Newsletter- 2nd Week of Advent
Dear Parishioners
‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’ On this Sunday the 2nd Sunday of Advent the readings focus on preparing for Christ’s coming. They are full of hope, inviting us to reflect on our relationship with God.
Isaiah (First Reading) foretells a future leader from the house of Jesse, pointing to Jesus: filled with the gifts of the Spirit, he will judge with righteousness. Isaiah uses beautiful natural imagery to express the peace and knowledge of the Lord that this king will bring to all the world. The Psalmist echoes these themes of peace and justice, portraying a king who brings peace and protection to all nations, and especially to the poor and needy. St Paul prays that the Scriptures will give encouragement and hope to Christ’s followers (Second Reading). He urges us to live in harmony and unity with God and with one another, so that all peoples might glorify God. In the Gospel, John the Baptist preaches repentance in anticipation of the coming of Christ: ‘he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’ John calls the people to leave their sinful lives and turn towards God, baptizing them with water. He tells of the need to bear fruit: real faith that shows in our actions and in our love, kindness and compassion to one another.
During this second week of Advent let us continue to pray for those who are treated unjustly, and all who live in the areas of our world where there is no peace. As we prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas so we pray for peace in our hearts and lives and for an openness of heart and mind to the good news of the Gospel message, that others may see in in us the love and light of the Lord.
Update Enabling our Mission Campaign: I am immensely grateful for the number of pledges we have received from our parish community during the past week. Thank you for the generosity and sacrificial giving of those parishioners who have already made a pledge to this important mission campaign. Well done on exceeding our goal! What wonderful generosity. Next weekend the campaign will end within our parish and so I encourage any parishioner who has not already done so to consider a pledge that is right for you and for your family. Every pledge made however large or small will help to vitally support the mission projects in our diocese and within this parish going forward. Completed pledge forms can be given directly to me in the envelope provided within your campaign pack or sent to the campaign office in Nottingham. The generosity and sacrificial giving I have witnessed to date from our parish community at a time when so many I know are struggling financially themselves has astounded me and makes me so proud to be your parish priest. Thank you to each of you who have so generously given to the Enabling our Mission Campaign thus far!
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Patron of our Diocese) – Monday 8th December – The church will be open all day this coming Monday for private prayer and in the evening at 6 pm we shall offer a time of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament concluding with Benediction. Mass will be celebrated at 6.45 pm by me for the intentions of all within our parish community. Tuesday 9th December I shall take as my day off this week, and the church will be closed all day.
Aid for Chad and Peru: Thank you for your generous support last weekend of this small but important charity. I have yet to hear the final total raised last weekend but in conversation with the ladies who came from St Josephs Oakham last weekend I gather this year we have doubled the amount raised from their last visit! Thank you for your generosity.
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 during Advent,
Your parish priest and friend,
Fr Jonathan
2025 7th December – Newsletter – Download