First Sunday of Advent, 28th November 2021

Lord, make me know your ways

‘Lord, make me know your ways. Lord, teach me your paths. Make me walk in your truth and teach me: for you are God, my Saviour.’ Psalm 24

Our readings set the scene for Advent in which we reflect on our preparation for the coming of Christ, both in our Christmas celebrations of the Incarnation, and also his coming at the end of time. This year, Advent is almost four weeks long and it has the added dimension of our synodal journey as a Church. Quite a few parishioners have already met to LISTEN, including our confirmation candidates – you can read their thoughts on the posters in the narthex.  If you are reading this online on Friday you can come to the hall at 11.30am or 2pm today.  First Communion parents will have the chance to listen to the voice of the Spirit on Tuesday evening.

This is the beginning of a process and what we have learned so far is that there are many questions.  The questions of young people in particular can be refreshing. Together we can learn a lot.  The Holy Father is inviting YOU – come and join this great synod. As well as joining one of the timetabled sessions you can also join in online: https://forms.gle/UrWmW6uGc4xbXtcw7

Our bishops are listening too – our nearest evening to reflect and listen in a structured way is with Bishop Paul MacAleenan at Garston Catholic Church, Crown Rise WD25 0NE on Monday 29th from 7 – 9pm. You can book a place at catadmin@rcdow.org.uk

There will be two further opportunities in the parish on Monday 6th December from 2 – 3.30pm and 7.30 – 9pm.  Please take this opportunity.  As well as being important for the worldwide Church it will also be an important opportunity for the parish.

☎ 01707 654359    Email pottersbar@rcdow.org.uk    Website www.olasv.org.uk

All services are live streamed – click on ‘live streaming’ link on website

Recording of Sunday Mass available on 01707 518202 after 10am Sunday

Parish Priest: Canon Shaun Lennard  shaunlennard@rcdow.org.uk

Presbytery: 243, Mutton Lane, Potters Bar, EN6 2AT

Deacon: Rev Donal Hopkins  donhopkins@rcdow.org.uk

Catechetical coordinator: Mrs. Francesca Khaliq  pottersbarcat@rcdow.org.uk

Pastoral Assistant (Seminarian): Dale Cutlan

Safeguarding Rep. Mike Sibley pottersbarsg@safeguardrcdow.org.uk

Parish Office open Tues & Fri 10am – 12noon but emails are checked daily.

To speak to a priest in an emergency ring 07854 866860

COLLECTIONS

14/15 Nov Envelopes £310  Loose £370

Sick & Retired Priests so far £410.10

Confirmation Group’s Tombola for The Passage raised £84.82.  The candidates thank you for your support.

Collections are counted a week after they are taken.

OFFICE HOURS

Until we appoint a new administrator the office will be open on Tuesday and Friday only from 10am – 12.30pm.  Emails and the Answerphone will be checked daily.

WELCOME

To Fr Joe Cocucci, a friend of Fr Shaun’s from the USA, who is visiting this week.

MASS ON WEDNESDAY

Is at the earlier time of 9.30am to enable Fr Shaun to travel for a funeral.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY

Children’s Liturgy, open to all children of primary school age, is available today at both Masses. There is a rota on the notice board, so you can see which Sundays it is running. It will take place in the Louise de Marillac Room. The children will be sent out from Mass after the Introductory Rites and then will return during the offertory. On the first Sunday of the month (next Sunday) 11am Mass is an ‘Inclusive Mass’ when the children stay in for the whole of Mass.

ADVENT MASS

From next weekend, for Advent, there will be Mass at 10am every Saturday morning followed by Exposition and Confessions until Benediction at 11.30am.

ADVENT SERVICE

Today at St Mary’s, The Walk at 5pm.  All are welcome to this beautiful ecumenical service.

CHRISTMAS FOR SOMEONE ELSE

Last Christmas over £7,000 was raised by parishioners donating a proportion of what they would spend on Christmas to this appeal organised by the Parish Social Committee.  The funds were used for families who were struggling financially due to the Pandemic.  Your generosity enabled us to:

•           Provide £50 food vouchers for Christmas.

•           Continue with vouchers for January and February

•           Provide families who could not get away with a day trip to the seaside in the summer.

•           Continue to provide vouchers to the end of the government’s furlough scheme.

The families you have helped have expressed enormous gratitude for the assistance you have provided to them at an extremely difficult and stressful time.

C4SE 2022.

Unfortunately the economic impact of the Pandemic will continue to cause hardship for many in 2022. The rise in energy and fuel costs will result in many families struggling to make ends meet. From today we are begining a new appeal.  Please continue to support those in the local community who are most in need.

Methods of donating

1.         Post cash or cheque through the office or presbytery letterbox in an envelope marked ‚C4SE‘

2.         If you are able to Gift Aid use one of the blue envelopes on top of the office letterbox, complete the Gift Aid form and write C4SE in the space provided

3.         Give by credit/debit card on the Dona machine in the narthex.

This is all anonymous to preserve the dignity of some very vulnerable people.

