Epiphany of the Lord
Mass Readings: Page 115 – 118
Order of Mass: Pages 6 – 60
First Reading: this prophecy in Isaiah is where we get our image of the wise men as kings, travelling on camels. Notice the stress on Jesus as light and the glory of the Lord. The Ceremonial of Bishops suggests that today there should be in church a ‘suitable and increased display of lights’. It also recommends a ‘special presentation of gifts’ (perhaps for the poor, the needy, the housebound).
Psalm: this royal psalm also contributes to our understanding of who Jesus truly is: he is a king of justice and peace.
Second Reading: the epistle unpacks the significance of the revealing of Jesus: He came to include the pagans or gentiles in God’s salvation, not just the Jewish people.
Gospel: Matthew describes the visit of the magi or wise men. ‘Epiphany’ means revealing, and this incident reveals who this Jesus truly is: our King (hence the gift of gold), God (the incense), and the Saviour who will die for us (the myrrh).
Fr David Gibbons,
Centre for Catholic Formation
The Jubilee Year of Mercy
The logo and the motto together provide a fitting summary of what the Jubilee Year is all about.
The motto Merciful Like the Father (taken from the Gospel of Luke, 6:36) serves as an invitation to follow the merciful example of the Father who asks us not to judge or condemn but to forgive and to give love and forgiveness without measure (cfr. Lk 6:37-38).
The logo – the work of Jesuit Father Marko I. Rupnik – presents a small summa theologiae the theme of mercy. In fact, it represents an image quite important to the early Church: that of the Son having taken upon his shoulders the lost soul demonstrating that it is the love of Christ that brings to completion the mystery of his incarnation culminating in redemption. The logo has been designed in such a way so as to express the profound way in which the Good Shepherd touches the flesh of humanity and does so with a love with the power to change one’s life. One particular feature worthy of note is that while the Good Shepherd, in his great mercy, takes humanity upon himself, his eyes are merged with those of man. Christ sees with the eyes of Adam, and Adam with the eyes of Christ. Every person discovers in Christ, the new Adam, one’s own humanity and the future that lies ahead, contemplating, in his gaze, the love of the Father.
The scene is captured within the so called mandorla (the shape of an almond), a figure quite important in early and medieval iconography, for it calls to mind the two natures of Christ, divine and human. The three concentric ovals, with colours progressively lighter as we move outward, suggest the movement of Christ who carries humanity out of the night of sin and death. Conversely, the depth of the darker colour suggests the impenetrability of the love of the Father who forgives all. (Centre of Catholic Formation)
Sunday Teas:
This Sunday’s teas will be served by Knights of St. Columba
Next Sunday’s teas will be served by UCM.
Thank you to all those who help out with the Sunday Teas.
Last Sunday’s collections: The 1st collection was £807.57p including Gift Aided £249.00p. The 2nd collection for Parish Funds £52.06p. Thank you for your generosity.
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.
Baptism Preparation session will be held on the on 11th, 18th and 25th January at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre (4 Genoa Road).
RCIA group will meet on the 7th January at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre.
Notification of Marriage—at least six months notice of a marriage is normally required.
If you are member of this parish the paper work must be completed by this parish no matter where the marriage is solemnised.
Day of Recollection for the Eucharistic ministers, Readers, Catechists, and anyone who is involved in church activities will be on Saturday 16th January at 11:00am.
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.
Londonof Faith- January 2016
All are welcome to a series of talks on ‘Jesus Christ the key to life’ which will take place on alternate Tuesdays fromth January 2016 at 7:30pm (subsequent talks are 26th January, 9th February, 23rd Febraury and 8th March). These are held in the basement of 24 Golden Square, LondonF 9JR (Tube: Piccadilly Circus). Full dates and details are available at www.faith.org.uk/events/evenings-of-faith.
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.
Friday Fasting: Please remember to abstain from eating meat on Fridays (as an act of penance for the death of Christ). Practising Catholics who do not eat meat are encouraged to give up another staple food.
If you want to see a priest then please phone and make an appointment.
Father Sunith and Father Stuart
would like to wish you all
a very Happy New Year.
| Sunday 3rd | The Epiphany of the Lord | ||
| (Sat) | 6:00pm |
9:30am Liam Kelly RIP
11:15am Family Bock-Wuttge RIP
5:30pm Desmond Fortes RIP
Monday 4th Feria 9:30am George & Louise Robinson RIP
Tuesday 5th Feria 9:30am Fr Hugh & Mary O’Connor RIP
7:00pm Edward Jones RIP
Wednesday 6th Feria 9:30am Evelyn Stockwell RIP
Thursday 7th Feria 9:30am Peter Lindsay Fagan RIP
Friday 8th Feria 9:30am Wellbeing of Kitty Delaney + Desmond Fortes RIP
Saturday 9th Feria 9:30am Joe Figueira RIP
Sunday 10th The Baptism of the Lord
(Sat) 6:00pm Liam Kelly RIP
9:30am People of the Parish
11:15am Families Dolenec—Ajlenbajser RIP
5:30pm Get Well
St Anthony’s Primary School
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