St Anthony of Padua Anerley

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Mass Readings: Page 90 – 92

Order of Mass: Pages 6 – 60

First Reading:  this contains the eighth century BC prophecy that the future ruler of Israel would be born in the humblest place, Bethlehem Ephratah; this is where King David was anointed (see 1 Samuel 16).

Psalm:  “the man you have chosen” in verse 3 inevitably for Christians refers to Jesus Christ.

Second Reading:  the epistle invites us to hear the quoted verses from psalm 39 as if Christ himself were speaking them.  Hebrews is saying that Christ became man in order to replace the men who served as priests in the Temple: His self-sacrifice on the cross replaces once and for all their Temple sacrifices.

Gospel:  Mary visits Elizabeth when both are pregnant, Mary with Jesus and Elizabeth with John, part of Luke’s account of Christ’s nativity.  Elizabeth’s words of course form the basis of our prayer the Hail Mary.

By Fr David Gibbons, Centre for Catholic Formation

Sunday Teas:

This Sunday’s Christmas teas (including mulled wine and mince pies) will be served by the Knights of St Columba.

Next Sunday’s teas will be served by the volunteers.

Thank you to all those who help out with the Sunday Teas.

Last Sunday’s collections: The 1st collection was £876.67p including Gift Aided  £416.70p). The 2nd collection for Altar Flowers was £87.49p. Thank you for your generosity. The  2nd  collection today is for Altar Flowers.

Recently Deceased: Please pray for the soul and family of Ann Madeline Murphy.  The funeral will be on Monday 21st December at 1pm followed by the committal at Beckenham Crematorium at 3pm.

The Knights of St Columba Food Bank Appeal: In order to be ready for the Christmas week distribution the appeal is being brought forward this month to this weekend 19th/20th December.  The Knights wish to express their gratitude to the parish for their generous support of the Food Bank throughout 2015.

St Vincent de Paul: The next meeting for the St Vincent de Paul society will be on the Monday 11th January at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre.  Please come along if you are interested in being part of this society.

Stations of the Cross Donation Envelopes: Please give these envelopes to the priest.  If you are a gift aider then please put your gift number or name on the envelope.  Do not put them in the Parish collection bags.

Note for Registered Gift Aiders:  If you require or have not collected a set of numbered boxed envelopes for your cash donations, please give your name to one of the priests, and we will sort one out. Otherwise, please do write your name on the outside of any other envelope used.

Season of Advent – Preparing for God’s Coming: Our Diocese has developed a series of daily reflections featuring the Scripture of the day and a related thought and prayer drawn from the spirituality of Stewardship.  If you would like to receive these daily emails and encounter Advent in this way please subscribe via http://eepurl.com/bF0b6P

Light to the Nations – a charity concert in aid of Tyburn Convent and its Mission Foundations will be held at St James’ Church, Spanish Place on Saturday 2nd January 2016 at 7.30pm.  Tickets are on sale at Tyburn Convent or via the website: www.tyburnconvent.org.uk/concert

Justice and Peace news:

World Day of Refugees and Migrants: Praying in Solidarity with Refugees on the 17th January.  Download the prayer pack from the Jesuit Refugee Service Website www.jrsuk.net or email uk@jrs.net or phone 020 7488 7310

Homeless Sunday: On the 24th January – Connect, Challenge and Commit.  Please see the Housing Justice website (www.housingjustice.org.uk) for more details.

Mini-bus users: Please do not try to walk about the bus while the bus is moving.  Once you are on the bus, please sit down and make sure that your seat belt is fastened securely for the duration of the journey.

Repository: There are many Christmas items now on sale in the repository.  Please do take a look and see what there is on offer.

Please note that the Southwark Directories and Parish Diaries are now also available.  Please take a copy of the Pilgrim.

Father Sunith and Father Stuart
would like to wish all of you
a safe, happy, holy Christmas week.

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS (20—27 Dec  2015) (Year: C)