LOWESTOFT CATHOLIC PARISH -OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA & ST NICHOLAS Presbytery: 19 Gordon Road, Lowestoft, NR32 1NL Tel: 01502 572453 Parish Priest, Rev. Paul Chanh, 07414 735102 (text message only) email: [email protected] www.ourladylowestoft.com http://www.catholiceastanglia.org Deacon: Rev. Stephen Pomeroy Sat 5 Dec 5:00 pm OLSS Mass (Open to the Public) Barbara Phipps dec’d Sun 6 Dec 09:00 am Saint Nicholas Mass (Open to the Public) Richard H Oakley dec’d 2nd Sunday of 10:30 am OLSS Mass (Open to the Public) People of the Parish Advent Mon 7 Dec No Masses Tues 8 Dec 12:15 pm OLSS Mass (Open to the Public) Alison Love Wed 9 Dec 09:15 am OLSS Mass (Open to the Public) Keira Jarvis Thu 10 Dec 09:15 am Saint Nicholas Mass (Open to the Public) Joan Frances Bunyan dec’d Fri 11 Dec 12:15 pm OLSS Mass (Open to the Public) Mary Oakley dec’d Sat 12 Dec 05:00 pm OLSS Mass (Open to the Public) David Cheshire dec’d ALISON LOVE Sadly, Alison is leaving us, her house finally sold. She has done so much in the Parish while she has been with us. She is a stalwart member of CWL, one of our CAFOD reps and a willing volunteer. We wish every happiness in her change of place and home. CHRISTMAS MASS ARRANGEMENTS Booking forms are beginning to come in for the Christmas Masses and will be available in hard copy at all Masses over the weekend. Please complete a form as soon as you can and return it at church, post it through the Presbytery letterbox or return to Tony by email ([email protected]). This is the only way that you can be sure of getting a place at the Mass you want to attend, unless of course we run out of places. If because of Covid you have not attended a Mass under the restrictions, please note that you must wear a face covering and we will ask you to sit in a particular place, so we can get as many people in as possible and still keep the 1 metre social distancing. There will continue to be no singing by the congregation, even of Christmas carols. There can be no mingling, so you must remain in your seat until stewards say you may move at Communion. The toilets will not be available. CHRISTMAS CARDS Many Parishioners like to give cards to people when they see them at Mass and leave them to be picked up from the chest of drawers at the back of church if they don’t see them. This year please don’t do this. We must limit the movement of people inside the church to avoid breaking the distancing rules and must not have paper lying about. PRAY FOR THOSE WHOSE ANNIVERSARIES OCCUR ABOUT THIS TIME: Emily Nicholls, Audrey Aspinall, Christopher Fitzgerald, Patrick Henchy, Kathleen Dunbar, Zoltan Francis Helesfay, Josephine Weafer, Adrian Allaker, Mary MacDonald, Waclaw Janiszewski, Jennifer Kerr, Arthur Cumby, Patrick McAteer, Ian Nelson, Christopher Hardman, Nina Moss, Eileen Saben, Bernard Collard, Maurice Ratcliff, James Leavey. CHILDREN’S LITURGY The usual papers are attached. COMMENTRY SIDE OF BULLETIN & VARIOUS EXTRAS CAFOD WORLD GIFTS World Gifts, CAFOD's range of virtual gifts, make a real difference to families living in poverty across the world. While we have the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown here, we can still be good neighbours to our sisters and brothers overseas by giving World Gifts as Christmas presents to family and friends. The Keep Clean Kit gift for £6 and the Vegetable Garden gift for £10 are just two gifts that will help vulnerable families affected by the pandemic to protect and feed themselves. Let’s spread joy and hope around the world this Christmas. Visit cafod.org.uk/worldgifts. CELEBRATE ADVENT WITH CAFOD After a year of uncertainty, we all need the hope, peace and true comfort and joy that the Advent season can offer. CAFOD has a range of resources and virtual events to help us come together online to pray, reflect and celebrate as we prepare for the coming of our Lord. Visit cafod.org.uk/parishes to learn more. We can stretch out our hands to people living in poverty and refugees by donating to CAFOD’s Advent Appeal at cafod.org.uk/advent. Sunday 6th December Gospel 2nd Sunday in Advent- Faith Gospel: Mark 1:1-8 This is the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It began as the prophet Isaiah had written: “God said, ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you to clear the way for you.’ Someone is shouting in the desert, ‘Get the road ready for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel!’” So John appeared in the desert, baptizing and preaching. “Turn away from your sins and be baptized,” he told the people, “and God will forgive your sins.” Many people from the province of Judea and the city of Jerusalem went out to hear John. They confessed their sins, and he baptized them in the River Jordan. John wore clothes made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. He announced to the people, “The man who will come after me is much greater than I am. I am not good enough even to bend down and untie his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” John the Baptist on the banks of the River Jordan Gospel reflection: Today we hear about John the Baptist and how he was a messenger for God, preparing people for the coming of Jesus. What do you remember about John in this reading? What does he wear? What does he eat? What does he do in the river? How do we prepare during Advent? We put up a Christmas tree and decorate it. We buy presents for other people and we wrap them up. When John the Baptist began to prepare the way for Jesus, it wasn’t just for his friends and family. His message was for everyone who would listen. When we prepare for Jesus we can also remember people who are part of our worldwide family. Prayers: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit .Amen John the Baptist asks us to get ready for Jesus and so we pray together for God’s help: We pray for all people around the world who are preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus: that we may not forget those who need our help at this special time. Lord in your mercy... Hear our Prayer We pray for all people who are poor, hungry, sick or alone: that they may be filled with the joy and peace of Christ. Lord, in your mercy...Hear our Prayer We pray for our parish community, family and friends: that we may be kind and generous to others as we prepare for the coming of Christ. Lord, in your mercy... Closing prayer: Generous God, as we prepare for the coming of your Son Jesus, help us to remember all our brothers and sisters in our global family and to share your love with them. Amen. Activity suggestions: Enjoy the colouring and worksheets. Light candle 2 if you have an Advent Wreath Enjoy too learning about St Nicholas today! Second Sunday of Advent “Get the road ready for the Lord; Second Sunday of Advent (Year B) Gospel: Mark 1:1-8 make a straight path.” Gospel: Mark 1:1-8 Charity no 1160384 and a company limited by guarantee no 09387398. Illustration: Emma Metcalfe Illustration: no 09387398. guarantee by limited and a company no 1160384 Charity Colour in the picture of a family who have come together to prepare for Christmas. Emma Metcalfe Charity No. 285776 Illustration: Registered For Advent prayers and reflections visit cafod.org.uk/worship How will you prepare for Christmas? Write or draw a picture on the back of this sheet showing what you will do. Make a straight path Today we think about preparing a way and making a straight path for the Lord. How will you do that this Advent? Untangle these paths and straighten out which one is which. Match each letter path to a number action that we can do to get ready for Jesus. Prepare a way for the Lord A B C D 1. Say sorry 2. Care for 3. Make the 4. Share others world a fairer place Visit our online Advent calendar for families: cafod.org.uk/familyadventcalendar Catholic Agency for Overseas Development Enjoy colouring this picture. SAINT NICHOLAS DAY On December 6th, Saint Nicholas Day recognizes the third-century saint who became an inspiration for the modern-day Santa Claus. St. Nicholas was born around the year 245 in Patara in the country we know as Turkey. is known for selling all his possessions and giving his money to the poor. Raised as a devout Christian and became a priest and then a Bishop. St. Nicholas dedicated his whole life to serving the sick and suffering and is known for selling all his possessions and giving his money to the poor. Legendary stories about St. Nicholas: During the third century, a daughter’s chances of marriage increased when her father offered a large dowry to prospective husbands. One story tells of a poor father with three daughters. He had no dowry to offer. On three separate occasions, St.