and the refugee.

CHRISTMAS MASSES: It’ll be great to see you sometime over this Christmas weekend. Do make note of the times. You have them on the newsletter, on our website, and on the Christmas postcards.

FIRST COMMUNION 2012: The children preparing for First Communion this summer celebrated their First Confession this weekend. We look forward to welcoming them at Mass in January for their enrolment into the next leg of the preparation for First Communion.

PARISH MAGAZINE: Pick up your copy this weekend. There’s no charge for the magazine. If you want to pop a little something into the newspaper pot, then please do.

200 CLUB MEMBERSHIP: Subscriptions for 2012 are due soon. Look out for your membership letter. Your membership supports our parish in such real ways. With all 200 numbers taken, half that subscription money goes to parish funds – that’s £1200 if all numbers are taken. The other £1200 is given out in prizes throughout the year – ten £25 monthly prizes and two Grand Draws (May and November) with the potential first prize of £200. Do think about renewing your subscription and, if you haven’t got a number, have a word with Colette and sign up before the end of this December.

FIFTY YEARS ON – VATICAN II: This next date for your diaries ready for the New Year – Tuesday 24 January 2012 at 7.30pm. Fr Timothy Menezes will be leading our reflection upon Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Council’s document on the liturgy. This fantastic series of talks Opening the Windows offers us a simple route into re-introducing ourselves to the fruits of the Second Vatican Council. Do go along if you can. It is free, open to everyone, and there’s plenty of parking, too. Downloads on diocesan website.

AND FINALLY… if you are travelling this week to spend Christmas with family or friends, drive safely, have a wonderful time, and return refreshed and spirit-cheered.

Third Sunday of Advent

Fr. Christopher — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 23:05:55 +0000

11 December 2011 – Gaudete Sunday ~ Third Sunday of Advent

THIS SUNDAY: So who is coming? This Sunday’s readings help to answer that question. John the Baptist is asked about the coming of the Messiah – is it him? He affirms his role as “a witness to speak for the light”, by pointing to the one who stands among the crowd unknown to them who is coming after him. This idea is present in the First Reading, where Isaiah proclaims what the “anointed one” (‘Messiah’ in Hebrew) will do, and the joy that this will bring. It is interesting that the Psalm appointed for this Sunday is the Magnificat – Mary’s song of praise at the announcement that the Messiah would be born of her – in which she sings of the works of the coming Messiah. Paul then reminds us that we are still waiting patiently: “God has called you, and he will not fail you.” This is why, on this ‘Gaudete’ Sunday, we as God’s people rejoice in his care, made visible in his promises, fulfilled in Jesus.

FIRST COMMUNION 2012: The children began their preparation for First Confession last Wednesday and continue their preparation this coming Wednesday in school. The children celebrate their First Confession this coming Saturday. We keep them in our prayers.

VESPERS: This Sunday afternoon, the last of our Advent Vespers takes place at 4.00pm. This beautiful praying of the Prayer of the Church is a wonderful way to unite ourselves with the Church across the world at prayer.

FAMILY CRIB SERVICE: On the Fourth Sunday of Advent (18 December) we gather with the children of our parish to begin to re-trace that journey to Bethlehem and reflect upon the beauty of the Christmas story. The children are invited to come dressed as one of the characters of the nativity to help focus our reflection upon the people who responded to the invitation to welcome Christ into our world. All are most welcome and we begin at 3.30pm on Sunday 18th December here in the church. There will be refreshments afterwards.

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR THE HOMELESS: Once again, we’ll be collecting your gifts for the guests of Julian House this Christmas. You’ve been great in previous years wrapping socks, jumpers, toiletries and chocolates for the homeless. The box will be in the Lady Chapel in time for the Crib Service, mid December.

CHRISTMAS CONFESSIONS: Responding to the call of John the Baptist to turn back to the Lord this Advent, you’ll see from the little postcards that there are opportunities other than the two usual Saturday sessions of Confessions. On Tuesday 20 December, there will be a couple of priests hearing confessions from 7.00pm – 8.30pm. Then on Thursday 22 December, an opportunity from 10am – 10.45am. Don’t leave your Christmas confession until the last moment. Make room for the Lord this Advent!

A CHRISTMAS WELCOME AND OUT-REACH: There are some beautiful cards available from the narthex that give clear details of the week’s build up to Christmas so that you can ‘invite’ folk to join us for Christmas this year. The cards give times of the celebrations at St Bernadette’s, opportunities for confession, and allow you to encourage those who may not normally be with us at the weekend to come back and join us at this special time of year. This is a most important part of reaching out to folk and an important aspect of evangelisation. There may be friends, family, neighbours who just need that encouragement from you to put them back in touch with Church and with that living encounter with Christ.

CHRISTMAS MASSES: You’ll see from the little Christmas postcards that there are four masses over Christmas Day: 6.00pm Christmas Eve as well as Midnight (beginning 11.30pm with Carols) and then 8.30am and 10.30am on Christmas Day. It’ll be great to see you sometime over that Christmas weekend.

