A Christmas Celebration in Words and Carols

Listen to the Christmas Story
Watch it being acted out
Sing along as the carols fit the story

Sunday 16th December at3.00 pm at Saint Columba’s Church, Port Erin

Music by Rushen Silver Band

Refreshments will be served afterwards in the Church Hall

There will be a retiring collection in aid of Smile Train - A charity providing surgery and support for children with cleft lip and cleft palate in developing countries.

Everyone Welcome

Bingo Night and supper at the Kursaal at the Palace Hotel, Douglas

Tuesday 11^th December:
Tickets are £20— includes supper and 10 games of Bingo! For tickets, please contact: Annette (457826), Michelle (624741) or Sheila (475990).
Raffle prizes gratefully received.

 

 

Guild of Saint Stephen for Altar Servers

All Altar servers from our three parishes are invited to the saint Stephen’s Day Mass at 12 Noon, Saint Mary of the Isle, Douglas on Boxing Day – 26^th December which is the Feast of Saint Stephen.

Our new Servers will received their Guild Medal at this Mass.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.30 pm Family Mass on Christmas Eve

Would any children who know they are coming to this Mass please come along to Saint Mary’s Church on Sunday 23^rd December at 4.00 pm for a run-through of the Music for the Mass.

 If you, or a neighbour or friend, are bringing your little ones to this Mass and they have a Shepherd or Angel Costume which they have worn for their School or Playgroup Nativity, then it would be lovely if they would wear it again for that Mass! Thank you

Month of the Holy Souls

Many thanks for your response to the Pious List in November. As well as having a Mass for the Holy Souls each day in November, we will have a Mass for the Holy Souls on the First Friday of each month and also have a lamp at one of the Altars in Saint Mary’s church burning for the Holy Souls in that following week.

Many thanks. It is good that we continually remember in prayer those who have ‘gone before us, marked with the Sign of Faith’.

A Festival of Cribs

A Festival of Cribs will be held at Saint Mary of the Isle, Douglas next Saturday, 15^th December, 9.00 am – 6.00 pm. Come along to get some ideas of the variety of crib and manger scenes from different parts of the world. Tea, coffee and cakes available throughout the day, together with some Christmas cards and gifts from the Holy Land. No entrance fee... just a voluntary collection which will be sent to the Christians of the Holy Land.

 

If you have a crib which is particularly significant to your family and/or which has a special history or origin, would you lend it for the exhibition? If you could write a couple of words to explain to others why the crib is significant then we will display this as well.

 

If any individual or group would like to make a floral or craft depiction of the Bethlehem Manger Scene then we would be delighted to display it. Thank you

 

A Time for thinking of others...

Throughout the year we need to keep the concerns and difficulties of others very much at the forefront of our minds. However at Christmastime there is perhaps even greater opportunity to do this through the various good causes and charities which are supported through our communities. Here are some ways which you might like to consider.

Bring a Gift...

As in years past, we encourage you (regardless of age!) to bring a small gift with you to our Christmas Masses which will then be shared with less fortunate children and families in our area. The gift could be a child’s game, toiletries or small clothing items (gloves, scarf or the like) . They will all be used well and gratefully received!

SVP Appeal

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) do great, but often unseen, work throughout the year. We will take a Collection at our Masses in support their work next weekend, Sunday 16^th December.

Advent Lunches

Soup and a Roll in Saint Mary’s Presbytery after the 12.10 Mass on the Tuesdays of Advent. No Charge – but donations gratefully received for local charities.

Advent Alms

We have placed at the back of the three churches, envelopes marked ‘Advent Alms’ which can be used for any donations you wish to make to local charities during this Season. Funds will then used for the work of the SVP, the Salvation Army and other local charities.

Christmas Gift Ideas

www.cafod.com
www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk
www.sendacow.org.uk
www.svp.org.uk

 

 

 

 

 

All Island Christmas Youth Service

Will be held at Saint German’s Anglican Cathedral, Peel on Saturday 8^th December from 7.00 pm until 9.00 pm.

All ages welcome for an interdenominational service of Interviews, hymns and songs and drama  with refreshments!) further information from hub@sumt.im

Holy Land Pilgrimage

The Catholic Pictorial, the magazine of the Archdiocese, is organising an 8 day pilgrimage to the Holy Land, 11^th to 19^th February 2013. The cost will be £1,150 and the flight departs from Manchester.

For further information please contact Kim or Fiona on 0151 709 7657.

Advent Lunches

Soup and a Roll in Saint Mary’s Presbytery after the 12.10 Mass on the Tuesdays of Advent. No Charge – but donations gratefully received for local charities.

