The Roman Catholic Parish of St James and St William of York Reading 2nd December 2018 1st Sunday in Advent Fr John writes: PARISH PRIEST: Canon John O’Shea Parish Secretary: Catherine Ledgard Parish Safeguarding Ginika Okoye (StJ) Ministers: Françoise Le Saux (StW) [email protected]St James Presbytery, Abbey Ruins, Forbury Road, Reading, RG1 3FD Tel: (0118) 957 4171 St James & St William of York Reading Website: www.jameswilliam-reading.org.uk This parish is a part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth Registered Charity No: 246871 Parish Liturgies for the week commencing 2nd Dec Sunday FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT SJ 6.00pm Alec & Lila Ferguson RIP SW 9.00am People of the parish SJ 11.00am Maria Antoinette Collaco RIP SW 6.00pm Monday ST FRANCIS XAVIER SJ 12.15pm Margaret Forrest RIP Tuesday NO MASS Wednesday 1st Week of Advent SJ 12.15pm Brigida Torrez RIP Thursday 1st Week of Advent SJ 12.15pm Edna Felix RIP Friday ST AMBROSE SJ 12.15pm People of the parish Saturday SJ 11.00am Next Sunday SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT SJ 6.00pm Lorenzo Cordero RIP SW 9.00am SJ 11.00am Stephen Coleman—Get well SW 6.00pm Confessions SJ Saturday 5pm – 5.45pm Psalm Response: To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. SCRIPTURE READINGS SUN 9th Dec: 2nd Advent 1st R. Baruch 5:1-9 2nd R. Phil. 1:4-6;8-11 Gospel: Luke 3:1-6 Please read these readings at home and listen to them at next Sunday’s Mass. Offertory Collecon £1607.55 (£381.70 Giſt Aid) Giſt aid envelopes £ 112.45 Non giſt aid loose £ 750.32 Thank you for your generous contribuons. Your donaons make the life and work of the parish possible. Royal Berkshire Hospital Chaplain: Fr JP Lyttle RBH: 322 7105 Parish: 957 2149 ADVENT: PREPARING, WAITING, LONGING, PRAYING Today we will begin the season of Advent. It is a time of waiting for God, it is time when we enter into the dessert and reflect on who we are and how we can avoid the busy-ness of the Christmas preparations. We are invited to make space for ourselves and space for God in the midst of the rushing. Can we stop and be still and ask ourselves; “Where do I see God being born around me today? In those I meet ? In kind words and gestures ? In my community ? In my own heart ?” We adopt the attitude of the Jewish people who longed and waited for the coming of the Messiah – the Saviour of the world. A well lived Advent is the perfect preparation for Christmas. ‘COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS’ CAMPAIGN Today we are launching our ‘Come Home for Christmas’ campaign once again. Everyone will be presented with three invitation cards which I would like to ask you to give to family or friends, who for various reasons have drifted away from the practice of their faith. We would like them to take a fresh look and give it another go. The invitation will ask them to “Come Home for Christmas”. Posters are also being distributed today, which we would like you to place either on your front window or on a noticeboard near you. CHRISTMAS PLANNING MEETING ON Wed 12th DECEMBER IN ST JAMES 7.30pm. Once again we are planning to offer a very special welcome to all attending our 4 Christmas Masses, in particular those who come once a year or those visiting for Christmas. All those who take a lead role at Sunday Masses as WELCOMERS, ALTAR SERVERS, READERS & MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION, REFRESHMENTS ETC are asked to attend this meeting. Last Christmas we did well in 3 Masses but failed at the Christmas Eve 6pm Mass. We need to ensure this does not happen again. Please ensure your ministry, your team is represented at this meeting. A PRAYER FOR THE First Sunday of Advent God of light & life, Give us hope as we wait for your coming again. When we are tempted, to be grateful to have found you while others are lost. Send us out into the darkness in search of those who need you most. Amen THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Transcript
The Roman Catholic Parish of
St James and St William of York Reading
2nd December 2018
1st Sunday in Advent
Fr John writes:
PARISH PRIEST: Canon John O’Shea Parish Secretary: Catherine Ledgard Parish Safeguarding Ginika Okoye (StJ) Ministers: Françoise Le Saux (StW)
This parish is a part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth Registered Charity No: 246871
Parish Liturgies for the week commencing 2nd Dec
Sunday FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT
SJ 6.00pm Alec & Lila Ferguson RIP
SW 9.00am People of the parish
SJ 11.00am Maria Antoinette Collaco RIP
SW 6.00pm
Monday ST FRANCIS XAVIER
SJ 12.15pm Margaret Forrest RIP
Tuesday NO MASS
Wednesday 1st Week of Advent
SJ 12.15pm Brigida Torrez RIP
Thursday 1st Week of Advent
SJ 12.15pm Edna Felix RIP
Friday ST AMBROSE
SJ 12.15pm People of the parish
Saturday
SJ 11.00am
Next Sunday SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT SJ 6.00pm Lorenzo Cordero RIP
SW 9.00am SJ 11.00am Stephen Coleman—Get well SW 6.00pm
Confessions SJ Saturday 5pm – 5.45pm
Psalm Response: To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
SUN 9th Dec: 2nd Advent 1st R. Baruch 5:1-9 2nd R. Phil. 1:4-6;8-11 Gospel: Luke 3:1-6
Please read these readings at home and listen to them at next Sunday’s Mass.
