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THE CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS & SAINT JOSEPH, WARE

e.mail: [email protected] Parish Priest: Fr. John Gray website: www.sacredheartware.com Parish Deacon: Rev. Adrian Cullen telephone: 01920 462140 Pastoral Assistant: Mary Hallett Parish Secretary: Tracy Moloney

24th November 2013 Christ the King

TIMES OF SERVICES & GROUP MEETINGS THIS WEEK

MONDAY 8.00 a.m. MASS at Carmel 25th 8.00 p.m. Prayer Group in the Hall

St Catherine of Alexandria TUESDAY 8.00 a.m. MASS at Carmel 26th 9.30 a.m. - 11.00 a.m. Toddler Group in the Hall

WEDNESDAY 9.45 a.m. Morning Prayer 27th 10.00 a.m. MASS 8.00 p.m. RCIA in the Hall – Christian Life in the World THURSDAY 8.00 a.m. MASS at Carmel 28th Fr. John at Council of Priests at Westminster

FRIDAY 11.30 a.m. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 29th 12.00 noon MASS

SATURDAY 1.00 p.m. Baptism: Oisin Arthur Ship 30th 6.30 p.m. FIRST MASS OF SUNDAY

St Andrew SUNDAY 8.30 a.m. MASS 1st December 10.30 a.m. MASS

1st Sunday of Advent Mass Book Page 167 Response to today’s Psalm “I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house’.”

READINGS NEXT WEEK Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 121, Romans 13:11-14, Gospel Matthew 24:37-44 MONEY COUNTING TEAM NO 4 THIS WEEK

CHURCH CLEANING

This week Tony Archer, thank you.

WANTED

Can you help? A family with 3 children who have just moved into our parish are looking for a wardrobe and a hoover. If you can help, please have a word with Fr. John. Thank you. ______

SYNOD ON THE FAMILY QUESTIONNAIRE

There are copies of the Consultation Questionnaire available on the table at the back of the Church. You can also access it on the internet at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FamilySynod2014. The closing date for responses is 6th December. ______

DICKENSIAN EVENING

We will be having our usual bottle tombola stall at Ware Dickensian evening on Friday 6th December. We would be grateful for donations of bottles (full and in- date) which can be left in the collecting box in the porch and for offers of any hours of help to run the stall on the evening. The list is on the table at the back of the Church to sign up. Thank you. ______

CHRISTMAS CARDS MADE BY THE LADIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

There are still a few packs of these beautiful handcrafted Christmas cards available. If anyone would like to purchase some, a pack of 10 cards is £10. Please contact Tracy in the Church office. All money goes back to the ladies in the Philippines that make them. ______Prisoners of Conscience

Christmas Card Signing Next weekend in the Hall after Mass. Cards provided. Come in and send a message of support and greetings to fellow Christians in their suffering.

SPICMA – PHILIPPINES COLLECTION

Thank you, to all those who generously contributed to the above appeal. A total of £900 has been raised & sent off to SPICMA. This money will be sent direct to the Mill Hill Missionaries working in the Philippines (as SPICMA takes no expenses from any money donated) and will help alleviate the suffering of the many people who have lost everything as a result of the recent tornado. Our help and support are greatly appreciated. Thank you again. ______

POPPY APPEAL

Thank you, to all those who contributed to this year’s poppy appeal. We raised £56.68p, with a district total of £15,000; which enables The Royal British Legion to continue their vital welfare and benevolent work. ______

‘ WARE CHRISTMAS TOGETHER’ – DON’T BE ALONE

As in previous years many local Church members will be involved with the enterprise, which has been greatly appreciated, particularly by people who would otherwise spend Christmas on their own. Come and join with others at the Riverside Hall (Age Concern), Priory Street, Ware for a Turkey Dinner on Christmas Day from 12 noon – 3.00 p.m. or have a dinner taken to your home. Helpers are needed on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day for transport and delivery and with cooking and serving the meal. The ‘Guest Invitation or Home Delivery’ forms (green) and the ‘Helper Registration’ forms (red) are available on the table at the back of the Church. Or for more information, please ring Christmas Together on 01920 420642. ______

Please take home a CAFOD World Gifts Catalogue after Mass Having trouble thinking of what to buy your friends this Christmas? Why not give them a CAFOD World Gift. This Gift gives a much needed present to some of the world’s poorest communities, and a stylish certificate to your friends or family showing them the gift purchased on their behalf. Please take home a CAFOD World Gifts catalogue today after Mass, - learn more and order online at www.cafod.org.uk/worldgifts

ST MARY’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL 6 th FORM OPEN EVENING

The Sixth Form Open Evening for St Mary’s Catholic School, Bishops Stortford takes place on Thursday 28th November from 6.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. in the school hall. There will be a talk by Mr Chadwick the Head of Sixth Form at 7.15 p.m. The prospectus and course information will be available on the evening. A selection of classrooms will be open from 6.15 p.m. where you will be able to talk to subject staff about what is on offer. Last October the school was graded as “Outstanding” in all categories by OFSTED. ______

Y YEAREAR OFOF FFAITHAITH I BELIEVE IN GOD THE FATHER 44. Q. Who created the world? A. God alone, who is beyond time and space, created the world out of nothing and called all things into being. Everything that exists depends on God and continues in being only because God wills it to be. The creation of the world is, so to speak, a “community project” of the Trinitarian God. The Father is the Creator, the Almighty. The Son is the meaning and heart of the world: “All things were created through him and for him”. We find out what the world is good for only when we come to know Christ and understand that the world is heading for a destination: the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Lord. The Holy Spirit holds everything together; he is the one “that gives life”.

Prayer for the Year of Faith Lord, let me see your face, know your heart and experience your love in my life. Strengthen in me the precious gift of faith. I believe Lord, help my unbelief. Amen.