PRAYING TOGETHER FOR THE CHURCH, THE WORLD, THE PARISH & ONE ANOTHER

SICK & HOUSEBOUND: Richeldis Paxton, Wilma Primmer, PC, Yee Wing, CPO, Gillian Gibb, Bridie Burns, Phyllis Coffey, Ann Hull, Margaret O’Hanlon, Chris, RC, Theresa Mulvaney, Jodie Clarke, Kieran Maher, Rose Knights, Mary Honey, Peggy & John Cox, Diego Campigotto, Edel Rickard, Polly Thompson, Jean McGrath, Antonio Rodrigues, Julie & Lawrence Hayes, Margaret O’Brien, Michael Rynne, Mary Geaghan, Annemarie Dax, Special Intention, Terry High-land, Colleen Thomas, Joe Nemeth, Helen Faria,, Margaret Callighne, Frank Hunt, Maggie Kirrane, Vera Hylton, Mon-ica Wisniewicz, Geraldine O’Toole, Eileen Harrison, Billy Brennan, Patsy Kenny, Ian Measham, David Colville, Maureen McCready, Josephine Smullen, Edward Reilly, Fr. Francis Rozario (Goan Chaplaincy), Betty Cain, James McHugh, Callum Stewart-Robert, Betty Hickey, Bernie Marren, Sadie Burgess, Shayanayaki Kaithampillai, Rich-ard Howes, Mia Harrison, Special Intention, Ann Nemeth, Marjorie Hoareau, Max Perera, Nick Holmes, Michael Howard, George McDermott, Josie Redmond., Michael Fahy, Victor Jude Booth, Mary E. Malone, Manal Francis Luca, Antonio Dilieto Snr, Androulla Koutsioumbi., Michael Griffin Snr.

RECENLY DEPARTED: Emilien Thomas, Josie Lewis, Kathleen Lusty

ANNIVERARIES OF THE DEPARTED: The Laing Family, Theophilus Louis (25th Ann).

INTENTIONS OF POPE FRANCIS FOR DECEMBER Universal: That all may experience the mercy of God, who never tires of forgiving. Evangelization: That families, especially those who suffer, may find in the birth of Jesus a sign of certain hope

SALVE REGINA Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,

Hail, our life, our sweetness and our hope.

To thee do we cry, Poor banished children of Eve;

To thee do we send up our sighs,

Mourning and weeping in this vale of tears.

Turn then, most gracious advocate,

Thine eyes of mercy toward us; And after this our exile,

Show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

SANCTUARY LAMP THIS WEEK Sponsored in memory of the Deceased

members of The Duffner Family. LAMP AT THE ALTAR OF OUR LADY OF

WALSINGHAM is sponsored for a Special Intention.

MAKING CONTACT AT ST. GEORGE’S Parish Priest: Mgr. Jeremy Fairhead jeremyfairhead@rcdow.org.uk Assistant Priest: Fr. Shaun Richards shaunrichards@rcdow.org.uk Pastoral Assistant: Peter Kingsley peterkingsley@rcdow.og.uk Secretary: Mrs. Toni Miles sudbury@rcdow.org.uk Director of Music: Scott Price scottprice@rcdow.org.uk Hall Bookings: via the office or sudbury@rcdow.org.uk Address: The Presbytery, 970 Harrow Road, Sudbury, Wembley, Middlesex HA0 2QE Tel: 020 8904 2552. Phone Options: 1. Mass Times; 2. Parish Office; 3. Mgr Jeremy; 4. Fr. Shaun 5. Pastoral Assistant Charity No: 233699 Email: sudbury@rcdow.org.uk Website: parish@rcdow.org.uk/Sudbury

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Sunday cycle readings Year C

Weekday readings Advent week 4

Divine Office Advent Week 4

Sunday 20th December 2015

Welcome to all at Mass today, especially to any visitors and particularly those who are here for the first time. Please take this sheet home with you which will tell you about

this week’s celebration and the activities during the week and also to remind you of our Liturgy today.

