St Anthony of Padua Anerley

Fourth Sunday of Advent (A)

Mass Readings: 90 – 93

Order of Mass: Pages 7- 60

Mary becomes, in a way that not even the prophets could have fully suspected, the House of God. In faithfulness to his promises, God not only draws near to his people, he identifies himself with them, the Good News is given to us to be shared with everyone through our lives example.

As you read this,  thank God for the wonder of his love. God so loved the world that he loved his creation of the universe, of this world with all it contains. He loved our ancestors down the ages. Today, he loves with everlasting love. This love as the love of our own fathers and mothers does not always seem very visible. We say ‘if you love me, why do that to me? Why let this happen?’ and so on. Love when it is real is very deep, and as St. Paul says ‘love never comes to an end’. Sometimes we are happy in being able to feel loved, enfolded by love human and divine. Sometimes we feel lonely and abandoned. Faith and trust and our love of God assures us you are not alone: you are loved. Here the lesson is the more you love, the more difficult and painful things may be! Christ’s love led him to his suffering and death on the cross! But the more you love the more you will know deep down that you are loved.

To love another person is to see the face of God.

This is what we do when we share the love that we have received from Christ. So make this feast of love by coming to Mass and Holy Communion, with your family and friends and neighbours. If you know anyone lonely or seemingly unloved, can you love them a little? If you cannot manage this yourself, tell someone

Sunday Teas:

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

Next Sunday’s teas will be served by the volunteers (if they are available).

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

Last Sunday’s Collections: The 1st collection was £522.99p +£537.11p in Gift Aid envelopes giving us a parish total of £1060.10p.   The 2nd collection for Christmas Altar Flowers was £108.42p. Thank you for your generosity. Today’s 2nd collection is again for Christmas Altar Flowers.

Christmas Day: The collections at all Christmas Day masses are your personal gift to Fr Sunith, in appreciation of his ministry. 

Recently Deceased: Please pray for the souls and families of Josephine Antoinette Keen and of Martin Green.

Josephine Antoinette Keen’s funeral will be on Monday 23rd December at 10.30am followed by Croydon Crematorium at 12 noon.

May their souls rest in peace.

Monday Morning Adoration: Please note that there will be NO adoration on Monday 23rd December.

Sunday Hymn Practice: We will have hymn practice on Sundays at 9.15 – 9.20am for the 9.30am Mass.

Holy Communion Classes: The next class for parents and children will be on Saturday 11th January from 10.30 – 11.45am in the Parish Centre.

Confirmation Classes: Please note the next classes will be on Thursdays, the 16th and 30th January at 7pm in the Parish Centre (4 Genoa Road).

Repository Gifts: Please take a look at the range of cards and gifts available in the repository. There are now advent calendars in stock.

Keep Christ in Christmas: Please do take a Christmas poster (available in the Narthex) to display in your window at home.

Children’s Liturgy Group:  Children’s liturgy takes place  on the 2nd Sunday of each month. Please encourage your child to attend . Please note that younger children need to be accompanied by an adult. From Sunday 12th January the children will start from the parish centre at 9.25am and will return to church via the sacristy. Thank you. Patricia and Janette.

Charity Art Auction: Opening of art exhibition Farm St Church hall, 114 Mount Street W1A £KH on 6th January. Charity Auction of the art on 30th January for Aid to the Church in Need, Westminster Lourdespilgrmage and Safe Passage. Details from johnwoodhousecat@gmail.com

St Anthony’s Parish Christmas Fair: Thank you to all of those who helped to organise this year’s fair and to everyone who came along to support it. Over £1200 was raised for the Parish. The Knights of St Columba’s Christmas Hamper was won by Clare McNamara and the 2nd prize Hamper was won by Sophie Sherman. The Knights would like to congratulate both winners and the Parish for supporting the Christmas Hamper Raffle.

Please note the times of the following Masses:

Family Mass of Christmas: Tuesday 24th December at 6pm

Christmas Day Masses: Midnight Mass (carols from 11.15pm on the 24th); 9.30am and 11.15am (Note: There is no evening mass today)

New Year’s Eve Mass: Exposition at 11pm; Benediction at 11.45pm followed by Midnight Mass.

Please pray for the sick of the Parish: Mercie Ihekweme-Hill, and Michael Creech.

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

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS (22nd Dec—29th Dec 2019)  (Year A)