St Anthony of Padua Anerley

The first word of the Entrance Antiphon gives this Sunday its popular name: Gaudete (‘rejoice’).

 First Reading: Christians have always taken the ‘me’ here as referring to Jesus Christ, as Jesus Himself did (see Luke 4: 16 – 22). He is the anointed one (the Christ).

           What follows is not actually a Psalm, but part of the psalm-like Song or Canticle of Mary we know as the Magnificat (the canticle used each day at Vespers or Evening Prayer).

 Second Reading: rejoicing (‘being happy’) and constant prayer are, for St Paul, essential elements of being a Christian, a disciple of Jesus.

 Gospel: like Luke in last week’s Gospel, John begins his account of Jesus’ birth with John the Baptist, who is but a witness to the light of the world, ie Jesus Christ Himself.

By Fr David Gibbons, Centre for Catholic Formation

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Sunday Teas:

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

Next Sunday’s teas will be served by

the French Speaking Prayer Group.

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

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Last Week’s collections: The 1st collection was £956.69p including Gift Aided £337.00p. The 2nd collection for Altar Flowers was £133.50p.   Thank you for your generosity. The 2nd collection today will again go towards the cost Christmas Flowers for the Altars.

Advent Reflections: Priest, Prophet, King is a six part DVD based study programme which Father Stuart will lead on Wednesday evenings from 7.30pm to 8.30pm in the Parish Centre. Explore the themes of Jesus as Priest, Prophet, King and see how Jesus is the ultimate fulfilment of each. Throughout this experience you will better understand who Jesus really is and also realise your won priestly, prophetic and kingly mission

Christmas Carol Service: The Parish Christmas Carol Service will be held at 6.30pm this evening (Sunday 14th December). All are welcome to attend. There is no charge to attend but any donations on the night are welcome and will be put towards the church rewiring fund. Please do attend if you can.

Mass intentions – for information: Often Fr. Sunith and Fr. Stuart concelebrate at mass. We have some requested masses that are not yet said. You may see from time to time two intentions will appear in the newsletter.   We will say mass for these two intentions individually.

The Knights of St Columba Food Bank: The Knights of St Columba Food Bank Appeal is being brought forward a week earlier this month to the weekend of the 20th/21st December. This is in time for the Christmas Lunch provided by the Living Well Organisation during the Christmas Week. For the December Appeal the Knights are also asking for any donations of new, unused warm clothing such as socks, scarves, gloves and woolly hats.

Keeping Christ in Christmas: Free posters are available from the Knights of St Columba at the back of the Church after all Masses during Advent. Please do take one to display in your home and remind all of the true meaning of this coming season.

What will I do for Advent? Advent with the Scripture: A look at the infancy narratives. Come and join us Saturday mornings 10.30 –11.30am 6th & 13th December at The Emmaus Centre, Lyhams Road, West Wickham. Tel 020 8777 2000

Advent reconciliation service will on Monday 15th at 7.30pm. There will be four priests to hear confessions.

Southwark Directories: Southwark Directories for 2015 are now available in the Repository.

Magnificat: The January Magnificat is now available.

Parish Diaries: Parish Diaries are now available. Donations are gratefully accepted.

Cold Weather: Please do remember to close the doors behind you when you are entering or leaving the church. The weather is very cold and we want to conserve the heat inside the church. Thank you.

Repository: Please remember to take a look at the variety of Christmas items on sale in the Repository.

Friday Fasting: Please remember to abstain from eating meat on Fridays (as an act of penance for the death of Christ). Practising Catholics who do not eat meat are encouraged to give up another staple food.

Recycling: Please do keep donating your old mobile phones, printer inkjets (except Epson) and laser/toner cartridges.

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MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS (14—21 Dec 2014) (Year B)