St Benedict’s Social Club Rowan Rd Batchley

Available for hire Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals and other occasions.

Telephone the Club on 01527 60345

BINGO Every Sunday 2.30pm & Monday 8pm

Hadzor Prayer Group Friday mornings 11am-12.30pm to reflect on the Gospel for the coming Sunday. Refreshments provided

Feckenham Ecumenical Prayer Group Meet every Wednesday at 9.15am in the Anglican Parish Church

St Mary’s Alvechurch Ecumenical Faith Group On the third Wednesday of every month at 10.30 am – all welcome

New LIFE Care Service in Redditch EVERY FRIDAY 10.30am-12pm

in the Parish Centre - telephone 07516 257409 Free National Helpline 0808 802 5433

In the porches there are some LIFE cards which we would ask you to take and place in your doctor’s surgery

“My house shall be called a house of prayer”

Please be sensitive to those who want to pray in silence before Mass. Before Mass Talk to God During Mass Listen to God After Mass Talk to each other

Please pray for the following priests of the diocese -

Sunday 29th November Fr Krystof Pajak Monday 30th November Rt Rev Philip Pargeter Tuesday 1st December Fr Stefan Park Wednesday 2nd December Fr Roger Peck Thursday 3rd December Fr John Peyton Friday 4th December Fr Anthony Pham-Tri-Van Saturday 5th December Fr Stephen Pimlott

Statue Visitation for the Consecrated Life

Parishioners are invited to receive the statue of Our Lady for one week and place her with flowers and candles in a prominent position in the home. Each day you are committed to praying the rosary to which parishioners can be invited to join in if you so wish. If you would like to participate in this, please see one of the clergy or contact the parish office.

ROTA SO FAR ......... Sunday 22nd November Allan Barber Sunday 29th November Sarah Reynia Sunday 6th December Vera Whyte Sunday 13th December Christine Watson If your date is not convenient for you, please either swap with someone else or let the parish office know. Could you welcome the statue of Our Lady into your

home? - Yes? - please contact the parish office!

If you wish to contact the parish St Vincent de Paul group, please telephone 07531 818731

(the SVP phone) and leave a message with your contact details so we can return your call.

THE SHRINES OF OUR LADY & THE SACRED HEART To have the lamp burn for your intentions or loved ones, please contact the parish office, suggested donation £5.

(Malayalam) Monthly Mass

6.15pm Rosary followed by Mass,

First Saturday of the month

Fellow Catholic Parishioners please come and join us

The Catenians - a Catholic men’s association

‘Strengthening family life through friendship and faith’ The Redditch Circle meets on the Third Thursday of every month at the Abbey Hotel and welcomes new members. For further information please contact Andrew Farrell on 07767831548 or Brian Green on 01527 543111 or visit our website on www.redditchcatenians.co.uk In December we hold our Christmas Party at the Redditch Gold Club for all our family & friends. A good festive meal, dancing and fun for all.

Mount Carmel Seniors Group

Thursdays at 2.30pm St Benedict’s

3rd December Tea & Chat 8th December STA Christmas Party for the Elderly Saturday 11th December Parish Christmas Buffet Dance 12th December Loughborough Market, Lunch & Fr Denis Spaces on coach £28.50 Coach leaves St Benedicts at 9am 17th December STB’s Festive Friends (afternoon event for seniors)

500 CLUB SUBSCRIPTIONS

Subscriptions for the 500 club are now due. £12 per number per annum. If paying by cheque, please make payable to

‘Mount Carmel 500 Club’. If you are not a member and would like to be, please contact the parish office.

JOB VACANCY AT ST AUGUSTINE’S Examinations Officer (Maternity Cover) Required February 2016. Closing date 12.30pm Monday 14th December 2015. Part time—Term time including inset plus 6 days in August. Potential applicants are welcome to contact our Examinations Officer, Laura Richings on Its14@st-augustines.worcs.sch.uk or call 01527 550400

ADVENT WALK with ME Booklets

These are available in church and contain daily meditations leading up to Christmas helping us learn about God’s love and mercy. £1 each.

Can you help?

The Parish SVP is organising a Christmas Party for upto 200 homeless people in Birmingham on Saturday 19th December. Christmas lunch, a Carol Service, party games and a Christmas present for each and everyone is planned to make the day one to remember! We have ordered 10 x turkey crowns for lunch and would ask all parishioners to consider helping us with the cost of these. Thank you.

OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL, REDDITCH

Beoley Road West, Redditch, Worcestershire, B98 8LT (01527) 63096

Email: office@mtcarmel.co.uk Website: www.ourladyofmountcarmel.co.uk

The Parish is part of the Archdiocese of Birmingham: Registered Charity No. 234216

Parish Clergy: Fr Anthony Rohan, Fr David Doran & Fr Cornelius Safe

Permanent Deacons: Revs Des Chilton & Peter Griffiths

NEWSLETTER 1684 FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT 29TH NOVEMBER 2015

Page 26 Jeremiah 33:14-16 Psalm 24 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2 Gospel Luke 21:25-28;34-36

www.ourladyofmountcarmel.co.uk PARISH WEBSITE UPDATE: Twitter—Please follow us! @frdaviddoran Journey in Faith Baptism Enquiries, Wedding Enquiries can now be made via the Parish Website.

Mount Carmel Church Children’s Choir

Next meeting: SUNDAY 5th DEC 10:30am in the Parish Centre for the 11:15am Mass.

ALL CHILDREN WELCOME!

Journey in Faith Next Mtg Thurs 3rd Dec

Beginning with Mass at 7:00pm followed by a talk and discussion at 7:30pm in the Parish Centre.

All Welcome This Week: Moral Action

Thank you to everyone who has helped, supported or donated towards

the Parish Christmas Bazaar. Raffle results and amount raised in next week’s newsletter.

ADVENT—The Jesse Tree There are only 4 weeks to Christmas. We can see this on TV – all the adverts for perfumes, food, toys. It may seem very commer-cial. Sometimes it can seem the real meaning of Christmas is lost— Christ is removed from Christmas. But there is no point in moaning about it. It is better to do something about it! If we keep our traditions then we can overcome the commercialism that replaces our loving God with ‘giftmas’. Have you heard of the JESSE TREE? Jesse Trees are a Christian Tradition started hundreds of years before we had Christmas Trees. They are used to help tell the story of the Bible from creation to the Birth of Jesus. The story is called a Jesse Tree because Jesse was the Father of the great Jewish King David. The prophet Isaiah said a great King would come from the House of Jesse. The prophet Jeremiah repeats this in the First Reading: from the House of David a Branch will grow that will practice honesty and integrity. This King will be the Baby Jesus. To overcome consumerism is to practice one’s faith through spiritual signs of Christ. Perhaps you can add to your Christmas Tree some signs of the Christmas Story. Perhaps hang on it some pictures about the History of God coming to live with us in Jesus: pictures of the earth (creation), apple tree (Adam and Eve), rain-bow (Noah and the flood), a white lily (Mary), sheep (the shepherds), 3 gold stars (wisemen), Joseph (a carpen-ters hammer), Jesus (a baby) and so on. It would be a loving and prayerful activity for all the family to do. An antidote to a commercial overdose. The family that prays together stays together.

CHRISTMAS CARDS

If you want to keep Christmas holy there are Christian Christmas Cards available from the Piety Stall, Office or Sacristy. £3.00 for 16. There are also Christian chari-table Christmas Cards £3.99 for 10 (Friends of the Holy Land) and £4.99 for 10 (Aid to the Church in Need).

Mass Times & Intentions

First Sunday in Advent Year C

Week beginning Sunday 29th November 2015

Saturday Mount Carmel 5.00 pm Dec’d Brothers of the Catenians (Redditch Circle) Joan Casey (a) Hadzor 5.00 pm People of the Parish

Sunday Mount Carmel 8.15 am Mary Ginty 9.45 am Polish Mass 11.15 am Peter Hughes (a) 6.00 pm Ernest & Doris Daniel Alvechurch 9.45 am George Robins (a) Feckenham 10.15 am Liam Boyd

Monday Mount Carmel 9.10 am Morning Prayer 9.30 am Holy Souls

Tuesday Mount Carmel 9.10 am Morning Prayer 9.30 am Mary McCrudden 6.30 pm Michael Sheehan Mt Carmel Sch 9.20 am School Mass Mary McCrudden

Wednesday Mount Carmel 9.10 am Morning Prayer 9.30 am Rachel Hemming Holy Souls in Purgatory esp. dec’d members of FOSS 5.00 pm Polish Mass

Thursday Mount Carmel 9.10 am Morning Prayer 9.30 am Mary Sheehan 6.30 pm Adoration 7.00 pm Irena Kandulska

Friday Mount Carmel 9.10 am Morning Prayer 9.30 am Myrtle Wilson (a) 5.00 pm Polish Mass St Bede’s Sch 9.00 am Yr 6 Class Mass Roy Claves (sick)

