Author: Jacky

Parish Carol Service

A little depleted due to the snowy   weather, but we managed to raise our voices to all the carols.  The children performed a very moving nativity (so many     shepherds chasing the Angels!), but the true meaning was    acted perfectly.  After in the beautifully decorated hall; mulled wine, minces pies, hot chocolate etc.  The tombola and guess the name of the Reindeer raised a grand total of £135, which is going towards our Parish Party on 30th December and           expenses incurred for the Children’s Liturgy.  Now comes the faux pas; we forgot to put non winning tickets in the drum, so not only the children had a prize every time, but the grown ups too!!  It was all taken in good faith and everyone had a good laugh, Joan will never live that one down. Christmas jumpers can be worn at our Parish Party.

St Wilfrid’s Penitential Service

St Wilfrid’s Penitential Service – Tue 13th Dec at 6.30pm:

Thank you Fr Barry for conducting our service, you made it a different kind of format which gave us time to reflect as well as helpful sheets of prayer etc., and your blessing to each individual completed a lovely service.  Unfortunately the bad weather kept many away, but it was broadcast on-line.  Some brave souls from St George’s made it and were very welcome.

St Wilfrid’s CAFOD

The True Spirit of Christmas Giving – World Gifts This Christmas:  

Thank you all who contributed, we collected £170.10.  The chosen gifts are as follows:-

Chirpy Chicks x 1 £20, Emergency Water x 4 £20, Emergency Food x 1 £50, Self Watering Gardens x 2 £40, Weatherproof Crops x 3 £36, Colouring Pencils x 1 £4, Total sent to CAFOD  £170.

Fr Rory Writes:

Last Sundays Carol Service

Just a very joyful occasion, most appropriate to Gaudete Sunday

Rejoice in the Lord indeed.  I am sure the weather had its effect in reducing the numbers, and by the end of the carol service the snow was falling very, very heavy.  A bit of a spectacle in itself.  In the hall the mulled wine, the very best of fayre and a tombola stall that consisted of  winners and winners.  Really great and a great lady (she won’t like me saying that), Joan, a real treasure.  Needless to say the children stole the show, there is something about carol singing to lift the spirits.  We can continue to build on this.  What a world it would be if there is no Saviour, no salvation.  The light of Christ shines through all our obstacles, and I say thanks be to God for that.

Parish Over 50’s Club

Our next afternoon tea will be Thurs 29th Dec at 2pm, “Pre New Year’s Party” also £5 please.  Music for all along with quiz and bingo.  Let’s make it a great party, see you there!

Our visit to Staverton Nursery was very enjoyable.  Hiring the Cuckmere Bus was the best idea.  Ramp for our walkers, very polite and helpful driver who is a Catholic.  We will certainly use the bus for our future outings; not until Spring though.  Read this newsletter for future outings.

Fr Rory Writes

From the prophet Isaiah 40:10 “Here is the Lord coming with power”.

As we celebrate the weeks of Advent; we begin by lighting the first candle “the candle of hope”.  Quickly followed by the “the candle of peace”.  The prophet Isaiah proclaims “Here is the Lord coming with power….”.  Yet when we    gather to celebrate Christmas with the birth of the child Jesus, then the true focus of that power is love.  The Christ child presents us with our greatest model of love.

As he matures from being a baby, He is like a Shepherd feeding His flock, gathering lambs in his arms.  In our lives it highlights the love that is closest to His heart with a challenge, “as long as you do this to be least of my brethren, you do it to me”.  We have to acknowledge with sorrow, that all too often we in the church are not seen to be like this.

The work that continues to take place at the heart of our parish are steps in this direction to become a living community.  As we focus upon the parish council that will work to develop our parish communities for the future, the briefings that are given as we focus upon this with a parish council that works as part of the instrument, is a good work in progress.  Our parish celebrations at this time are essential to creating an environment that allows us to strengthen our faith.  The sacrament of reconciliation, Tue 13th Dec, the parish Christmas Carol Service, the Christmas Eve Nativity Mime and the celebration of our Masses will provide the nourishment that is essential.