Parish Events
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Welcome to the 'Parish Events' section at Holy Family RC Church
As last year, I have invited our friends from the other Christian Churches in our area, to join us for a three-part series of discussions during the holy Season of Lent which begins in the not too distant future! We will meet in the Olde Forge Cafe at 12.00midday for one hour, on the 12th, 19th and 26th of March. We will be talking about the three great theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. One of the leaders of each Christian Church in our area will give a 10/15 minute introduction and then pose a few questions to the group for discussion. On the 12th, Graham, our local Methodist Minister will lead on the theme of ‘Faith.’ I’ll lead on the theme of ‘Hope’, on the 19th. We will be led by a third person on the theme of ‘Charity’ on the 26th. Please pop these dates and time in your diary.
‘Pax Christi’ are organising a one day meeting of presentations, discussion and reflection on Nonviolence. It will take place at the London Jesuit Centre on Saturday 14th March from 10.30am until 4.00pm . The meeting will be led by Professor Nicolas Paz, Director of the ‘Catholic Nonviolence Initiative’. I’m hoping to attend this meeting. Please let me know if you would like to join me.
We have our final meeting, next Friday at 5.00pm, for those preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday 4th January.
To prepare our hearts to celebrate Christmas properly and well, as the time when the Lord Jesus came into our world to save us from Sin and Death, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is available next Wednesday evening 17th December . In this wonderful Sacrament we experience the gentle, compassionate love of God for us. Please take up this opportunity and you will be filled with the Peace that God alone can give us.
Please note in your diaries: Advent Service of ‘Light in Darkness’, followed by Tea in the Olde Forge Cafe: Sunday 14th December at 3.00pm. Advent Penance Service and Individual Reconciliation: Wednesday 17th December at 6.00PM Christmas holy Masses and Carols: Wednesday 24th December - Carols at 5.30pm, holy Mass at 6.00pm; Wednesday 24th December - Carols at 11.30pm and holy Mass at 12.00Midnight; Thursday 25th December - Carols at 10.30am and holy Mass at 11.00am
On Saturday 6th December , from 10.00am until 2.00pm, I’ll be delivering this course. The course will bring hope to anyone who is struggling in any way with the complexities and disappointments of life and deeper meaning to anyone who wishes to live and die with peace and joy. The Lord who loves us, is with us in everything. He can show us how to live and even how to die, in the ways that will bring peace and joy to our hearts and minds, whatever be our circumstances. Please book early for this course, on the London Jesuit Centre website, to avoid disappointment.
We began the month of November with the great Feast of All Saints, inviting everyone who is now with the Lord in Heaven, living in eternal joy, to pray for us. We think of those who have died and, while not yet in Heaven, are on their way home! We believe that the holy Mass and our prayers help these Holy Souls on that journey. Do come to holy Mass, and join me and through the holy Mass we can help our loved ones to speedily reach our homeland of Heaven. If you would like me to offer holy Mass during the month of November, for specific members of your family or friends who have died, please fill in one of the Holy Mass envelopes which you will find in the church porch, enclose your stipend and please give it to me or pop it through the presbytery letterbox. In the holy Mass, we are connected to the Lord Jesus in his death and resurrection. The holy Mass is the most powerful means possible to allow the Lord to bring us and our loved ones safely home to Heaven.
Please add the names of any loved ones who have died in the last year, to our Book of Remembrance, on the page of the date they left our world. The Book of Remembrance will be placed on the altar during every holy Mass in this month of November and so we will remember to pray for them at each and every holy Mass.
I was asked if anyone who is already a Catholic could still come to our Rite of Christian Initiation meetings. The answer is, of course, yes, with great pleasure. Every meeting in our parish is open to everyone. Do come to these meetings and your own relationship with the Lord will grow stronger and deeper.
We began the month of November with the great Feast of All Saints, inviting everyone who is now with the Lord in Heaven, living in eternal joy, to pray for us. Tomorrow, the Feast of All Souls, we begin to think of those who have died and, while not yet in Heaven, are on their way home! We believe that the holy Mass and our prayers help these Holy Souls on that journey. Do come to holy Mass tomorrow, All Souls Day, and join me and through the holy Mass we can help our loved ones to speedily reach our homeland of Heaven. If you would like me to offer holy Mass during the month of November, for specific members of your family or friends who have died, please fill in one of the Holy Mass envelopes which you will find in the church porch, enclose your stipend and please give it to me or pop it through the presbytery letterbox. In the holy Mass, we are connected to the Lord Jesus in his death and resurrection. The holy Mass is the most powerful means possible to allow the Lord to bring us and our loved ones safely home to Heaven.