First Reading: Micah 5:1-4a When the prophet Micah proclaimed the coming of a shepherd-king, the Israelites in Jerusalem were under attack. Their enemies, the Assyrians, were ready to "wipe them out." So the good news that God would send them a strong and just ruler was music to their ears. Their king would be born in Bethlehem a small, unimportant town of the royal family of David. And he would bring lasting peace. Second Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10 One of the messages in today's second reading is that we should recognize how the perfect sacrifice of Jesus differs from the sacrifices of the Old Testament. Those sacrifices were often offerings of animals. Jesus' sacrifice was the offering of himself. Giving yourself your time, talents, and love is the greatest gift you can offer to others.

Gospel: Luke 1:39-45

Mary has made a difficult journey through the hill country to be with her relative Elizabeth, who is several months pregnant. The young woman, bearing in her body the Saviour, and the older woman, carrying John the Baptist, embrace each other with tears and laughter. Elizabeth recognizes Mary's true identity as "the mother of my Lord." She calls Mary "blessed" three times. Mary is blessed because she trusted that the Lord's words to her would come true.

TODAY’S MASS

“ Mary, Mother of the Lord”

Mary does the will of God perfectly. When God speaks to her she is prompt to obey and in her flesh

God’s word becomes incarnate. Of all women she is the most blessed because she believed that God’s promises would be fulfilled in the humblest of his creatures. She is the servant of everyone. She was for Elizabeth the cause of her joy.

Sunday reflection by Mgr. Jeremy

I wonder how easy it is for any of us to recognize the indwelling presence of the Lord Jesus in our life. Blessed are you if you see and recognize the Lord with the "eyes of faith"! The word "blessed" [makarios in Greek] literally means "happiness" or "beatitude". It describes a kind of joy which is serene and untouchable, self-contained, and independ-ent from chance and changing circumstances of life. There is a certain paradox for those "blessed" by the Lord. Mary was given the "blessedness" of being the mother of the Son of God. That blessedness also would become a sword which pierced her heart as her Son died upon the cross. To be chosen by God is an awe-some privilege and responsibility. Mary re-ceived both a crown of joy and a cross of sorrow. Her joy was not diminished by her sorrow because it was fuelled by her faith, hope, and trust in God and his promises. Jesus promised his disciples that "no one will take your joy from you" (John 16:22). The Lord gives us a supernatural joy which

enables us to bear any sorrow or pain and which neither life nor death can take away. What is the significance of Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth before the birth of Jesus? When Elizabeth greeted Mary and recognized the Messiah in Mary's womb they were filled with the Holy Spirit and with a

joyful anticipation of the fulfil-ment of God's promise to give a Saviour. What a marvellous won-der for God to fill not only Eliza-beth's heart with his Holy Spirit but the child in her womb as well. John the Baptist, even be-fore the birth of the Messiah, pointed to his coming and leapt for joy in the womb of his moth-er as the Holy Spirit revealed to him the presence of the King to be born. The Holy Spirit is God's

gift to us to enable us to know and experi-ence the indwelling presence of God and the power of his kingdom. The Holy Spirit is the way in which God reigns within each of us. One of the gifts of these final days of Ad-vent is to recognize and then live in the joy and knowledge of God's indwelling presence with us through his Holy Spirit.

TONIGHT

Sunday 20th December

Carols by Candlelight at 7.30pm Followed by mulled wine and mince pies

ALL WELCOME!

