THE ROMAN CATHOLIC PARISH OF

3rd December 2016 - 2nd Sunday in Advent - Issue 1151

7

YEARS

BUILDING A STRONG WORSHIPING COMMUNITY

1946- 2016

ST JOHN BOSCO PARISH

CELEBRATING

0

THE SWEETNESS OF CHRISTMAS CAROLS This weekend, we come together as a parish to enjoy Christmas Carols over mulled wine and mince pies. In so doing, we join thousands of groups, communities and churches across the world who will be singing Christmas Carols. A carol is a song of praise and joy. It is usually a poem, suitable for singing, made of uniform stanzas, with a refrain which begins the piece and is repeated after each stanza. The tradition of carols originated from France but has spread to other countries over time. "Ding dong merrily on high", for example, first appeared as a secular dance tune in a dance book by Jehan Tabourot in the sixteenth century. The lyrics in English came from composer George Ratcliffe and the carol was first published in 1924. In 1847, a parish priest in France, eager to have a special poem for Christmas, approached Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure, a wine-taper to help write one. The result was the beautiful piece: "O Holy Night." Realising that it would serve best if rendered musically, he approached Adolphe Charles Adams, an eminent composer, who produced what thousands enjoy today. The carol was translated into English by John Sullivan Dwight. Carols often move listeners to deep, explosive joy; and they respond with

thunderous applause, nodding, shaking or clapping. St. Francis

of Assisi added something to Carols when he introduced Nativ-ity Plays in the thirteenth century. Carols are poems of joy and praise. It is the joy of expectation, as we await the Messiah, the Saviour. As you rush from one carol concert to another, or watch on TV, remember: Our Lord is very near! (Fr. Bon)

St. Dominic Savio Catholic Primary School - Western Avenue, Woodley RG5 3BH Tel. 0118 969 3893 Head Teacher: Mr. James Broadbridge Website:

www.stdominicsavio.co.uk Emergency numbers for the Sacramental Ministry of a priest: Fr Bon 969 3423 Fr. Pat 931 4469 Fr. Stan 966 3711 Fr. Peter 9428632 Canon Michael 957 2149 Canon John O’Shea 957 4171 Please call your own priest first. READING CHURCHES WEEKEND MASS TIMES: CHRIST THE KING Sat 6.30pm & Sun 10am ENGLISH MARTYRS Sat 6.30pm, Sun 9.30am, 11.30am & 5pm OUR LADY OF PEACE Sun 9am, 11am & 5pm ST JAMES Sat 6pm, Sun 11am ST JOHN BOSCO Sat 6.30pm & Sun 10am ST WILLIAM OF YORK Sun 9am, 11am & 6pm St JOSEPH’S Sun 8.30am & 10.30am

Responsorial Psalm: 2nd Sunday of Advent, Year A: In his days justice shall flourish and peace till the moon falls

St. John Bosco Church

56 Western Avenue, Woodley, Reading RG5

3BH Tel: 0118 969 3423

Priest:

Fr Bonaventure Ndong

Email: stjohnbosco

@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk Website:

stjohnbosco.co.uk Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/

groups/1455918784702101

Part of the PORTSMOUTH DIOCESAN TRUST Registered Charity

Number 246871

Administrator: Karen Tarvin

Church Office is open

next week:

Tues-Fri: 8.30am - 1.30pm

Confessions

Saturday 5.30pm

WEEKLY COLLECTION Envelopes £189.50 Loose £234.81 Standing orders: £510 Thank you for your kind and generous donations which go towards the running of the parish Next Special Collection:

11th December—Christmas Flowers

ST JOHN BOSCO BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE Please keep in your prayers all those with Anniversaries in December:

Ruby Gomez+ Robert Ashe+ Eamonn Burke+ Raymond Cook+ Peggy Pounds+ Aguida Ortiz +Sarah Keenan + Guillermo Larano+

Sheila Halse+ Connie Hayes+ Peggie Bentley+ Sarah Irving+ Arthur Jacobs+ John Michael McNamara+ Ralph Gomez+

Jessie Ayres+ George Bentley + Richard Gurney + Norman West + Sister Mary Agatha +

NEXT MEETING DATES: 3rd Woodley St John Bosco Scout Group: Term Time Only Beavers: Mon 6.00 - 7.00 pm Cubs: Thu 6.30 - 8.30pm Scouts Mon 7.30 - 9.30pm

Please keep in your prayers all those that lost their lives in the

Brazilian plane crash

ADVENT PENITENTIAL SERVICES

BLESSED HUGH FARRINGDON

Thank you to outgoing Headmaster John Casey for all his hard work dur-ing his tenure at the school, we wish you well for your future. Welcome Dr Simon Uttley who will take up this position at Easter. Our prayers and good wishes for BHF school and for John Casey and Simon Uttley at this time of change and development.

ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE Open Mornings

Tuesday 24 January Friday 24 February Thursday 30 March

From 10.30am to 12.00pm EARLY YEARS

Tuesday 24 January Thursday 30 March

From 4.15pm to 5.30pm PREP OPEN MORNING Fri 24 Feb 9.30—11 am

DIVINE MERCY St John Bosco,

8th January 2.30—3.30pm

With exposition, hymns and the chaplet is sung

Refreshments afterwards

ST JOHN BOSCO AREA CTW CHRISTMAS CARD

DELIVERY PLEASE HELP!

The CTW Christmas cards are available in the church porch sorted into street bundles please pick up and deliver as many streets etc. As you are able. MANY THANKS

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION - Please use the sign up sheet in the church porch to indicate your availabil-ity over the Christmas and New Year period—Thank you!

Date Time Venue

Mon 12th 7.30pm St John Bosco

Tue 13th 7.30pm St Joseph’s

Wed 14th 7.30pm Christ the King

Fri 16th 7.30pm Our Lady of Peace

Sat 17th 11.00am English Martyrs

Sun 18th 3.00pm St Anne’s

Mon 19th 7.30pm St James

MINISTERS FOR NEXT WEEKEND

10th/11th December

Readers Saturday James Lobo Mary Keenan Sunday Pia Gibbs Angelina Gualtieri-Reed Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Saturday D Cramp M Eames R Toms Sunday M Stanbridge A + Altar C Owens B J Jeyakumar C + Altar M Armstead D + Altar M Dodd Altar only L Guttridge Altar only

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Top 5% of schools in England

“Good with outstanding features” Ofsted 2015

Thurs 8th Dec and Tue 10th Jan, 9.15am to 11.30am Come and see us in action!

PARISH CAROL SERVICE—Sun, 4th Dec 5.30pm Come and join us. Followed by mulled wine and mince pies and Christmas hamper raffle in the Newman Centre. ALL WELCOME

YELDALL MANOR Are asking for donations of oiletries, Confectionery, underpants, socks, scarves, hats, gloves, pens, paper, games etc.. If you would like to donate, please wrap up gift and add post it note with what

is inside. All gifts to be by 19th Dec. please. Thank You

ROMANIA LINK will be selling Christmas goodies at the Woodley Extravaganza, this Sunday. Please come along and support us. THANK YOU

REPOSITORY Christmas cards, calendars, candles, gifts and children’s books are now on sale. Please support us as ALL profits go to the church. Thank you for all your support

ALTAR SERVERS’ PRACTICE Will take place on Sunday, 18th December, 4pm—5.30pm

“SIMBANG GABI” MASS” The Reading Filipino Traditional

Christmas Mass “Simbang Gabi” English Martyrs Church, Tuesday, 20th Dec, 7.30pm

(7.00—7.30 Children’s Carols). Food/Roast hog (Lechon)

shared after Mass ALL WELCOME

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FLAME—CATHOLIC YOUTH EVENT

11th March 2017 at the SSE Area, Wembley, 12 noon—5.30pm. Young people 14-21 yrs accompanied y parish Youth Leaders. Tickets £20pp. Transport by coach and Diocesan Hoodie paid by parish. Parents meeting in Jan. Booking forms available from the church porch. Clos-ing date 1 Feb 17. see www.cymfed.org.uk/flame2

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP 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 can provide practical help and emotional support and prayer. Volunteers will be involved in funeral preparation, home visiting and assisting with the annual memorial service. The commitment would involve a monthly meeting for prayer, administration and support. Training will be provided. DBS clearance and safeguarding training would be necessary. If you are interested in volunteering please fill in the form available in the church porch.