CONFESSIONS:  Wednesdays, 5.45pm to 6.10pm and by appointment 

CHURCH IS OPEN – Thursdays 11am to 1pm for visits to the Blessed Sacrament 

READINGS FOR 16 NOVEMBER
1^st Reading: Malachi 4:1-2, For you, the sun of righteousness shall rise.
Psalm 98: The Lord comes to judge the peoples with fairness
2^nd Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12, if anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
Gospel Reading: Luke 21: 5-19, by your endurance you will gain your lives.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia. Straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. Alleluia.
Communion antiphon: Amen, I say to you: whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you will receive, and it shall be given you, says the Lord.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR NOVEMBER
For the prevention of suicide
Let us pray that those who are tempted to commit suicide may find the support, love and care they need in their local community, and be able to understand how valued they are.

SAINTS / FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
17 November – St Elizabeth of Hungary
18 November – Dedication of SS Peter & Paul Basilicas in Rome
21 November – Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
22 November – St Cecilia

SPECIAL ARCHDIOCESAN COLLECTION NEXT WEEK (23 NOVEMBER):  Animate Youth / Youth Day 2025

CONFIRMATION PREPARATION TODAY
Our young people will be continuing to prepare for their confirmation after Mass today.  Please remember them in your prayers.

FIRST COMMUNION SESSIONS NEXT WEEK: 23 November
Our children will be meeting after Mass next week for the next session of their 1^st Communion programme, ready to make their 1^st confessions next month.  Please remember them in your prayers.

PARISH GIVING LAST WEEK
Last week’s offertory: £229.20  Thank you all.

LITTLE CHURCH NEXT WEEK: 23 November

COFFEE MORNING LAST WEEK: Thank you to Joanne and Claire for all the wonderful cakes and sandwiches.  A small, but very appreciative group of parishioners donated a total of £101.37 for the hall refurbishment.  Thank you all.

PARISH QUIZ NIGHT: FRIDAY 21 NOVEMBER, 7.30pm
RAFFLE PRIZES ARE STILL NEEDED!  Please can you deliver to 39 Kearsley Road, or the presbytery next Thursday 20 November, between 10am and 4pm.  Many thanks.

PARISH CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING / FAYRE – Sunday 7 December
Everyone, friends and family members are welcome to join in the fun at our parish Christmas Coffee Morning on 7 December, after Mass.  As always, there will be plenty of lovely things to eat as well as a stall for seasonal crafts, preserves and plants.  Please let Diane know if you’re able to provide any items for the stall.

CHRISTINGLE SERVICE & CHRISTMAS DRAW – Sunday 14 December, 4pm
Our children did a wonderful job last year of performing at this beautiful service and are busy preparing for this year’s.  Please come and support them.  There will be light refreshments in the hall afterwards, when the Christmas Draw will also be held.  Donations of Draw prizes are very welcome.  Please bring them to church with you over the next couple of Sundays, or at the presbytery on Thursdays between 10am and 4pm.  Thank you.

CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Fliers and posters may be collected after Mass today, with all the information you need for our preparations for the celebration of the birth of Our Lord.  Please display where you can, to help us get the word out.

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: Wednesday 26 November at 7.15pm.

2^ND HAND CD-PLAYER NEEDED FOR CHURCH
Fr John would be very grateful if anyone can donate a working CD-player, for our entrance music, and also for other services, where background music is required.  Please have a word with father after Mass if you can help.

PARISH SOCIAL EVENTS – DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Sunday 7 December:   Christmas Fayre, after 10am Mass
Tuesday 9 December: Christmas Bingo
Sunday 14 December: Christingle Service at 4pm followed by refreshments in the hall and the Grand Christmas Draw
Saturday 17 January:  Chinese Evening

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.