St Anthony of Padua Anerley

Parish Monthly Newsletter December 2022

Welcome to St. Anthony’s Church

We kindly ask that you respect our Parish Church guidance:

¨ People displaying any symptoms of Covid should stay at home and not travel to church or participate in person.

¨ Hand sanitiser is available to those attending Church.

¨ The use of face masks is advised but is a personal choice.

¨ The use of hymn books and other worship aids are permitted as part of the liturgy.

¨ Whenever possible, please try to avoid sitting or standing too close to other parishioners when attending public acts of worship.

¨ The Sign of Peace will still continue without physical contact.

¨ Holy Communion will continue to be given on the hand and not on the tongue.

¨ People who are engaged in a form of pastoral ministry which involves ministry to the housebound, sick and vulnerable, are advised to take regular lateral flow tests to ensure they are safe to do so.

Mass times:

Mondays to Saturdays:  9.30am;  7.30pm – only on Tuesdays
Sunday Masses:             6pm (Saturday evenings);  9.30am;  11.15am and 5.30pm.

Adoration and Benediction is every Friday 7.30pm.

Please note that after week day masses The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for 30 minutes so that parishioners can pray for world peace.

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

Sunday Masses in December: 

Weekend of 4th December – Second Sunday of Advent – Parish Mass Book page 85

Weekend of 11th December – Third Sunday of Advent – Parish Mass Book page 88

Weekend of 18th December – Fourth Sunday of Advent – Parish Mass Book page 90

Weekend of 25th December – Christmas Time – Parish Mass Book page 93 to 109

Sunday Teas: Sunday teas and coffees are served in the Parish Centre after the Sunday 9.30am mass.

This month the following groups will be serving the teas:

4th December:   The Union of Catholic Mothers

11th December:  The Parish Pastoral Council

18th December:  The Knights of St Columba (with mulled wine and mince pies).

Recently Deceased:

Please pray for the souls of Vivienne Wilkinson, Maureen Delahunty, Vivien Thompson and Elizabeth O’Rourke.  May all their souls rest in peace.

Vivien Thompson’s funeral will be on Monday 5th December at 11.30am followed by Elmer’s End Cemetery at 1.15pm.

Elizabeth O’Rourke’s funeral will be on Tuesday 6th December, exact timings to be confirmed. Please check the notice boards for updated information.

Maureen Delahunty and Vivienne Wilkinson’s funerals took place at the end of November.

Please note that all details of recent bereavements and funerals are on the notice boards.

First Holy Communion 2023: If your child is 8 years old or in Year 3  and you would like them to receive the sacrament of First Holy Communion next year then please note that application forms are now available (at the Church entrance).

Advance Notice:  Please note that the work on the Narthex, toilet and corridor is almost complete.  Work on the confessional box will begin shortly.

Are you a musician or a singer? If you would like to join in with the music on a Sunday morning (9.30am Mass) then please do come along.

A free short reflection brought to you each day of Advent: Advent can be such a busy demanding time, but we encourage you to make some space to reflect and pray this advent. Sign up for our free Southwark Diocesan  ‘daily advent reflections’ to aid your prayer. Every day during advent you will receive an email with a very brief thought for the day based on the daily reading. It is an opportunity to listen to Gods invitation to you this advent. All you have to do is sign up and then set aside a couple of minutes each day to reflect! Sign up via the Commission web site: http://www.southwarkdsc.org.uk/ clicking on the Advent Reflection box. Alternatively, if you are viewing this online, you can sign up directly by clicking here: https://southwarkdsc.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe?ua3e1dce7f8f666e9d64edd867&id=4f880b3b9c

St Anthony’s Christmas Fayre: Please remember that the Christmas Fayre is on Saturday 3rd December from 11am until 2pm. Please see the posters on the notice boards for further information about what to donate, volunteering to help and all the activities on offer.  All are welcome.

Knights of St Columba Christmas Hamper: The Knights of Saint Columba will be selling raffle tickets at the Christmas Fayre for their popular Christmas Hamper.   

Light in the Darkness – Service of Blessing for Betts Park: There will be a Winter Service of Blessing for Betts Park on Saturday 3rd December at 5pm.  All are welcome.

The Passage – Big Give Christmas Challenge: The campaign is open from Tuesday 29th November until 12noon on the 6th December.  The aim is to raise £500,000 through matched funding to ensure support for those most at risk of experiencing homelessness this Christmas and into next year.  Donate through thebiggive.org.uk

Why the Nativity? A new feature film: Please see the poster on the notice board or visit whythenativity.co.uk for further information.

Save the date! Racial Justice Sunday: On Sunday 5th February 2023 at 10am, St George’s Cathedral there will be a mass in collaboration with the Commission for promoting Racial and Cultural Inclusion, led by Canon Victor Darlington. All are welcome.  Those attending are encouraged to wear cultural dress and seated by 9.45am. 

Financial Support: We kindly appeal to your generosity to add an extra pound to your donations to help the Church cope with rising energy prices.  We appreciate your continued care and support for our
parish Community.  Parishioners can contribute directly to the Parish bank account: Natwest Bank Beckenham Branch, Sort Code 60-02-12 and Account Number 46000208. Tax payers, please join the Gift Aid programme allowing our parish to increase the value of every donation it receives from tax payers by 25%. We value your assistance in maintaining our wonderful Parish community.  Please note that the name of the Parish Bank Account has changed to RCAS St Anthony of Padua Anerley.  The sort code and account numbers are unchanged. 

Local Food Bank: Please help support families in need by contributing to the food bank held at neighbouring Christ Church. If you would like to donate then please leave your donations at the back of the Saint
Anthony’s Church.