St Francis of Assisi Church tel: 422-2431 e-mail: [email protected] SUNDAY MASSES: Saturday 5pm, Sunday 8 & 10.30am. (Confessions are available after each Sunday Mass) WEEKDAYS: Monday no Mass, Tuesday to Friday 7am, Saturday 8am Thursday 6-7pm - Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

NEWSLETTER 20th November 2016

To prepare for Sunday Mass of Christ the King it is a good idea to read and give thought to the readings in your missal or Bible. Here are some questions to ponder. First Reading [2 Samuel 5:1-3] Can you say to Jesus what the people are said to David, “We are your own flesh and blood." Second Reading [Colossians 1:12-20] "He is the image of the unseen God." Consider the contrast: Jesus Christ is actually God, and yet he is our own flesh and blood. Gospel [Luke 23:35-43] Picture Jesus below a notice which reads "This is the King." See Jesus dying in agony and try to understand his kingship.

AS WE CELEBRATE CHRIST OUR KING AT THE END OF THE YEAR OF MERCY, IT IS ESPECIALLY FITTING THAT WE APPLY IT TO OUR OWN ISLAND OF AS WE CELEBRATE 50 YEARS AS A NATION. One essential element of our heritage, which makes us what we are deep within ourselves is our Christian life. It is not that we are a nation whose religion happens to be Christian, but in the spirit of Christ is the way we think and quite naturally react and interact with each other, not always aware of it. That is just the people we are. This jubilee year is a chance for us to become more consciously aware of it. Christ is our King, not imposed on us, nor elected in competition with others. Just as you did not choose your parents when you were born, but if you grow up in a loving family you come to choose them with all your heart and would not change them for all the world. That is how we are with Christ. When we say the words "thy Kingdom come" we are not just referring to the distant future. This is a prayer for what we want to happen now and blossom here in Barbados. Christ said quite clearly that the kingdom of God is not in a particular place, but in our hearts. Here in Barbados Christ is our inheritance. Our Christianity, not just going to church but the way we live and think, is so precious that it would be tragic to take it for granted and risk losing it. This is a year when we come to appreciate what a gift we were born with.

THIS SUNDAY THERE WILL BE NO MASSES IN ST FRANCIS or any of the churches in Barbados. [5 pm Mass on Saturday as usual.] Sunday 20th November FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING 4.30pm DIOCESAN MASS at the Living Water Community Centre Activities will start with the opening of a Mercy Village which will showcase examples of Corporal Works of Mercy and Stewardship which took place throughout the Diocese during the past year. (All parishes have been asked to contribute at least one display). The chapel will be open for meditation, reflection. Confessions will be available. There will be live musical performances and testimonials. Bring your blankets, chairs, candles and an umbrella (just in case). The Mercy Village opens at 3:30 p.m. and Mass begins at 4:30p.m.

Wednesday November 23rd at 6pm in the Cathedral

PONTIFICAL MASS OF THANKSGIVING IN CELEBRATION OF BARBADOS’ 50TH ANNIVERSARY

official visit of His The Most Reverend Nicola Girasoli, Apostolic and Delegate of The to Barbados and The Antillies who will read out a letter from to the people of Barbados celebrating 50 years as a nation

COLLECTIONS The collection last week was $2,051.78 - for which many thanks. World Missionary collection was $1,314.80

Please would you continue to pray for them and for these people who are ill : Ramona King, 5-year-old Adriana Fifi, Nivaldo Lariu, Carlyle Glean, Taylor Pluna, Peter- Xavier Iweze, Lourdes Rocco, John Griffith, Teresa Hodge, Aurelija Vasilevskiene, Ivor Joseph, Shimisha Butcher, David Gittens, Annie Bromham, Michael Faul, Alison Howard, Noel Shirley, Natari Edwards differently, Carol Rowe, Sharon Cross, Glenda Gay, Marie Conibert, Jane Fontelle, Garfield Husband, Anna Teelan and Joyce Blennman

A shortened form of Fr Michael’s homily can usually be found in the Advocate on Sunday and after the Sunday on: Michael A J BarrowYoutube

in support of ST PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL RESTORATION

An ELEGANT EVENING WITH A THREE COURSE DINNER, followed by a beautifully orchestrated modern-day depiction of the Joyful Mysteries as a preparation for Christmas

on Saturday, December 10 at Living Water Community Centre seating by 6:30 pm contribution $150

While the the venue is Living Water Community, the menu is provided by outside caterers.

Tickets available from Ms. Rosemarie Campbell at 233- 3581 or email [email protected]

REVERSE ADVENT CALENDAR FOR FAMILIES A suggestion has come from one of our parishioners who has small children. While soon some of them will be preparing their Santa list, they would also "open a calendar" each day of Advent by putting in a basket something that would be appreciated by a family in need and also if they had some idea of the age of the children of such a family there could be some special Christmas gifts. This would be a particularly good way of our teaching children to be aware of others, less fortunate than themselves. The SVP might be able to supply us with the addresses of certain families, but it would be for you who are supplying the Christmas hamper to deliver it just before Christmas. If you are interested in taking part in such a scheme, please let Fr Michael know pretty soon so as to be ready by Advent.