FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (A):
26th/27th November 2016


Dear Parishioners

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT - YEAR A

Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day the Sunday nearest 30 November, the feast of St. Andrew. We begin the Church's liturgical year. This gives us an opportunity to make a fresh start spiritually. It is not a time for sleep and can be so easy to think just about Christmas and what we shall buy for our family and friends. We must not push aside these days of Advent.

Yes, the chief function of this holy season is to prepare for Christmas. However, to understand Christmas we have to start at the beginning with the history of salvation.

God's plan for salvation is centred in Christ and realised through him. Advent looks back at the promise of his first coming when that plan was announced. It also looks forward to his second coming (Parousia) when that plan will reach its fulfilment.

As we prepare for the great celebration, I strongly recommend you all to make a note in your diary to attend the Reconciliation Service at the church of Our Lady Immaculate, London Road, Chelmsford on Tuesday 13 December at 7.30pm. If you are unable to attend they have the Sacrament of Reconciliation every Saturday morning from 11am to 12 noon.

During Advent we have the lighting of the ADVENT Candles on the Sundays. We light the first candle as a symbol of the prophets who renew our faith and remind us what they may be.

Today we warmly welcome Fr. Stewart Foster who will celebrate the Vigil Mass and the 9am Mass. The Mass at New Hall will be said by Fr. John Wisdom, O. Praem. who is home for a week from the Falkland Islands.

So as we begin the new Church's year, we have in our parish a period of time for reflection, prayer and looking forward with hope. Bishop Alan is unable at present to send us a parish priest. I ask you all to pray for vocations for our diocese especially for the priesthood and for our diocesan seminarians for the grace of perseverance.

Secondly I ask for your prayers and support. I am always available for any pastoral needs and promise you all of a remembrance in my prayers.

God bless,

Deacon Kevin


Notices:

Please remember to pray for:

The sick and housebound

Those who have recently died

Years Mind:
Sunday: Fr John Aydon
Monday: Fr Patrick Bennett
Tuesday: Fr Francis Branney
Thursday: Fr Bart Lynch
Friday: Fr James (Pat) Hannon


Next Sunday - Second Sunday of Advent (A)

First Reading Isaiah 11:1-10

Second Reading Romans 15:4-9

Gospel Matthew 3:1-12