Saturday Mount Carmel 9.10 am Morning Prayer 9.30 am Hugh & Jo McKenna The following fulfils Sunday Obligation Mount Carmel 5.00 pm STM FHC Enrolment Mass Kathleen McDermott Hadzor 5.00 pm Paddy Dillon

Second Sunday of Advent Year C

Week beginning Sunday 6th December 2015 Mount Carmel 8.15 am Tim Herlihy (b’day a) 9.45 am Polish Mass 11.15 am MCS FHC Enrolment Mass Paddy Rogers (b’day a) 6.00 pm Kevin O’Connor (b’day a) Alvechurch 9.45 am Martin & Gladys Hodson Feckenham 10.15 am People of the Parish

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Parish Diary ….

Sunday First Sunday of Advent Year C Psalter Week 1

Monday

5pm Legion of Mary 7pm Choir Practice in Mount Carmel Church

Tuesday Deanery Day at Redditch Wednesday 7.30pm Baptism Meeting in the Parish Centre (Val & Alan Sifford & Frances Edmonds)

Thursday 7.30pm Journey in Faith in the Parish Centre 8pm SVP Christmas Lunch Meeting in Parish Centre

Saturday

Tea & Coffee after 5pm Mass in the Parish Centre Tea & Coffee, Newman Room after 5pm Mass at Hadzor

Sunday Second Sunday of Advent Year C Psalter Week 2 ________________________________________________________________________________________________

What’s on ………..

Tuesday 8th December STA Christmas Party for the Elderly 1.15pm-3.15pm

Tuesday 15th December STA Carol Concert 7.30pm in Mount Carmel Church

Thursday 17th December STB’s Festive Friends (afternoon event for seniors)

Friday 11th December PARISH CHRISTMAS BUFFET DANCE Music by Irene & Tom, 8pm-late Tickets £5 available from the parish office & club

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY Music by ‘The Hurling Boys’ a must see Irish band 8pm-12.30am Bring a plate of food to share—Tickets £5

Confessions at Mount Carmel

During Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament followed by Benediction Saturdays 10-10.50am

CARMELITE SPIRITUALITY GROUP

A talk on Carmelite Spirituality, prayer and a shared lunch. Parish Centre at Mount Carmel Saturday 5th December —Start with tea/coffee at 11:15am and finish after lunch at 1.45pm. ALL WELCOME!

Monday Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle

(1st century) St Andrew was born at Bethsaida and worked as a fisherman. He is called the Protokletos or ’first called’, for he was originally a disciple of St John the Baptist before following Christ and bringing with him his brother, St Peter. After Pentecost he zealously preached the gospel and was crucified at Patras, Greece. He is the patron of Scotland, where his relics were formerly venerated at St Andrews.

Tuesday Feast of Saint Edmund Campion

(1540-1581) St Edmund Campion was born in London and educated at Christ’s Hospital school. He was a brilliant student at Oxford. Reconciled to the Catholic Church, he passed on to Douai and then to Rome where he joined the Jesuits. Next he worked in Bohemia and finally for one year, on the English Mission. His extraordinary success caused him to be unted down relentlessly. He was betrayed, racked and martyred at Tyburn.

Thursday Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552) St Francis Xavier was born near Pamploma in what is now Spain ands studied in Paris, where he became a follower of St Ignatius Loyola. A founding member of the Socieity of Jesus, he tirelessly brought the Gospel to India, Borneo, Indonesia and Japan. He died of fever on Shangchuan Island in 1552 while travelling to China.

Friday Saint John Damascene

St John Damascene was born in Damascus in the late 7th century. He was a monk and priest at the monastery of St Sabbus in Jerusalem. He is remembered for defending the faith and for his devotion to Our Lady. He died in 749.

Saturday Our Lady on Saturday

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Petition Against Buffer Zones

Please sign the petition addressed to the Home Secretary against buffer zones. Introduction of buffer zones outside abortion clinics would prevent people peacefully praying and offering help to the women going in. During the last 40 days for Life Campaign 6 babies were saved in Birmingham due to their mothers changing their decision.

Lamp at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mt Carmel

This week the lamp burns for the Intentions of the WOOLLARD FAMILY .... next week the lamp burns in loving memory of BRIGIT BREWSTER (ANNIVERSARY)

Lamp at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart

This week the lamp burns for the deceased members of the McCORMACK FAMILY ... next week in loving memory of JACK BARRON

For the dead ...