If you are in Douglas

for shopping or for business don’t forget that Saint Mary’s Church is open through the day (until about 6.00pm). It is a delight to see that so many people pop in during the day for a moment of prayer, to light a candle, to enjoy the peace.

Flower Arrangers at Saint Mary

Christmas: Please could all our arrangers contact Sue by email s.magee@psac.sch.im or telephone 675432 after 6.00 pm and let her know if they are/are not available to arrange at Christmas.

We can arrange from the afternoon, Saturday December 22^nd, Sunday 23^rd, after 11.00 am mass until 6.00pm and finish if need be on Christmas Eve morning. Please check the notice board at the back of church in the coming weeks for more details.

Festival of Cribs: I am hoping to do a floral crib for this event, if anyone can help or has any ideas please let me know and we can get together. I intend to arrange on Thursday, 13^th December after 6.00 pm.

 

 

 

Christmas with the Salvation Army

This Sunday afternoon at the Gaiety Theatre from 3.00 until 4.30 pm. Featuring the Band, Songsters and junior Musicians of the Salvation together with the Friday Lunchtime Community Choir and members of the Broadway Theatre Company. Tickets £1.00.

In aid of the Salvation Army IOM Christmas Appeal.

S.V.P. Christmas Party

The annual SVP Christmas Party for Parishioners will be held on Saturday 8^th December from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm in St Peter’s Church Hall, Royal Avenue Onchan.

Tickets available from members of SVP. Santa has been booked. Ages and numbers of boys/girls coming please to SVP members to ensure Santa brings enough presents.

Coming …Ready or Not!

We now enter‘with avengance’ that time of year when the pressure for busy-ness is all around – the busy-ness of the party season, the Christmas wrapping season and the added pressure of ‘this will make for the best Christmas ever’!

 

Of course the present straightened circumstances in which we find ourselves may reduce the expenditure somewhat – but the pressure is still there to spend that extra little bit because the invoice will only come next year ; but next year comes around very quickly.

Happy New Year

Today we begin a new Liturgical Year with the First Sunday of the Advent Season.  In the season of Advent we wear the Liturgical Colour purple which is a regal colour but also a colour of expectation. The Gloria is omitted from the Sunday Masses – so that its reappearance at Christmas makes all the more impact! The Alleluia is still sung, because Advent is not a Penitential season in the same was as Lent.

Something many of us associate with Advent is the Wreath and the lighting of the Candles week by week. While this is not actually foreseen as part of the Liturgies of Advent, it is very much part of our preparation as we listen to the readings of the Sundays of Advent as they develop our sense of expectation and fulfilment of God’s loving plan in the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Saint Anthony’s Offertory Envelope Scheme

The new pack starts this weekend and are available for collection at the back of Church. If you would like to join, please enter your name and address on the sheet on the porch table or see Brendan Caley or telephone him on 625075. It is confidential and makes no difference to what offering you give, but helps the accounting.

With you always

Once again, any thanks to all who came along to the two sessions last week. Our theme was ‘ reconciliation’ and the children, and families and indeed the whole parish community are invited to come along on the Monday or Wednesday of this coming week when the children make their First Confessions – and the rest of us make our Nth confession!

Including the Reconciliation services this coming week, that will make four meetings at which the children and their families have looked at different aspects of Baptism, done a Treasure Hunt in the churches, and reflected on Belonging and Reconciliation. In the New Year we look at Holy Communion and Confirmation in preparation for the Celebration of these Sacraments in May of next year.

 

 

Parish Mass Books

Today you will notice that we have new Parish Mass Books. They run through from the first Sunday of Advent until the end of Eastertide 2013. You will notice that they are slightly thicker than the last ‘Books – this is because they have included the texts of some of the newer Eucharistic prayers which will sometimes be used at Mass, as well of course as all the Sunday Masses and the Holy week Services for next year.

They cost us £2.00 per book – so if you would like to make a contribution to the expense of the books then it would be gratefully received (either through the regular collection or in one of the boxes at the back of the churches )

 

 

Gospel of Saint Luke

Please take away with you from Mass this weekend.... a copy of the Gospel of Saint Luke, which is the Gospel read through this coming Liturgical Year. If you have a copy already then pass it on to someone who may not have one! Plenty to go around...