RETIRING COLLECTION this Sunday: the Flower Ladies are seeking your help and support through their Christmas flower collection. Your support enables them to make our Church look so beautiful and stunning for the Christmas feasts.

PARISH MAGAZINE: The Advent and Christmas edition of the parish magazine is available for you to collect from the Narthex. There are some fantastic articles in this edition – its well worth picking up. When you;ve finished with it, pass it on! There’s no charge for the magazine. If you want to pop a little something into the newspaper pot, then please do.

Second Sunday of Advent

Fr. Christopher — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 23:01:45 +0000

4 December 2011 – Second Sunday of Advent (B)

THIS SUNDAY: Throughout the first three weeks of Advent our focus is very clearly on the Second Coming of the Lord – not so much on the run up to Christmas (until the last week). If we view Advent as a preparation for Christmas these readings will make little sense – and neither will the figure of John the Baptist who appears today: if it’s about the preparation for Christmas, then John the Baptist, preaching after Jesus was born, is a confusing figure: but his role is to preach to us, as he did of old, and to prepare us for the (second) coming of the Lord. Today we have a very graphic reference to the end of time and the Second Coming in the reading from Saint Peter; it is a frightening picture, and so the first reading offers tender words of comfort to help us understand who is coming, and why we should be ready to meet him.

A HUGE ‘THANK YOU’: Mother Kathleen from the Little Sisters in Cotham has written to thank our parish for their continued support for the work at St Joseph’s. Some of the Sisters and the residents came to the bingo night last weekend and had a fantastic time out. You raised £550 for the Sisters last Saturday because of your generosity. Thanks to those who supported the evening and those who helped make it a fun time!

200 CLUB MEMBERSHIP: Subscriptions for 2012 are due soon. Look out for your membership letter. The Grand Draw took place during the bingo night last weekend and there were three lucky winners: £50 – Norah Smalldridge; £100 – Clare Taylor; £200 – Fr Christopher.

FIRST COMMUNION 2012: The children began their preparation for First Confession last Wednesday and continue their preparation this coming TUESDAY in school. We look forward to welcoming them for their Mass on Enrolment in January. Do keep them in your prayers as they journey towards the Sacraments.

VESPERS: Continuing this Sunday, there will be the celebration of Evening Prayer at 4.00pm on Advent Sunday I, II, and III. This is a beautiful way of praying the psalms drawing the day to a close. Do come along and make this a real part of your Advent journey of preparation.

WALK WITH ME: These simple books of reflection for each day of Advent, priced £1, from the narthex.

DIOCESAN YEARBOOKS AND DIRECTORIES: Get them while you can! There were only 20 directories (£5) and 8 liturgical yearbooks (£5.99) this year. You can pop the money into the newspaper money box.

FIFTY YEARS ON – VATICAN II: This coming Tuesday – 6 December at 7.30pm in our cathedral, Fr James Hanvey SJ will explore two of the influential and significant documents of the Second Vatican Council – Lumen Gentium and Gaudium et Spes – drawing us into reflection and inviting us to think about how we are called to be the Church in the contemporary world. This fantastic series of talks Opening the Windows (the complete list is in the narthex) offers us a simple route into re-introduceing ourselves to the fruits of the Second Vatican Council. Do go along if you can. It is free, open to everyone, and there’s plenty of parking, too.

RETIRING COLLECTION this Sunday for the Poor Missions of the Diocese. We support the parishes that aren’t as fortunate as we are to have the finances to do what we do throughout the year. Some of our parishes struggle and so this collection invites us into solidarity and support with them in their need. On Sunday 18 December, the Flower Ladies will be seeking your help and support through their flower collection.

THANK YOU to Michael Long for the beautiful way he has inscribed the new Altar Missals with the names of those in whose memory the donations have been given.

First Sunday of Advent

Fr. Christopher — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:46:24 +0000

27 November 2011 – First Sunday of Advent (B)

THIS SUNDAY: Advent opens with a great cry, and a great promise: “Oh that you would tear the heavens open and come down!” is the cry of a people who need God. “…the master is coming” is the promise, not to breed fear, but to answer our cry. Advent begins, not with thoughts of the past, with the coming of the Lord we celebrate at Christmas, but with the future, and the promise that He is coming back. We are encouraged to treat every day as the day the Lord will come; we do not do this out of fear for a Master who beats his servants, but out of love of a Master who always treats us with love and mercy. Nevertheless we must always be watchful, because we can grow sleepy and complacent, saying that we can leave this prayer or that confession or the other change in the way we live to tomorrow. Even as we look forward to the tomorrow of the Lord’s coming, we must remember that it might be today!

RECEPTION AND BLESSING OF THE NEW MISSAL: At Mass this Saturday evening, as we begin mass and bless our Advent wreath, we will also receive on the sanctuary the new missal. We pray that as we embrace the new translation, our prayer and our liturgy may draw us ever closer to God and his love. Sunday Missals have also arrived and will be available from this weekend. Those of you who have ordered one from FrC will find your name on the missal. There may be one or two extras that have been ordered if you would like one.

