St Anthony of Padua Anerley

Epiphany of the Lord

Mass Readings: Pages 114 – 118

Order of Mass: Pages 6 – 60

The Wise men stand for the wisdom of the time which was thought to be in the science of the stars and philosophy. Even this wisdom recognises that Jesus is the great King. They come from far to show that the message of the Lord is open to all people at all times. For all are part of the same body, Jesus Christ.

The Epiphany is even more mysterious piece of revelation than the coming of the shepherds to the  stable. The origin, the coming, the star, the actual visit and the departure of the wise men are shrouded in a in a mist of questions on authenticity, mythology and meaning. In general the message is the message of the Saviour given to the shepherds of Israel’s scriptures and at this point revealed to the Gentiles—to the rest of the world.

As a general lesson, it is central to the teaching of Christ that, in the first instance he was sent, as he says himself, to those who are lost and coming from the tribes of Israel. However, the teaching gradually evolved in his own lifetime, until at the end before returning to his Father in Heaven, he tells his followers to go out to the nations. This is the mission now entrusted to all of us in our Baptism and Confirmation. It is not just priest or missionaries, but it is for each and every Christian who Christ has commissioned to spread the word of God.

We should look at this personal mission and allow it to sink into us for it may be we do not yet feel our duty to the evangelisation, the giving of the Good News of Jesus Christ, as applicable to us. Yet it is applicable and should be actual.

Sunday Teas:

This Sunday’s teas will be served by the UCM.

Next Sunday’s teas will be served by the French Speaking Prayer Group.

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

Last Week’s Collections: The 1st collection was £634.50p + £324.00p in Gift Aid Envelopes giving us a parish total of £ 958.50p.    The 2nd collection for    Parish Funds was £56.32p. Thank you for your generosity.                             Today’s 2nd collection will be for Parish Funds.

SVP: There will be a meeting to hear more about the SVP for those who have signed up and for those still considering it on Monday 9th January at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre. We look forward to seeing you there.

Baptism Preparation:  The classes for Baptism preparation will be on Mondays, the 16th, 23rd and 30th January at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre.  Please remember it is important to attend all three classes.

New Year’s Resolution: Make a difference with CAFOD

Make 2017 the year you meet new friends, inspire others to act for social justice, and use your skills to help our sisters and brothers working to overcome poverty around the globe. Are you a good communicator who would enjoy speaking in churches? Are you a people-person who would relish involving and encouraging others in your local area? Are you a budding writer who could contribute to our blog and e-news?  Please get in touch with us on southwark@cafod.org.uk or 020 8466 9901 to find out more and book a place on one of our Understanding CAFOD information sessions: 11th January in Bromley, 28 January in Stratford and 4 February in Waterloo.

Hospital Admissions: If you are due to be admitted to hospital or if you know of a parishioner who has been admitted to hospital then please let one of the clergy know.  Thank you.

Notification of Marriage: Please note that 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.

Apprenticeship in Discipleship: From Programme to Proclamation will focus on setting up or kick-starting parish Evangelisation teams. If anyone is interested  then register for either Friday, 20 January, 2017 at St. Patrick’s Church, Soho Square or Saturday, 21 January, 2017 at Ealing Abbey by emailing: guildofourladyandstjoseph@gmail.com  The cost is £20 per person or £75 for a team of 5 from the parish and includes lunch and a 40 page “how to” manual for each attendee. Fr. Jon Bielawski, Episcopal Vicar for Evangelisation, and Michele Thompson, Fieldworker for Evangelisation for the Diocese of Plymouth will share their comprehensive programme that has evolved from their experiences of setting up practical and proactive evangelisation teams initially using Sherry Weddell’s book Forming Intentional Disciples. At the end of the day delegates will have a clear vision of the “how to” of evangelisation as well as a format to continue the growth spiritually and practically of both individuals and teams in order that they have a clear way forward and can themselves start to put in to practice a newly discovered desire to answer Jesus’s call to spread the Good News.

Vocations Weekend for Young Women (20s and 30s): To be held in New Cross, London on the weekend of 27th to 29th January. The weekend is organised by the sisters, Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ).  There will be input from the FCJ sisters on different aspects of vowed life, and time for prayer, reflection and discussion with other young women who are also considering a vocation to religious life.  It’s an opportunity to live community life for a weekend and meet some sisters!  The theme of the weekend is Discerning God’s Call.  For more information contact Sr Lynne fcj at lynnefcj@hotmail.com or visit our website www.fcjsisters.org

Crying Babies and Young Children: If your baby or young child is crying during the Mass please do use the confessional box instead of leaving the Church. We have now installed a monitor inside the confessional box which means parents and carers are able to watch the Mass from inside the confessional box.

Job Vacancies: St Chad’s Catholic Primary School are looking for a new Headteacher.  For further details and the application form please visit the website www.stchadsprimary.com.  Closing date: 22nd January 2017.

St Aidan’s Catholic Primary School are also looking for a new Headteacher for September.  For further information and an application pack please email Mrs Jennifer Blackburne at clerk@st-aidans.croydon.sch.uk.  Closing date: 20th January 2017.

Please pray for the sick of the Parish: Bridget McLaughlin, Ellen Garvey, John Barry, Margaret Southwell,  Mercie Ihekweme-Hill, Kieran Quinn, Marie Harris and Michael Creech and Fr. David Hutton.

Please remember to switch off your mobile phone when you enter the Church.

Please don’t distract others at Mass.

Notices for the newsletter need to be emailed/posted to the presbytery by 6pm on Thursdays.

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS (8th Jan 2017—15th Jan 2017) (Year: A)