Services of Reconciliation across the Island

Monday 3^rd Dec - 6.30 pm at Saint Anthony, Onchan
Wednesday 5^th Dec - 6.30 pm at Saint Mary of the Isle, Douglas
Monday 10^th Dec - 4.30 pm at Our Lady Star of the Sea, Ramsey
Monday 10^th Dec - 7.00 pm at Our Lady Star of the Sea, Ramsey
Thursday 13^th Dec - 7.00 pm at Saint Columba, Port Erin

Lourdes Applications

The Application process for the Lourdes Youth Pilgrimage next year if now closed. Thank you.

KSC Christmas Fayre

This Sunday 2^nd December at the Columba Catholic Club from 2.00 until 4.00 pm. Come along and enjoy all the fun of the Fayre whilst giving your support to the stalls held by Saint John Ambulance, Catholic Women’s League, FairTrade, Naseems’ Manx Brain Tumour Charity, The Over Sixties and R.A.O.B.

Admission £1.00 which includes seasonal refreshments.

Sunday of the Child Jesus

On the weekend of 22^nd/23^rd December (4^th Sunday of advent) we invite you to bring the statue of the Christ Child from your nativity Scene along to Mass and these will be blessed in preparation for the Feast of Christmas. This custom is known in Italy as ‘Domenica del’Bambino‘ – Sunday of the Child Jesus.

 

Bingo Night and supper at the Kursaal at the Palace Hotel,

Bingo Night and supper at the Kursaal at the Palace Hotel, Douglas on Tuesday, 4th December. Tickets are £20— includes supper and 10 games of Bingo! For tickets, please contact: Annette (457826), Michelle (624741) or Sheila (475990). Raffle prizes gratefully received.

 

A festival of Cribs....

will be held at Saint Mary of the Isle, Douglas on Saturday, 15^th December, 9.00am – 6.00pm. Come along to get some ideas of the variety of crib and manger scenes from different parts of the world. Tea, coffee and cakes available throughout the day, together with some Christmas cards and gifts from the Holy Land.

No entrance fee... just a voluntary collection which will be sent to the Christians of the Holy Land via the Friends of the Holy Land (FHL).

 

Pope’s Prayer Intentions

We can join Pope Benedict in his prayer intentions for November:

General Intention: Ministers of the Gospel. That bishops, priests, and all ministers of the Gospel may bear the courageous witness of fidelity to the cruci fied and risen Lord.

Missionary Intention: Pilgrim Church. That the pilgrim Church on earth may shine as a light to the nations.

 

Send a Cow...

Each year Send a Cow Charity help thousands of African families grow enough food to eat, sell their produce and develop small businesses that last.

This Christmas, choose a Send a Cow gift – the original and best. Your charity gift will make a lasting difference to a family in Africa and keep on giving as calves, seeds and training are passed on to neighbours in need.

 For full details please visit their website www.sendacowgifts.org.uk. Thank you.

 

Assembly

At the end of this month (24^th November) the Archdiocese is holding its Assembly which takes as the theme ‘ Keeping Holy the Lord’s Day’.  If there are any further comments you would wish to be sent in for this consultation, please let us have them asap (they can be e-mailed to saintmaryiom@rcaolp.co.uk or in written form, handed in at the Presbytery). Thank you

 

Pious Lists

November is the Month of the Holy Souls when we pray particularly for those who have, ‘gone before us marked with the Sign of Faith’.  If you wish to remember your loved ones, families and friends at the November Masses then please place their names in the envelopes which you will find at the back of the churches. One Mass each day in November will be offered for our November Dead List - sometimes known as the ‘Pious List’.

Any donations you include in the envelopes will be used as stipends for the Masses and will also enable us throughout the Year to have Masses celebrated for the Holy Souls. During November, the public recitation of the Rosary will continue at 11.45am in Saint Mary’s Douglas.

 

Island Spirituality Network

A series of evening talks which will be delivered at The Nunnery in Douglas. This is under the auspices of The Isle of Man College but anyone is welcome to attend – not just students at the College! In order to sign up for one – or all – of the sessions  please print off, complete and sign this application form, (www.iomcollege.ac.im/uploads/PT-Enrol-12-13.pdf) – then send to IoM College, Homefield Road, Douglas, IM2 6RB. Any enquiries ring Clair at IoM College on 648204. All the ISN sessions are free.

Full descriptions of the five sessions – together with the course codes which are required for the application form:

14 Nov: 'The Story of Christianity in Mann'

Course Code:  EX021-AW
Michael Hoy MBE

21 Nov: 'A light for our steps' 

Course Code:  EX022-AW
Canon Philip Gillespie

28 Nov: 'What is Prayer?' 

Course Code:  EX023-AW
Rev Peter Robinson

5 Dec: 'Seeking Stillness' 

Course Code:  EX024-AW
Cheryl and Brian Cousins

 

Holy Land Pilgrimage

The Catholic Pictorial, the magazine of the Archdiocese, is organising an 8 day pilgrimage to the Holy Land, 11^th to 19^th February 2013. The cost will be £1,150 and the flight departs from Manchester.