200 CLUB MEMBERSHIP: Subscriptions for 2012 are due soon. Look out for your membership letter.

FIRST COMMUNION 2012: The complete list of preparation sessions, celebration Masses, and parents’ sessions can now be found on the notice board as well as on the parish website. If you missed the details and the meeting for whatever reason you will need to contact FrC, please. The children begin their preparation for First Confession on Wednesday 30 November in school. We look forward to welcoming them for their Mass on Enrolment in January.

ROTAS: You’ll find the December rotas online and paper copies as well as notes for Readers in the narthex.

FIRST FRIDAY SOUP LUNCH: The next First Friday soup lunch takes place this coming Friday 2 December, following Exposition, at 12.15pm. All are most welcome.

VESPERS: Beginning this Sunday, there will be the celebration of Evening Prayer at 4.00pm on Advent Sunday I, II, and III. This is a beautiful way of praying the psalms drawing the day to a close. Do come along and make this a real part of your Advent journey of preparation.

FAMILY CRIB SERVICE: On the Fourth Sunday of Advent we gather with the children of our parish to begin to re-trace that journey to Bethlehem and reflect upon the beauty of the Christmas story. The children are invited to come dressed as one of the characters of the nativity to help focus our reflection upon the people who responded to the invitation to welcome Christ into our world. All are most welcome and we begin at 3.30pm on Sunday 18^th December here in the church. There will be refreshments afterwards in the hall.

WALK WITH ME: These simple books of reflection for each day of Advent are available, priced £1, from the narthex.

A CHRISTMAS WELCOME AND OUT-REACH: There are some beautiful cards available from this weekend that give clear details of the week’s build up to Christmas so that you can ‘invite’ folk to join us for Christmas this year. The cards give times of the celebrations at St Bernadette’s, opportunities for confession, and allow you to encourage those who may not normally be with us at the weekend to come back and join us at this special time of year. This is a most important part of reaching out to folk and an important aspect of evangelisation. There may be friends, family, neighbours who just need that encouragement from you to put them back in touch with Church and with that living encounter with Christ. You are encouraged to take the cards and hand them on!

AMPLIUS CHRISTMAS CONCERT takes place on Saturday 3 December at Counterslip Baptist Church beginning at 7.30pm. We are warmly invited to go along. Full details on the notice board.

DIOCESAN YEARBOOKS AND DIRECTORIES: Get them while you can! There were only 20 directories (£5) and 8 liturgical yearbooks (£5.99) this year. There were too many left last year, so get these whilst they are available from the Narthex. You can pop the money into the newspaper money box.

FIFTY YEARS ON – VATICAN II: The next date for your diary is Tuesday 6 December, 7.30pm in our cathedral when Fr James Hanvey SJ will explore Lumen Gentium and Gaudium et Spes, inviting us to think about being the Church in the contemporary world. This is a fantastic series of talks (the complete list is in the narthex) where we can simple re-introduce ourselves to the fruits of the Second Vatican Council. Do go along if you can.

The Feast of Christ the King

Fr. Christopher — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:37:45 +0000

20 November 2011 ~ Christ the King – Thirty Fourth Sunday of the Year

THIS SUNDAY: “Shepherd-King o’er mountain steep, homeward guide thy wand’ring sheep.” This hymn which we will probably sing today captures the readings perfectly: our King is not a cruel tyrant or despot, but a shepherd who loves his flock, who would (and did) give his life for them. Love for the flock means that he will have to judge them, separating the sheep from those who do not belong to him. Coming to the end of the Church’s year leads us to look to our final ending, the homecoming the hymn speaks of. The judgement of the end of time we do not view as a trial or a terror, but as a coming home: look back to the Isaiah reading on the 28th Sunday to see what a homecoming party is offered. All we do is put our lives in order, living just and holy lives, longing for the day of the lord to come.

200 CLUB MEMBERSHIP: Subscriptions for 2012 are due soon. Look out for your membership letter.

ROTAS: You’ll find the December rotas online and paper copies as well as notes for Readers in the narthex.

FIRST FRIDAY SOUP LUNCH: The next First Friday soup lunch takes place on Friday 2 December, following Exposition, at 12.15pm. All are most welcome.

BINGO NIGHT – IN AID OF THE LITTLE SISTERS: Bingo night on Saturday 26 November (next Saturday) (7.30pm) to raise money for the Little Sisters. A hearty supper for £5 and bingo cards will be available to buy on the night. Pop your name on the list in the narthex if you would like a seat… and bring your friends with you! There will be plenty of opportunities to help the Little Sisters raise a little money for their home in Cotham. The Grand Draw of the 200 Club will be drawn at the Bingo night – there’s a big cheque for £200 to be taken home!

NEW ALTAR MISSALS: The Sunday Missals should arrive this week in readiness for Advent. Watch this space. Weekday missals ordered will be with us in January. You’ll be able to pick yours up from the narthex.

VESPERS FOR CHRIST THE KING: There will be Vespers (4.00pm) for the feast of Christ the King this afternoon – do come along if you can. Today is also National Youth Sunday, a Sunday where we pray for the young people of our Church and also where we are asked to support our diocesan youth service through the retiring collection. There is so much to support our young people in our diocese and your gift through this collection works to encourage them and those who work with them to be confidently Catholic.

