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St Aelred’s Church

71 Woodlands Drive HG2 7BE

 

Fr Jim Leavy

Deacon David Arblaster

Hall Bookings - Stephen Bonner

Parish Hall

 889442

 560279

 547394

 819395

 

Bulletin items: shoes@johncornforth.fsnet.co.uk

 

e-mail          staelredschurch@yahoo.co.uk  

Website                    www.st-aelred.org.uk

Diocese of Leeds – Reg charity No 249404

 

 

 

 

First Sunday in Advent

Divine office week 1

 

Masses for week beginning 30th November 2008

Sat

6.30pm

Relatives of the sick

 

Sun

10am

Parishioners

 

Mon

9am

Karen Hartley

 

Tue

9am

Sister Annette

 

Wed

9am

Felix Gallagher

St Francis Xavier

Thu

7pm

Hugh Colton

 

Fri

9am

November List

 

Sat

10am

Percy Ridsdale

 

 

 

Happy New Liturgical Year!

 

Today, the First Sunday of Advent is the first day of the new liturgical year of the Church.  Every liturgical year is devoted to a particular set of Gospel readings for each Sunday and they run in a three year cycle, corresponding to Matthew, Mark and Luke.  Last year was devoted to Matthew, while this year's readings will be primarily from Mark. 

 

Today's reading is just the beginning of many passages from Mark that you will be hearing throughout the whole year.  It might be a good spiritual exercise for all of us this Advent to sit down one evening, turn  off the TV and read the Gospel of Mark all the way through.  It's the shortest of the four Gospels so try to do it in one sitting so you don't lose any of the flavour of it.  Then, when we come to Mass on Sunday and hear various passages of the Word of God proclaimed, we'll know where they fit in with the whole scheme of things.

 

Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturdays 10.30am - 11am.  Or any time by request.

 

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament - Weekdays 8am-10pm.  Coord for December: Jim.

 

Mass

Eucharistic Ministers

Readers

Prayers

Sat

Maggie Atkinson, Keira Atkinson, Pat Hudson, Bernadette Broderick

Joan Leonard, Stephen Bonner

Jim White

Sun

Brian Ainscough, Barbara Arblaster, Helen Mailloux, Sue Brockett

Jenni Moulson, Alison Mailloux

Jonathan Dolman

 

Charismatic Renewal - Praise Group on Wednesday evenings 7 to 8 pm in the Adoration Chapel. All welcome.  For further information contact Maureen or Dolores.

 

Please pray for those who have died recently, especially Nora Nyhan; also those who are sick, especially James Stamper, Hilda Bolton, Elizabeth Smith, Eileen Hayward, Lally Jacob, Alan Johnson, Stephen Hannan, Marie O'Brien, Noel Green, Mabel Bennett, Neville Causey, Irene Dowle, those in the District Hospital and those whose anniversaries occur about now, especially Percy Ridsdale & Christine Genner. 

 

Our Christmas Fayre takes place this weekend immediately after the 10.00 am Mass. There are some wonderful  Christmas Stalls, fine food, good company, and you might win on the Raffle too! Sean will be handing out Raffle Tickets after Masses - Could you please take a few books to sell to friends, please return any unsold tickets as we can sell these at the Fayre. We look forward to seeing you all there on the day.

 

CAFOD: See letter of thanks for our generous response to the Congo Crisis Appeal on the notice board.

 

Advent Prayer - on each Sunday in Advent there will be exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the church between 4 - 5pm.  This quiet hour of prayer is an opportunity to get away from the mad rush of shopping to spend quiet time in the Lord's presence.  Come for all or part of the hour.  It will conclude with Evening Prayer of the church.

 

Harrogate Male Voice Choir will be singing in our Church on Friday 12th December at 7.30pm.  It is always a most enjoyable evening.  Refreshments in the hall afterwards and retiring collection for the SVP.  Do come along.

 

Advent 2008 - Churches Together Initiative: Each week in Advent there are four different opportunities for experiencing "Pray as you go" in a group setting.  All are most welcome to come to any of the gatherings that fit into your schedule:  Starbeck Methodist Church: Wednesdays at 9am. St Aelred's Church: Wednesdays at 9.30am. Christ Church: Wednesdays at 10am. St Andrew's in Starbeck: Thursdays at 1pm.

