Very often the wilderness is portrayed as a barren, deserted place but it wasn't always. For the Hebrews, it was 'midbar'; the place 'without words' - away from the hustle and bustle of human existence, away from noise and distraction. So, even if our Advent is spent in noisy Mill Hill, with building work going on around us, we can create space and time for quiet and reflection, where we can be open to God's spirit of 'wisdom and insight, counsel and power, knowledge and fear of the Lord', where, like John the Baptist, we can try to be people of integrity; 'of one piece'. And, when we know we are out of integrity - with God, with one another, or within ourselves - we can seek to make peace, especially through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. RECENTLY DECEASED
Please remember in your prayers all our beloved departed. We also remember those who died recently and those whose anniversaries occur at this time.
We continue to remember in our prayers all those who are sick and those who care for them. DEFIBRILLATOR (AED) Thanks to the generosity of the Good Neighbours Scheme, we have been able to instill an AED in the foyer of the hall. Thanks to Christophe Gallichet for organising a rota of first responders for Sunday Masses. Thanks to Hannah for a very helpful training session for some of the first responders and the office staff. SVP BINGO & AFTERNOON TEA The SVP group will be hosting their Bingo session on Monday, 5th December, from 2-4pm. ADVENT SERVICES The Parish Reconciliation Service will be on Wednesday, 14th December, at 7pm. The Parish Carol Service will be on Wednesday, 21st December, at 7pm. Masses on Christmas Eve will be at 5pm, 7pm, 9.30pm (Carols) and 10pm (Mass). Masses on Christmas Day will be at 9am and 11am. ACCOMMODATION SOUGHT A single older gentleman is looking for a studio flat in the Mill Hill area. If you can assist, please contact the Parish Office. MARY'S MEALS Just over £1,000 was raised and has been sent on to Mary's Meals.
DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY
The Sisters thank everyone who supported their mission sale; they raised £3,784.08 for the kindergartens in Ethiopia
The raffle was won by Julie with ticket 1961. Julie - please contact the Sisters!
The Sisters will host Evening Prayer every Sunday of Advent at 4 pm. All are welcome - and there will be a cup of tea afterwards.
CHRISTMAS CRIB OFFERING A reminder that our Parish will be supporting the work of the Catholic Children's Society by donating any offerings made at the Crib. You can also contribute online at cathchild.org.uk. CAROLS ON THE BROADWAY A reminder that Carols will take place on Saturday, 3rd December, at 5.30 pm, near Boots. Everyone is invited along to support and to sing along.
REPOSITORY
Our repository can now accept credit-card payments! How up-to-date are we? There are a lot of lovely Christmas ideas, including these little Nativity charms and more traditional medals, candles and prayer books.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. AND FINALLY... Next Thursday, 8th December, is the feast of the Immaculate Conception; a patronal feast of this Parish. The Miraculous Medal is dedicated to Mary Immaculate; dear to all Vincentians and Daughters of Charity. The feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, along with the feast of St Catherine Labouré, and the foundation day of the Daughters of Charity all occurred last week. May Advent be a time of blessing and peace for us, for our Church and for the world and may Mary, the Mother of our Saviour, pray for us all. With every blessing,
Rev Eugene Curran CM