ADVENT: Next Sunday we begin a new year in the life of the Church, and the season of preparation for Christmas. There will be Vespers on the first three Sundays of Advent (27 Nov, 4 Dec and 11 Dec), and our Family Crib Service on Sunday 18 December at 3.30pm. There are little reflection books for Advent, allowing you to journey through the scriptures of the season each and every day. You’ll find these in the narthex. There will be opportunities for Confession during Advent – each Saturday and during the week as we approach Christmas. It is important that we use Advent as a season of prayer, too. If you have an Advent Wreath ready for home, then bring it along to Mass next week, place it under the Church’s wreath and take that blessing and that light into your homes.

OUR RETIRED PRIESTS: We are fortunate to be welcoming some of our retired priests back to St Bernadette’s for their annual mass and lunch with the Bishop this Wednesday, 23 November. Mass will be celebrated at 11.00am with Bishop Declan, so do come along and help make these priests welcome.

DIOCESAN YEARBOOKS AND DIRECTORIES: Get them while you can! There are only 20 directories (£5) and 8 liturgical yearbooks (£5.99) this year. There were too many left last year, so get these whilst they are available from the Narthex. You can pop the money into the newspaper money box.

READERS FOR CHRISTMAS: If you are available to read at either of the Christmas morning Masses (8½am or 10½am), please get in touch with FrC or Cora Pring asap. Readers for 6pm and Midnight have been sorted.

OUR PRAYERS go in support of baby Eryn Barber and Elizabeth Anthony who died recently and, of course, their families. We pray that God will bring them into his peace and bring comfort to those who grieve their loss. You will see the details of funerals in the weekly mass schedule.

Thirty Third Sunday of the Year

Fr. Christopher — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:24:09 +0000

13 November 2012 – Thirty Third Sunday of the Year (A)

THIS SUNDAY: We must be very careful that the real point of today’s first reading is not washed away in genuine concerns over what one can and cannot say about the responsibilities of spouses. This is not, in fact, a recipe for ‘the perfect wife’, but an illustration, from one age, of the virtue of fully employing the talents God gives us. Some things are timeless, such as holding out a hand to the poor, while other talents shift and change. The point is that all of us are gifted in varying ways and degrees: none of us should begrudge anyone else their talents, for fear that we overlook our own. We work wisely and well, looking forward to the master’s return, when we can hand over to him not just what he gave us, but also the fruits that our labours have gained.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY: This Sunday, we commemorate those who have lost their lives in conflicts across the twentieth century and during this century, too. We will observe a period of silence as part of the Bidding Prayers at the 10.30am Mass this Sunday bringing the dead into our prayer and praying, of course, for peace.

FIFTY YEARS ON – VATICAN II: The next date for your diary is Tuesday 6 December, 7.30pm in our cathedral when Fr James Hanvey SJ will explore Lumen Gentium and Gaudium et Spes, inviting us to think about being the Church in the contemporary world.

200 CLUB MEMBERSHIP: Subscriptions for 2012 are due soon. Look out for your membership letter.
FIRST COMMUNION 2012: The complete list of preparation sessions, celebration Masses, and parents’ sessions can now be found on the notice board as well as on the parish website. If you missed the details and the meeting for whatever reason you will need to contact FrC this week, please. The children begin their preparation for First Confession at the end of this month. We look forward to welcoming them for their Mass on Enrolment in January.

FIRST FRIDAY SOUP LUNCH: The next First Friday soup lunch takes place on Friday 2 December, following Exposition, at 12.15pm. All are most welcome.

LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR: The Little Sisters were bowled over by your kindness, your welcome, and your terrific generosity last weekend. You sent them away with £604 towards their work – Thank you.

BINGO NIGHT – IN AID OF THE LITTLE SISTERS: Bingo night on Saturday 26 November (7.30pm) to raise money for the Little Sisters. A hearty supper for £5 and bingo cards will be available to buy on the night. Pop your name on the list in the narthex if you would like a seat… and bring your friends with you! There will be plenty of opportunities to help the Little Sisters raise a little money for their home in Cotham. The Grand Draw of the 200 Club will be drawn at the Bingo night – there’s a big cheque for £200 to be taken home!

NEW ALTAR MISSALS: The Sunday Missals should arrive in the next two or three weeks in readiness for Advent. Watch this space. Weekday missals ordered will be with us in January.

VESPERS FOR CHRIST THE KING: The last Sunday of the Church’s year falls on Sunday 20 November (next Sunday). There will be Vespers (4.00pm) for the feast of Christ the King as we draw the liturgical year to a close. It is also National Youth Sunday, a Sunday where we pray for the young people of our Church and also where we are asked to support our diocesan youth service through the retiring collection. There is so much to support our young people in our diocese and your gift through this collection works to encourage them and those who work with them to be confidently Catholic.