ALTAR SERVERS: Congratulations to our altar servers who have just received or are soon to receive their first year and tenth year service medals. APPLICATION FORMS FOR VOLUNTEER ROLES INVOLVING CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND VULNERABLE ADULTS - If you have been given/sent an application form, please com-plete and return it to the Parish Office this week. If you have any questions or concerns about the DBS procedure please speak to the Safeguarding Officer or any member of the Parish Team. Thank you! CHURCH CLEANERS: New volunteers are needed now. If you are able to help please call Julia on 8904 5324 or contact the parish team. THE WHITE SANCTUARY LAMP BY THE TABERNACLE has been sponsored this week in memory of the deceased members of The Duffner Family. THE LAMP BY THE ALTAR OF OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM is sponsored this week for a Special Intention. If you would like to sponsor the blessed sacrament lamp or the lamp by the altar of Our Lady of Walsingham with a particular intention, the cost is £10 for the week - Please see Toni in the Parish Office. PARISH OFFICE will be closed from Christmas Eve until Monday 4th January. Messages may be left on the answerphone. ANNUAL MASS in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes in this Year of Mercy will take place in the Cathedral on Saturday 6th February at 2.00pm. The Sacrament of the Sick will be administered during the Mass. If you wish to attend and need a wheelchair space please contact the parish office. SUDBURY CHRISTMAS LUNCH “UNDER THE CHRISTMAS TREE” gifts will be distributed to those at the Christmas Lunch on Christmas Day. Gifts should be brought to Church by today - 20th December. ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL - Admissions Arrangements: The Governors are consulting on its proposed admission ar-rangements for entry to Reception in September 2017. The consultation will close on Friday 29 January 2016. If you would like to read the arrangements or com-ment on them, the admissions link on ourwebsite http://www.stgeorgesprimary.org/index.php/en/admissions

The SVP are distributing 12,000 Vinnie Packs contain-ing cold weather essentials to the homeless this winter. Please sponsor packs at a suggested donation of £3.25 per pack. Donations can be sent to Vinnie Packs, PO Box 72264, London SW1P 9EZ with cheques made out to SVP or go to virginmoneygiving.com and type "SVP" into the charity section.

WHITE/YELLOW FOLDER INFORMATION FOR THE FOLLOWING: (See in church porch)

BEGINNING EXPERIENCE helps separated,

divorced or widowed Catholics.

SMART LOVING SEMINAR for married couples.

CATHOLIC SINGLES information

RETROUVAILLE—a lifeline for married couples.

WIDOWED YOUNG—support events.

CALIX CENTRE—A Catholic ministry to addicts.

ADULT FAITH FORMATION COURSES.

FOLDERS in the church porch: look for pilgrimages and retreats, job opportunities, schools and colleges. Info.

If you are travelling over the Christmas period the clergy and parish staff wish you God speed and safe return.

And finally….

THE PARISH TEAM WISH EVERYONE A VERY HAPPY AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS!

WELCOME to all who have come to Mass today. Please stay on if you are able, for TEA & COFFEE after the 9.45am and 11.15am Masses, in the Parish Centre.

NEW TO THE PARISH? if you are, please know you are very welcome. Please fill in one of the new parishion-ers forms at the back of church and we’ll get back to you ASAP. CHRISTMAS GIVING ENVELOPES: These are now available and they are

an opportunity for you to make a special Christmas gift to the church at this time. This money is no longer an offering to the clergy. If you wish to give them a gift you must do that separately through a card or some other means through the parish letterbox. TIMES OF CHRISTMAS SERVICES are on the printed card at the back of Church. Please take one for yourself and take a few others for neighbours and friends. Maybe you could en-courage someone to come this Christmas who hasn't been for a long time. CHURCH CLEANING & DECORATING FOR CHRISTMAS - Church cleaning, in preparation for the Christmas Period, is taking place in the Church from 10.30am to 1pm on Wednes-day 23rd December. All are welcome! PARISH DIARY FOR THE WEEK Sunday 20 December: Tea & Coffee after the 9.45am & 11.15am Masses Panto 3.00pm Carols by Candlelight 7.30pm Mulled wine and mince pie reception afterwards in Parish Centre Wednesday 23 December: Panto Rehearsal 7.30pm Thursday 24 December: Church Cleaning Group C 10.30am ASIAN CHRISTMAS EVENING: Thanks to all who organised or attended our recent Asian evening. There was great fun, laughter and amazing dancing! FLOWER & HAMPER RAFFLE: There are still a few prizes waiting to be collected from the office. SALVE REGINA! The Cardinal has asked all parishes to pray the Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen) at the end of the intercessions every Sunday throughout the Year of Mercy therefore replacing the Hail Mary. You’ll find the text of the Salve Regina on the back of this newsletter to enable you to join in.

