St Anthony of Padua Anerley

Third Sunday of Advent (A)

Mass Readings: 88 – 90

Order of Mass: Pages 7- 60

First Reading: God is hope of his people who are crushed by misfortune.

Second Reading: St. James urges us to be patient with one another and patient regarding the Lord’s final coming.

Gospel: We see Jesus at work, and hear his words of praise for his imprisoned cousin John.

Isaiah uses the image of the desert, made fertile by rain, to portray the confident hope that God would restore his people, crushed by misfortune. Their most crippling disabilities – blindness, deafness and lameness – will be relieved when God sends salvation to his people.

John the Baptist’s image of the Messiah was that of a stern judge who would execute a fiery judgement. But Jesus did not fit this image. Hence, John’s doubts about him. Jesus dispelled John’s doubts by showing that he was doing precisely the kind of things that had been predicted for the messianic times (by the prophet Isaiah). Once again, Matthew sees Jesus as the one who fulfils the messianic prophecies.

James is talking about the Second Coming of  Jesus. He urges the kind of patience and hope farmers show in waiting for the harvest, and which the prophets of old showed as they waited for the promises to be fulfilled.

Sunday Teas:

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

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

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

Last Sunday’s Collections: The 1st collection was £496.29p +£284.58p in Gift Aid envelopes giving us a parish total of £780.87p. The 2nd collection for Christmas Altar Flowers was £110.78p. Thank you for your generosity. Today’s 2nd collection is again for Christmas Altar Flowers.

Recently Deceased: Please pray for the souls and families of Henry Thomas Joseph Snooks, Josephine Antoinette Keen and of Martin Green.

The body of Henry Snooks will be received into the Church at 4.30pm on Wednesday 18th December and the funeral will be on Thursday 19th December at 11am followed by Beckenham Cemetery at 12.30pm.

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.

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

The Knights of St Columba Christmas Food Bank Appeal: The Knights are collecting for the food bank this weekend (14^th/15^th December). The Knights are very grateful to the Parish for their generous donations throughout 2019, and the Food Bank is very appreciative of St Anthony’s Church continued support in 2020.

Confirmation Classes: Please note the next class will be on Thursday, the 19th December at 7pm in the Parish Centre (4 Genoa Road).

Parish Carol Concert: St Anthony’s Christmas Carol Concert will be on Wednesday 18th December at 6.30pm.  All are welcome.

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

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.

 Single, separated, widowed or divorced?  Catholic Singles is an organisation which helps single Catholics of all ages (over 18 years) meet other single Catholics, either one to one or through social events. For further information visit www.catholicsingles.org.uk or tel. 0161 941 3498

Advent at St James, Petts Wood: Please see the poster on the notice board that lists the Advent events at St James’s Church, Petts Wood.

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

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.

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

New Year’s Eve Masses: 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.

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS (15th Dec—22nd Dec 2019)  (Year A)