SUNDAY 18DECEMBER: 4th Sunday of Advent It is less than a week before Christmas. The Gospel today describes the circumstances of the birth of Jesus. St Joseph's world is turned upside down, he had to struggle with the news that Mary was with child. When he is told in a dream that the child is God and will be called Emmanuel, he believes the message of the angel. Readings at Mass First Reading: King Ahaz was afraid, too afraid to turn to God for help. Still God offered him a sign to lead him to faith. Second Reading: St Paul introduces himself as a man dedicated to God. He proclaims Jesus as the son ofDavid and the Son of God. Gospel: Here we see Joseph wrestling with his uncertainty about Mary. He receives guidance through a message from an Angel. Confessions in Preparation for Christmas: Wednesday after 12.10pm Mass untillpm. Thursday (in Westbury) 11.30am until 12 noon. Friday after 6pm Mass until 7pm Saturday lOam until llam and 3pm until4pm RUH Bath: Anyone who has a friend or relative in hospital, please contact Mandy Baker (a member ofthe hospital Chaplaincy team) text/phone 07775 895 814 or email [email protected] Bible Alive for the month of January - available in the porch. Liturgical Diary 2017 (£6) & Diocesan Year Book (£5) are on sale in the church porch. Put money in box marked 'papers'. Collection for Flowers for Christmas after all the Masses this weekend. Baptism Preparation for parents who have a baby for Baptism or who are awaiting the birth of their baby. A new course will begin on Tuesday 18th January, 7 - 8pm in the Parish Centre. Celebrating the Masses: The Vigil 7pm Mass is geared towards children- Christmas midnight readings and Eucharistic Prayer I will be used: Midnight Mass as outlined for Midnight and Eucharistic Prayer [will be used. Westbury 9am Mass at Dawn with Eucharistic Prayer L Trowbridge I0.30arn Mass of the Day with Eucharistic Prayer L .a •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• : TH£SEASONOFCH~ • • • :MASSESFORCHRISTMAS Trowbridge : CHRISTMAS EVE- Saturday 24 December: Family Mass for Christmas 7pm (Carols from 6.4Spn) Midnight Mass 12pm • • • · • • • • • · • • •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• CHRISTMAS DAY - Sunday 25 December: Morning Mass lO.30am; No evening Mass CHRISTMAS EVE -Saturday24December: Midnight Mass 12pm (Carols from 11.30pm) Morning Mass 9am Westbury: CHRISTMAS DAY- Sunday 25 December: o Antiphons: As we begin the Novena for Christmas, the Church uses a special antiphon everyday this week giving a special title to the Saviour who is to come. They are in the Gospel acclamation at Mass right up until Christmas. 300 Club Big Christmas Draw Winners: First Prize £400 - Roberta Smith; Second Prize £200 - Theresa Geraghty; Third Prize £100 - Tony & Anna Boyle; Fourth Prize £50 - GeoffHolt. 300 Club 2017: The frrst draw will be held on Sunday 5th February in the Parish Centre after 10.30 Mass. Subscriptions are: Annually £50, Quarterly £13, Monthly £4.33 and can be paid by standing order. All subscriptions must be paid by the end of January. Membership forms are available in the porch. For details contact Frank Geraghty [email protected]/01380 871083 Christmas Quiz: Family brainteaser quiz sheets will be available today after Mass. £1 per copy. Masses this week: Mon: 9am; Tues: 6pm; Wed: 12.10pm; Fri: 6pm; Saturday & Sunday: As above marked 'Christmas Masses' Rosary: Weekdays before Mass. SVP: Fri 6.45pm Confessions: As above - marked 'Confessions in Preparation for Clfristmas' Christmas Posters / Stickers available in the Church porch. St John's Primary School: Congratulations to the children and staff on the KS 1Nativity Service - it was very uplifting. St Augustine's Carol Service: This was of the usual high standard and I would like to congratulate the college, especially the Music Department and to all who took part. Collection at Christmas: For those who use envelopes you will notice there are 2 envelopes for Sunday 25th December - please just use the one marked 'Christmas Offering' and destroy the other one. St. Vincent de Paul Society: The members would like to thank parishioners for their very generous response to their annual collection last Sunday. It will be a great help to them when doing their work in the parish. The amount raised was £692.63 Saturday & Sunday Mass: See above 'Christmas Masses' Weekday Mass: Thursday: llam Confessions: Thursday 10.30 'ti112 noon Collection: £857.14 Thank you. Counting team E: Tony & Anne Boyle, Jerry Campbell