Newsletter - 5th December 2021
End of Year of St Joseph
Last year Pope Francis declared a Year of St. Joseph beginning 8 December, 2020 and ending 8 December 2021, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. To begin the year he wrote a beautiful letter about St. Joseph, Patris Corde (with a Father’s Heart): “Each of us can discover in Joseph – the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence – an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble"
Some of you may remember the Novena we did in the parish from the 11th to the 19th of March, the Feast of St. Joseph. Each day we prayed to a different aspect of this saint who shows us a father’s love:
*Father of Jesus *Man of Patience *Tender and Loving
*Patron of Workers *Man of Perseverance *Obedient to God’s Will
*Guide of Pilgrims and Migrants *Man in the Shadows
As we move into the season of Advent, we can ponder Joseph and his role in God’s plan of salvation. He was crucial to God’s plan that the Saviour of the world be born a helpless babe in a small, poor place to a humble, loving family in a devout Jewish culture. Joseph provided the protection, love, and home that Jesus would need to become fully human.
The banner of St. Joseph standing in our sanctuary has reminded us of this year. After 8th of December, we will move the banner to the Baptismal area so we can go on remembering this very special and often hidden saint.
Nancy Wood, ccn
Focus of the week
Rorate Masses
During the Fridays of Advent (December 10th, and 17th) we will be celebrating the “Rorate Mass,” at 7:00 a.m. This is a Mass in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is traditionally celebrated in candlelight just before dawn. The name comes from the opening words of the Entrance Antiphon, “Rorate caeli desuper,” Latin for “Drop down dew, ye heavens.” (Isaiah 45:8).
The Mass is 30 minutes and will be followed by a breakfast in the large hall.
Come and join our Welcome Team
“All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place”
This hymn is at the heart of the mission of the Welcome Team. We would like to welcome more volunteers to join our friendly group and help greet the parishioners at Mass on Sundays.
So, if you can offer your help, once a month, on certain dates or as and when, we would love you to join the Welcome Team. There will be a meeting next Sunday 12th December after 11am Mass in the St Ignatius Room.