Newsletter: 3rd December 2023

First Sunday Of Advent

16.30 Confessions
17.30 VIGIL MASS

09.00 MASS
10.30 MASS
12.00 Baptisms

10.00 Requiem Mass – Monica Coles
No Coffee Morning

10.00 Mass
12.00 Funeral Service Chapel Bury Cemetery: Mary Fielding

10.00 Mass

10.00 Mass
10.30 – 11.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

14.30 Baptism
16.30 Confessions
17.30 VIGIL MASS

9.00 MASS
10.30 MASS
12.00 Baptisms

CHRISTMAS FAIR
Thank you to everybody who donated goods, volunteered, and supported the fair! The total money raised so far is £2785.66.

CARITAS APPEAL FOR DRY GOODS
This Sunday at 10.30a.m Mass, a volunteer youth worker will be here to ask for our help for those in need.

S.V.P GIVING TREE PROJECT
Please take a tag off the Christmas Tree in the Atrium with ideas for small gifts to donate to children and adults of all ages. These will be distributed to needy families within the parish. The St. Vincent de Paul Society are
inviting all parishioners to share in the spirit of Christmas by taking part in our ‘Giving Tree’ project.

ANNUAL MISSION APPEAL
Fr. Augustine Franklin, will be coming to preach the mission appeal from the Missionary Society of St. Paul (MSP) next weekend of the 9th & 10th of
December. The MSP is a religious congregation working in different parts of the world, committed to spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ and the salvific work of God the Father in the Holy Spirit. You are all invited to support their mission appeal. We will have a second collection on the weekend of the 9th & 10th of December at all the Masses to support the work of the MSP.

UCM COACH TRIP CHESTER
There are two additional places on the coach trip – £20 per person on Wednesday 6th December. If interested please phone Iris Turner on 0161 796 0181. The coach will leave at 10.00 am from church and Chester around 4 p.m.
The first meeting in the New Year will be on Wednesday 10th January. There are no meetings in December.

POINSETTIAS
If you would like to donate a Poinsettia to decorate the church please bring to church by the third Sunday of Advent. Thank you

RE-COMMISSIONING OF READERS
This weekend at every Mass those who exercise the Ministry of Reader in our parish will be recommissioned

CARITAS CHRISTMAS DINNER
Sunday 24th December – Christmas Meal delivery service only.
Monday 25th December Delivery service or Takeaway/Sit-down meal from 1.00p.m –3.00p.m at Bury Parish Church Hall, The Rock (behind the Church )
If you or someone you know would like to order a meal or be a volunteer driver for an hour to deliver meals please contact 07855 306074 before 22nd December.
There is no charge for this meal. Please see the Poster in the Atrium.

CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES
Saturday 23rd December
5.30pm Mass (4th Sunday of Advent)
Sunday 24th December
9.00am Mass (4th Sunday of Advent )
10.30am Mass (4th Sunday of Advent)
5.30pm First Mass of Christmas
Monday 25th December
10.30a.m Mass of Christmas

2025 “PILGRIMS OF HOPE” JUBILEE
This Advent, Pope Francis invites people across the world to embark on a Year of Prayer in preparation for the 2025 “Pilgrims of Hope” Jubilee. Over the coming weeks and months, the Diocese of Salford will be sharing a range of resources and ideas to help us journey together through this Year of Prayer. Click here find out more >

STAY WITH US, LORD, ON OUR JOURNEY

THIS WEEK’S GOSPEL

This brief parable of the master returning unexpectedly is typical of Jesus’ vivid way of speaking. The message is typical, too, because Jesus was constantly stressing that there is no time to lose. When he came in his earthly ministry he again and again challenged his hearers to make up their minds NOW, to change their ways NOW. He challenges us to do the same. We can hear the rattle of the returning Master’s key in the lock. There is no time to hide the contraband, to pull our uniforms straight before greeting the Master at his entry. Even if we do not think that the world’s end is imminent, even if death is not threatening, every moment counts, every decision is for or against Jesus. Saints are rumoured to have said that, if they received the news that they were to die that night, they would carry on doing what they were doing anyway. Saints can do this, because they are ready for the coming of the Lord. But what about us? If we need to put things a bit more in order to prepare for the Lord’s coming, is there any valid reason to delay? The four weeks of Advent are a good time to clean things up for the Lord’s coming. What would you like to change about your life in preparation for the coming of the Lord?

BAPTISMS Please see Fr. Brady after Mass if you would like your child to be baptised. A baptismal certificate for one of the parents must be provided as evidence of baptism in a Roman Catholic Church before a baptism date can be given. We welcome parents and children and by attending Masses at the weekend on Saturday at 5.30pm, Sunday at 9.00am or 10.00am which fulfil the Sunday obligation. All Catholics are OBLIGED to celebrate Mass on EVERY Sunday.

BAPTISM CERTIFICATE COPIES REQUESTS For those requesting copies of baptism certificate the office can be contacted initially and the certificate can be collected at any of the weekend Masses. This is also to encourage people to come to Mass.

SICK AND HOUSEBOUND If you know of anybody who would like Fr Brady to visit, could you please give him their name and address with postcode and a contact telephone number. Thank you.

MASS INTENTIONS AND NEWSLETTER INCLUSIONS The practice of requesting a Mass to be offered for loved ones, living or deceased, is a beautiful and wonderful part of our Catholic Tradition. Continuing this long-standing practice, you can remember someone who has died recently or many years ago. The Mass can also make beautiful gifts for any special occasion: birthdays, anniversaries, in thanksgiving for a prayer answered etc. You can offer an intention for anybody who is struggling with a serious illness or other difficulties of life. Please hand in any Mass Intentions and items for the bulletin before Thursday as the newsletter is printed on Friday Morning. There are Mass Intention Envelopes provided on the table in the Atrium. Please provide a contact number with Mass Intentions so that any discrepancies can be resolved. Thank you.

OUR LADY’S LAMP AND THE SANCTUARY LAMP These burn for seven days .Please place any intentions in an envelope with £5 in the Mass Offerings Box in the Atrium.

MASSES AND PRAYERS RECEIVED THIS WEEK

Lately Dead
Monica Coles, Mary Fielding.

Anniversary
Peter Baker.

Birthday Memory
Bernard Higgins.

Sick
Daniel Kahanga.

Other
Peace in the World.

This week the Sanctuary Lamp burns for:

Elizabeth Moon.

This week Our Lady’s Lamp burns for:

People Living With Disabilities.

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