For further information please contact Kim or Fiona on 0151 709 7657.

 

S.V.P. Christmas Party

The annual SVP Christmas Party for Parishioners will be held on Saturday 8th December from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm in St.Peter’s Church Hall , Royal Avenue Onchan.

Tickets available from next week from members of SVP. Santa has been booked. Ages and numbers of boys/girls coming please to SVP members to ensure Santa brings enough presents.

 

With Your Always Update

The next sessions are this coming Monday (12^th) at Onchan 6.30 – 7.30pm and again Douglas (in Saint Mary’s School) 6.30 – 7.30pm. Following the principles of Family Catechesis, the sessions will be for the children and their parents.

We have received some questions regarding the timing and dates of the Masses at which the children will receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion. As in year past there will be choice of two masses

7.00 pm on Friday 10^th May at Saint Anthony in Onchan

OR

1.00 pm on Saturday 11^th May at Saint Mary of the Isle, Douglas.

As regards what the children will wear for these Masses, the Catechists and Priests suggest that we go for something which is relatively simple and yet dignified;

For the girls: a simple white dress, the sort that can be worn again in other circumstances and which avoids ostentation.

For the boys: school trousers, white shirt and red tie.

 

Remembrance Sunday

Today is remembrance Sunday, when we recall with gratitude and respect those who have been affected by warfare or conflict while wearing the uniform of our armed services, and particularly those who have given their lives in the Service of their Country.

There will be short services at the Cenotaphs in Douglas and in Onchan at 11.00am today (Sunday) and the National Act of Remembrance will be held at St. John’s at 3.00pm

A Prayer for those who suffer and those who care for them

God of love and compassion
We commend to Your care all those in our world
Who suffer through war, conflict and injustice;
The injured, bereaved, dispossessed, brutalised and despairing
Those whose scars are visible,
And those whose scars are hidden deep inside
Those whose pain lies embedded in longstanding memories
And those whose wounds are recent and acute

And as we honour those who have served in conflicts past

We also remember those who have been killed, bereaved and wounded

In more recent and ongoing situations;
Through service in our armed forces
Through the sometimes dangerous task
Of providing protection to life and property
And upholding the rule of law.
And through being the innocent victim
Of acts of atrocity and terror

We pray for all who mourn loss and live with pain
Those who continue to struggle against adversity
Who are plagued with trauma
Who are troubled by regret.
Grant Your healing and strength
Your care and consolation
And be with all those who offer support and care
Who work to rebuild what is broken
To heal all that is wounded
Through Jesus Christ our Lord
Amen

 

 

Before Mass....

Please be mindful of those who have arrived early for Mass in order to pray privately by keeping conversations to a minimum and maintaining, as best possible, a  respectful silence. Thank you.

 

Lourdes Youth

A meeting for the young people who are hoping to travel to Lourdes next year on the Archdiocesan Pilgrimage – Grotto Hall Onchan Today (Sunday) at 5.00pm

Application Forms for the Lourdes Pilgrimage (25^th July to 2^nd August) 2013 are now available on-line at www.animateyouth.org  or from Mrs Sheila Scott on 475990.

Places are limited, so first come first served! The lower age-limit is 15 years old. Completed forms should be returned to the Presbytery at Saint Mary’s marked “Lourdes 2013” together with a deposit of £100.

 

Lamp Letter and Collection

This weekend we hear a Pastoral letter from the Archbishop concerning the Liverpool Archdiocesan Missionary Project (LAMP for short) which was established under Archbishop Derek Worlock to provide for some of our Priests to serve for a period of time in Latin America. There will be a retiring Collection at all Masses in support of LAMP.

 

Thank you

Thanks to those (albeit few in number!) who were able to come along  to our Harvest Festival at the end of October. The foodstuffs which were donated via Saint Mary’s School and from Parishioners on that afternoon have been distributed via the SVP and the Salvation Army to those in need at this time.

 

With You Always Catechists

Our next meeting will be at Saint Mary’s Church on Wednesday 7^th November, at 7.00pm

 

Understanding the Vatican Council

Canon Philip will lead five sessions over the next months looking at the Second Vatican Council and also examining four of the major documents (‘Constitutions’) which were published by the Council. Although they are 50 years old, they still have a freshness today and can help us better understand and live our Faith. All are welcome to come along to these talks which will be on Friday evenings at 8.00 pm at Grotto Hall at Saint Anthony, Onchan.

