St Anthony of Padua Anerley

The Second Sunday of Advent (C)

Mass Readings: 84 – 87

Order of Mass: Pages 7 – 60

The prophet Baruch delivers a comforting message to Sion. Her sorrows are ended and her children will be restored to her from exile. God will level a high way to facilitate their return from exile which fell far short of the glowing picture painted here, it did point the way to messianic era.

The reading leads into the Gospel where Luke introduces us to the herald of the Messiah, John the Baptist.

The second reading deals with the second coming of Christ. In his love for his fellow Christians, Paul prays that their love for each other may increase more and more. This will help them to become pure and blameless, and thus prepare them for the coming of the Lord.

The Gospel underlines the universality of salvation, Luke sets the event within the framework of world history. In the manner of an Old Testament prophet, John undertakes to prepare the people for the coming of the Saviour by calling them to repentance.

In today’s Gospel we hear again the lonely voice of John the Baptist: ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make his paths straight.’ This is a call to repentance. Sadly we don’t always walk in God’s way. In our hardness of heart and stubbornness of will, we sometimes prefer the crooked way to the straight way, and our own way to God’s way.

Sunday Teas:

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

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

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

Last Sunday’s Collections: The 1st collection was £558.75p + £296.00p in Gift Aid envelopes giving us a parish total of £854.75p. The 2nd collection for our Church Repair Fund was £91.98p.  Thank you for your generosity. Today’s retiring collection is for Altar Flowers at Christmas. 

Recently Deceased: Please pray for the souls and families of Baby Jacob Atas, Arthur Lenden, James Scott and Noel De Mello. Funeral details for baby Jacob Atas and for Arthur Lenden are to be confirmed and will be in the newsletter shortly.

James Scott’s funeral will be at Beckenham Crematorium on Thursday 13th December at 10.15am.

Noel De Mello’s funeral will be on Tuesday 18th December at 12 noon at St Anthony’s Church followed by the cremation at 1.15pm at Beckenham Crematorium. May all of their souls rest in peace.

Blessed Sacrament: In response to the Archbishop’s Pastoral Letter, the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed every Friday in December  from 7.30 – 8.30pm.

First Holy Communion Classes: The classes will continue in the new year. There are four sessions in January, on Saturdays, the 5th and 12th January at 10.30 – 11.30am and on Tuesdays, the 8th and 15th January at 7.30pm. All of the sessions are in the Parish Centre (no. 4 Genoa Road).

Christmas Fair: Thank you to all those who came along and supported our Parish Christmas Fair. £1144 was raised by the Parish. Many thanks to the organisers and helpers for their invaluable support.

Mass Intentions: Please book your 2019 masses now to avoid disappointment.

Prayerful Atmosphere: Please remember to keep the Church a sacred place by keeping the noise levels before and after Mass to a minimum. Often visitors have commented on how peaceful St Anthony’s Church is, however, over the last few weeks the noise levels have increased. Please think of others and talk quietly inside of the Church. Thank you.

Advent Film: Father Stuart will be screening a film for Advent this Wednesday (12th December) in the Parish Centre. All are welcome.

Food Bank Collection: The Knights will be collecting for the Penge Food Bank next weekend (15th/16th December). The Knights would like to thank all the parishioners of St Anthony’s for their generosity over the last year. The Penge Food Bank is always delighted with the offerings that the Parish makes each month.

Catholic History Walks: London at Christmas and the New Year Sunday 16th December 2018 & Wednesday 2nd January 2019, both at 3pm. Join us for seasonal walks through Westminster and Victoria, taking in Christmas trees and crib-scenes. Meet at Westminster Cathedral. Nearest Tube: Victoria.

Christmas Carol Concert: There will be a Christmas Carol Concert in St Anthony’s Church on Monday 17th December at 6pm. All are welcome.

Pilgrimage to Knock: Fully escorted St Patrick’s Weekend Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine, Ireland, 16^th March 2019.  £599.00 per person sharing.  Price includes flight with 10kg hand luggage, all taxes, luxury transfers, 4 nights’ in Knock House Hotel with full Irish Breakfast each morning and 4 Course Dinner each evening.  All entertainment, excursions and guided tours included.  Wheelchair accessible rooms in the hotel.  Limited single rooms at supplement of £100.  Groups and Individual bookings welcome.   Contact Patricia on 01268 762 278 or 07740 175557 or email knockpilgrimages@gmail.com.  Knock Pilgrimages is a member of the Travel Trust Association and is fully protected by ATOL T7613.

Christmas Gifts and Cards: Please take a look at the Christmas gifts and Parish Christmas cards on sale in the Repository.

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.

Cold Weather: Please do remember to close both sets of doors behind you when you are entering or leaving the church so we can conserve the heat inside the Church. Thank you.

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

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS (9th Dec—16th Dec 2018) (Year: C)