Third Sunday of Advent 15.12.2024 (Gaudete Sunday)

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS

Sun 15th Dec​​

8.30am​ Gianpiero Gallian, RIP

​10am​​​ Kathleen and Paddy Barrett & family, intns

​12noon​​​ Patrick and Mary Giblin

Mon 16th Dec        ​Advent Feria

10am           ​Carmel Keane, intentions

Tues 17th Dec           ​Advent Feria

10am              ​Maria and Lorenzo Pini, RIP

Weds 18th Dec​

10am​ NO MASS

Thurs 19th Dec​Advent Feria

10am​ Funeral Mass of Mary Teresa Foran, RIP

Fri 20th Dec​Advent Feria

10am​ Mary McGovern, RIP

Sat 21st Dec​ 4th Sunday of Advent

5pm​ David and Eileen Scott

Saturday 10 am to 11 am and 4.30pm – 5pm: Confessions and Exposition

YOUR PRAYERS:

Let us keep in our prayers: Julius Lipner, Kitty Heenan, David Ryan, James McCormack, Margaret Ryan,Michael O’Boy, Christina Cahill, Eric Nicholas Darwent,  Therese Kemp, Jose Luis Pérez,  Karina McKiernan, Jonathan Heller, Izabela Lissowska and Sveta Valeri – all unwell at this time. We also pray for: James McCormack, Gerry Stenson, Kwok Chui Tsui, Yuen Kuen Tsui,  Rodolfo Icban, Luis Goncalves, Sean Duffy,John O Shea, Arcangela Moretto, Gino Tomei, Lucia Josephine Rayappu, Rose McGrory, Patrick Jean Noel Louis-Auguste, Eddie Maher, Anne Gorman, Agnes Day, Jose Barreto, Peter Krausher, Phyllis Conroy, Michael McLoughlin, Renza Mortali, Piera Tomei, Robert Quiambao Tolentino, Helen Murphy, Danny Pasumala and Gianpiero Gallian whose anniversaries occur at this time or have died recently. May they Rest in Peace.

SUNDAY MISSALS

Fr Peter writes “For those who want to buy a Sunday Missal (with the new translation) I have 18 for sale at £20. A snippet! They are CTS Missals and contain Sunday readings for Years A, B and C. They would also make an ideal Christmas or Birthday present and are available from the repository.”

RCIA COURSE

The RCIA course will meet this Tuesday at 7:30pm in the presbytery.

OUR LADY OF LOURDES RC PRIMARY SCHOOL

APPLICATIONS FOR RECEPTION AND NURSERY

Applications are invited for the Reception Class for September 2025 –this is for children born between 1st September 2020 and 31st August 2021. The deadline to return this to the school office is 15th January 2025. The forms are available to download on the school website.

Please also be advised that you must also complete a CAF (Common Application Form) from Barnet -the on-line system is already open: https://www.eadmissions.org.uk/

Applications are invited for the Nursery for the Academic Year starting September 2025. This is for children born between 1st April 2022 and 31st March 2023. The deadline to return applications to the school office is 31st January 2025. Please contact the office or visit the school website for an application pack.

OUR LADY OF LOURDES, BOW LANE, FINCHLEY N12: REQUIRED SCHOOL FOUNDATION GOVERNOR

Our Lady of Lourdes School writes: Could you spare a little of your time to volunteer as a school governor and join our committed and experienced team of governors?  You need no special expertise, only a passion to achieve the best education for our children.  If you are interested in this rewarding work and would like to find out more, please contact Fiona Kerin, Chair of Governors, via the school office on 0208 346 1681 or email office@olol.barnetmail.net

WHAT DO YOU CALL AN OLD SNOWMAN?

Water.

CHRISTMAS FETE FINAL TOTAL

Fr Peter writes: This year’s Christmas Fete (including the Raffle) raised an amazing £4,425.70 which will go towards meeting the winter energy costs of the Church, Parish Halls and Presbytery. It is an amazing amount, even more amazing considering the OLOL fete had been the same weekend and the High Road and East End Road had roadworks! All of this success is because of Helen and her team, your hard work and generosity…….and Santa Claus! Thank you so much.  

WEEK DAY MASSES AND SATURDAY MORNING HOLY HOUR:

Due to energy costs, all 10am weekday Masses will now be in the meeting room at the side of Fr Peter’s house. Saturday’s 10am – 11am Holy Hour and confessions will also be there. Funerals will be celebrated in church. Many thanks.

CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS:

The collection at all Masses on Christmas Eve & Day is your gift that contributes to the salary of your priest. Alternatively, you may wish to give Fr Peter a personal gift.

VINNIE PACKS BY THE SVP

Siobhan Garibaldi, SVP Vinnie Pack Project Coordinator writes: “The SVP are distributing over 10,000 homeless packs (Vinnie Packs) during the extreme cold weather.  Each pack contains thermal gloves, thermal hat, two pairs of socks, face cloth, toothbrush, toothpaste, information sheets and pen.  Please could you consider sponsoring packs at a suggested donation of £4.10 per pack? Donations can be sent to Vinnie Packs, PO Box 72264, London SW1P 9EZ with cheques made out to SVP or by bank transfer to Nat West Sort Code 60-60-04, Account No. 46088237.  Thank you so much for your support”.

WANT TO SING SOME CAROLS FOR A GOOD CAUSE?

St Marys Choir are singing at Nazareth House Carol Service on Sun 15th Dec at 3pm. Parishioners are warmly invited to attend this short service of lessons and carols there led by Fr Terry.

On Thurs 19th Dec the Fabulous Festive Finchley Foodbank Fundraiser takes place. Carol singers visit the High Street pubs starring at 5.45 outside The White Lion and its great fun for a great cause.

If you're interested email Helen Tierney  tierneyhelen63@gmail.com for full details. No rehearsal necessary!

CHRISTMAS FETE RAFFLE PRIZE WINNERS

Laura McGovern won 1st prize of £200.

The second prize of £100 was by a name we couldn't figure out…..might be Duet?

The 3rd prize of £75 was won by George Moore. 

The 4th prize  of a bottle of whiskey was won by Daniel Servini.  

The 4th prize  of a bottle of whiskey was won by Daniel Servini.  

The 5th prize of the beautiful Fortnum & Mason hamper was won by Ed Lennon.

Well done to the winners, and thanks to the sellers! The winner of Theatre Tickets for most Raffle Tickets sold will be announced next week.

St Mary’s Mass times at Christmas

St Mary’s Mass times at Christmas: On Christmas Eve: Tuesday 24th December there will be a 6pm Children’s Nativity Mass and our Mass for Midnight will be at 10pm. On Christmas Day: Wednesday 25th December, Mass times will be 8:30am and 11am. There will be no mid-day Mass on Christmas day.

IN CELEBRATION OF THE RECENT “GCHQ CHRISTMAS IQ TEST”, ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW…

1. What is an encyclical?

2. How many mysteries of the Rosary are there?

3. How many three Kings visited Jesus as a baby?

4. The Cardinal Virtues are Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and…

5. Which Saint is Pope Francis named after?

6. To whom was Jesus speaking when He said, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of the water and the Spirit?

Try not to Google, see what you know……. answers next week!

Dear Parish Community,

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your kind words and support regarding my recent health concerns. Your compassion and encouragement mean a great deal to me as I prepare for a biopsy in January. Please be patient with the parish office during this period. Your cooperation and understanding are greatly appreciated as we all manage our duties with care.

Thank you once again for your unwavering support.

With sincere gratitude,

Fr Peter.