NEWSLETTER FOR THE ENGLISH MARTYRS

Parish Clergy:

Canon Michael Dennehy

mdennehy@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

Fr. Richard Maniak

RBH Chaplain - RBH: 0118 3227105

(H) 0118 9586637

Email: fr.richman@hotmail.co.uk

Parish Secretary - Gwen Price

Youth Ministry Co-Ordinator/

Safeguarding Representative

Charlie McArthur

Tel: 07890 573169 –

Email: shyamalie1@btinternet.com

64 Liebenrood Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG30 2EB.

Tel: 0118 957 2149 - email: englishmartyrs@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

website: www.englishmartyrsrdg.org.uk Registered Charity Number: 246871

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT - YEAR A 3rd/4th DECEMBER, 2016.

These reflections on the readings of this Sunday’s Mass are provided by Dom Henry Wansbrough OSB.

First Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10

From this reading the seven gifts of the Spirit are, rather artificially, derived. Seven is the perfect number, so this prophetic text intends to signify that the promised ruler will have all possible gifts of what we more generally call wisdom and understanding. He will be a ruler before whom one can stand in the secure knowledge that his judgment will be deeply fair and satisfying. The ‘fear of the Lord’ ensures that the ruler will govern in accordance with the divinely-ordered bases of creation. Just such a Ruler is the one we are waiting for at Christmas. It was surely these qualities which made Jesus such an attractive and charismatic figure, so that he could, as a wholly unknown stranger, pass those fishermen, and they would drop everything and respond to his call, ‘Follow me’. Confrontation with his person was shock enough and inspiring enough to cure sickness. His simple word gave assurance of forgiveness of sin. His command reduced the elements of nature to serenity. In the second half of the reading we see the consequences of this rule: a return to the peace of the Garden of Eden. No more hostility, no more jealousy. Nature, even human nature, will not be red in tooth and claw.

What qualities do you find attractive in Jesus?

Second Reading: Romans 15:4-9

Paul is here summing up his message to the Romans, a fragmented community of several house-churches, some drawn from the Jewish community, some from the gentiles. He has described and analysed Christ’s work of salvation, the generosity of Christ in giving himself up for us, to win us back to the Father. Then he calls upon his hearers to imitate Christ’s generosity. He speaks first to the Christians sprung, like himself, from Judaism, reminding them of the promises of scripture (the heritage of Judaism) which were to inspire them with hope, for God’s promises are never-failing and sure. Then he reminds them with a string of quotations (only the first of which is given at the end of today’s reading) that God’s promises were intended for the gentiles too, so that they too should praise God’s name.

Why are we given this reading in Advent? Because the perfect generosity of Jesus Christ in taking on this work of our salvation must be the model for our own generosity, both to those who are our natural friends and to those who are not, and because it must be the basis of our hope; however neglectful and ungrateful we are, Christ’s work for us cannot have been in vain.

In what way can I be more generous to prepare for Christmas, especially to those who are not my natural friends?

Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12 - John the Baptist’s Call to Repentance

Repentance’ seems an unattractive word. It conjures up images of morose brooding over past sins and failures, a negative idea. This is not what John the Baptist proclaimed. His message was wholly positive. In Hebrew and Greek the concept of ‘repentance’ is about a change of behaviour, a change of direction. John is calling on his listeners to change their ways, to change their scale of values, their whole direction of life. To reinforce his message he wears the clothes worn by Elijah, the prophet whom Jewish tradition taught was to return to announce the final coming of the Lord. John proclaims his message in the desert, that apocalyptic landscape of the arid and bare Jordan Valley, below sea-level, where merchants would be crossing the Jordan on the road to the East. So John makes a deliberate claim to be this final prophet and to be preparing a way for the Lord. We see Jesus as the Messiah, the loving Saviour, but John was not at this point proclaiming this Jesus. He was proclaiming the threatening and imminent arrival of the sovereignty of God, when rotten trees would be cut down and evil swept away to be burnt in unquenchable fire. If we are to be open to the arrival of the Kingship of God, we may need to look to our own scale of values.

Is my scale of values compatible with those of the Kingship of God? How far do they coincide?

How Can I Serve?

