Newsletter- 1st Week of Advent
Dear Parishioners
‘You must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’ Today marks the beginning of the new liturgical year and the season of Advent, a time of watching and waiting, of longing and preparation for the Lord.
The prophet Isaiah (First Reading) presents his vision of a peaceful world, where weapons of conflict are turned into tools to rebuild communities, as people grow together in God’s love. The Responsorial Psalm continues this prayer for peace and security, with a reminder to look to the Lord for guidance on how to live in unity, peace and joy.
In the Second Reading, St. Paul urges the Romans to wake up; to abandon thoughts and behaviour that keep God in the dark, and to live in the light of his love. He is direct and uncompromising but reassuring that God’s salvation is as attainable as putting on new clothes. The theme of awakening features again in the Gospel, as Jesus calls on people to ‘be ready’ for God’s salvation by living in love and faith. Jesus uses examples ranging from the dramatic events of Noah and the flood, the mundane image of workers in the field and at the mill, and the unexpected thieves breaking into a house. All of these highlight that God is constantly inviting us to follow his example in all that we do.
As we begin again our Advent journey this year, let us this coming week reflect on how we might cast off old habits that keep us in the dark and walk in the light and hope of God’s eternal love.
Enabling our Mission Campaign: Please do take time to read the latest information on the Enabling Mission Campaign and our parishes fundraising to date. This can be found along with a Pledge Form further on in the Bulletin. I am immensely grateful to the generosity and sacrificial giving of those parishioners who have already made a pledge to this important mission campaign. We are well on our way to achieving our goal. But we need now every family in our parish community to consider making a pledge. Every pledge made however large or small will help us to achieve or exceed our goal and will help to vitally support our mission projects for the future. The generosity I have witnessed to date from our parish community makes me so proud to be your parish priest. Thank you! What a wonderful way to begin our Advent journey again this year!
Aid for Chad and Peru: This weekend after all our weekend Masses we welcome two of the parishioners from St Joseph’s church in Oakham. As in previous years they will be setting up their stalls in the link Room offering some beautiful and hand-crafted items made in the shanty towns of Lima for sale to our parish community. These beautiful items I feel sure will offer some inspiration for unique Christmas gifts and stocking fillers or to adorn your Christmas tree at home. All the monies raised this weekend through sales of items in our parish go directly to help support this small but very important charity.
Looking ahead to Christmas: Service Times for all the Masses celebrated in the Parish from Christmas Eve through to the New Year are to be found in the Bulletin. Please do make a note of them.
With my prayers for you and for your families as we begin our Advent journey,
Your parish priest and friend,
Father Jonathan
2025 30th November – Newsletter – Download