ADVENT: In two week’s time we begin a new year in the life of the Church, and the season of preparation for Christmas. There will be Vespers on the first three Sundays of Advent, and our Family Crib Service on Sunday 18 December. There will be little reflection books for Advent, allowing you to journey through the scriptures of the season each and every day. There will be details of the opportunities for Confession during Advent, and details of the ways in which we can use Advent as a season of prayer, too. Get your Advent Wreath ready for home and bring it along to mass the week after next for a blessing.

A CHRISTMAS WELCOME AND OUT-REACH: There will be some beautiful cards available NEXT week that will give clear details of the week’s build up to Christmas so that you can ‘invite’ folk to join us for Christmas this year. The cards give times of the celebrations at St Bernadette’s and allow you to encourage those who may not normally be with us at the weekend to come back and join us at this special time of year. This is a most important part of reaching out to folk at this time of the year. There may be friends, family, neighbours who just need that encouragement from you to put them back in touch with Church and with that living encounter with Christ. You will be encouraged to take the cards and hand them on!

OUR RETIRED PRIESTS: We are fortunate to be welcoming some of our retired priests back to St Bernadette’s for their annual mass and lunch with the Bishop on Wednesday 23 November. Mass will be celebrated late morning with Bishop Declan, so watch this space for details, and come along and help make these priests welcome.

ROTAS: You’ll find the December rotas online and paper copies as well as notes for Readers in the narthex.

Thirty Second Sunday of the Year

Fr. Christopher — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:52:16 +0000

6 November 2011 – Thirty Second Sunday of the Year (A)

THIS SUNDAY: “Watch early for wisdom”: wise words, and ones that the foolish bridesmaids of the Gospel should have taken to heart. This is the ultimate in ‘putting off till tomorrow…’, since the reading is about the end of time, when the Son of Man will come again. Then there will be no tomorrow. If a thing is worth doing, it’s worth doing today. Quite often we contemplate the end of time with anxiety and fear: this is not what God wants. Look at the Psalm, where we hear of desperate longing, a thirst for the Lord, that cannot wait. We should not just wait for the Lord with patient endurance, but with impatient longing: what could we desire more than the coming of the Lord, the rising of the dead and an eternity of joy and glory?

MASS OF WELCOME: As last year, we will welcome the children who have started at the primary school along with their families this Sunday at 10.30am. It’s an important celebration to enable us to foster those necessary links with our parish school and encourage those new starters in their journey of learning.

FIRST COMMUNION 2012: It was good to see so many parents come along to the initial information evening for First Communion preparation. Applications need to be in this weekend and preparation for First Confession begins later this month. The complete list of preparation sessions, celebration Masses, and parents’ sessions can be found on the notice board. If you missed the details and the meeting for whatever reason you will need to contact FrC this week, please.

FIRST FRIDAY SOUP LUNCH: Thank you to those who made the delicious soups for Friday’s lunch and thank you to those who came along to support the lunch, too. You raised £97 for our outreach projects – thank you, one and all. The next First Friday soup lunch takes place on Friday 2 December, following Exposition, at 12.15pm. All are most welcome.

LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR: The Little Sisters are with us this weekend – 5/6 November – making an appeal for their most valuable work at St Joseph’s. The Sisters work so hard to look after the residents in their care and rely on the kindness and generosity of parishes to help them. Please do give as generously as you can. Also, you might like to make note of the Bingo night on Saturday 26 November (7.30pm) to raise money for the Little Sisters. A hearty supper for £5 and bingo cards will be available to buy on the night. Pop your name on the list in the narthex if you would like a seat… and bring your friends with you!

NEW ALTAR MISSALS: The new missals have arrived and are just awaiting inscription with the donors/intentions put into them. Once these have been done, the new missals will be placed in the Lady Chapel for those of you who want to, to see them. The Sunday Missals should arrive in the next two or three weeks in readiness for Advent. Watch this space.

PARISH FORUM GROUP meets in the presbytery on Thursday 10 November at 7.00pm.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY: Next Sunday, we commemorate those who have lost their lives in conflict across the twentieth century and during this century, too. We will observe a period of silence as part of the Bidding Prayers at the 10.30am Mass next Sunday bringing the dead into our prayer.

VESPERS FOR CHRIST THE KING: The last Sunday of the Church’s year falls on Sunday 20 November. There will be Vespers (4.00pm) for the feast of Christ the King as we draw the liturgical year to a close. It is also National Youth Sunday, a Sunday where we pray for the young people of our Church and also where we are asked to support our diocesan youth service through the retiring collection. More details next weekend.

CHRISTMAS MASSES: Due to a very positive response over the last couple of weeks, there will be a Vigil Mass of Christmas at 6.00pm, Mass at midnight (12.00am), and on Christmas morning at 8.30am and 10.30am. There will be some beautiful cards available in a week or so giving details of the week’s build up to Christmas so that you can ‘invite’ folk to join us for Christmas this year. The cards give clear times of the celebrations at St Bernadette’s and allow you to encourage those who may not normally be with us at the weekend to come back and join us at this special time of year.

