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Emergency numbers for a Priest –Please call your own priest first

Christ the King, Whitley Sat 6.30pm; Sun 10.00am Fr. Pat Madden 0118 931 4469 St. John Bosco, Woodley Sat 6.30pm; Sun.10.00am Fr. Rafaele Cossa/Fr Luca Speziale 0118 969 3423 St. James Sat 6.00pm; Sun 11.00am Cn. John O’Shea 0118 957 4171 English Martyrs, Tilehurst Sat 6.30pm; Cn. Michael Dennehy 0118 957 2149 Sun 9.30am, 11.30am, 5.00pm St. Joseph, Tilehurst Sun 8.30am, 10.30am Fr. Peter Glas 0118 942 8632 St. William of York Sun 9.00am, 11.00am (in Latin) Fr. Mathew Goddard / Fr. Ian Verrier 6.00pm (Students’ Mass) 0118 966 5284 Our Lady & St. Anne, Caversham Sat 5.30pm; Sun 10.00am, 6.30pm Mgr. Patrick Daly 0118 947 1787

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CTEER Leaflets. Thank you to everyone who took the leaflets and distributed them. We really appreciate your help in spreading the Good News. Cake and Jam Sale: A big thank you to all those who supported our cake & Jam sale last Sunday, donating cakes and/or buying them. We made about £350.00 for the Consecration fund. A special thank you to Sheila for the beautiful Christmas cake for raffle. Ben Krauze was the lucky winner. We are planning more sales for the coming year, so watch this space. Giving Tree The response to the appeal for gifts for the homeless has been wonderful. Thank you to all who gave so generously. The gifts will be distributed at CIRDIC on Christmas Day. Parish Christmas Cards—thank you for promoting our Parish.

338 Wokingham Road Earley Reading RG6 7DA Website www.olop.org.uk Portsmouth Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No 246871

Parish Priest The Rev. Fr. Stan Gibziński fatherstan@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk Parish Secretary Rachel Alexander 0118 966 3711 earley@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk Hall Bookings ONLY please Margaret Dias 0118 987 5588 hallbookingsolop@gmail.com Church office is closed for Christmas from 25th December 2017—Tuesday 2nd January 2018.

Offertory Collection 17h Dec Envelopes £54.00 Loose Cash £367.15 Standing Orders £716.31 Total £ 1137.46 Thank you for all your kind donations.

Psalm Response: 24th December—4th Sunday of Advent; I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord

Midnight Mass: Today a saviour has been born to us, he is Christ the Lord. Daytime Mass: All the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

The Holy Family: O Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways! 4

Anniversaries Please keep in your prayers

Muriel Bowman-Smith (1976), Arthur Pearce (1976), Sarah Doherty (1979), Mary Kayley (1982), Robert Scott (1989), David Botheral (1992), Joy Sellen (1993 ), Donald Wignall (1996), Zara Pangle (1997), Brian Sheldon (1997), Anthony Hesner (1999), Cis Byrne (1999), Pauling Thackram (2001), Kathleen Rooney (2001), Therese Polanski (2008), Mary Jones (2009), Thomas Flannery (2015), Elizabeth York (2015)

Other News Sanctuary Light—You can dedicate your intentions for a week for the sanctuary light. For more information please contact the Parish office. RCIA Course started 16th December with a Introduction only and will begin proper Formation meetings on Tuesday 15th January 2019 at 8.15pm. If you are keen and haven't attended yet, we can still accommodate you. Please contact the Parish office. My Day By Day The January edition of My Day by Day is now available in the Advent Room. £1.00 per copy. Safeguarding team -As a parish we are required to appoint a Safeguarding Representative. The position will be vacant soon, and volunteers are needed to form a small team to deal with safe-guarding issues. The Diocese gives full training and support to all involved. If you feel you can help with this vital role, please contact the Parish Office.

Where is the baby who was in the womb of Mary against whom the enraged dragon

went off to wage war?

He lies in a manger. He is on the altar. He is conceived in me. Where is the baby protected by Joseph

in the womb of Mary against stones of shame, despair and the law?

In a manger.

On the altar. Conceived in me. Where is the baby who brings joy

to oxen and donkeys?

Where is the gentleness that brings many to fall? Where is the baby,

the new creation of the Holy Spirit and Mary? Where is the balm of peace

passing through soul and body?

He lies in a manger.

He is on the altar. He is conceived in me.

This is the baby who overcomes the darkness but comes beneath it. This is the baby,

which horrifies those who sit on thrones unless they change.

He lies in a manger.

He is on the altar. He is conceived in me. Dear bothers and sisters, I wish you to experience a blessed, peaceful and joyful Christmas, Fr Stan

Where is the baby?