Offertory Collection £1607.55 (£381.70 Gift Aid) Gift aid envelopes £ 112.45 Non gift aid loose £ 750.32 Thank you for your generous contributions. Your donations make the life and work of the parish possible.
Royal Berkshire Hospital
Chaplain: Fr JP Lyttle RBH: 322 7105
Parish: 957 2149
ADVENT: PREPARING, WAITING, LONGING, PRAYING
Today we will begin the season of Advent. It is a time of waiting for God, it is time when we enter into the dessert and reflect on who we are and how we can avoid the busy-ness of the Christmas preparations. We are invited to make space for ourselves and space for God in the midst of the rushing. Can we stop and be still and ask ourselves; “Where do I see God being born around me today? In those I meet ? In kind words and gestures ? In my community ? In my own heart ?” We adopt the attitude of the Jewish people who longed and waited for the coming of the Messiah – the Saviour of the world. A well lived Advent is the perfect preparation for Christmas.
‘COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS’ CAMPAIGN Today we are launching our ‘Come Home for Christmas’ campaign once again. Everyone will be presented with three invitation cards which I would like to ask you to give to family or friends, who for various reasons have drifted away from the practice of their faith. We would like them to take a fresh look and give it another go. The invitation will ask them to “Come Home for Christmas”. Posters are also being distributed today, which we would like you to place either on your front window or on a noticeboard near you.
CHRISTMAS PLANNING MEETING ON Wed 12th DECEMBER IN ST JAMES 7.30pm. Once again we are planning to offer a very special welcome to all attending our 4 Christmas Masses, in particular those who come once a year or those visiting for Christmas. All those who take a lead role at Sunday Masses as WELCOMERS, ALTAR SERVERS, READERS & MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION, REFRESHMENTS ETC are asked to attend this meeting. Last Christmas we did well in 3 Masses but failed at the Christmas Eve 6pm Mass. We need to ensure this does not happen again. Please ensure your ministry, your team is represented at this meeting.
A PRAYER FOR THE
First Sunday of Advent
God of light & life, Give us hope as we wait for your coming again. When we are tempted,
to be grateful to have found you
while others are lost. Send us out into the
darkness in search of those
who need you most. Amen
THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY on Sat 8th Dec. We wish to encourage you to attend this special Mass at St James at 11am on Sat 8th Dec. GOAN COMMUNITY OF READING celebrate the Feast of St Francis Xavier on Sat 8th Dec with a special Mass in St James Church at 2.30pm. Followed by a social afterwards. All are welcome. CHORATE CHAMBER CHOIR presents ‘It’s all about Mary’ Advent concert on Sat 8th Dec at 6pm at St William of York. Retiring collection in aid of Launchpad. Please do offer your support and attend.
FEAST OF ST FRANCIS XAVIER on Mon 3rd Dec. Mass at 12.15pm READING INTER FAITH GROUP to meet Mon 3rd Dec at 7.30pm, St James Pres. LECTIO DIVINA CONNECT GROUP on Mon 3rd Dec at 7.30pm in the Barberi Room.
SHARING OUR FAITH CONNECT GROUP to meet after 12.15pm Mass on Wed 5th Dec in the Barberi room.
FEAST OF PRAISE: Fri 7th Dec at 7.30pm at English Martyrs church. All welcome. ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE CAROL SERVICE on Fri 7th Dec at St Williams at 6.00pm.