Friday 30^th November: Introducing the Second Vatican Council

Friday 11^th January 2013: Sacrosanctum Concilium—the document on the Liturgy.

Friday 25^th January: Dei Verbum  - the document on the Word of God.

Friday 8^th February: Lumen Gentium—the document on The Church.

Friday 22^nd February: Gaudium et Spes—the document on the Church in the modern world.

All are welcome. Tea and biscuits served!

 

With you always

November sessions are held on Monday 12^th at Onchan and Wednesday 14^th at Saint Mary’s School, Douglas both evenings from 6.30 until 7.30 pm.

Meanwhile, families are asked to continue the theme of the last session which was ‘Making the Sign of the Cross’ – as a family make a particular point of making the sign of the cross when the family prays together (ie at the grace before and after meals) and indeed when your child goes to bed at night, make the sign of the cross on his/her forehead. In this way they become more familiar with this most fundamental part of our praying lives.

It has become clear that there are  still children who, having already made their First Holy Communion, did not for various reasons receive the Sacrament of Confirmation last year. As the materials provided for us by the Archdiocese in the ‘With You Always’ Programme are intended for children of 8 years of age and who are to receive both Confirmation and Holy Communion. It does not seem fair to expect these older children to join in with the younger. Therefore there will be separate sessions later in the year/early next year, for any child over eight years who is still to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Further details will be posted here in the Parish Bulletin. However the principles of ‘Family catechesis‘ will apply – ie it will not just be the young people invited to share these sessions, but mums, dads, grandparents as well.

 

Oxfam Shop

Helpers needed for OXFAM shop at 10 Castle Street, Douglas. For information please contact Maria Knake on 677220 or 317265

 

Island Spirituality Network

A series of evening talks which will be delivered at The Nunnery in Douglas. This is under the auspices of The Isle of Man College but anyone is welcome to attend – not just students at the College! In order to sign up for one – or all – of the sessions  please print off, complete and sign this application form, (www.iomcollege.ac.im/uploads/PT-Enrol-12-13.pdf) – then send to IoM College, Homefield Road, Douglas, IM2 6RB. Any enquiries ring Clair at IoM College on 648204. All the ISN sessions are free.

Full descriptions of the five sessions – together with the course codes which are required for the application form:

7 Nov: 'Celtic DNA: Exploring Early Celtic Christian Spirituality' 

Course Code: EX020-AW

Rev Dr Dee Dee Haines

14 Nov: 'The Story of Christianity in Mann'

Course Code:  EX021-AW

Michael Hoy MBE

21 Nov: 'A light for our steps' 

Course Code:  EX022-AW

Canon Philip Gillespie

28 Nov: 'What is Prayer?' 

Course Code:  EX023-AW

Rev Peter Robinson

5 Dec: 'Seeking Stillness' 

Course Code:  EX024-AW

Cheryl and Brian Cousins

This Month’s Liturgy: November 2012

To know Him, love Him and serve Him in this life, and be happy with Him for ever in the next…
 
The Liturgy of this month of November opens with the Solemnity of All Saints and  its proud announcement that those who  have sought to follow the Lord in this life find  perfection and happiness in the presence of the Blessed Trinity, the fullness of the life of the heavenly Kingdom. For the Saints are ‘that great cloud of witnesses which spurs us on to victory’ (Preface of Holy Men and Women) and we can be assured of their brotherly and sisterly care and concern for us, the fellowship of their faith and the strengthening of their prayers.

Only once we have our eyes fixed firmly on that goal of union with God - both in this life and in the world to come, can we keep the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed, those who still journey to that fullness of life, who by our prayers are supported on that road to God. As John Henry Newman puts it in his Poem, The Dream of Gerontius,

‘and Masses on the earth and prayers in heaven, shall aid thee at the Throne of the most Highest.’

This is our hope and our loving certainty as we remember those who ‘have gone before us marked with the sign of Faith’ – that the communion of the Church means that in the love of the Father and by  the working of the Holy Spirit we are still ‘one body, one spirit in Christ’ (Eucharistic Prayer 3).

Further in the month, on the 11^th November, we keep the memory of one of the great non-Martyr Saints of the early centuries of the Church’s life, Saint Martin of Tours (316-397) – who even at the age of 81 was thinking not of his own comfort or needs but that of  his people and his community – ‘Lord, if I am still needed by your people, I refuse no work…’.

Please God we may have that same dedication to the work of the Church – at any age!