A very warm welcome to all
Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)
Readings: Isaiah 35: 1-10; James 5: 7-10
Gospel: Matthew 11: 2-11
In our Gospel
We thought God would make our lives easy and instead he calls us to live more deeply. We wanted God to eliminate our suffering and instead discovered God standing with us in the midst of our pain. We expected God would make us number one but he called us to identify with the least, the last, the lost. We wanted him to make us strong but he called us to discover his strength in our weakness. We hoped God would destroy our enemies but he commanded us to love them. We wanted to be leaders but God told us to be servants.
Gaudete Sunday
This is the third Sunday of Advent, sometimes known as ‘Gaudete Sunday’. The term is derived from the Latin ‘Rejoice’, which expresses the joy of anticipation at the approach of the Christmas celebration.
War in Ukraine
Please continue to offer prayers for our brothers and sisters caught up in the mayhem that is Ukraine. Please think about what you can do to help in any way for those who continue to reach out to the rest of Europe and beyond for our assistance. Whatever method or organisation you use to make donations, please do it rather than think about it.
Selection Boxes
Please consider picking up a selection box (or more) for this year’s appeal when you are out shopping, and only if you are able. As always, it is intended that these will be forwarded to a local charity to distribute amongst those families that may not be able to afford such little luxuries this year.
Holy Communion rules
You may recall several weeks ago when we resumed providing the wine during Holy Communion, that I stressed we cannot allow intinction (dipping the wafer into the chalice). I must stress that this is still in place. I, therefore, ask, in order to avoid any embarrassment at such a solemn point in our worship, where a refusal could seem offensive, that you would either take directly from the common cup or not at all. Please know that taking in one kind only completely fulfils your participation in the Holy Communion
Christmas Carol Service
At 4 pm next Saturday the 17th, we shall have our Christmas Carol Service. Our Director of Music, Matthew, has been able to secure the services of a choir for this event, which will add to the richness of the music therein.
Busy Sunday
The next day, Sunday the 18th will be a busy day, with four seasonal events taking place, the details are outlined below.
2023 Calendars
Our 2023 Calendars are now available at £10 each, as are our Christmas Cards at a pack of 10 for £6 or individually at £1 each.
Calendars
Our 2023 Calendars are now available at £10 each, as are our Christmas Cards at a pack of 10 for £6 or individually at £1 each.
Holy Land Pilgrimage
I have put some details of a proposed pilgrimage to the Holy Land in April 2024 on the noticeboard in the Choir Vestry. Should anyone expressing an interest in this, please let me know and I will endeavour to obtain more details for you.
Christmas Services
The following are the dates of forthcoming services at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral:
Saturday 17th December
4 pm – Christmas Carol Service
Sunday 18th December
8 am – Holy Communion
10 am – Sung Eucharist
3 pm – Mr Matthew McVey – Organ Recital
4.30 pm – Christingle Service
Saturday 24th December
11 pm – Midnight Mass
Sunday 25th December
10 am – Holy Communion
Monday 26th December
10 am – Holy Communion – St Stephen – 1st Martyr
Tuesday 27th December
10 am – Holy Communion – St John the Apostle
Wednesday 28th December
10 am – Holy Communion – The Holy Innocents
Sunday 1st January 2023
8 am – Holy Communion
10 am – Sung Eucharist – Naming and Circumcision of Jesus
Services/Events Commencing Sunday the 11th December 2022
Sunday 11th December at 8 am – Holy Communion (1970 – Cn Terry)
Sunday 11th December at 10 am – Third Sunday of Advent Sung Eucharist (1982 Cn Terry)
Monday 12th December – 11.30 am – Funeral of Mrs Eileen Deans (nee McMasters) at Baldarroch Crematorium (Cn Terry)
Tuesday 13th December at 10 am – Morning Prayers (Cn Terry)
Wednesday 14th December at 10 am – Holy Communion (1970 – Cn Terry)
Friday 16th December at 6 pm – Compline (Cn Terry)
Saturday 17th December at 12 noon – Wedding of Mr Jose von Prondzynski and Ms Christina Barclay Mitchell (Cn Terry)
Saturday 17th December at 4 pm – Christmas Carol Service
Sunday 18th December at 8 am – Holy Communion (1970 – Cn Terry)
Sunday 18th December at 10 am – 4th Sunday of Advent (1982 – Cn Terry)
Sunday 18th December at 3 pm – Organ Recital – Mr Matthew McVey
Sunday 18th December at 4.30 pm – Christingle Service (Cn Terry)
Readings: Isaiah 7: 10-16; Psalm 80: 1-7, 16-18; Romans 1: 1-7
Gospel: Matthew 1: 18-25
“Those who wish to give glory to God by their lives, who truly long to grow in holiness, are called to be single-minded and tenacious in their practice of the works of mercy.”
(Pope Francis)
Cn Terry Taggart:
01224588776/07768219984