CONGRATULATIONS to Elizabeth Margaret Roberts who was baptised here last weekend. We welcome her into our parish family and congratulate her parents and family, also.

OUR RETIRED PRIESTS: We are fortunate to be welcoming some of our retired priests back to St Bernadette’s for their annual mass and lunch with the Bishop on Wednesday 23 November. Mass will be celebrated late morning with Bishop Declan, so watch this space for full details next week, and come along and help make these priests welcome.

Thirty first Sunday of the Year

Fr. Christopher — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 14:00:08 +0000

30 October 2011 – Thirty first Sunday of the Year (A)

THIS SUNDAY: The more responsibility we have for the flock of God, the more is demanded of us. But for all God’s people, there is the need for constant vigilance, to be on guard against hypocrisy and complacency, the two greatest threats to our living God’s way and not our own, self-serving way. This is a prelude to the end: for the next three weeks we will think about the end of the world and the judgement that awaits. This Sunday’s readings should begin to encourage us not to fear and dread that day, but to look forward to it, by putting our lives in order and living as the Lord showed us.

VESPERS AND THE ROSARY: To end this beautiful month of the Holy Rosary, there will be Vespers and Devotions this Sunday – 30 October – at 4.00pm. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to pray together as families and as a parish community, entrusting ourselves, through the psalms, through the Rosary, to the gentle Lord who keeps us close to him.

FIRST COMMUNION 2012 – PARENTS MEETING: Once again, we begin to think about preparation for First Communion. Parents of children in Year 3 of primary school who are considering putting their children forward for preparation beginning in January are invited to meet with Fr Christopher in the Church this Thursday – 3 November – at 7.00pm. This will be a short meeting outlining the programme for both children and, this year, for parents as well. The application forms as well as complete list of dates for the preparation programme will be available on that evening. If you need to get in touch with FrC before then, please do give him a call. The preparation for First Confession will take place during Advent (December) and then First Communion preparation will begin in January. It is so important that children are ‘registered’ for this year’s programme at that November meeting and don’t miss out and have to wait a year.

FEAST OF ALL SAINTS AND ALL SOULS: This Tuesday – 1 November – is a holyday of obligation. There will be two Masses that day – 10.00am with our children in school, and then 7.30pm in the evening, in Church. This Wednesday – 2 November – is the commemoration of All Souls. There will be two Masses that day, also: 9.30am and 7.00pm. It’s not a holyday of obligation, but it is an important celebration nevertheless. The list of Masses for the month of November can be found on the notice board. If you want to allocate a Mass for a particular intention then please print the name of the intention on the sheet – one intention per Mass, only, please. If you would kindly pop the name on an envelope and give it to FrC that would help enormously. Keep an eye on the newsletter for the intention during the week… just in case there are changes to the time of Mass.

BLESSING OF GRAVES: There will be a Blessing of graves on All Souls’ Day (this Wednesday) at Whitchurch cemetery at 2.00pm. If you have loved ones buried there, do join FrC for that short blessing. If you have a jam jar with a little night light, maybe bring that along with you.

MASS OF WELCOME: As last year, we will welcome the children who have started at the primary school along with their families next Sunday – 6 November – at 10.30am. It’s an important celebration to enable us to foster those necessary links with our parish school and encourage those new starters in their journey of learning.

FIRST FRIDAY PRAYER AND SOUP LUNCH: This Friday there will be exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after the morning Mass until midday. A hearty, simple soup lunch will be served in the hall from 12.15pm. All are welcome and your offerings go to support those in need both at home and overseas.

LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR: The Little Sisters are with us again next weekend – 5/6 November – making an appeal for their most valuable work at St Joseph’s. Also, you might like to make note of the Bingo night on Saturday 26 November (7.30pm) to raise money for the Little Sisters. A hearty supper for a £5 and bingo cards available to buy on the night. Pop you name on the list in the narthex if you would like a seat!

CHRISTMAS MASSES: There seems to be some interest in us having a Vigil Mass of Christmas – focused on our families and our children – at 6.00pm on Christmas Eve. We will have this in addition to our midnight Mass and Masses on Christmas Day. There will be cards printed for you to hand around, inviting your neighbours to join us for Christmas this year. This offers us chance to bring folk back to Church for Christmas.

PARISH FORUM GROUP meets in the presbytery on Thursday 10 November at 7.00pm.

HOLY SOULS CEMETERY MASS: Next Saturday (5 November) at 11.00am in the cemetery chapel.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Fr. Christopher — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 11:45:16 +0000

THIS SUNDAY: Here we enter a new stage of Advent: having spent so much time on the Second Coming, now we look back, to remember the details of the Lord’s First Coming. Today we focus on the characters of Mary and Joseph, and hear of the circumstances surrounding the conception of the child Jesus, and the reaction of Joseph. This mystery springs from the House of David, and so we lead into the Gospel by hearing of the promise that the Messiah would come from that line. The link between the First Reading and the Gospel is quite explicit today, since Matthew actually quotes Isaiah. Joseph, descendant of King David, is invited to take his place in the great story of God’s relationship with the Chosen people. There is great sense of a timeless mystery reaching its focal point, as that which was “promised long ago” (Second Reading) now takes flesh in the womb of Mary.

