Parish newsletter

St Mary’s Catholic Church
Tovey Road Swindon SN2 1LQ
Tel: 01793 535089
Parish Priest: Fr Michael McAndrew - [email protected]
Parish Administrator:
Elias Fernandes - [email protected]
Safeguarding Rep: (CRB): Teresa Sugden - [email protected]
Parish records:
[email protected]
Deacon: Rev Shaun Murphy (retired)
Parish website:
Deanery website:
Diocesan website:
www.saintmarysswindon.co.uk
www.swindoncatholicdeanery.co.uk
www.cliftondiocese.com
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT –YEAR B
Sunday, December 21, 2014
SUNDAY MASS TIMES
6.00pm (Sat) 8.30am 10.30am
CONFESSIONS
Saturday: 9.30am – 10.00am
& 5.00pm - 5.30pm
Entrance Antiphon
Drop down dew from above, you heavens, and let the clouds rain down
the Just One; let the earth be opened and bring forth a Saviour.
Response to the Psalm
I will sing forever of your love O Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
I am the handmaid of the Lord: let what you have said be done to me.
CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES
Christmas Eve
5pm, 7pm
Christmas Day
Midnight Mass and at 10.30am
Communion Antiphon
Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son;
and his name will be called Emmanuel.
THIS WEEK’S MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS
Sunday
06.00pm (Sat) Mass - Audrey Griffin (RIP)
08.30am
Mass - Tom Campbell (RIP)
10.30am
Mass - Angelo Scisci (Anniversary)
Monday
10.30am
Requiem Mass – Anna Healy
Tuesday
09.00am
Mass – Joao De Souza (RIP)
CHRISTMAS EVE (Wednesday)
05.00pm
Mass – People of the Parish
07.00pm
Mass – Deceased members of the Brabazon family (Tommy, Jenny & Jane)
CHRISTMAS DAY (Thursday)
12.00 Midnight Mass – People of the Parish
10.30am
Mass – People of the Parish
Friday
10.00am
Mass – Eileen Williams (RIP)
Saturday
09.00am
Mass – Elysia Gonsalves (Intentions)
NEXT SUNDAY’S MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS (DECEMBER 28, 2014)
Sunday
06.00pm (Sat) Mass – Reema Valente De Souza (Intentions)
08.30am
Mass – Callum Fernandes (Intentions)
10.30am
Mass – James & Elizabeth Cosgrove (RIP)
CHURCH CLEANING: Every Friday, after the morning Mass. Your help would be much appreciated.
PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS all those who are sick especially: Cathy Walker, Joshua Crabb, Eileen Blackwell, Anna
Tickner, Peadar Heffron, David Croston and Sheila Hughes, Peter, Alfie and Harry Crabb, John O’Gorman, Christopher and Cath
Brown, Julia Harrison, Lena Watson, Cheryl Dawson, Louise Stacey, Maria Walsh, David Edwards, Irena Fliska, Joe Shannon, John
Foley, Christine Beale, Mary Lynch, Molly Prendergast, Mary Stewart, Marc Young, Antonio Bambino, Eileen Hughes
RECENTLY DIED: Please remember in your prayers Anna Healy one of our parishioners who have died. Requiem
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Mass for Ann is on 22 December at 10.30am. Please remember her and her family in your prayers.
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CHURCH CLEANING: In preparation for Christmas there will be Church cleaning on Tuesday 23 Dec. After the
9am Mass. Your help would be much appreciated. If you have the time to help just turn up.
CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES: Christmas Eve at 5pm and 7pm and on Christmas Day Midnight Mass and at 10.30am.
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CHRISTMAS FAMILY RETREAT: This Sunday 21 December starting at 2pm, there will be a retreat here at St
Mary’s by the Vincentian Father from Divine Retreat Centre, Ramsgate, Kent. This is in preparation of the coming of
our Lord Jesus Christ. All are welcome to attend.
ST MARY’S SVP: Next is the Swindon Food Bank Christmas collection. In addition to ‘in sell by date’ groceries, the
food bank are always in need of ‘Long Life Orange Juice’, small bags of sugar and basic toiletries, things that we take
for granted are more than welcome to those in need. The box provided at the entrance to our church is emptied
regularly and taken to the local depot for distribution. Thank you so much for your continued support and generosity.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY: In 2015 Bishop Declan Lang will be coming to our Parish to celebrate the Sacrament of
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Confirmation on Wednesday, 20 May. Application forms for those who wish to be confirmed will be available from
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Fr Michael. First Holy Communion days are Sunday 7 and 14 June. Preparation will begin in the New Year and
application forms will be available from Fr Michael.
CATECHISTS’ FORMATION COURSE: for next year can now be found on the Clifton diocesan website, will be held
at St John’s, Bath: http://www.cliftondiocese.com/adult-education/details-2015-catechists-formation/
The booking
form, along with the poster & details for each session, are also attached. There is a minimal cost to the course of £50
(cheques payable to CCDTR) and all forms can be sent to Fr Christopher Whitehead at Alexander House or email to
[email protected] Please do encourage anyone whom you feel might enjoy and benefit from this
formation course. Poster on the notice board at the back of the Church.
DONATION: Many thanks for the donation of £250 which bought us a beautiful Monstrance for the Church.
CHURCH’S YEAR OF CONSECRATED LIFE: this year Pope Francis has asked the whole Church to celebrate the
all those who live the consecrated life in the Church. There will be a special celebration at the Cathedral with Bishop
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Declan on Sunday 1 February 2015 at 6 p.m., to celebrate with all the monks and nuns of our Diocese to which all
parishioners are warmly invited.
MANY THANKS: Sr Mary Mulkeen wishes to thank all those who contributed to the sleepout for the homeless which
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was on 5 December. The amount came to £142.50.
200 CLUB: Envelopes for the new season are available from the back of the church. There is a Vacancy List for new
members to join. Just enter your name and details and you will receive a membership letter and number.
Subscription is just £12 for the year, payable in cash or cheque on joining the 200 Club. There are monthly draws
(1st prize £20); a Christmas draw (1st prize £50) and a Grand Draw (1st prize £400). All remaining funds go to the
parish. Please help the parish by joining up. Any queries please phone Rosemary on 01793 337566, or e-mail:
[email protected].
APF MISSIO (Red Boxes): Empty boxes are left at the back of the church for collection. If you are unable to bring
your box in, please contact your promoter, (number on the label) or Marion Aldridge on 01793 875692.
JUNIOR PARISH CHOIR: will meet on Wednesday 3.45 - 4.30pm here in the Church. Ages 7-14 all are welcome to
come and join for an afternoon of singing here in St Mary’s Church.
St MARY’S PLAYGROUP: has a part time vacancy for approximately 14.5 hours per week - Monday and Tuesday
afternoon, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings - for a Playgroup Assistant. Please email for further
information and application form at [email protected]
ENGLISH COURSE: This course is being offered through St Joseph College for parents who do not speak English
as their first language (they need not have children at the school).
For more details contact:
[email protected], or telephone 01793 714230.
OFFERTORY LAST WEEKEND: £ 647.50 (of which £107.50 was Gift aided) and £503 was given by standing order.
CLIFTON DIOCESE DIRECTORY: are now available at the back of the Church. They are £5 each.
Mary, you have won God’s favour. The Lord is always faithful to his promises. From before the time of David
right up to the birth of Jesus there is no doubt that the Lord is with his people. That which has been hidden for
endless ages is revealed in Jesus Christ, the son of the Virgin Mary.