4th Sunday of Advent - 20th Dec 2009

PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS SERVICES

Christmas Services – details - see sand coloured leaflets at back.

Servers –those who are available to serve at Christmas Day Masses please complete your details on notice board in the Sacristy.

Midnight Mass rehearsal will be on Thursday 24^th from 11.00am to 12.30pm – again please complete your details on notice board in Sacristy.

Urgent - Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and Readers – Thanks you to all those who have signed up – however still a number of “gaps” and it may be that there will be little or no lay ministry participation at some of the Christmas services – so please do look at the rota – on clipboard at back of Church and if possible sign up where required.

NEW YEAR’S EVE MIDNIGHT MASS –and NEW YEAR’S DAY 12 noon only.

The Conversion of England - resources

Raymond de Souza, who spoke here in our parish, to great acclaim, a few months ago, can be seen being interestingly interviewed about the Conversion of England, on EWTN television, through the internet. Click on http://www.ewtn.com/audiovideo/index.asp#VOD then, on the ‘Archive video’ column, ‘EWTN Live’ click on either 100k or 300k Windows media according to your computer configuration.

Reviving Catholic Britain .. An inspiring new DVD with great interviews with some young southern priests including Fr Nicholas Schofield formerly of the Shrine parish in Harlesden: from St Anthony’s communication, www.saintant.com Telephone 01834 812643

TODAY, Sunday 3 p.m.: PARISH CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT

with nativity play and a delightful collection of seasonal music and song,

followed by white wine and mince pies.

With a collection for Aid to the Church in Need

CHURCH DOORS AND FONT COVER – These have been varnished to a high standard and we are happy to advise that the cost of same has been met from collection taken at Memorial Mass for our late parishioner, Patrick Conneally.

PARKING IN CHURCH FORECOURT – SUSPENSION Very unfortunately, we have had to suspend parking in Church Forecourt due to damage to the flagstones which has made them unsafe for pedestrians. The Diocesan Surveyor will look at the area in the New Year to ascertain whether it can be modified for vehicular traffic. Many apologies for the significant inconvenience this may cause some.

NEXT YEAR Ø School application forms – for Sep 2010 entry into St Mary Magdalen’s Junior School and Convent of Jesus & Mary Infants School – appointments are now available on four dates between 18 January and 6th February 2010 – please contact Clergy House. CONVENT OF JESUS & MARY CATHOLIC INFANT & NURSERY: Application packs for Nursery and Reception are now available from the school office. . Ø Confirmation Preparation Course for those in Year Nine: This will start early in 2010. Watch this space for times for introductory meetings.

3rd Sunday of Advent - 13th Dec 2009

Carol Concert – will take place on Sunday 20^th December at 3.00pm in the Church. Children wishing to take part in the Nativity Play should come to the church Annex on both Saturday 12^th and Saturday 19^th December a 2.30pm.

Servers –those who are available to serve at Christmas Day Masses please complete your details on notice board in the Sacristy. Midnight Mass rehearsal will be on Thursday 24^th from 11.00am to 12.30pm – again please complete your details on notice board in Sacristy.

Parking in Church Forecourt

No parking in Church Forecourt from Monday 14 December 2009 due to damage to the flagstones which has made them unsafe for pedestrians. Diocesan Surveyor will look at the area in the New Year to ascertain whether it can be modified for vehicular traffic.

COMING UP From Pope Benedict, in 1986: “Advent’s intention is to awaken the most profound and basic emotional memory within us, namely, the memory of the God who became a child. This is a healing memory; it brings hope. […] It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open doors of hope." Ø Public witness with our local Missionaries of Mother Teresa of Calcutta through are a Carol Concert on 19 December at 3.00pm – 4:00 pm in Harrow Rd W9 outside the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes – all are welcome – Fr Hugh, among others from here, will be there. Ø Carol concert: Sunday 20th December 3:00 pm- Nativity rehearsals start next Saturday 2:30 Ø School application forms – for Sep 2010 entry into St Mary Magdalen’s Junior School and Convent of Jesus & Mary Infants School – appointments are now available on four dates between 18 January and 6th February 2010 – please contact Clergy House. Ø Confirmation Preparation Course for those in Year Nine: This will start early in 2010. Watch this space for times for introductory meetings. Ø Annual Parish Concert is very likely to be on 30th April 2010 Ø Day with Mary: 9:30 am– Sat 19th Dec St James’s, Spanish Place, George St W1

CONVENT OF JESUS & MARY CATHOLIC INFANT & NURSERY: Application packs for a Nursery and Reception place at the Convent of Jesus and Mary Catholic Infant School for September 2010 are now available from the school office. We should like to invite you and your child to an Open Day to provide you with an opportunity to visit the school and meet the staff - as follows:

Reception - Monday 14^th December 2009 at either 9.15am or 12.45pm

Nursery – Tuesday 15^th December 2009 at either 9.15am or 12.45pm.

Completed applications must be returned by Friday 26^th February 2010

2nd Sunday of Advent - 6th Dec 2009

Tuesday is the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady

NEXT SATURDAY

Ø Maryvale Catechesis Course: Course commences in New malden .. leave here 8:30 am, back late afternoon

Ø Carol Concert – will take place on Sunday 20^th December at 3.00pm in the Church. Children wishing to take part in the Nativity Play should come to the church Annex on both Saturday 12^th and Saturday 19^th December a 2.30pm.