ST. GEORGE’S PLAYERS will be performing Dick Whittington and his Cat on Friday, 22, Saturday, 23, and Sunday, 24 Jan-uary. Tickets may be obtained from the Repository Hut this weekend or by ringing Greg Birch on 07990 566929. Special offer - all tickets for Friday evening's performance are £3.' NEW CONFIRMATION/MARRIAGE RITES are now ready to compliment the recent new translation of the Missal and will come into force in the New Year. CONFIRMATION programme will begin on Monday 4th Jan-uary, 2016. PRAYER GROUP will resume on Thursday 7th January at 8pm.

FRIENDS OF JESUS will resume on Friday 8th January 2016. OVER 60’S CLUB will resume on Tuesday 12th January at 1pm.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION programme will resume on Tues-day 9th February 2016 (parents/guardians only). SACRISTY. Parishioners are reminded that the Sacristy is a special area and not to be used as a short cut during Mass. Please try to respect this. HOLY BAPTISM: Information packs are available from the parish office. You can sign up there for the preparation even-ing. Parents to be, i.e. before birth, are welcome to attend. Please note that our next baptism preparation evening will be on Friday 29th January 2016. There will be no course in the month of December. CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES at Northwick Park Hospital Chapel for patients having Mass with their family on Christmas day are at 11am, 4pm and 5:15pm. New Year Mass times are on 31st December at 10pm and 11pm. Also on 1st January at 4:30pm and 5:15pm.

CHRISTMAS TREE AND FLOWERS THIS YEAR: Thanks to all who gave so generously last week. Your kindness is much appreciated. The church will look splendid this year for the Christmas celebrations.

NEWS & VIEWS

EXTRA-ORDINARY MINISTERS AT CHRISTMAS - If you an Extra-Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion and are able to help at the Christmas liturgies, please fill in your name on the sheet at the back of Church today. Thank you! MINISTRIES AT CHRISTMAS LITURGIES - If you are able to help at the Christmas Masses at St. George's (Welcoming, Reading, Collecting, Offertory, Serving) please fill in your name on the relevant sheet at the back of Church today. Thank you!

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

SUNDAY MASS: 6.15pm (Saturday Vigil), 8.30am, 9.45am (Family) & 11.15 noon (Solemn), 5.30pm, WEEKDAY MASS: Monday – Saturday 9.30am, HOLYDAYS OF OBLIGATION: 9.30am, 8.00pm, EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Saturday 5.15-6.00pm RECONCILIATION/CONFESSIONS: Satur-day 5.15pm - 6.00pm and any time by appointment, DIVINE MERCY: Tuesday 10.30am, PRAYER GROUP: Thursday 8.00pm FRIENDS OF JESUS: Friday 5.30pm.

V Sun 20 December ADVENT IV Sat.Vigil 6.15pm Michele Costella RIP 8.30am The Laing Family 9.45am PRO POPULO 11.15am Edward Johnston RIP 5.30pm Irma & Rolando Nardone RIP and Salvatore Cavaliere RIP V Mon 21 December Advent feria 9.30am Theophilus Louis RIP (25th Ann) V Tues 22 December Advent feria 9.30am Linda Lou Shannon RIP V Wed 23 December Advent feria 9.30am Dee Kelly LoaderRIP Gd Thur 24 December Advent feria 9.30am Michael Johnston Intentions Gd CHRISTMAS EVE 6.00pm Christine Kilker RIP THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD 12 midnight Richard O’Dwyer RIP Gd Fri 25 December CHRISTMAS DAY 8.30am Anastasia Johnston RIP 9.45am Peter Cronin RIP 11.15am Daniel Daley RIP R Sat 26 December St STEPHEN 12 noon Paul Dias RIP

