St Anthony of Padua Anerley

Second Sunday of Advent

APPEAL for:

                            STATIONS OF THE CROSS

 The jewel in the crown of the attractive interior of St Anthony’s Church is its set of Stations of the Cross by the Catholic Flemish Sculptor Aloys De Beule, 1861 -1935. Indeed it is believed that there are only 3 sets of stations of the cross by De Beule of this size and style in this country.

Each Station measures 4 feet by 3 feet and the figures are fashioned out of plaster. They were originally richly decorated but over time have suffered from a build up of grime and some of the figures now show considerable signs of the paint beginning to flake off.

Towards the end of the Summer, this year, Fr Sunith and Fr Stuart decided that in order to prevent further deterioration, and to preserve this magnificent set of Stations for future generations, the set would need to be restored as a matter of urgency.

A highly talented artist was found who agreed to undertake the work and an appeal was very recently launched in order to raise the necessary funds. Parishioners are already showing their generosity in supporting this project but more money needs to be raised to reach our target. All donations towards this very worthy project are therefore greatly appreciated.

When the project is completed next year the Stations will be photographed by a professional photographer and will be the feature of the parish’s 2017 Calendar.

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Mass Readings: Page 84 – 87

Order of Mass: Pages 6– 60

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Pastoral Message

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

On Tuesday the Church will celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. “I am the Immaculate Conception” is how Our Lady described herself to Saint Bernadette she appeared to her in Lourdes. It is a great joy and blessing that Our Lady the Immaculate Conception is the principal patron of the Archdiocese of Southwark.

This year the Solemnity will also mark, as I mentioned in my letter to you last week, the beginning of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. The Holy Father will open the Holy Door at St Peter’s Basilica, and it “will become a Door of Mercy through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who consoles, pardons, and instils hope.” Next weekend in

Cathedrals round the world, including our Cathedral of St George in Southwark, similar Doors of Mercy will be opened. We are invited during this Jubilee to make a pilgrimage in order to pass through a Door of Mercy; a journey of faith and reconciliation, with God and one another.

The wonder of God’s mercy should also be an inspiration to us: as we are grateful for the opportunity to receive His gift of mercy, so should we be lavish in being merciful, especially through reflecting on and practicing the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

May this Extraordinary Jubilee be a time of blessing for you all,

Archbishop of Southwark

Sunday Teas:

Sunday’s teas will be served by the Flower Arrangers.

Next Sunday teas will  be served by the UCM.

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

Last Sunday’s collections: The 1st collection was £888.42p including Gift Aided  £345.95p). The 2nd collection for Parish Funds was £84.09p. Thank you for your generosity. The  2nd  collection today is for Parish Funds.

Recently Deceased: Please pray for the souls and families of Desmond Fortes (who recently died in Portugal) and Joseph Greaney.  Joseph Greaney’s funeral will be at 1pm on Wednesday 9th December at Bromley Hill Cemetery Chapel followed by the burial in Bromley Hill Cemetery.

Many Thanks: Alison and Joan Fagan wish to thank St Anthony’s parishioners for their compassion and love expressed in the many messages received, and masses pledged for Peter and Peter Junior.  They are warmly and gratefully received.  Bless you all.

Eucharistic Ministers: There will be a meeting on Monday 7th December at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre.

Eucharistic Ministers and Readers:  The rotas are now available in the Sacristy.  Please do collect one.

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.

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.

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.

Parish Christmas Fair: A big thank you to all the people who volunteered their time, energy and effort in helping to make the Parish Fair a success.  We also thank all the parishioners who came along to support the Parish Fair this weekend.

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

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 the 19th/20th December.  The Knights wish to express their gratitude to the parish for their generous support of the Food Bank throughout 2015.

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

World Youth Day: On the 23rd July 2016 Southwark Catholic Youth Service will be travelling to Krakow to celebrate the 31st World Youth Day with young people from around the world, Pope Francis, alongside our own Archbishop Peter Smith and Bishop Paul Hendricks. There are still places available if there are any young people who would like to attend.  Please visit www.scys.org.uk/wyd for further information.

Accommodation request: A catholic, working man urgently seeks accommodation in this area (or Beckenham).  If you can help please speak to Father Sunith.  Thank you.

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 Parish Diaries are now also available.

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

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS (06—13 Dec  2015) (Year: C)