Announcements This Week

Today is the First Sunday of Advent, the beginning of the new Christian Year. The Advent wreath will be blessed at the 10.00 am Family Mass.

Today there will be an appeal made on behalf of the Little Sisters of the Poor with a collection after the Masses.

Advent Bazaar TODAY SUNDAY 11am – 2pm:

Christmas cards, festive items, cake stall run by 1st Communion parents, tea and coffee, chutneys and marmalade, candle stall, bottle tombola, crochet table.

New 2024 Catholic Truth Society Sunday Missals are being put into use from today. If you would like to purchase your own copy, price £9.95, so you can study the Bible readings and prayers at home in preparation for Sundays, please contact the parish office

The Christmas Service & Confession Times Leaflet is now available.

Friday is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady. Masses at 9.00 am and 6.00 pm. It celebrates God preserving Mary from the stain of sin from the first moment of her conception in the womb of St Anne, so that she could become a worthy Mother of his Son. (The usual Friday Abstinence from meat is not required today.)

'Walk with Me' - a very popular guide to daily prayer and Bible reading in Advent, preparing for Christmas, is now on sale, price £1.

Catholic Children’s Society Christmas Gift Appeal

We are supporting the CCS Gift Appeal by collecting new gifts for looked after children, children living in hostels or other temporary accommodation, child carers, refugee children, and families in financial hardship. If you would like to help, you can bring a gift, unwrapped, labelled boy/girl and the age range to the parish office before 6th December. These presents are more than just material goods, they bring so much happiness and hope to the families the Society works with. See poster in the porch for more information.

Holy Year of Jubilee 2025 The Catholic Church celebrates a Holy Year every 25 years. The next one starts in a year's time, at the beginning of Advent 2024. The theme of the 2025 Holy Year is 'Pilgrims of Hope.' More information over the coming months! To prepare for the Holy Year there is starting now a Year of Prayer. Each week you will be able to use part of the recent catechesis of Pope Francis on prayer. The first part will be on the parish website, and there are some printed copies at the back of church.

Certificate of Catholic Practice for Application to Catholic Schools

Requests in connection with primary school and nursery applications: please email the parish to request a Priest Information Form, and further information.

Holy Trinity Cine Club: for children in Year 7 to Year 9, and  Year 10 to 12 on a Friday evening once a month. Quality ‘surprise’ movie followed by discussion and pizza. All are welcome, suggested donation of £5 towards running costs. Contact cineclubbg@gmail.com. See poster in the church porch.

The Parish Carol Concert, performed by our Family Mass Choir, directed by Laurence Carroll, will be on Monday 11th December at 7.00 pm. There will be a retiring collection for Mary's Meals, and afterwards there will be mulled wine and mince pies in the parish centre.

Mass Time Alteration Monday 11th, Tuesday 12th, Wednesday 13th December: because of evening carol services on these days, Mass will be at 9.00 am, (no evening Mass.)

Women’s-Only Weekly Glass Door Night Shelter here at Holy Trinity during the winter months started last week. We thank our volunteers and our Volunteer Coordinator Heather Alston. She can be contacted on hja@rawspace.co.uk or 07966233581

Dear Glass Door Night Shelter Volunteers... We have had a great start to the season: there are already have 35 or so guests booked in each Tuesday night. There is a very special atmosphere - it is a quieter, safer space for the guests and they enjoy the time they spend together. You have been warm and welcoming, but also sensitive to the guests wanting privacy and peace. Thank you! It has been a privilege to be able to host, thanks to Fr Richard, Anja and the parish team. We have fantastic teams of cooks providing delicious soups and main courses, whilst volunteers provide puddings, fruit and cheese. We have traditionally had a collection to provide a Christmas gift to guests, so if anyone would like to contribute please let me know. Heather hja@rawspace.co.uk

St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Masbro Road – 'Stay and Play' for 0-3 yr olds, every Friday in term time, 10-11am, £1 entry.  No need to book. Enter via school car park. Arts & crafts – music session – puzzles – books. All welcome!

SACRAMENTS

Welcome to Stacey Mort & Jeremy Sturgess-Smith who take their first step into the Catholic Church TODAY at 10.00am. Mass. Please pray for them as they become catechumens-the ancient name for those preparing for Baptism. And give them your support & encouragement as they continue their journey into the Catholic Church.

Prayer Workshop 2.00pm Thursday 14th December at Nazareth House Prayer Centre. All welcome.

If you feel drawn to the Catholic Church, would like to be confirmed as an adult or would like to know more please get in touch with Sr. Jenefer via srjenefer@rcdow.org.uk or speak to one of the priests. All welcome, baptised or not.

Preparation for the Sacrament of Baptism: If you have a child for Baptism under 5 years old please email us for an application form. You will be contacted once the form has been received. A copy of one of the Catholic parents’ baptism certificate will be required.  Baptisms can only take place on Saturdays at 11am.