4th Sunday of Advent

A moment of change

Our Lives can be changed in moment.
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A careless word or action. News that turns our world upside down. In that moment, all we took for granted can be overturned. Fear of the unknown suddenly invades our lives.  Anxiety becomes a familiar experience. Mary’s yes to God her fiat was pronounced in complete freedom. That’s something you and me find hard to grasp.  Our experience is so much the opposite. We hesitate, often unable to rid ourselves of the fear of not having made the right choice. How can we learn from Mary.
 
The key for me is acceptance.  Embracing the reality of any given situation. Acceptance is different to resignation. In resignation we can become a passive. All too often resentful.  Imbued with a sadness, because we cannot easily change the situation.
 
Mary accepts, she embraces the reality of her changed situation. In that act of acceptance, that choice, the mother to be gains courage to go on. To live her life in her changed reality. It’s important to note that the gospel account does not begin with what Mary does. But what God does. The invitation (Luke1;26-38). Mary opens her whole self to Gods will for her. Marys choice to accept, to embrace and live out Gods will in her life changes everything. For her and Joseph her husband to be. He too will need to make his own choice to accept. Yes, Mary is troubled. Yet she has opened herself to the light completely. She is able to trust that what is being done in her is the work of the Holy Spirt.
 
Lord open my heart to understand your will for me. Take away my fears, my anxiety. Fill me again with the grace to accept, embrace and live my life in your loving care.
 
May the Birth of Christ and the prayers of his Mother and St Joseph sustain you in all you are called to embrace in your life.
 
Mgr Jim

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News Items

If any of your family or household is not feeling well or is showing Covid-19 like symptoms, stay at home, do not come to Church, do not put other people at risk. 

 1. Monday 21st December at 7.00pm.
 
Free entrance
 
We may not be allowed to sing. We can listen to those who can.
The Choir of Our Lady of Victories under the direction of Timothy Macklin.
 
Social distance and Covid protocols will be observed by the congregation and singers.
 
A retiring collection will be taken for St Luke's mutual aid food bank and the Friends of the Holy Land.
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2. Masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
 
All Masses on Christmas Eve and Day will be ticketed.
(For Christmas Eve and Day we will not be using the online booking system) Please be in touch via e mail or telephone with the Parish Office to make a booking.
Tickets will be available for individuals, households and family bubbles.
You can only book to come to one Mass.
 
All Masses will be live streamed from here
 
For the Church throughout the world, Christmas Day starts on 24th/25th December and lasts until January 1st (the Octave of Christmas).
 
Why not consider coming to Mass on any of those days rather than Christmas Day? You can join us online at any time.
 
Thursday 24th December: Christmas Eve
 
• 4pm Children’s Mass and blessing of Crib: No places available 
Children are invited to come dressed as an angel shepherd, sheep or any character from the Christmas story. 
• 6pm Mass of Christmas: No places available
• 8pm Christmas Mass during the night– Midnight Mass: No places available
 
Please note that the Church has to be cleaned after each Mass
 
Friday 25th December: Christmas Day
 
• 9.30am Mass of the Dawn: ticket only
• 11.00am Mass of the Day: No places available
• 12.00-1pm Church open to visit the crib
 
Please note that the Church has to be cleaned after each Mass
 
3. Christmas Offerings:
 
The Christmas Offerings envelopes are available.
Christmas and Easter offerings along with Mass offerings and Stipends make up the income of the clergy.
We are always grateful for your generosity.