2nd Sunday of Advent 9th December 2012

Parish News Last week’s collection was £2148.94 Thank you. Growing in Faith. Many thanks again as the amount pledged has grown to £211,000. Those who have pledged but not yet returned the completed form are invited to do so as soon as possible. Primary School Applications 2013. Please make an appointment to see Fr Kevin by entering your name against a date and time on the lists at the back of the church. These appointments are for nursery, reception and junior school transfers. First Holy Communion 2013. Completed application forms are to be returned, with baptismal certificates, to the parish office. The closing date for all applications is Monday 10th December. Confirmation 2013. Application forms are available at the back of the church. Repository. A selection of Advent wreaths, candles, church art calendars , Christmas cards, cribs, books and Mass bouquets are on sale. The diocesan yearbook is now available to buy. Weekly Catechesis Leaflets. Leaflet 9 of our “Year of Faith” catechesis leaflets, on the Incarnation is available on the table in the porch. Christmas Carol Service will take place on Sunday 16th December at 3:30pm. Rehearsals will take place on Friday 14th December at 4:00pm in the church. Pilgrimage to Lourdes 14th to 18th May 2013. The cost per person is £460 staying at the Alba Hotel inclusive of trips to Bartes, San Pierre and airport transfers. Contact John Sullivan on 0208 459 0279 for bookings and information. Diocesan Notices The Passage. “ The Big Give” is a marvellous opportunity for people to support the work of the The Passage. Every £1 given through the The Big Give website between 10:00am on 6th December and 19th December can result in the charity receiving £2. Please log onto new.thebiggive.org.uk/project/13551 to donate. The Choristers of Westminster Cathedral will give a performance of Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols, accompanied by harp, on Tuesday 11th December at 7.30pm. Other items on the programme include Britten's Missa Brevis and music by Stanford and JS Bach. Tickets are £15.00 each. Volunteer missionaries at SPEC. This organistaion will be having its own Advent retreat on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th December. This is an invitation open to young adults who are seriously considering the option of a mission year with the community in 2013-2014 academic year. Meals and accommodation will be provided and while there is no cost, donations would be welcome. The age is 18-25 (17 if in Upper 6th and written consent given by parents.) For more information see www.spec.org.uk/missionyear. St Vincent de Paul Society are distributing cold weather “Vinnie Packs” to rough sleepers. These will contain a hat, gloves, socks, a thermal blanket and toiletries, together with a list of night shelters and day centres. Your support by way of a donation to cover the £3 cost per pack would be much appreciated. Please send your donation to : The S.V.P. c/o 46 Brunswick Court, Regency St, London, SW1P 4AE. Restore@Balham. A Youth 2000 4-day Retreat, to re-introduce young people to the faith, led by young people for young people (16-25yrs) takes place at Holy Ghost, Balham, 29th Dec – 1st Jan 2013. There is no fee for first-timers. See the poster at back of church or visit www.youth2000.org. The pilgrimage of the relics of Don Bosco is a once in a lifetime opportunity encouraging us to celebrate youth spiritually in the UK. The relics will be in Westminster Cathedral from 2:30pm to 8:30pm on Friday 11th January and from 8:00am until Mass at 2:00pm on Saturday 12th January. Visit www.donboscorelics.co.uk for the complete timetable and information or take a flyer from the back of the church. Calix in London is an association of Catholic alcoholics who are maintaining their sobriety through affiliation with and participation in the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. Please see the poster in the porch for details of meetings and contact details of other organisations who can help with other addictions. Meetings are held once a month in several locations and new members are always welcome. Email: calixinlondon@btinternet.com. Part-time laboratory technician vacancy at St Dominic’s Sixth Form College, Harrow. This will be for a six month contract. Visit www.stdoms.ac.uk/information/job-vacancies for details.