THE BED FOR THE NIGHT initiative organised by Reading’s Christian churches to offer rough sleepers in our town a warm, safe place to sleep, a hot evening meal and breakfast. This year the need for volunteers is even greater. It will run for 3 months from January. All sorts of help is welcomed. Training is essential if you are a new volunteer. For more info contact: [email protected] or phone 0774 983 3476 & www.abedforthenight.org.uk
FILIPINO CHRISTMAS MASS SINGING PRACTICES on: Thu Dec 6th at 7.00-9.00pm Fri Dec 14th at 7.00-9.00pm Sat Dec 22 at 7:30 – 9.00pm all at St James church. SIMBANG GABI MASS Sun 23rd Dec in St James Church at 6.30pm. All are welcome.
“READING ABBEY & THE ABBEY QUARTER” by Peter Durrant & John Painter. Newly published book, now on sale at £9.99 in the Repository/shop. A ‘MARY & JOSEPH’ WANTED on Sat 15 Dec, Broad Street outside M&S for a nativity scene. At 11.30, 12.30, 1.30 & 2.30pm. For one of the above time slots for 15 minutes. This initiative is organised by the churches in Reading. Volunteers contact parish office. Be brave, show willing please volunteer.
FOLDING & STAPLING OF CHRISTMAS MASS LEAFLETS: Volunteers needed Tue 18th Dec at 10am. Call or email the Parish Office if you can help. Thank you.
ONE NATION SYRIAN CONTAINER APPEAL to help the most needy Syrian families, widows & orphans. Needed: Clean clothes, food, new bedding, good condition toys & children’s books. Drop off point: Claims Specialists, 21-23 Bolton Rd, Reading, RG2 0NH on: Mon 9.30—5 & Wed 5-7pm. Contact 0759 438 2533. 100% donation policy. One Nation is a registered charity.
PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND 15th—22nd May 2019. Cost: £1360pp. 50 places. Deposit: £250 pp. Flights from Heathrow. Led by Frs John & Michael. Applications to be in ASAP. Contact the parish office by phone: 01189 574171 or [email protected]. ONLY 4 PLACES REMAIN - DON’T DELAY!
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CATHOLIC? or Confirmed as an adult or for those baptised as Christians of other denominations, who would like to be received into the Catholic Church ? At our weekly sessions we will try to explore all aspects of the Catholic faith. No commitment is required. Please speak to Fr John or phone the parish office. INFORMATION EVENING THU 10th JAN AT 7.30PM IN ST JAMES PRESBYTERY.
CHRISTMAS CHOIR PRACTICES Come and join the singing rehearsals:
Tuesday 4th Dec Thursday 13th Dec Tuesday 18th Dec All at 7.30pm.
Open to all – not just choirs!
This Sun 2nd December 1st Sunday in Advent ADVENT WREATH with 4 candles is a significant symbol of the journey we make as we remember the prophets in OT and the journey of Mary & Joseph to Bethlehem. Today we light the first candle.
NEW CHRISTIAN YEAR Sunday Readings Year of Luke, Year C BAPTISMS We welcome into our church community Raphael Texeira son of Paul & Joanna, George Fernandes son of Wendy, Thania Wareesaengtip daughter of Thana & Graziel and Saoirse Aquilina-Forde daughter of Keith and Wendy all to be baptised at 1.00pm at St James UNIVERSITY MASS 6pm at St Williams this is a Christmas Mass.
Next Sun 9th Dec 2nd Sunday of Advent. CATHOLIC BIBLE SUNDAY
NAME BADGE SUNDAY SANTA RUN 9.00am till 11.30am. Note access to St James’ car park may be difficult. Parking at the Forbury Retail park is not affected. FOLK GROUP at 9am & 11am Masses LAUDATO SI ACTION GROUP to distribute their 3rd monthly leaflet on: “What can we do to reduce food waste?” CONFIRMATION SESSION 12.30-2pm at St James. DIVINE MERCY HOLY HOUR at Our Lady of Peace at 2.30pm.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION parent & child session at 3.00-4.15pm at St Williams. TAMIL MASS at 4.30pm UNIVERSITY MASS 6pm at St Williams (Last Mass of term)
Date Time Venue
Mon 10th 7.30pm St John Bosco
Tue 11th 7.30pm St Joseph’s
Wed 12th 7.30pm Christ the King
Thu 13th 7.30pm St Anne’s
Fri 14th 7.30pm Our Lady of
Peace
Sat 15th 11.00am English Martyrs
Mon 17th 7.30pm St James
ADVENT PENITENTIAL SERVICES
WELCOMING, READING, MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION, & REFRESHMENTS please respond to the email sent to you on Thu asking for volunteers for Christmas Masses by 12th Dec. If you do not have email & can help please phone the parish office ASAP. Thank you.
