NEWSLETTER FOR THE ENGLISH MARTYRS
Parish Clergy:
Canon Michael Dennehy
[email protected]
Fr. Richard Maniak
RBH Chaplain - RBH: 0118 3227105
(H) 0118 9586637
Email: [email protected]
Parish Secretary - Gwen Price
Youth Ministry Co-Ordinator/
Safeguarding Representative
Charlie McArthur
Tel: 07890 573169 –
Email: [email protected]
64 Liebenrood Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG30 2EB.
Tel: 0118 957 2149 - email:
[email protected]
website: www.englishmartyrsrdg.org.uk Registered Charity Number:
246871
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT - YEAR A 3rd/4th DECEMBER, 2016.
These reflections on the readings of this Sunday’s Mass are
provided by Dom Henry Wansbrough OSB.
First Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10
From this reading the seven gifts of the Spirit are, rather
artificially, derived. Seven is the perfect number, so this
prophetic text intends to signify that the promised ruler will have
all possible gifts of what we more generally call wisdom and
understanding. He will be a ruler before whom one can stand in the
secure knowledge that his judgment will be deeply fair and
satisfying. The ‘fear of the Lord’ ensures that the ruler will
govern in accordance with the divinely-ordered bases of creation.
Just such a Ruler is the one we are waiting for at Christmas. It
was surely these qualities which made Jesus such an attractive and
charismatic figure, so that he could, as a wholly unknown stranger,
pass those fishermen, and they would drop everything and respond to
his call, ‘Follow me’. Confrontation with his person was shock
enough and inspiring enough to cure sickness. His simple word gave
assurance of forgiveness of sin. His command reduced the elements
of nature to serenity. In the second half of the reading we see the
consequences of this rule: a return to the peace of the Garden of
Eden. No more hostility, no more jealousy. Nature, even human
nature, will not be red in tooth and claw.
What qualities do you find attractive in Jesus?
Second Reading: Romans 15:4-9
Paul is here summing up his message to the Romans, a fragmented
community of several house-churches, some drawn from the Jewish
community, some from the gentiles. He has described and analysed
Christ’s work of salvation, the generosity of Christ in giving
himself up for us, to win us back to the Father. Then he calls upon
his hearers to imitate Christ’s generosity. He speaks first to the
Christians sprung, like himself, from Judaism, reminding them of
the promises of scripture (the heritage of Judaism) which were to
inspire them with hope, for God’s promises are never-failing and
sure. Then he reminds them with a string of quotations (only the
first of which is given at the end of today’s reading) that God’s
promises were intended for the gentiles too, so that they too
should praise God’s name.
Why are we given this reading in Advent? Because the perfect
generosity of Jesus Christ in taking on this work of our salvation
must be the model for our own generosity, both to those who are our
natural friends and to those who are not, and because it must be
the basis of our hope; however neglectful and ungrateful we are,
Christ’s work for us cannot have been in vain.
In what way can I be more generous to prepare for Christmas,
especially to those who are not my natural friends?
Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12 - John the Baptist’s Call to
Repentance
Repentance’ seems an unattractive word. It conjures up images of
morose brooding over past sins and failures, a negative idea. This
is not what John the Baptist proclaimed. His message was wholly
positive. In Hebrew and Greek the concept of ‘repentance’ is about
a change of behaviour, a change of direction. John is calling on
his listeners to change their ways, to change their scale of
values, their whole direction of life. To reinforce his message he
wears the clothes worn by Elijah, the prophet whom Jewish tradition
taught was to return to announce the final coming of the Lord. John
proclaims his message in the desert, that apocalyptic landscape of
the arid and bare Jordan Valley, below sea-level, where merchants
would be crossing the Jordan on the road to the East. So John makes
a deliberate claim to be this final prophet and to be preparing a
way for the Lord. We see Jesus as the Messiah, the loving Saviour,
but John was not at this point proclaiming this Jesus. He was
proclaiming the threatening and imminent arrival of the sovereignty
of God, when rotten trees would be cut down and evil swept away to
be burnt in unquenchable fire. If we are to be open to the arrival
of the Kingship of God, we may need to look to our own scale of
values.
Is my scale of values compatible with those of the Kingship of
God? How far do they coincide?
How Can I Serve?
