St Anthony of Padua Anerley

Parish Monthly Newsletter December 2024

Welcome to St. Anthony’s Church

St Anthony’s Parish Christmas Fayre 

This year, the Parish Christmas Fayre will once again be in St Anthony’s school on Saturday 7 December from 11am-2pm. Please put this date in your diaries.

The Parish Pastoral Council are co-ordinating the event, but we need volunteers to help with sorting through donations in the coming weeks, help to co-ordinate and run the stalls, help with setting up the hall on Friday 6th from 4.30-6pm. If you are in a parish group – UCM, Legion of Mary, Readers, Choir, Knights, Altar Servers, flower group, communion/confirmation group, perhaps the group can volunteer to run a stall.

We will also need your kind donations of bottles/cans of alcohol, soft drinks, bags of sweets, boxed chocolates, fancy goods, books, dvds, toys, bric-a-brac, Christmas wrapping paper, paper plates, napkins and disposable cutlery.

We would also be most grateful for the bakers amongst you to bring along cakes or cookies (with ingredients listed) on either Friday 6th or by 10am on the 7th.

If you can help or need more information, please speak to any member of the Parish Council or message Chris Kitchen directly on 07957433575.

Thank you & let’s come together to make this a successful parish community event.

Mass times:

Mondays to Saturdays: 9.30am (and 7.30pm on Tuesdays);

Sunday Masses: 6pm (Saturday evenings);  9.30am;  11.15am and 5.30pm.
Adoration and Benediction: Every Friday at 7:30pm

Please note that after every week day mass (except Wednesdays) The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for 30 minutes so that parishioners can pray for world peace. 

The Angelus

The Angelus will be said every Saturday at 6pm, before the evening Mass, and after the 11.15am Mass on Sunday.

The parish website www.stanthonyofpaduaanerley.com has details of the weekly Mass Intentions.

Please note that details of the Christmas services will be available in the coming weeks.

Sunday Teas: The next Sunday teas will be served by the following groups:

1st December: Knights of St Columba

8th December: The Parish Pastoral Council

15th December: The Union of Catholic Mothers

22nd December: Knights of St Columba (mulled wine and mince pies).

Recently Deceased:  Please pray for the soul of Rosaleen Gaynor who died last month.  May her soul rest in peace.

Introduction for New Readers: If you are interested in serving your parish by proclaiming Gods word in the readings at Mass, please come along to an introduction meeting on Tuesday 3rd December from 8 – 9pm at the Church.

KSC Christmas Fayre Raffle: In support of the Christmas Fayre, the Knights of St Columba will be organising a Christmas Hamper Raffle.  Raffle lines will be on sale (£1 each) after Sunday Masses until the Christmas Fayre (when the raffle will be drawn).

St Anthony’s School Christmas Carol Service: The school Carol Service will take place on Wednesday 11th December at 2pm.  All are welcome.

November Barn Dance: The Knights of St Columba wish to thank all that supported the Barn Dance held last month.  It was a good turnout and everyone enjoyed the evening.  The Knights are hoping to repeat the event early next year.  A donation from the proceeds will be made to the local food bank at Christmas.

Anerley Bridge Club: Anerley Bridge Club is seeking new members.  They are a social and friendly club.  They meet every Monday from 12.30 – 4.30pm.  The weekly subscription fee is £4 which includes refreshments.  For more information, please contact Bill on 07949 871865 or 020 8771 1876 or just drop in on Monday at 12.30pm.  They look forward to seeing you. 

Access to workshops: From today, every parishioner, as well as teachers and parents in our schools, has free and unlimited access to the workshops created by the world-renowned Catechetical Institute. From Scripture to parenting workshops, to catechetical training and mentoring, there is something for everyone. For information on how to register your free account visit: https://aec.rcaos.org.uk/franciscan

Manna Day Centre: The Aviva Community Fund have very kindly offered to match £ for £ any donation the Manna Society receive (up to £250 per donation) until Christmas Day 2024.  Please visit their website www.mannasociety.org.uk for further information and how to donate.

Light in the Darkness: The Light in the Darkness service will be on Saturday 7th December 5.00-5.45pm in Betts Park on Anerley Road.

Christmas Carol Concert and Love Feast: The All Nations Catholic Charismatic Group invites all parishioners to join in their Christmas celebration and love feast on Saturday 14th December from 3pm-7 pm at St Mary’s Church Hall, New Addington, Croydon.  Come and celebrate with us the true reason for the season. For more information please visit info@anccg.co.uk

Colla Voce Singers: On Saturday 14th December at 7pm, the acclaimed  Colla Voce Singers, resident at St George’s Cathedral, presents the return of its popular concert ‘A Colla Voce Christmas by Candlelight’ following recent sell out years – at St Gabriel’s Church in Pimlico. Featuring old favourites like O Little Town of Bethlehem and O Come, All ye Faithful for all to join in, and a refreshed programme of festive favourites, including Poulenc’s Quatre Motets pour le Temps de Noël, and interval mulled wine and mince pies! It is highly recommended to book tickets early, here: carols.eventbrite.co.uk

South East Nine Lessons and Carol Service: On Sunday 15th December at 7pm at Sacred Heart Church, 2 Knatchbull Road, Camberwell.

FLAME 2025 Saturday 15^th March 2025: As in 2023, this is a Bromley Deanery Youth Day Out for children, young people aged 13+, young adults 18-35 and the young at heart! The theme is UNSTOPPABLE: Fan the Flame of Hope, and as Pilgrims of Hope we’ll be supporting our local star Adeniké who returns to the Flame stage again. Help us be one of the biggest groups attending from the Southwark Diocese. Please visit: https://youtu.be/F1ZEt0U6lgU

Mens’ Spiritual Exercises, 31 March – 5 April 2025: A 5-day version of the Ignatian Exercises offered specifically for men (whether lay or ordained), this retreat will be preached by the Benedictine Monks of St Joseph’s Abbey, France. Founded in 1988, this community has retained its charism of a specific apostolate to men and of engaging them through a shortened version of the Ignatian Exercises. One-to-one direction will be offered alongside the talks. Priests are welcome to attend and concelebrate or celebrate their own Mass.

For more information and to book: https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/mens-spiritual-exercises/

Thank you to all those people who help support the Parish: Those who help in whatever way in the Parish, serve on the altar, catechists, read at Mass, clean the Church, arrange flowers, help with Parish events or generally help in the background.  All are thanked for their generous help and support.

Notices for the newsletter need to be emailed/posted to the presbytery by the last Thursday of the month (anerley@rcaos.org.uk).

Notice Board: Please remember to check the notice board regularly for further information and events.