4th Sunday of Advent Year B p 32 24th December 2017 Christmas Midnight Mass Year B p34 24th December 2017 Christmas Daytime Mass Year B p 39/38 25th December 2017 The Holy Family Year B p41 31st December 2017

Royal Berkshire Hospital Chaplain: Fr JP Lyttle RBH: 322 7105 Parish: 957 2149.

Safeguarding Officer: Nancy 07504897291

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Christams Announcements 24th/25th December—after midnight mass, please join us for mulled wine and mince pies. Christmas Day collection/ offerings The collections at all the Christmas Masses are to thank Fr Stan’s ministry amongst us. Christmas and Easter are the most substantial part of a priest’s yearly income. Please give generously. Thank you. Crib Offerings This year our Parish will donate crib offerings to Friends of the Holy Land. Every penny will help the poorest Christian families, especially in and around Bethlehem, the West Bank, Gaza and Israel, with education, employment, health and housing costs . FHL is non-political and ecumenical. www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk Christmas Card Post office We have set a table in the Advent room for anyone who wants to give Christmas cards to their friends in Parish. Please have a look and collect your cards. We will keep the Post office open till Monday 8th January 2018. Gift From Bishop Philip for everyone. It’s a book called Rediscover Jesus by Mathew Kelly. It would make an excellent book for use during Lent as well as during Christmas!

Tuesday 26th Dec (St Stephen’s Day) 10 am Holy Mass with special celebration for altar servers. We will also sing carols during Mass so please bring your instruments and then we will have a gathering in DB room. Wednesday 27th—Saturday 30th Dec No Masses Sun 31st December (Holy Family Sunday): All 3 Holy Masses will have renewal of marriage vows for sacramental married couples. We will also sing carols during Mass so please bring your instruments.

New Year’s Eve - in the Social Club Doors open at 1930, bar closes 0100. Tickets must be purchased from the bar (1930-2230 daily, Sundays also 1200-14.30) by 22.30 on Friday 29th December. Members £5, Guests £8, Under 18s £2 inc free glass of sparkling wine at midnight! Please bring a plate of food for the buffet. New Years Eve St William’s Latin Mass Community have a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration from 11pm to Midnight followed by a sung Midnight Mass. After Mass there will be little celebration in the church annex. You are welcome to join the whole liturgy or pick and choose the element you feel comfortable with. All are welcome. Mon 1st Jan 2018 11am: Holy Mass Sun 7th Jan 2018. The Epiphany of the Lord. In all 3 masses Father Stan will hand incense, chalk and cards to everyone for the blessing of their homes.

Thank you Fr Stan would like to say great thank you to all involved in the process of preparation towards Christmas starting from those who attended and helped to prepare Morning Prayers on Monday, Rorate Masses on Wednesday, the Penitential Service, those who helped prepare decorations in the church: Crib, Christmas Tree, flowers, music, all involved in the liturgy and leading children in their Play. Christmas tree Our thanks to Wyevale Garden Centre on the A4 for donating the Tree in exchange for a donation to their company charity which is Marie Curie

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Date & Dedication Time Mass Intentions etc

Sun 24th Dec 2017 4th Sunday of Advent The Nativity of the Lord

8.15am 9.00am

11.00am 4.30pm 5.00pm

11.00pm

Rosary Bridget’s intention Children’s Nativity Play Christmas Vigil Holy Mass Vigil Service & Midnight Mass

Mon 25th Dec 2017 The Nativity of the Lord

9,00am 11.00am

For the Parish For the Parish

Tue 26th Dec 2017 St Stephen

10.00am

Wed 27th Dec 2017—Sat 30th Dec 2017

No Mass

Sun 31st Dec2017 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph

8.15am 9.00am

11.00am

5.00pm

Rosary Martin & Kate Gorman’s 39th Wedding Anniversary Joy Sellen RIP (Foundation Mass) Evelyne Brooks’ intentions

Mon 1st Jan 2018 Mary, The Holy Mother of God

11.00am Hannah Rurner RIP

Tue 2nd Jan 2018 9.00am 10.00am

Adoration followed by Rosary Arthur Pearl RIP (Foundation Mass)

Wed 3rd Jan 2018 9.30am 10.00am

Rosary Anthony Mooney’s Intention

Thu 4th Jan 2018 No Mass

Fri 5th Jan 2018 10.00am Holy Souls

Sat 6th Jan 2018 No Mass

Sun 7th Jan 2018 The Epiphany of the Lord

8.15am 9.00am

11.00am 5.00pm

Rosary

We wish you a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year from Fr Stan and the Parish Office.