Current Newsletter
To contact Parish Secretary, Julia Hathaway at the Parish Office please use the email office@sthughandstjohntimperley.co.uk
Telephone - 0161 973 1694 or 0771 1428 970
Week commencing - 6th December 2020
FR PAT WRITES: “How wonderful it is for us to be back in this season of Advent which started last week. The sacred space in front of the Altar is a reminder of the need to step back from the normal routines to reflect on the miracle and mystery of Christ’s coming among us. Advent is a season for remembering the closeness of God who came down to dwell in our midst.
One of my favourite Advent prayers is: ‘COME, LORD JESUS, COME’. We can say it at the beginning of each day and repeat it often, before making decisions, in every important or difficult moment of our lives. ‘Come, Lord Jesus, come’.
St. John the Baptist, co-patron of our parish, has a clear and profound message in today’s Gospel, ‘Prepare a Way for the Lord’. The mistake we can so easily succumb to is to get so absorbed in a thousand things and not to notice God. Without making an effort to love God daily and awaiting the newness he constantly brings, we become mediocre, lukewarm and worldly. We will have a Service of Reconciliation with opportunity for personal confession on Tuesday 22nd December 7.00 pm. See this as a special moment of grace, to energise us in our love for the Lord, bringing about that inward change we long for so that we can make even more progress in our spiritual lives. See it as one of those unexpected blessings that is coming our way - so seize the opportunity! A good Advent makes for a good Christmas.”
FR TOMASZ WRITES: “Next week is the third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, when the pink Advent Candle is lit. The colour pink or rose symbolises the joy we feel at the coming of Jesus, so please wear something pink next week to Mass to celebrate! Our Parish Christmas card is also ready for you to take home, see below for instructions on how to book for Christmas Masses.”
DIOCESAN YEARBOOKS and the new Shrewsbury CATHOLIC VOICE are available in the porch now.
CARITAS. Thank you to the parishioners of St Hugh & St John, Timperley for the very generous donation for the Caritas at Christmas appeal. Donations are still coming in and will be passed on.
ADVENT IN THE PARISH
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Our Parish Advent Service of Reconciliation will take place at 7.00pm on Tuesday 22nd December.
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On all Saturdays during Advent (5th, 12th, 19th) at 11.00am Fr Tomasz and Fr Pat will hold an online Gospel reflection. You can download the reading from the website and we will also send it out with the newsletter. Join the Zoom meeting using ID number 434 073 1443 and passcode DZ3DEC.
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A second service of prayer, reflection and song hosted by the Living Waters Prayer Group will be held via Zoom on Wednesday 16th December from 8pm to 9pm. Join the Zoom Meeting on https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87263088546, Meeting ID: 872 6308 8546
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NEW SYSTEM FOR CHRISTMAS MASS BOOKING
You must book your place at Christmas Masses by one of these methods: |
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Your place won’t be secure until you have a confirmation number.
This is important; it’s so that we can maximise the socially distanced space in the church. Please don’t book more places than you need and don’t turn up without a booking as you will be turned away. Bookings will NOT be taken through the parish office or online.
24th December CHRISTMAS EVE
4.00pm Mass for young families - Children, please bring bells to Mass!
6.00pm Vigil Mass
9.00pm Night Mass
12.00 midnight Polska Pasterka (Polish language Mass)
25th December CHRISTMAS DAY
8.30am Christmas Dawn Mass
10.15am Christmas Day Mass
12.00 noon Christmas Day Mass.
SVP SUDAN AND SOUTH SUDAN BABY FEEDING APPEAL. For many years, parishioners have generously supported this Christmas appeal to prevent babies from dying. The situation is even worse now because of disease resulting from floods and the onset of Covid-19. Inflation and cuts to our foreign aid budget make the shortage of money for food even more acute. It costs around £50 a year to feed a baby, £25 for 6 months.
If you can help, please post your cheque made out to “SVP Twinnage”, your donation form and the completed Gift Aid form (if applicable) to Mr Michael Coyle,12, Troon Way, Telford, Shropshire. TF7 4BG. We can provide a certificate for you to use as an alternative Christmas gift. There is also a donation box on the stewards’ table with the forms. Contact Joe Holleran 07973 876132 with any queries.
 FREE TRIAL DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION TO THE UNIVERSE. The Catholic Universe is offering a trial FREE digital subscription to it between now and the new year. To take them up on this free offer just go to thecatholicuniverse.com/subscription-trial to register or scan the code given here.
BE A SANTA TO A SENIOR. Do you know a senior who would benefit from a little Christmas cheer? Home Instead are providing gift packs containing a calendar, card and magazine which you can send to someone. There’s a limited supply in the parish office, or you can contact Lucy Gill at Home Instead on 0161 870 1136 or through Facebook or their website, www.homeinstead.co.uk/altrincham .
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING. As well as our growing online shop, Christmas cards are on sale in the church porch. The stewards will help you so that you don’t need to touch anything.
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