3rd Sunday of Advent 16th December 2012

Parish News Last week’s collection was £1869.69 Thank you. Weekly Catechesis Leaflets. Leaflet 10 of our “Year of Faith” catechesis leaflets, on the Incarnation is available on the table in the porch. 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. Christmas Carol Service will take place today 16th December at 3:30pm. All are very welcome. Church Cleaning. The church will be closed on Thursday 20th December after Mass, as the floors are being polished for Christmas. Readers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are asked to sign the lists at the back of the church indicating which Masses they will be available for over the Christmas period. Altar servers are asked to sign the list in the sacristy to indicate which Masses they will be available for over the Christmas period. Tree of Light. Please write the name of the deceased members of family and friends on the labels provided. They will be remembered at each Mass during the Christmas period. Growing in Faith. Many thanks again as the amount pledged has grown to £213,000. 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 time on the list at the back of the church. These appointments are for nursery, reception and junior school transfers. The only day available now is 10th January and this is the final date before the deadline. Confirmation 2013. Application forms are available at the back of the church. Please note the change of date for the first parents’ evening. It is now scheduled for Tuesday 22nd January at 7:30pm and not Monday 21st January as printed on the forms. 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. Volunteer missionaries at SPEC. This organisation 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. SPEC Programme Coordinator vacancy. The successful applicant should be a practising Catholic with a professional qualification or its equivalent. You will be a senior member of SPEC core responsible for 14-18 programmes. The salary is £19,056 which includes accommodation. It is a contract of 40 hours per week, the closing date for applications will be the 11th January 2013. Contact Julie Dauncey, HR department on 0207 798 9167 or visit www.rcdow.org.uk/jobs for further details. 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.