VESPERS FOR THE HOLY FAMILY: To continue our festive celebration of Christmas and the Holy family, there will be sung Vespers on Sunday, 26 December at 4.00pm. Do come along if you can.

CONFIRMATION PREPARATION: The fifth session of preparation takes place on Wednesday January 12. The Bishop will be with us on Thursday 27 January. Let us keep them in our prayers as they journey towards the Sacrament of Confirmation.

BAMBINO FROM THE CRIB: Don’t forget to bring the bambino from your crib to be blessed at Mass this Christmas.

FAMILY CRIB SERVICE: This beautiful, simple service will take place THIS Sunday (19 Dec) at 3.30pm in the Church. Once again, as we gather as a parish family, the children are invited to come dressed as one of the nativity figures. We will journey through the Christmas story in prayer, reading and song. Refreshments afterwards in the hall. Do come along if you can. It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to come together and journey through the Christmas story by way of getting ourselves ready for the feast itself. All are welcome.

GIFTS FOR THE NIGHT SHELTER: Tied in with the Family Crib Service, we are usually invited to think about those who are living on our streets at this time of year. The Crib Service invites us to remember these ‘guests’ and offer them a gift. The homeless shelter in town benefits from the gifts we bring along to the crib service. They are in need of underclothes for their guests. If you can help out, the box will be in the Lady Chapel. You can wrap them and just indicate whether they are for a man or woman. Alternatively, you can wrap up some toiletries or some chocolate – a little something just to let them know they are not forgotten.

ADVENT CONFESSIONS: Fr Michael, Fr Christopher, and Fr Michael Derrick will be in the Church on Monday 20 December to hear confessions. They will be there from 7.00pm until 8.30pm. Do pop in and make use of this wonderful sacrament of healing and forgiveness as part of your preparation for Christmas.

ADVENT PENITENTIAL: The cathedral is hosting an Advent Penitential on Tuesday 21 December at 7.00pm. There will be plenty of priests available to hear confessions. This is a wonderful opportunity to prepare for the coming Lord.

MASS SHEETS giving the common prayers of the Mass are available from the narthex. These don’t need to be distributed along with the hymnbooks but are available for those who might need a little prompt with the prayers at Mass and especially those for whom English is not their first language. Help yourself.

CHRISTMAS MASSES: There will be Mass at midnight beginning with the traditional half hour of carols at 11.30pm on Friday 24 December. On Christmas Day, Mass will be celebrated at 8.00am and 10.30am. There will be no evening Mass on that Saturday. Christmas is also an opportunity to welcome people ‘home’ to our parish. You may know someone who has been away from Church and someone who has simply lost touch. This is a reach chance for us to reach out to them and invite them to StB’s for that celebration of Christ’s birth. Offer them the support they may need and bring them home to the Lord this year. There are some invitations for you to take away with you, either to give to those around you who may need a little encouragement to ‘come back’, or else you might think about popping one through a letterbox by way of keeping people in touch and giving them an opportunity to celebrate Christmas with us.

BIG CLEAN UP: If you can lend a hand with getting the Church ready for the celebrations over the Christmas weekend then just turn up on Thursday 23December from 10.00am and bring a duster or a mop, and with many hands we’ll make light of the work. There will be refreshments for the workers. Do come along and lend a hand.

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS: Thank you for the generosity to showed to our flower ladies last weekend. You managed to raise £288. Thank you.

COFFEE CLUB CHRISTMAS LUNCH: The annual Christmas Lunch hosted by the Coffee Club is taking place on Saturday 8 January at 12.30pm. Please sign up on the notice board in the narthex.

DIOCESAN CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE: The Bishop is inviting our parish community, and especially our married couples, to join him in the cathedral for a diocesan celebration of marriage on Saturday 19 February at 12noon. We need as many from our parish to go along to join our bishop on this occasion. More details to follow.

MASS FOR NEW YEAR’S DAY: Saturday 1 January, Mass will be celebrated at 12noon as we begin the New Year in the presence of the Lord. Do come along to entrust 2011 to the Lord.

EPIPHANY is celebrated on Sunday 2 January. Vespers at 4.00pm.

Third Sunday of Advent – Rejoice!

Fr. Christopher — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 13:25:31 +0000

12 December 2010 – Third Sunday of Advent ~ Gaudete Sunday

THIS SUNDAY: In many ways the readings this Sunday are simply a continuation of last week – Isaiah gives us more details about the work of the Messiah, and Paul invites us to continue to be patient until the Lord’s Coming. What is slightly different is the voice of John the Baptist this week: last week in Matthew 3 he was proclaiming with utter confidence that “someone is coming”. Now, in Matthew 11, he asks Jesus from prison: “Is it you?” For us, as we listen to these scriptures, we are being offered something very particular – the prophecies of Isaiah (and indeed the prophet John the Baptist) are pinned down firmly and securely in the person of Jesus, Son of Mary – in fact, Jesus himself, in his reply to John says as much: “I am the Messiah that Isaiah prophesied.” Again we are invited to hold the images of the prophecies in our minds until Christmas, when we can look on the child in the manger and say “We know who this is: it is the promised Messiah – God who comes to save us!” Advent changes gear this coming Friday as our focus shifts to reflecting upon the coming of Christ in the stable of Bethlehem.

