The countdown to the Solemnity ahead has a last commenced- four weeks which follow a pattern.
The first is about the final coming of Christ, the second prepares a community of repentance, the third is the task of John the Baptist to point out Jesus as the Messiah and on the fourth we have Mary preparing for the birth of her Son.
In the Lectionary we move to Year A when the evangelist is Matthew who has his own way of recording the events of the life of Jesus.
Advent is a time of preparing for the birth of Jesus and that will be our focus. Like Lent, Advent is a time when it appropriate to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation with individual confession. There will be a number of celebrations which will be planned in the next few weeks with a choice of confessors.
Bishop Richard’s Weekly Reflection
Dear brothers and sisters,
This Sunday sees the Church begin a new Liturgical Year. The First Sunday of Advent heralds a time of preparation for our celebration of the Lord’s birth. It is, also, a “season of two parts.” We begin with a focus on the coming Kingdom of God. The second part, beginning on 17th December, provides a more intense preparation for Christmas.
In this first part of Advent, we reflect on our hope in the coming Kingdom. This carries a particular resonance this year, perhaps, as we enter the final month of the Jubilee Year of Hope.
Advent calls us to be open to the gift of hope. Hope is a virtue. Hope is a gift. It is a mark of the Christian, for our lives are a preparation for the coming of the Lord. We proclaim, every time we profess our faith in the Creed: “I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.” The Christian life looks forward all the time – in hope – to the wonder of the experience of total love in the Kingdom of the Father. This hope must inform our actions, our encounters with others, our words, our prayer. It is this hope that enables us to live our Christian life, sometimes in the face of opposition and not without suffering and difficulty, here and now – to be Christ’s people each and every day, as we await His coming.
May this season be a time of renewed hope for us all, bringing us to be ever more effective in the work of mission that the Lord has given to us as beacons of hope, witnesses to the coming Kingdom of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
With every blessing,
+ Richard
Mass Schedule
- Sunday 30th November 10am Advent 1
- Monday 1st December 8:15am St Mary’s House
- Wednesday 3rd December 9:30am St Francis Xavier
- Friday 5th December 9:30am
- Saturday 6th December 8:30am HMP Lewes
- Sunday 7th December 10am Advent 2
The Word Of Life
The word of the Scriptures are valuable during the season for reflection.
The December Word of Life leaflet is available on the table in the porch for you.
Pope Leo’s Visit To Turkey To Meet The Orthodox Patriarch
Before setting out he published a letter celebrating the 1700 anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. You can read more about this by following this link.
Bishop Richard’s Comment On The Lifting Of The Two Child Benefits Cap
Bishop Richard Moth, Chair of the Department for Social Justice for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has welcomed the government’s decision to scrap the two-child cap on Universal Credit payments. Bishop Richard Moth, Chair of the Department for Social Justice for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has welcomed the government’s decision to scrap the two-child cap on Universal Credit payments.
Last Sunday’s Gathering
Thank you for meeting up and especially to James who introduced the Vision & Mission Statement and to those who looked after the refreshments and provided goodies.
Seeking God in prayer – Growing together in faith – Reaching out in love
Come prepare the way of the Lord
Open wide the gates of your heart
For the Saviour comes
And all will see the salvation of God.
St Thomas More Church, Patcham, Brighton 