 

Mothers’ Prayers (1) Friday 12th December at Hilda Sparks’ home.

 

Mothers' Prayers (2) Day of Prayer and reflection on Fri 5 Dec, 1.30-3.30pm at St Paul's Church, Alwoodley, Leeds.

 

Come and See - During the first weekend of Advent our diocese begins the fourth year of our process for renewal entitled "Come and See".  Year 4 focuses on the theme of Catechesis and Commitment - Passing on our Faith.  Look our for articles about Come and See in the Catholic Post or visit www.comeandsee.org.uk

 

Tickets for this year's Parish Variety Evening will be on sale after Masses from this weekend. Price £6 and £3 concessions. Following popular demand, this year there will be a bar!

 

Shoe Box Appeal – Shoe boxes at the back of church, with Items Lists.  Final week-end!  Sunday 6pm deadline.

 

SVP – Next meeting Tuesday 9th December at 6.30pm in the Parish Room.  New members welcome.

 

Luncheon Club - Christmas lunch on Friday 12th Dec. Please put your name on the list at the back of church or ring Marion or Ann.

 

Nativity Play for Christmas Morning - Would children interested in being in the nativity this year please remain behind after Mass on Sunday 7th December for casting/rehearsal.  Meet on the stage in the hall during coffee.  We will meet after mass for rehearsals on the 14th and 21st and perform during the 10am mass on Christmas day.  See you there!

 

Repository - Next years directories and diaries are now in stock.

 

Our Lady of the Crag - Mass will be held at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Crag, Abbey Road, Knaresborough on Saturday 6th December at 12.00noon to celebrate the Immaculate Conception.  If the weather is very wet, the Mass is held in St Mary’s Church.

 

Advent Labyrinth - St Aelred’s Hall, Tues/Wed 2/3 Dec, 10am-6.30pm.  It’s been used as a prayer method by people who could not afford to go on pilgrimage since early Christian times. By following the route mapped out and completing the meditations and tasks of each ‘station’ you are guided on an inward journey towards God through stages of letting go and repentance till you reach the ‘sacred space’ in the centre.  You are then led back through an outward journey focussing on returning to the world.  The labyrinth is suitable for individuals or groups, for people of all ages. It will take at least 15-20 minutes but you can spend as long as you wish. Someone will be on hand at all times to help you get started. Take time out of the busy Christmas rush to remember what the season is truly about.

 

Helpers needed!!  Advent Labyrinth. We are setting up the Advent Labyrinth again this year in the hall. We need volunteers to help in setting up, supplying materials or to be present for one hour to welcome ‘pilgrims’ and explain the process to new-comers. Ring Mary  or Bernadette  for further details.

 

This Week's Birthdays

 

Kanguya Chibangula

Adam Sivanandarajah

Eleanor Hood

 

Please keep all our children

in your prayers

 

 

Offertory:  Total £627. Retiring collection today for Leeds Mission to Peru.

 

Cards for prisoners - Next weekend cards will be on sale to send to prisoners around the world. The cards will be stamped and addressed; details will be available on each of the prisoners concerned.

 

Diocesan Directories for the coming year have arrived and are on sale in the shop at the front of Church.

 

First V Communion Sat 6th Dec. 9.30-10.45am Session 5. “Glory to God in the Highest”. All in the hall.

 

Advent - Selection of booklets for Advent Reflection in the Resource Centre – price £1 each.

 

Could you join the Children’s Liturgy team? – please contact John (886928), Julie or Rhonda.

 

Exploring our Faith - If you would like to join us please do come along.  If you know anyone who is considering becoming a Catholic or wants to know more about the faith please bring them along – 7.45 to 9pm in the Parish Room. Next topic: 4 December: Confession and its Practice. Contact Deacon David for more info.

 

Coffee – Tim & Gerri invite you for tea and coffee in the Hall after 10am Mass.

 

Forthcoming Events

Christmas Fayre

Sunday 30th November

Variety Evening

Friday 5th and Sat 6th December at 7.30pm

Exploring the Faith

Thursday 4th December 7.30pm

Harrogate Male Voice Choir Concert

Friday 12th December at 7.30pm

CAFOD Prayer Service

Sunday 14th December at 4 - 5pm

Carol Service

Tuesday 16th December (St Robert's School)

Penitential service

Wednesday 17th December at 7.30pm