With last week’s newsletter there was information about a whole
range of parish groups that work together to serve and support
others in a huge number of ways. Some groups, such as welcomers or
readers, are seen every time we come to Mass. Other groups
work hard in the background reaching out to those in need within
the parish and beyond. Have you always wanted to help with
something but never been asked? Are you already part of a group
within the parish but would like to know what else is going on and
possibly change to do something new? Have a think about it and
return the completed form this weekend, when helpers will be
available to answer any questions you may have. ALL completed forms
will be replied to but this may not be before the end of January
2017.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME - DECEMBER 2016
SESSIONS ARE HELD IN CHURCH - 9.15-10.30 AM – PARENT & CHILD
TO ATTEND
Saturday, 10th
Session 3
Mass Intro and Penitential rites
Sunday, 11th
Presentation of Missals
Mass you usually attend
ADVENT PENITENTIAL SERVICES - DECEMBER
DATE
TIME
CHURCH
Monday, 12th
7.30 pm
St John Bosco
Tuesday, 13th
St Joseph’s
Wednesday, 14th
Christ the King
Friday, 16th
Our Lady of Peace
Saturday, 17th
11.00 am
English Martyrs
Sunday, 18th
3.00 pm
St Anne’s - Caversham
Monday, 19th
7.30 pm
St James
NEW HEAD TEACHER FOR BLESSED HUGH FARINGDON CATHOLIC SECONDARY
SCHOOL
Dr Simon Uttley, a new Head Master, has been appointed for
Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic Secondary School from Easter
2017. Please keep him in your prayers.
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUPS
For a few months representatives from each parish in the Reading
Pastoral Area have been meeting with a view to setting up
Bereavement Support Groups in each parish to work alongside the
Parish Priest.
The time surrounding a death is one of the most painful and
stressful times in a person’s/family’s life. The support of the
Parish community at this time can provide practical help and
emotional support and prayer. A parish group would be involved in
funeral preparation, home visiting, and assisting with the annual
memorial service.
The team would consist of volunteers who have good listening
skills, who can provide face-to-face support, as well as those with
administrative/computer skills who can keep records, help with
printing, etc. It would be good to include also people from other
cultures and with different language skills. The commitment would
also involve a monthly meeting for prayer, administration and
support. Training will be provided. DBS clearance and safeguarding
training would also be necessary. If this is something you might be
able to do, please contact Father Michael or Gaynor Lloyd -
[email protected] for further details.
CAFOD Camels Update
Thank you for the fantastic response to the CAFOD camels so far.
As a parish we have already raised a fantastic £829.72p, which is
for 2 complete camels and the start of a third. You can still win
one of the gorgeous toy camels by guessing the name and/or buying
raffle tickets. The camels are waiting for you in the colonnade
after all Masses this weekend and are looking for a good home (as
well as a name badge!). Come and have a go before you go home and
add your name to the parish Christmas card.
ENGLISH MARTYRS YOUTH CHOIR
The choir meets every Monday, 4-5:15pm in the choir loft.
All young people aged 18 and below are welcome.
Next Youth Mass will be on Christmas Eve, Saturday, 24th
December at 6 pm. Contact Sister Theodora on 07438298642 or Charlie
on 07890573169 for more details.
ENGLISH MARTYRS YOUTH GROUP
English Martyrs Youth Group will be having their Christmas Party
on Friday, 16 December, from 7.30– 9.00 pm. All young people are
welcome. Please let either Charlie (07890573169) or the office know
whether you will be able to come as we need the numbers for
catering purposes.
Come join in the Drama, the Procession and sing Carols on
Saturday, 17 December - The Nativity Drama -outside John Lewis -
The Procession from John Lewis to Waterstones. The Carols outside
Waterstones with the Reading Central Salvation Army Band. This will
take place four times, at 11 am, 12 noon, 1 and 2 pm. Please join
us for one of these occasions. The actors will be Mary and Joseph.
So come as you are … or dress festively. For further information
please phone 01491-671357.
Refreshments are available every Sunday after the 9.30 am
Mass.
The Bookstall is open after the 9.30 am Sunday Mass. Please feel
free to browse and find what you need.
LOURDES 2017
Following a successful parish pilgrimage to Lourdes last year we
are planning to return in July 2017 and would like to raise some
funds so that we can take a number of people from the parish who
otherwise would not be able to go on pilgrimage. We also want
to be able to help bring some of our young parishioners (aged over
18, unless accompanied by a parent/grandparent, etc.), to help with
the pilgrimage - escorting some of the pilgrims to and from the
various pilgrimage services in Lourdes.
You can help in a number of ways – come along and support our
fund raising events next year or alternatively you can make a
donation to the Lourdes Fund via the parish office. Just put
your donation in an envelope and give to Fr Michael or Gwen in the
Parish Office. There are still a number of places for the
pilgrimage and if you would like further information please email
Judith on [email protected] or request a form from the
Office.
Divine Mercy Meeting at St John Bosco on 8th January - 2.30-3.30
pm with
exposition, hymns and the sung chaplet, followed by
refreshments. All are welcome.