DIOCESAN DIRECTORIES & YEAR BOOKS: The new editions of the Liturgical year book (£5.99) and the diocesan directory (£5) are available from the narthex table. Do pick up your copy.

VESPERS FOR ADVENT: We mark this third Sunday of Advent with a celebration of sung Evening Prayer. This will be followed by benediction. We begin at 4.00pm in the Church. This is a beautiful prayer of the Church – do come and join in that prayerful, Advent longing.

CONFIRMATION PREPARATION: The fifth session of preparation takes place on Wednesday January 12. The Bishop will be with us on Thursday 27 January. Let us keep them in our prayers as they journey towards the Sacrament of Confirmation.

ROOTED IN CHRIST: This fantastic opportunity to deepen our understanding of faith continues on Tuesday, 14 December, at Holy Family, Patchway. Fr Tom Dubois will lead us in reflection and deeper understanding of the Holy Spirit – the Lord and Giver of Life.. It’s free and it’s open to everyone. Do go along. Starts at 7.30pm.

200 CLUB SUBSCRIPTIONS: The new Club year begins this December. Colette has sent out renewal reminders to existing members. Please hand in your subs asap, please. There are a number of vacant numbers should anyone want to join up. There is the chance to win one of the ten monthly £25 cheques and also pick up those bigger prizes in May and November. Your subs do support the parish, also, in a very real way.

FAMILY CRIB SERVICE: This beautiful, simple service will take place on Sunday 19 December at 3.30pm in the Church. Once again, as we gather as a parish family, the children are invited to come dressed as one of the nativity figures. We will journey through the Christmas story in prayer, reading and song. Refreshments afterwards in the hall. Do come along if you can. It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to come together and journey through the Christmas story by way of getting ourselves ready for the feast itself. All are welcome.

GIFTS FOR THE NIGHT SHELTER: Tied in with the Family Crib Service, we are usually invited to think about those who are living on our streets at this time of year. The Crib Service invites us to remember these ‘guests’ and offer them a gift. The homeless shelter in town benefits from the gifts we bring along to the crib service. They are in need of underclothes for their guests. If you can help out, the box will be in the Lady Chapel. You can wrap them and just indicate whether they are for a man or woman. Alternatively, you can wrap up some toiletries or some chocolate – a little something just to let them know they are not forgotten.

ADVENT CONFESSIONS: Fr Michael, Fr Christopher, and Fr Michael Derrick will be in the Church on Monday 20 December to hear confessions. They will be there from 7.00pm until 8.30pm. Do pop in and make use of this wonderful sacrament of healing and forgiveness as part of your preparation for Christmas.

ADVENT PENITENTIAL: The cathedral is hosting an Advent Penitential on Tuesday 21 December at 7.00pm. There will be plenty of priests available to hear confessions. This is a wonderful opportunity to prepare for the coming Lord.

PINK MASS SHEETS giving the common prayers of the Mass are available from the narthex. These don’t need to be distributed along with the hymnbooks but are available for those who might need a little prompt with the prayers at Mass and especially those for whom English is not their first language. Help yourself.

CHRISTMAS MASSES: Christmas is less than thirty days away. There will be Mass at midnight beginning with the traditional half hour of carols at 11.30pm on Friday 24 December. On Christmas day, Mass will be celebrated at 8.00am and 10.30am. There will be no evening Mass on that Saturday. Christmas is also an opportunity to welcome people ‘home’ to our parish. You may know someone who has been away from Church and someone who has simply lost touch. This is a reach chance for us to reach out to them and invite them to StB’s for that celebration of Christ’s birth. Offer them the support they may need and bring them home to the Lord this year. There are some invitations for you to take away with you, either to give to those around you who may need a little encouragement to ‘come back’, or else you might think about popping one through a letterbox by way of keeping people in touch and giving them an opportunity to celebrate Christmas with us.

SCHOOL TRANSPORT CONSULTATION: Please have a look at the secondary school website and support them by taking part in the Council’s consultation. Cuts might mean that transport is removed… unless we voice our concern. Our Catholic schools seem very much under threat at the moment, so please do ensure your voice is heard by looking at the letters available from the narthex or by logging onto the school website. The consultation ends this coming Tuesday.

BIG CLEAN UP: If you can lend a hand with getting the Church ready for the celebrations over the Christmas weekend then just turn up on Thursday 23 December from 10.00am and bring a duster or a mop, and with many hands we’ll make light of the work. There will be refreshments for the workers. Do come along and lend a hand.

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS: Throughout the year our dedicated team of ladies continue to stun us with the beautiful arrangements they create each week. This Sunday, we are invited to contribute towards the flowers needed in the Church for Christmas and beyond. Please do give as generously as you can. The ladies do appreciate your gracious kindness and your generosity.