NEWSLETTER SUNDAY 9th Dec 2007

Please pray for all the sick in the hospital and in our parish including:

Kitty Stubbs, Bertha Appleton, Flo Mullen, Christopher Brown, Jimmy Carson, Christine McDonald, Dennis Lynch, Joe Donkin, Olive Atkinson, Nora Gallagher, Ethel Fagan, Denise Calvert, Ken Hutchinson, Andrea Saward, Paul Tulloch, Jan Buckley. .  Also remember in your prayers Peter Davison and Rose O’Cain who died during the week.

Please remember in your prayers the following priests of the diocese whose anniversaries occur during the week:

THE CYCLE OF PRAYER– ADVENT & CHRISTMAS

During Advent and Christmastide we are asked to pray for these intentions: Openness to the Word of God, Migrants and Refugees, Expectant Mothers

ADVENT ALMS

This weekend there is a Retiring Collection for Advent Alms.  The Advent Alms appeal goes to St. Cuthbert’s Care our Diocesan Charity which cares for disabled children, families and older people in need. 

ADVENT SERVICES

During Advent there is an Evening Service every Sunday at 4pm.  Today our music group will be leading us in readings and hymns for Advent and Christmas. So come along and join in our sing-a-long carols and get in the Christmas mood. 

Next Sunday 23rd December we will have our Advent Reconciliation Service.  Please take a little time out from your hectic schedule and spend some time in the presence of the Lord and prepare for what really matters at Christmas.  Benediction and Novena will be celebrated each Wednesday at 6.30pm.

AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED

Mike Collins has written thank us for the donation of £588.58 from last weeks retiring collection from St. Joseph’s and Holy Family.

SEND A MESSAGE OF HOPE

Amnesty International are asking us to send cards with messages of hope and solidarity to victims of human rights violations and those who defend them.  Cards will be available after Mass today.

SIMBANG GABI

In the Philippines during the last days before Christmas Mass is usually celebrated at dawn, around about 4am.  As dawn is so late here Father Restie has organised the celebration of Mass each weekday evening at 8pm (apart from Monday) and he is leading our celebrations of Mass this weekend.

PARISH CHRISTMAS CARD—COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

This weekend our Parish Christmas Card is available from the back of church with the times of our Christmas Services.  Please take two and give one to a friend or a drop one in the door of a neighbour who is a ‘resting’ Catholic.

LITURGY MEETING

There is a Liturgy meeting after evening Mass on Monday, 17th December to discuss the decoration of the church and liturgies for Christmas including a children’s liturgy at 9.30am Mass.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

On Wednesday 19th December the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available throughout the day from 9am to 7pm at St. Mary’s.  Avoid 1pm—2pm.  Fr. Restie will be there from 10am—11am.

HAPPY RETIREMENT

Mass on Friday morning is a school Mass to mark the retirement of Monica Horn.  Monica has been School Secretary for 23 years during which time she has seen countless children.  She now sees grandchildren of the children who were at the school when she first arrived.  We wish her a long and happy retirement.

KING DAVID INN

The Building Regulations and Health and Safety requirements have all been passed for the building of the stable.  We hope that it will be ready for occupation by next weekend.  So if you know anybody who doesn’t have a room in Bethlehem for the forthcoming census please contact the Innkeeper.

WORLD GIFTS 

Looking for a Christmas present with a difference?  Why not try CAFOD'S World Gifts.  World Gift Catalogues are at the back of church.

CHRISTMAS CARDS

Anyone who wishes to make a donation to charity instead of sending Christmas Cards can either put their own greetings on the notice board at the back of church or you can hand it in to Diane English. 

FAIR TRADE

Since our last sale in November we have sold goods with a value of £379.75.  Many thanks for your generous support throughout the year.  The next sale isn’t until February but if you run out of anything please contact Diane English.

FAIR TRADE HAMPERS RAFFLE

The raffle was drawn in the coffee morning last Sunday.   Congratulations to Cecilia Robinson who won the large hamper.  The winning ticket for the small hamper is pink 53.  If you have  the winning ticket please contact Diane English as soon as possible.  We raised £156 from the raffle which is being sent to the Diocesan Justice and Peace Campaign for Refugees along with a donation of £100 from the Fair Trade Stall.  Again many thanks for your generous support.

BOXING DAY DIP  Thomas Linsley is going as a helper to Lourdes next year & is raising sponsorship by doing the Boxing Day Dip!  If you want to sponsor him please see him after mass on Sunday.

FLOWERS FOR CHRISTMAS

Although we have just had our Flower Festival, during which people were very generous in donating to the Remembrance Book, there have been requests that the book be opened for Christmas as usual.  Therefore anyone wishing to remember a loved one in this way, must place an envelope marked with the name or names of the deceased, in the offertory baskets, today. Thank you.

PLAINCHANT WORKSHOP

There is a plainchant workshop for Advent and Christmas at Our Lady Queen of Peace today from 2pm  -  4pm followed by Benediction.  For more information please see the poster at the back of church.

STAMPS

As the Christmas Cards begin to arrive please take some time to remove the stamps from them.  They can be handed in at the back of church, they help so much the people in the Third World Countries. 

SOCIAL EVENING IN AID OF CAFOD

The recent Social Evening at South Hylton Working Men’s Club raised £700 for CAFOD.  Many thanks for your support.  We had a great night.  Beaty and Iris.

INDIAN ORTHODOX COMMUNITY

On 5th January our Orthodox Indian Community are being established as a parish.  Their Diocesan Metropolitan H.G. Dr Thomas Mar Makarios, Bishop Kevin, The Mayor and Chris Mullin MP are attending.  Everyone from the parish are also invited to both the service and the meal afterwards in the Social Centre.  All are welcome.  For more information please see the notice at the back of church.

JOURNEY IN FAITH

Our next Journey in faith starts at 7pm on Thursday, 17th January in St. Cuthbert’s Chapel.  All are welcome.

POLISH MASS  

Mass in Polish will be celebrated at 4 pm on the 4th Sunday of every month in St. Benet’s Church Sunderland.  Confessions before at 3.30 pm.  Refreshments after Mass in the Parish Hall.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Today:  3rd Sunday of Advent:

Retiring Collection for Advent Alms

4.00p.m. Advent Service of Readings and Advent Hymns and Carols.

Monday:

7.30p.m. Liturgy Meeting

Wednesday:

7.00p.m. Benediction & Novena  & Mass

Saturday:

1.00p.m. El Shaddai Prayer Group,

5.00p.m. Prayer Meeting

Sunday: 4th Sunday of Advent:

4.00p.m. Advent Reconciliation Service

Rotas week ending 22nd/23rd Dec 2007