We warmly invite you, particularly older youth, students of all
ages and all Young Adults from the Reading Pastoral Area, to our
overnight adoration at St William of York on Saturday, 3rd/4th
December, "The Annunciation of Advent, with the Catholic Students
Chaplaincy". Students start at 5 pm. Everyone else is invited to
come at 11 pm when there will be Taize style prayer and the
opportunity for confession. This will be followed by a Midnight
Mass and then Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until
8am. Please feel free to come along and support our Catholic
students in this wonderful way to reflect during the start of
Advent.
The St William of York Latin Mass Community has a monthly prayer
vigil outside the BPAS Abortion Clinic at 121 London Street,
Reading RG1 4QA. It takes place on the first Saturday of every
month after their 8am Mass, commencing at about 9am, come rain or
shine. There is parking nearby on Kendrick Road. Five decades of
the Rosary are said for an end to abortion and in reparation for
the abortions carried out there. It is not a demonstration - there
are no banners or leaflets handed out - but rather an apostolate of
prayer. Can you spare 20 minutes once a month to join in
praying for the end to these tragic deaths?
MASS INTENTIONS – 3RD- 10TH DECEMBER, 2016.
NAMES
TIME
DAYS
Roy Shilton RIP
6.30 pm
Saturday 3rd December – Vigil Mass – St Francis Xavier
Errol Rodrigues RIP
9.30 am
Sunday 4th – Second Sunday of Advent
Tessa Peat RIP
11.30 am
People of the Parish
5.00 pm
Philip Araujo & Maria Fernandes RIP
9.30 am
Monday 5th - Ss Birinus & Hedda
Father David Walford RIP
9.30 am
Tuesday 6th – St Nicholas
Kathleen Hunka’s Intentions
9.30 am
Wednesday 7th – St Ambrose
Phil O’Reilly RIP
9.30 am
Thursday 8th – IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN
MARY
Kevin McSharry RIP
7.30 pm
Father Geoffrey De Putron RIP
9.30 am
Friday 9th – St John Diego Cuahtlatoatzin
Mary Rael RIP
11.00 am
Saturday 10th - St Swithun Wells
EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
HOLY HOUR – Thursday 6.30-7.30 pm AND Saturday 11.30 am–12.30
pm.
CONFESSIONS - SATURDAY – 11.30 am–12.30 pm and 5.30–6.30 pm.
Responsorial Psalm: “In his days justice shall flourish and
peace till the moon fails.”
Cleaning - Group 2 – 9th December.
Mariana plus volunteers please.
Counters – 11th December.
Peter and Sue Sheppard.
Collection: £1,189.99
A WARM WELCOME TO:
Laura Debska and Kai Perkins who are being baptised this
weekend
RIP
Please pray for the repose of the souls of
Margaret Morrison, Daniel Curtin and David Brown who died
recently.
LIFE, SVP and Samara’s Aid would like to thank all the
parishioners who supported the Christmas Fayre. If you missed the
event you might like the LIFE Coffee Morning next Friday, 9th
December, after Mass. Selling a variety of goods and hand knits,
plus cakes and a raffle.
“Simbang Gabi” Mass
The Reading Filipino Community invites everyone to their
Traditional Christmas Mass, “Simbang Gabi”, at English Martyrs
Church on Tuesday, 20th December, at 7.30pm
(7-7:30pm Children’s Carols).
Food/Roast hog (Lechon) shared after mass - All are welcome.
Sleeping Bags for the HOMELESS in Reading
If anyone has a spare sleeping bag or a one-man tent, the
Minster, St Mary the Virgin, in the Butts, just off Gun
Street, is collecting these for the HOMELESS in Reading,
between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Saturday inside the Minster.
The weather has turned suddenly colder and this would be very much
appreciated. Please put any donations inside the tent in the middle
of St Mary’s. These are then being made available to the
HOMELESS at the Evening food distribution sessions.
FLAME – CATHOLIC YOUTH EVENT - 11th March, 2017, at The SSE
Arena, Wembley, 12 noon – 5.30pm. For young people aged 14-21
years (Yr 10+) accompanied by parish Youth Leaders. Tickets
£20 pp. Transport by coach and Diocesan “Hoodie” paid for by
the parish. Parents meeting in January. Booking forms
available from the Office on request. Closing date 1st February,
2017.
See website www.cymfed.org.uk/flame2.
SVP Senior Citizens’ Christmas Lunch & Party
The St Vincent de Paul Society will again be organising this
year’s Senior Citizens’ Christmas Lunch and Party for the older
parishioners in our community of English Martyrs. This will be held
on Saturday, 10th December, in the Parish Hall. We will start with
Lunch at 1 pm and finish at 4.30 pm. Please return your Acceptance
slip this weekend.