THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD – CYCLE C
CHRISTMAS MESSAGE AND BLESSINGS
It is that time of the year when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus was born in a manger. Neither the rejection of the inn keepers nor the wickedness of Herod could make Jesus abandon his mission of coming to identify with the suffering humanity. His name is Emmanuel, God-with-us.
Thank you for your support to our parish for the past years. God knows your support and blesses you. I pray that this Christmas will bring you restoration of hope in Jesus, who has come to bless you. May the grace of this Christmas season sanctify and ennoble our sacrifices, bring healing, joy. peace and solace to all.
Wishing you and your dear ones every blessing of this Christmas season and the New Year.
From
The Parish Priest, The Reverend Father Innocent Ezeonyeasi
&
The Parish Pastoral Team
St. Thomas More… We are a family!
LIVE STREAMING.
This has now started and you will see notices in the church to guide you on filming areas. Please remember that all readers, altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, sacristan’s and anyone who needs to enter the sanctuary must complete a consent form, which are in the porch, and given to Fr. Innocent or placed in the box in the porch. We cannot be held responsible if you knowingly appear on camera and have chosen to not sign a consent form. Please speak to Fr. Innocent for more information.
PARISH CHRISTMAS CARD
Please collect your copy of the parish Christmas card from the porch which details all the Mass times and events until the New Year.
CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS.
Just a reminder that your Christmas Offerings are for the Parish Priest. Donations can be placed in a Christmas Offering envelope from the porch.
CRIB OFFERINGS.
This year the parish’s crib offerings will be going to the Catholic Children’s Society. Donations can be as cash or contactless using the ‘Crib’ option.
FATHER INNOCENT'S ANNUAL LEAVE - 30th December 2024 to 30th January 2025.
In his absence, Masses will be supplied by the Friars at Erith; namely Rev Krzysztof Przybylski and Rev. James Boner. We appreciate their help and warmly welcome them to our parish.
Masses remain as usual except there will be no Masses on Saturday mornings only.
SOCIAL CLUB NEW YEAR’S EVE DISCO
Tuesday 31st December in the hall from 8pm till 12.30am. Social event for all the family. Please see the poster in the porch for more information.
SOUTHWARK ARCHDIOCESE ROSARY PRAYER PROJECT.
Everyone is warmly invited to join this Archdiocese-wide prayer initiative, praying a decade of the Rosary each day for priests and parishes in their deanery. For details see the poster on the noticeboard, pick up an invitation leaflet at the back of church or email southwarkrenewal@gmail.com.
PARISH MASS BOOKS. The Lectionary, which is the book that contains the Scripture readings for Mass and the Sacraments, has now changed. Due to this change, the Mass books that we have will need to be changed which comes at a large cost to the parish. We have purchased part 1 of cycle C but we still need donations for the remaining 6 books which will cover all 3 cycles. We have received £1,295.00 so far and donations can be made in the usual ways.
INFORMATION FOR THE NEWSLETTER.
If you would like a notice published in the weekly parish newsletter, please email your request to bostallpark@rcaos.org.uk by Tuesday evening.
DEATHS
Please pray for the souls of Mario Carrasco who died recently, his funeral will be at St Peter’s Church in Woolwich on the 30th December, Antonio Zachariah Fernandes whose funeral was on the 11th December, Carol James whose funeral was on the 19th December and Muriel D’Souza whose funeral was on 27th November. May they rest in peace.
CHRISTMAS MASS INTENTIONS
Tuesday 24th December
P Feria (W-evening)
9.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
10.00 a.m. Anna Theresa Gaffney RIP
6.00 p.m. Christmas Vigil. Children & Youth of the Parish
10.30 p.m. Carol Service
11.00 p.m. Christmas Night. The People of the Parish
Wednesday 25th December
W The Nativity of the Lord
8.00 a.m. The People of the Parish
10.00 a.m. The People of the Parish
Thursday 26th December
R St Stephen
10.00 a.m. Henos Michael
Friday 27th December
W St John
10.00 a.m. Percy Burke for healing & strength
Saturday 28th December
R The Holy Innocents
10.00 a.m. Eileen Ruddy RIP
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph C
6 p.m. Daily Rosary
6.30 p.m. In honour of the
Holy Family PI
Sunday 29th December
8.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
9.00 a.m. The Pereira Family WB
10.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
11.00 a.m. Joseph Bane RIP