Ø King's Hall Community Centre - Christmas Fair 12th December 1.30-4.30pm. Local crafts, gifts & Father Christmas. 155 Harlesden Road'

Ø Next Sunday there will be a Mass at 3:00 pm in the Konkani language

COMING UP

From Pope Benedict, in 1986: “Advent’s intention is to awaken the most profound and basic emotional memory within us, namely, the memory of the God who became a child. This is a healing memory; it brings hope. […] It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open doors of hope."

Ø Our Advent penitential service is planned for Thursday 17^th December

Ø Public witness with our local Missionaries of Mother Teresa of Calcutta through are a Carol Concert on 19 December at 3.00pm – 4:00 pm in Harrow Rd W9 outside the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes – all are welcome – Fr Hugh, among others from here, will be there.

Ø Carol concert: Sunday 20^th December 3:00 pm- Nativity rehearsals start next Saturday 3:30

Ø School application forms – for Sep 2010 entry into St Mary Magdalen’s Junior School and Convent of Jesus & Mary Infants School – appointments are now available on four dates between 18 January and 6^th February 2010 – please contact Clergy House.

Ø Confirmation Preparation Course for those in Year Nine: This will start early in 2010. Watch this space for times for introductory meetings.

Ø Annual Parish Concert is very likely to be on 30th April 2010

Day with Mary: 9:30 am– Sat 19th Dec St James’s, Spanish Place, George St W1

CONVENT OF JESUS & MARY CATHOLIC INFANT & NURSERY: Application packs for a Nursery and Reception place at the Convent of Jesus and Mary Catholic Infant School for September 2010 are now available from the school office. We should like to invite you and your child to an Open Day to provide you with an opportunity to visit the school and meet the staff - as follows:

Reception - Monday 14^th December 2009 at either 9.15am or 12.45pm

Nursery – Tuesday 15^th December 2009 at either 9.15am or 12.45pm.

Completed applications must be returned by Friday 26^th February 2010

'Doubts along the Vocational Journey - from the perspective of St John of the Cross': A talk for young adults aged 18-38 by Fr Matthew Blake OCD on Friday 11th December, 7.30-9.00pm in the Hinsley Room at Westminster Cathedral (off Morpeth Terrace). For further details visit www.free2become.org or call 01277 373848.

1st Sunday of Advent - 29th Nov 2009

Padre Pio Prayer Group meeting this Thursday - consists of Mass, Rosary and prayers for the sick – all are welcome.

The Queen of Love prayer group is preparing to make a consecration to Our Lady at the Immaculate Conception. All welcome: Tuesday evenings 8 pm

The Christmas fair at St Mary Magdalen's on Saturday 5th December 2pm to 4pm. Usual festive fun.

Helpers of God’s Precious Infants - On Friday the 4th of December Monsignor Reilly - founder of "The Helpers of God's Precious Infants" will give a talk entitled "Reasons for Hope in this Epic Struggle for Life", at 7.30pm at St James' Church Hall, Spanish Place, 22 George Street, London, W1U 3QY. On 5^th December there will be Mass and Benediction at Ealing Abbey W5 2DY followed by procession to Marie Stopes abortion Centre –Please see the poster for more details or telephone 0208 252 3109.

Lit candles should not be placed on the foil underneath the proper metal holders, especially at the Pieta, presumably because there is no room left. This has proved to be a serious fire

hazard. Please refrain from it – and use other stands when your preferred one is full.

WELCOME TO ADVENT! (hence the purple colours!)

The Catechism stresses the two-fold meaning of this “coming” : “When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for His second coming” (No. 524).

This season is shorter than Lent: don’t let it pass you by! Spend a bit longer each day/week in yearning for the coming of Christ into your heart and life in a deeper manner. One good way to start Advent is by coming to our First Friday Holy Hour this Friday evening at 7pm.

COMING UP Ø Maryvale Catechesis Course: Course commences Sat 12th Dec in W. London. Ø Our Advent penitential service is planned for Thursday 17th December Ø School application forms – for Sep 2010 entry into St Mary Magdalen’s Junior School and Convent of Jesus & Mary Infants School – appointments are now available on four dates between 18 January and 6th February 2010 – please contact Clergy House. Ø Confirmation Preparation Course for those in Year Nine: This will start early in 2010. Watch this space for times for introductory meetings. Ø Annual Parish Concert is very likely to be on 30th April Ø King's Hall Community Centre - Christmas Fair 12th December 1.30-4.30pm. Local crafts, gifts & Father Christmas. 155 Harlesden Road' Ø Days with Mary: 9:30 am Sat 5th Dec Our Lady of Lourdes, Acton High St, London, W3 – Sat 19th Dec St James’s, Spanish Place, George St W1

Diocesan vacancies - CHEF/COOK and KITCHEN ASSISTANT – at SPEC (Catholic Residential Retreat Centre in London Colney Herts) - more details from -Julie Dauncey Email: juliedauncey@rcdow.org.uk or visit our website at www.rcdow.org.uk, or Tel 020 7798 9167.

34th Sunday - 22nd November 2009

• Latest Bible Alive and My Day by Day booklets available on newspaper rack.
• Repository - Full range of Christmas Cards, Advent Calendars and cribs now available.
• Purple NOVEMBER DEAD LISTS – Purple Sheets available. Placed close to altar during Nov.