4th December Newsletter

NEXT SUNDAY: 3rd SUNDAY OF ADVENT  YEAR B     Sunday 11th December   9.00 a.m.      Elizabeth McHale 11.00 a.m.     James Davis (anniv)     12.15pm.  Baptism; Isabella & Gabriela Rooney 6.00 p.m.      Maggie and Michael Higgins (anniv)

Next Sunday’s Readings: 1st: Is 61: 1-2 10-11   Psalm: Lk1:46 2nd 1 Thess 5: 16-24 Gospel: Jn 1: 6-8 19-28

THIS SUNDAY  CAFOD World Gifts - There will be retiring collection today outside the church/porch so that, as in others years, as a parish we might give gifts to communities in poorer parts of the world

DURING THE WEEK IN ADVENT  MONDAY   Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Monday from 7.00pm to 9.00pm. This is a time for silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament by which we are called to pray, to listen, and to watch before the Lord. TUESDAY Mass at 7.00pm will be celebrated at St. Anne’s, Willenhall, one of our partnership parishes. The theme of the homily is ‘Mary: Woman of HOPE’.  Holy Hour with Confession from 6.00pm at St. Anne’s. All welcome. WEDNESDAY:  FIRST CONFESSION; On Wednesday evening the children preparing for their First Holy Communion will make their first confession in Church at 6.30pm. Please keep the children and their parents in your prayers THURSDAY Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the patronal feast of the Archdiocese. With the Deacons and some parishioners we shall represent the parish at the Chapter Mass in St. Chad’s Cathedral.

THIS SUNDAY: Second Collection for Poor Parishes of the Diocese. Last Sunday’s Collection: £1,059.32.Thank you.

Next Sunday: Third Sunday of Advent or Gaudete Sunday, meaning ‘rejoice’ otherwise known as mid advent Sunday PRISIONERS OF CONSCIENCE: Christmas for those imprisoned for their belief. Cards will be available for signing in the MRR after Mass next Sunday.

RIP: Margaret Stark, Kyal Gaffeny, Gerald Nichols, Gertrude Czudej, Patrick Galvin, Mary McKenzie, David Bell-Nesbit Anniversaries- Barbara Stinton, Anthony Panico, Edward Olverson, Mark Jarrett, Joseph Loughrane, Mary Blackwell, Vincent Duff, Agnes Murray, Joseph Browne, Joseph Flis, Alice Williams, Edna Duggan, Julia Kelly, Patricia Kerr, Ruth Higgins, Mary Ullah, Decland Loughnane, Richard O’Callaghan, Edgar Bevan, Sabina Monaghan, Kathleen Sullivan, Tony Mulrooney, Peter Doyle, Michael Kapusta, Elise Wynne, Madge Markey, Rozalia Koltun, Edith Carr, Margaret Fletcher. Eternal rest grant to them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in Peace. Amen

SICK LIST: Please pray for Patricia Pickett, Michael Kerrigan, Lucy Brennan, Jane Dewsnap, Paul Bainbridge, Doris Lees, Larry Kelly, Anne Graham, Bridget McConnell, Maura Stone, Tommy Wainwright, Catherine Shorney, Charmaine Cross, Michael Wilson, Helen Freeman, Dolores Heffernan, Martine Sim, Joseph Cooney, Alicia Clifford, Louis O’Brien, Baby Leah Brown, Nicola Tressler, Margaret Cash, Lorna Jesperson, Cath Meacham, Karl Seitz, Connie Harban, Deacon Tony Colby, Jack Garry, and for all those not mentioned. Mary, Help of Christians: Pray for us.

JUSTICE & PEACE meeting on Wednesday Dec 7th at 7:45PM.  Coventry - City of Sanctuary: the challenge to the churches. Fr Tim Brooke, will be talking about the grassroots movement trying to make Coventry a really welcoming place to those who have been forced to flee their own homes, have found sanctuary in this city and have no possibility of returning to their own country.  He will mention the major issue of destitution in the city and how it is being tackled.  He hopes to be accompanied by a refugee who will share her own story. Everyone welcome.
CHAPEL OF UNITY; Fr Andrew Franklin, from Christ the King, will be saying Mass at 8am this Wednesday, 7th December in the Chapel of Unity at Coventry Cathedral.  This might appeal to some of the workers in the city centre.
FOOD; As we approach Christmas may I ask that you but 1 extra item of food which will be given to the needy of the parish as well as being distributed to the homeless and refugees of our city. Thank you.
	INDUCTION CELEBRATION Thank you to everyone who participated or helped in anyway to make the Induction ceremony such a memorable event. It was a wonderful celebration of praise: most uplifting.
	CHRISTMAS BAZAAR A big thank you to everyone who helped make the bazaar such a wonderful evening. Well done one and all.
ART PROJECT: Thank you to everyone who has made a star! The response has been fantastic and the stars amazing. Please could all outstanding stars be handed into the sacristy or to Debbie at 52 Leamington Rd by Tuesday morning at the very latest so they can be made into a hanging to be displayed in church from next Sunday. Could the maker of a silver, red and green 5 point star made from shiny paper circles left in the sacristy last week please let me have their name!
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION: CONFIRMATION: The preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation for children in year 6 and above who are at not at St. Thomas More School will start on Sunday, 11th December, 5.00pm in the JP II room. HOLY COMMUNION preparation will begin in the new year. Please submit your name to the Priest or Deacon.
RCIA (Journey in Faith) – the programme continues on Thursdays at 7.45 p.m. at St John Vianney parish, Mount Nod. This Thursday’s session “Catholics and Mary: from myth to reality” Everyone welcome to attend.
CHRISTINGLE SERVICE; Led by our District Beavers, Cubs, Rainbows and Brownies on Wednesday. 21st Dec. 6.00pm in St. Thomas More Church. Everyone welcome.
LOOKING AHEAD; School Carol Service Tues 13th Dec 6.30pm in Church and MRR.  Parish Penance Service: Mon, 19th Dec 7.30pm.  Christmas Masses Midnight, 7.30am, 9.00am, 11.00am
ST. THOMAS MORE SCHOOL; Do remember to keep the new school building an intention in your prayers.
OTHER ACTIVITIES in MMR:  Tuesday Society: This week “St. Nicholas Day Quiz”.  Every Tuesday 1.00-4.00pm. All welcome. Extend Group- Gentle exercises sitting down to music for older people.  Thurs 9.45 am Contact:  Roy  Tel: 7641 4887 Sign Language –Thursday evenings from 6.00 p.m. – 7.00 p.m.  Contact: Pauline Tel: 07974 362714  Parish Youth Group: Sunday, 11th Dec 4.15 p.m. – 6.00 p.m. Year 7 upwards
MILLION MINUTES: Many thanks to all our sponsors. You raised £467.54 towards Archbishop Bernard’s promotion of the Catholic Churches work for young people. This includes homeless youth, leader training, and safe havens for youth on the streets and support for young people throughout the UK and beyond. Well done to Viv (MBE) and Clive & Stella Robinson.
100 CLUB WINNERS NOVEMBER 11; 1st £20 Catherine Monsanto, 2nd £10 Claire Smith, 3rd  £8 Carol Woods, 4th £7 Gordon Parker, 5th £5 Bridget Kerr, 6th £4 Clare Staines. Thank you for your support. £1,116 raised to date.