Thank you for your generosity.

ECUMENICAL PRAYERS

Next Saturday at 8.30am we host the monthly Churches Together in Potters Bar Ecumenical Prayers.  All are welcome for this prayer together followed by breakfast. Come to welcome our guests.

DISCOVER CHRISTMAS

The fantastic ecumenical activities afternoon for children of primary school age will run again this year on Saturday 11th December at 2pm – 5pm at St John’s Methodist Church in Bakers Street.  An exciting programme of arts and crafts culminating in a live nativity.  Entry is free but please register at www.pottersbarchurchesholiday club.co.uk

ADMINISTRATOR REQUIRED

We are looking for an administrator to work 4 days a week (Weds or Thurs off) 5 hours a day (flexible) Full details at https://jobs.rcdow.org.uk/parish-administrator-potters-bar/

Closing date 6th December.

TREE OF LIGHT

In Advent this year we will be lighting up our ‘Tree of Light’ in aid of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice.  So far £241 has been raised for Noah’s Ark Chidlren’s Hospice.  This weekend the candles will be hung on the tree in the garden and will be lit up for the whole of Advent and the Christmas period.

CERTIFICATE OF CATHOLIC PRACTICE

If you regularly come to Mass at Our Lady & St Vincent and require a Certificate of Catholic Practice for admission to a Catholic Primary School in September please collect a form from Fr Shaun so that he can send you a CCP. Please do not leave it until December.

BOREHAMWOOD FOODBANK

An urgent appeal has been made for donations. Tinned foods (but NOT soups or baked beans) dried rice (but NOT pasta or pulses) tea, coffee, 1L juice & long-life milk, savoury biscuits.  Food can be left in the box in the narthex.

WHAT’S THE MEANING OF LIFE?

Why do bad things happen to good people? Does God heal?  These and many more questions will be explored at our Alpha course in the New Year.  WATCH THIS SPACE! Find out how to register next week.

PLANTS/ARRANGEMENTS SALE

Linda Williamson thanks all parishioners who supported the sale last Sunday. A fantastic total of £317 was raised. This is to be split between The Special Baby Care Unit, Great Ormond St Hospital and Bowel Cancer UK. Thank You!

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

The spectacular choir of Westminster Cathedral presents ‘A Christmas Celebration’ in music and words with celebrity readers and orchestra on 15th & 16th December.  A great Christmas treat or present for somebody. For details see www.westminstercathedral.org.uk/events.php

TEA/COFFEE AFTER MASS

Thank you to those who are volunteering to do this.  Please ensure that you arrive in good time before Mass to set things up and please BRING MILK – you can take money for the milk from contributions.

CLEANING TEAM (Weds 1st December 10.30am) Ann, Bernadette, Mary, Margaret

If you can help with cleaning please turn up!

PLEASE PRAY FOR

Please remember in your prayers

The sick, their, including: Damien Grafton, Marsaili MacAuley, Linda Brooks, Patricia Wallington, Grant Davis, Bridie Spelzini, Frank Casali, Susan Lundrigan, Jean Rudd, Theresa Round, Joan Bonner, Jean Lowery, Jamie Giles, Mary Lindsay, Paige White, Bernadette Whelan, Christakis Christofides, Philomena O’Sullivan, Bernard Keown, Ann O’Neill, Jason Mosely, Robert Chambers, Abbey Cummings, Kathleen Gershlick, Anne Conlon, Kathy Lavelle, Vincent, Lee & Abigail Clark, Denise Farmer.

Recently dead: Clare Lees, Derek Lax and for all those whose anniversaries occur about this time – Josie Gilmartin

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY

5th December, Second Sunday of Advent (Year C)

Baruch 5: 1-9

Philippians 1: 3 – 6, 8 – 11

Luke 3: 1 – 6

Newsletter deadline – Tuesday 9.30am

TIMES OF MASS & OTHER LITURGIES

Sunday 28th November, FIRST SUNDAY of ADVENT (Year C)                                                                                                                     6pm (Vigil) Josephine McGovern RIP

                                                    9am  Maria & Luigi Borzoni RIP (& children’s liturgy)

                                                    11am November Book of Remembrance (& children’s liturgy)

Monday 29th November            10am  Mass John & Betty Gorry RIP

Tuesday 30th November            10am Mass November Dead

Wednesday 1st December          9.30am Mass November Dead   NOTE EARLIER TIME

Thursday 2nd December             No Mass

Friday 3rd December                  10am Mass Sr Mary

Saturday 4th December              8.30am Churches Together Prayer & Breakfast

                                                   10am Mass  Josie Gilmartin RIP (Anniversary)

                                                   10.30 – 11.30am Sacrament of Reconciliation

                                                   10.30 – 11.30am  Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                                                    6pm (Vigil) Adelina Padial Planas RIP

Sunday 5th December, SECOND SUNDAY of ADVENT (Year C)

                                         9am John O’Connell RIP (& children’s liturgy)

                                        11am Joan Anastasi RIP (inclusive Mass)