With last week’s newsletter there was information about a whole range of parish groups that work together to serve and support others in a huge number of ways. Some groups, such as welcomers or readers, are seen every time we come to Mass.  Other groups work hard in the background reaching out to those in need within the parish and beyond. Have you always wanted to help with something but never been asked? Are you already part of a group within the parish but would like to know what else is going on and possibly change to do something new? Have a think about it and return the completed form this weekend, when helpers will be available to answer any questions you may have. ALL completed forms will be replied to but this may not be before the end of January 2017.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME - DECEMBER 2016

SESSIONS ARE HELD IN CHURCH - 9.15-10.30 AM – PARENT & CHILD TO ATTEND

Saturday, 10th

Session 3

Mass Intro and Penitential rites

Sunday, 11th

Presentation of Missals

Mass you usually attend

ADVENT PENITENTIAL SERVICES - DECEMBER

DATE

TIME

CHURCH

Monday, 12th

7.30 pm

St John Bosco

Tuesday, 13th

St Joseph’s

Wednesday, 14th

Christ the King

Friday, 16th

Our Lady of Peace

Saturday, 17th

11.00 am

English Martyrs

Sunday, 18th

3.00 pm

St Anne’s - Caversham

Monday, 19th

7.30 pm

St James

NEW HEAD TEACHER FOR BLESSED HUGH FARINGDON CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL

Dr Simon Uttley, a new Head Master, has been appointed for Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic Secondary School from Easter 2017.  Please keep him in your prayers.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUPS

For a few months representatives from each parish in the Reading Pastoral Area have been meeting with a view to setting up Bereavement Support Groups in each parish to work alongside the Parish Priest.

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 at this time can provide practical help and emotional support and prayer. A parish group would be involved in funeral preparation, home visiting, and assisting with the annual memorial service.

The team would consist of volunteers who have good listening skills, who can provide face-to-face support, as well as those with administrative/computer skills who can keep records, help with printing, etc. It would be good to include also people from other cultures and with different language skills. The commitment would also involve a monthly meeting for prayer, administration and support. Training will be provided. DBS clearance and safeguarding training would also be necessary. If this is something you might be able to do, please contact Father Michael or Gaynor Lloyd - gaynor13lloyd@gmail.com for further details.

CAFOD Camels Update

Thank you for the fantastic response to the CAFOD camels so far. As a parish we have already raised a fantastic £829.72p, which is for 2 complete camels and the start of a third. You can still win one of the gorgeous toy camels by guessing the name and/or buying raffle tickets. The camels are waiting for you in the colonnade after all Masses this weekend and are looking for a good home (as well as a name badge!). Come and have a go before you go home and add your name to the parish Christmas card.

ENGLISH MARTYRS YOUTH CHOIR

The choir meets every Monday, 4-5:15pm in the choir loft. All young people aged 18 and below are welcome.

Next Youth Mass will be on Christmas Eve, Saturday, 24th December at 6 pm. Contact Sister Theodora on 07438298642 or Charlie on 07890573169 for more details.

ENGLISH MARTYRS YOUTH GROUP

English Martyrs Youth Group will be having their Christmas Party on Friday, 16 December, from 7.30– 9.00 pm. All young people are welcome. Please let either Charlie (07890573169) or the office know whether you will be able to come as we need the numbers for catering purposes.

Come join in the Drama, the Procession and sing Carols on Saturday, 17 December - The Nativity Drama -outside John Lewis - The Procession from John Lewis to Waterstones. The Carols outside Waterstones with the Reading Central Salvation Army Band. This will take place four times, at 11 am, 12 noon, 1 and 2 pm. Please join us for one of these occasions. The actors will be Mary and Joseph. So come as you are … or dress festively. For further information please phone 01491-671357.

Refreshments are available every Sunday after the 9.30 am Mass.

The Bookstall is open after the 9.30 am Sunday Mass. Please feel free to browse and find what you need.

LOURDES 2017

 

Following a successful parish pilgrimage to Lourdes last year we are planning to return in July 2017 and would like to raise some funds so that we can take a number of people from the parish who otherwise would not be able to go on pilgrimage.  We also want to be able to help bring some of our young parishioners (aged over 18, unless accompanied by a parent/grandparent, etc.), to help with the pilgrimage - escorting some of the pilgrims to and from the various pilgrimage services in Lourdes.

 

You can help in a number of ways – come along and support our fund raising events next year or alternatively you can make a donation to the Lourdes Fund via the parish office.  Just put your donation in an envelope and give to Fr Michael or Gwen in the Parish Office. There are still a number of places for the pilgrimage and if you would like further information please email Judith on judithjan29@gmail.com or request a form from the Office.

Divine Mercy Meeting at St John Bosco on 8th January - 2.30-3.30 pm with

exposition, hymns and the sung chaplet, followed by refreshments. All are welcome.