Your prayers are asked for ALICE O’HAGAN in Ireland, aunt of parishioner, WILLIAM HUTCHINSON May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace

Please pray for the sick...

Deacon Des Chilton, Kathleen Kavanagh, Thomas Adams, Alison Cole, Johannah White, Chris Burke, Selina Kilker, Carmel Fiolka, Anna Byrne, Fred & Pauline Clarke, Mark Collins, Mary Grady, Delia Bree, Matthew Smith, Paul Hart, Anne McVicker, Ruby Urka, Jane-Christina Thomson, Bob & Caroline Holland, Mick Halloran, Sr Catherine Devaney, Allan Barber, Chris Figgett, Peggy Woods, Martin Webb, Joseph Curtagar, Cynthia Williams, Gina (SVP), Teresa Grantham, Edwin McGlynn, Dave Pugh, Francis Latchford, Simon Taylor, Lilian Lee, Lottie Hatcher, Fiona Short, John Gannon, John Gill, Phyllis O’Brien, Mary Hillier, Margaret Hughes, Lily Robinson, Kitty Fanning, Thomas Henry Burnside, Bridget Heatley, Winifreda Olga Hall, Mike McLarney, Kathleen Donovan, Brian & Devan Dixon, James Vaughan, Jill Bennett, Kerry Boyd, Zofia Srebniak, Andrew Berry, Pat Conner, Aidan & Ita Hayes, Margaret Beddows, Helen Hardwick, Kate Shenton, Dawn & Alex Robinson, Martin & Margaret Daly, Clifford & Christopher Browne, Michael Smith, Michael Burke, Andrea Ferguson, Loretta Burns, Charlie Walker, Maureen Reavey, Lynda Rose, Ann Lowe, Michael O’Leary, baby Ellis Morbey, Emma Martin, Jim Gallagher, James Cull, Daisy Mae Williams (aged 3), Pat O’Boyle, Sas Burford, Jackie Gallagher, Jayden Reyes (aged 10), G Smith, Megan Collier, Cee Sheriden (Hadzor), Thelma Edwin, Martin Twomey, Gregory Daniel, Maura Lee, Kath McDermott, Sheila Nicholson, Gordon Taylor, John Laugharne, Dick Bell, Timothy Mills, Tony Gillespie, Chris Whyte, Margaret Clarke, Paul Kearns, Joyce Tremeer, Philip Broom, Alan Purvis, Brigit Broom, Oscar Rees, Monty Breslin, Judy Mitten, Nellie Gilbert, Sean Harkin, Anthony Obinna, Bridget Horton, Margaret Leonard, Ann Barratt, Kobie Boggis Nora O’Connor, Lucia Galleo, Jacquie Barker-Dean, Norah Hughes, Jane Doyle, Mary Hickey

Congratulations to ...

We welcome into God’s family ETHAN CHOLASHKI & TOBY COOPER baptised last weekend at Mount Carmel

One Climate One World

The UN climate change conference in Paris starts 30th November. Please pray for its success (using the St Francis of Assisi Novena available at the back of Church. Two of our CAFOD representatives will be there,. Pray that the world’s leaders will demonstrate Pope Francis’ desire for true Statecraft in difficult times, upholds high principles by considering the future common good.

WEEKLY STATISTICS

Weekend 21/22 November 2015 1st Collection £758.50 2nd Collection £391.00 Attendance (No Polish count) These figures do not include Standing Orders

Baptism To arrange for the baptism of your child/children you will need to contact the parish office on 01527 63096 or visit the parish website to find out when the next available Baptism Meeting is for you to attend. At this meeting you will be given the Baptism Form to take away with you for completion. Once completed please bring it with you to the parish office on either a Monday or Friday morning between 10am—11am when one of the priests will be able to see you and book the date for baptism. Baptisms normally take place on a Sunday at 12.30pm in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. There is an administrative fee of £30 for Baptism which should be paid at the time of arranging the date.

SAINTS & FEASTS FOR THE WEEK-

GOING INTO HOSPITAL IMPORTANT Please let us know if you are going into hospital.

It is ESSENTIAL that you ask for a Catholic Chaplain when in hospital. Chaplains are no longer given names of patients. Many health care providers (Hospitals, Nursing Homes) appor-tion resources for chaplaincies in line with how many requests are made, so you are actually doing the Church a favour by requesting the Catholic chaplain and the sacraments. The Catholic Chaplain for the Alexandra Hospital is Father David.