CHRISTMAS EVE Thursday 24th December 9.30am Last Mass of the Advent season

5.30pm Carols 6.00pm Family Vigil Mass for Christmas 11.30pm Carols by candlelight 12 midnight MIDNIGHT MASS

CHRISTMAS DAY Friday 25th December THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD

8.30am Mass (said) of the Dawn 9.45am Mass (Family) 11.15am Mass (Solemn) NB There will be NO evening Mass on Christmas Day

St STEPHEN Saturday 26th December 12 noon Mass

THE HOLY FAMILY Sunday 27th December 6.15pm Mass (Saturday Vigil) 8.30am Mass (said) 9.45am Mass (Family) 11.15am Mass (Solemn) 5.30pm Mass

THE HOLY INNOCENTS Monday 28th December 9.30am Mass St THOMAS BECKET Tuesday 29th December 9.30am Mass SIXTH DAY OF THE OCTAVE Wednesday 30th December 9.30am Mass SEVENTH DAY OF THE OCTAVE Thursday 31st December 9.30am Mass MARY THE MOTHER OF GOD Friday 1st January 12 noon Sung Mass CONFESSIONS BEFORE CHRISTMAS Saturday 19th December 5.15 - 6.00pm Monday 21st – Thursday 24th December 9.00 - 9.30am or at any other time by appointment

CHRISTMAS AT ST GEORGE’S 2015

Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Is 45: 8 Drop down dew from above, you heavens, and let the clouds rain down the Just One; let the earth be opened and bring forth a Saviour.

Collect Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

First reading: Micah 5:1-4 The Lord says this: But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, the least of the clans of Judah, out of you will be born for me the one who is to rule over Israel; his origin goes back to the distant past, to the days of old. The Lord is therefore going to abandon them till the time when she who is to give birth gives birth. Then the remnant of his brothers will come back to the sons of Israel. He will stand and feed his flock with the power of the Lord,

with the majesty of the name of his God. They will live secure, for from then on he will extend his power to the ends of the land. He himself will be peace.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 79:2-3,15-16,18-19 R/. Lord of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved. 1. O shepherd of Israel, hear us, shine forth from your cherubim throne. O Lord, rouse up your might, O Lord, come to our help. R/. 2. God of hosts, turn again, we implore, look down from heaven and see. Visit this vine and protect it, the vine your right hand has planted. R/. 3. May your hand be on the man you have chosen, the man you have given your strength. And we shall never forsake you again; give us life that we may call upon your name. R/.

TODAY’S MASS Second reading: Hebrews 10:5-10 This is what Christ said, on coming into the world: You who wanted no sacrifice or oblation, prepared a body for me. You took no pleasure in holocausts or sacrifices for sin; then I said, just as I was commanded in the scroll of the book, ‘God, here I am! I am coming to obey your will.’ Notice that he says first: You did not want what the Law lays down as the things to be offered, that is: the sacrifices, the oblations, the holocausts and the sacrifices for sin, and you took no pleasure in them; and then he says: Here I am! I am coming to obey your will. He is abolishing the first sort to replace it with the second. And this will was for us to be made holy by the offering of his body made once and for all by Jesus Christ.

Gospel Acclamation: Lk1:38 Alleluia, alleluia! I am the handmaid of the Lord: let what you have said be done to me. Alleluia!

Gospel: Luke 1:39-44 Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s

greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’

Prayer over the Offerings May the Holy Spirit, O Lord, sanctify these gifts laid upon your altar, just as he filled with his power the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon: Is 7: 14 Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son; and his name will be called Emmanuel. Prayer after Communion Having received this pledge of eternal redemption, we pray, almighty God, that, as the feast day of our salvation draws ever nearer, so we may press forward all the more eagerly to the worthy celebration of the mystery of your Son’s Nativity. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

Copyright © 1996-2013 Universalis Publishing Limited: see www.universalis.com. Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible are published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc, and used by permission of the publishers. Text of the Psalms: Copyright © 1963, The Grail (England).

Used with permission of A.P. Watt Ltd. All rights reserved.