CONFESSIONS: 
This week
Monday 22 December: 10am and 6pm
Tuesday 23 December: 10am and 6pm
Wednesday 24 December: 10am

CHURCH IS OPEN – 

READINGS FOR 21 DECEMBER
1^st Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14, Behold, the virgin shall conceive.
Psalm 24: Let the Lord enter, he is the king of glory
2^nd Reading: Romans 1:1-7, Jesus Christ descended from david, Son of God.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 1:18-24, Jesus was born of Mary, who was betrothed to Joseph, son of David
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia. Behold the Virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which means ”God with us’.  Alleluia.
Communion antiphon: Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son and his name will be called Emmanuel.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR DECEMBER
For Christians in Areas of Conflict
Let us pray that Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, might be seeds of peace, reconciliation and hope.

FEAST DAY THIS WEEK
23 December – St John of Kanty
26 December – St Stephen, 1^st martyr
27 December – St John, apostle

CHRISTINGLE SERVICE LAST WEEK
Special thanks to all those who helped to clean and prepare the church last week, in preparation for the Christingle Service and a very big thank you to our Children’s Liturgy leaders who organised a truly wonderful Christingle Service and to Vivienne for the Christingles.  Thank you also to the musicians for the lovely carols.  The biggest thanks of all goes to the children who were perfect in every way.  God bless you all!

CHRISTMAS RAFFLE
Congratulations to all those who won the magnificent prizes in last week’s raffle – and a very sincere thank you to those who very kindly and generously donated the wonderful prizes.  It was a lovely occasion, so thank you also to Diane and Joanne for the refreshments afterwards.  A total of £330.00 was raised towards the roof repairs.

CHRISTMAS BINGO
A fantastic effort by the O’Hare family, Vivienne and the Social Committee resulted in another sell-out night for the Christmas Bingo.  It was a great night – thank you everyone.  This magnificent effort resulted in over £1,500 going towards our roof repairs.  Thank you all so much!

CHRISTMAS DATES
CHRISTMAS VIGIL SERVICE: Wednesday 24 December at 8.00pm
CHRISTMAS DAY: Thursday 25 December at 10.00am
SUNDAY 28 DECEMBER: Feast of the Holy Family, 10am

CHRISTMAS LISTS
Please hand in your Christmas Lists for the dear departed.  Masses will be offered for them on Christmas Eve (8pm Mass) and Christmas Day (10am Mass).

CAFOD’s WORLD GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS
This Christmas, give your loved ones something exceptional and life-changing. Buying CAFOD’s virtual World Gifts makes a real difference for our sisters and brothers facing the injustice of poverty around the world. Choose from a range of beautifully illustrated cards, each representing a gift of hope, inspired by real people and real needs. Cards can be sent by post, as an eCard, or printed at home. You may also wish to purchase World Gifts and other gifts such as Advent calendars and jute bags at www.worldgifts.cafod.org.uk/  or pick up a catalogue in the porch.

MASS INTENTIONS
Mass intentions are welcome, not just for our dear departed, but for any other occasion eg in thanksgiving, A successful outcome (exams / operation), wedding / anniversary blessings. Please write your name and intention, with the preferred date – if applicable – on a piece of paper and place in an envelope, along with your offering, either in the weekly offertory basket or through the presbytery door.  Every effort will be made to find a date as close as possible.

OFFERTORY ENVELOPES / GIFT AID / STANDING ORDERS!
If you are a taxpayer then you can easily help the parish to claim 25% extra on top of every donation you make – and it won’t cost you a penny!  Eg: a donation of £10 per week would result in £12.50 going to the church. If you are able to use gift aid, please collect a form from the porch on your way out today, and return it to the Parish Office asap. 
If you are a taxpayer who makes regular cash donations, please consider using an offertory envelope instead of just placing your ‘loose’ donations in the basket. This is really important: it can bring in more than £1000 to the church every year, as we’ll be able to claim gift aid directly on every donation you make.  It won’t cost you anything at all, but it will make a huge difference to our finances.
Please contact the Parish Office if you’d like to use envelopes – they are free! 
Even better – you can donate ‘painlessly’ each month by setting up a standing order with your bank.  Forms are available in the porch.

RED MISSION BOXES
Please bring your red boxes to church over the next few weeks, so that they can be counted and the money go to the APF Missions, which is much needed.   Please let Diane know if you’d like to arrange collection of your box.

PRAYERFUL REFLECTION BEFORE MASS
Some of our parishioners who like to pray and have a few moments of quiet reflection before the start of Mass.  And of course, we have every opportunity to have a chat and catch-up after Mass. 
Our monthly coffee mornings provide an ideal occasion for this! 

CHURCH CLEANING / FLOWER ARRANGING
Thank you to those who have already said that they’d be interested in helping out.  Diane would like to start putting rotas together, so please can you let her know your availability.  Church cleaning is only twice a month and flower arranging is every other week.  Please have a word with her after Mass today, or ring on 07876 363779. Thank you.

VOTIVE CANDLES
People have been asking how much they should donate for a votive candle.  Fr John is happy to leave it to your discretion, as all donations will be gratefully received – whenever they are made.

GLUTEN FREE SACRAMENT AVAILABLE
Please indicate to Fr John if you need to receive a gf host when you come to receive communion.

ST IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA: The Loving Generosity of Christ
He is generous to exhaustion and what is most wonderful is that he gives himself thus entirely, not once only but every
day, if we wish it.  Every fresh Communion is a new gift, which Jesus Christ makes of himself.