CONFESSIONS: 
By appointment this week: please ring Fr John (07779 786114) to arrange

CHURCH IS OPEN – Thursdays, from 11am to 2pm for reflections before the Blessed Sacrament

READINGS FOR 4 JANUARY
1^st Reading: Sirach 24:1-12, The wisdom of God has dwelt in the chosen people.
Psalm 147: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
2^nd Reading: Ephesians 1:3-18, He predestined us for adoption as sons, through Jesus.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 3:1-12, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia. Glory to you O Christ, proclaimed among the nations.  Glory to you O Christ, believed in throughout the world. Alleluia.
Communion antiphon: To all who did accept him, he gave power to become children of God.

POPE LEO’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR JANUARY
For Prayer with the Word of God
Let us pray that praying with the Word of God be nourishment for our lives and a source of hope in our communities, helping us build a more fraternal and missionary Church.

SAINTS / FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
7 January – St Raymond of Penyfort

FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY: TUESDAY 6 JANUARY, 7pm
Everyone is welcome to come and celebrate the birth of Our Lord, remembering the Magi.  There will be a glass of wine and nibbles in the porch afterwards.

COFFEE MORNING THIS WEEK – 4 JANUARY
Everyone is welcome to come along to the hall after Mass TODAY, for the first coffee morning of 2026.  A chance to enjoy a welcome catch-up after Christmas, some friendly company and a hot drink.  Do come and join us if you can.

1^ST COMMUNION / CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME: Sessions re-commence after Mass on Sunday 11 January.

A PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Whose mercies are new each returning day:
May the love and comfort offered by your Holy Spirit renew our lives,
Warming our hearts and giving light to our minds;
That we may live the coming year
In joyful obedience and firm faith;
Through him who is the beginning and the end,
Our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who lives and reigns with you,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and forever.  Amen.

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.