We warmly invite you, particularly older youth, students of all ages and all Young Adults from the Reading Pastoral Area, to our overnight adoration at St William of York on Saturday, 3rd/4th December, "The Annunciation of Advent, with the Catholic Students Chaplaincy". Students start at 5 pm. Everyone else is invited to come at 11 pm when there will be Taize style prayer and the opportunity for confession. This will be followed by a Midnight Mass and then Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until 8am.  Please feel free to come along and support our Catholic students in this wonderful way to reflect during the start of Advent.

The St William of York Latin Mass Community has a monthly prayer vigil outside the BPAS Abortion Clinic at 121 London Street, Reading RG1 4QA. It takes place on the first Saturday of every month after their 8am Mass, commencing at about 9am, come rain or shine. There is parking nearby on Kendrick Road. Five decades of the Rosary are said for an end to abortion and in reparation for the abortions carried out there. It is not a demonstration - there are no banners or leaflets handed out - but rather an apostolate of prayer.  Can you spare 20 minutes once a month to join in praying for the end to these tragic deaths?

MASS INTENTIONS – 3RD- 10TH DECEMBER, 2016.

NAMES

TIME

DAYS

Roy Shilton RIP

6.30 pm

Saturday 3rd December – Vigil Mass – St Francis Xavier

Errol Rodrigues RIP

9.30 am

Sunday 4th – Second Sunday of Advent

Tessa Peat RIP

11.30 am

People of the Parish

5.00 pm

Philip Araujo & Maria Fernandes RIP

9.30 am

Monday 5th - Ss Birinus & Hedda

Father David Walford RIP

9.30 am

Tuesday 6th – St Nicholas

Kathleen Hunka’s Intentions

9.30 am

Wednesday 7th – St Ambrose

Phil O’Reilly RIP

9.30 am

Thursday 8th – IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Kevin McSharry RIP

7.30 pm

Father Geoffrey De Putron RIP

9.30 am

Friday 9th – St John Diego Cuahtlatoatzin

Mary Rael RIP

11.00 am

Saturday 10th - St Swithun Wells

EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

HOLY HOUR – Thursday 6.30-7.30 pm AND Saturday 11.30 am–12.30 pm.

CONFESSIONS - SATURDAY – 11.30 am–12.30 pm and 5.30–6.30 pm.

Responsorial Psalm: “In his days justice shall flourish and peace till the moon fails.”

Cleaning - Group 2 – 9th December.

Mariana plus volunteers please.

Counters – 11th December.

Peter and Sue Sheppard.

Collection: £1,189.99

A WARM WELCOME TO:

Laura Debska and Kai Perkins who are being baptised this weekend

RIP

Please pray for the repose of the souls of

Margaret Morrison, Daniel Curtin and David Brown who died recently.

LIFE, SVP and Samara’s Aid would like to thank all the parishioners who supported the Christmas Fayre. If you missed the event you might like the LIFE Coffee Morning next Friday, 9th December, after Mass. Selling a variety of goods and hand knits, plus cakes and a raffle.

“Simbang Gabi” Mass

The Reading Filipino Community invites everyone to their Traditional Christmas Mass, “Simbang Gabi”, at English Martyrs Church on Tuesday, 20th December, at 7.30pm (7-7:30pm Children’s Carols).

Food/Roast hog (Lechon) shared after mass - All are welcome.

Sleeping Bags for the HOMELESS in Reading

If anyone has a spare sleeping bag or a one-man tent, the Minster, St Mary the Virgin, in the Butts, just off Gun Street, is collecting these for the HOMELESS in Reading, between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Saturday inside the Minster.  The weather has turned suddenly colder and this would be very much appreciated. Please put any donations inside the tent in the middle of St Mary’s.  These are then being made available to the HOMELESS at the Evening food distribution sessions.

FLAME – CATHOLIC YOUTH EVENT - 11th March, 2017, at The SSE Arena, Wembley, 12 noon – 5.30pm.  For young people aged 14-21 years (Yr 10+) accompanied by parish Youth Leaders.  Tickets £20 pp.  Transport by coach and Diocesan “Hoodie” paid for by the parish. Parents meeting in January.  Booking forms available from the Office on request. Closing date 1st February, 2017. 

See website www.cymfed.org.uk/flame2.

SVP Senior Citizens’ Christmas Lunch & Party

The St Vincent de Paul Society will again be organising this year’s Senior Citizens’ Christmas Lunch and Party for the older parishioners in our community of English Martyrs. This will be held on Saturday, 10th December, in the Parish Hall. We will start with Lunch at 1 pm and finish at 4.30 pm. Please return your Acceptance slip this weekend.

_1542201362.doc