First Sunday of Advent Year B

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A Biblical Motif Dear parishioners and friends, One of the great motifs of the Bible becomes very clear during Advent. Even the name of the season demonstrates the idea. Essentially, throughout the Bible we see God getting closer and closer to humanity. This comes to its fulfilment in God becoming man, taking on human flesh in his son Jesus, born of Mary. The deepest cry of the human heart is for union with God, that all distance and separation from him might be overcome. That desire, indeed, that prayer, is answered firstly in the Incarnation of his son Jesus and secondly, at the end of time, when Jesus will return in majesty. Advent is that essential time of waiting and preparation for the coming of Christ. Looking back over the Bible we see God as creator. Then involving himself in covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses etc, and each time entering into closer union, through a nation, a people and now finally coming among us. ‘For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?’ (Deut 4:7, ESV). God, as the most passionate lover of humanity, has made great efforts to get close to us, what is our response? Fr Francis Christmas Clergy Offerings The Christmas and Easter collections (offerings) make up 80% of the priests’ annual income. Envelopes will be available this week  at the back of the Church for you to make your offering.  Thank you for your generosity.   Little Sisters of the Poor Will be making an appeal next weekend 9/10 December. 'God, who has fatherly concern for everyone, willed that all people should constitute one family and treat one another in the spirit of brotherhood'. (Gaudium et Spes: The Church in the Modern World). Little Sisters of the Poor, to whom the Church has entrusted the Apostolic Mission of Hospitality to the Aged poor, welcome the elderly of all nationalities and beliefs. Please be as generous as you can. Thursday 7th December at 7pm The Knights of the Holy Sepulcher will have their Carol Service here at OLoV. All are welcome. The Friends of Westminster Cathedral Big Give Campaign Westminster Cathedral the mother Church of our diocese has improved the lighting of its main sanctuary. The previous aged and inefficient system had to be replaced as spare parts were no longer available. The improved lighting is of great benefit on major occasions particularly if they are being broadcast or live streamed. The improvements are being funded by the Friends of Westminster Cathedral. They are asking for our help by supporting their Big Give Campaign with online donations.  For donations made from 12.00 noon on Tuesday 28 November and before 12.00 noon on Tuesday 5 December every £1 given is worth £2 with matched funding and £2.25 if you can tick the Gift Aid box.  The link to the donation site is https://bit.ly/FriendsBG23 Year of Prayer 2024 In preparation for the Jubilee Year in 2025, we begin this Advent Sunday the Year of Prayer. Fr Rob Taylerson, who is based at St Mary's College, Oscott, has compiled a document of meditations based on Pope Francis' recent catechesis on prayer. He has compiled 52 parts, providing a reflection for each week of the coming year. An electronic copy can be found here. SVP Vinnie Packs The SVP are distributing over 10,000 Vinnie Packs containing cold weather essentials to the homeless this winter. Please could you consider sponsoring packs at a suggested donation of £4.20 per pack? Donations can be sent to Vinnie Packs, PO Box 72264, London SW1P 9EZ with cheques made out to SVP or by bank transfer to Nat West sort code   60-60-04, account no. 4608 8237. Thank you so much for your support. Marriage Our next Marriage Preparation course begins on Monday 19th February 2024. Please contact Fr Francis on [email protected] for more information.   Friends of the Holy Land Christmas Appeal Light your candle with a donation today at: www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/christmas For updates: www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/Blogs/holy-land-update  Friends of the Holy Land a Christmas Concert Helping Christians in Need Thursday 14th December 2023     7.30pm Featuring The London Welsh Male Voice Choir   Guest Soloists Margaret Keys & Anthony Stuart Lloyd at Our Lady of Victories Church  235a Kensington High Street London W8 6SA   Tickets through Eventbrite: search for FHL Christmas Concert Info at: https://www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/Event/christmas-concert-2023 Special offer to parishioners: Friends of The Holy Land Concert 14 December 7.30pm: Limited Tickets are available for parishioners who wish to attend from the  Parish Office at £10. First come, First serve. Gospel Power Pauline Books and Media have in stock Gospel Power an invaluable little book to enrich our reading of God’s word in the daily Gospel throughout the liturgical year. For more information: see the Sisters in the shop at the back of the Church. PACT Annual Advent Carol Service Tuesday 5th December 7pm at Our Lady of Victories. Free Admission. Everyone welcome.   The Rt Revd Richard Moth, Liaison Bishop for Prisons, will be presiding at the service. After the service there will be a collection for Pact’s work with prisoners and their families. There is full disabled access for this event. To register and for further information contact: [email protected] See poster here. Young Married Couples Group Are you a young married couple seeking to build friendships and desiring to connect with other young married couples? Well, a young married couples group is present in our parish. The purpose of the group is to offer support and foster friendship and connection among the many young married couples present in our parish. The ideal age range of the group is under 40. The group meets every month to socialize and foster communion and support. Among the different activities offered are meals together, trips out, games nights and social exercises. If you’re interested in attending, please email Steve and Annie Caprio at [email protected]. You can also join our Whatsapp group using the QR code below: Young Adult Group This is a group for people in their 20s and 30s and aims to build a community in the parish. More events will be coming soon. If there are any questions, please send us an email at: [email protected] or join our WhatsApp group using the QR code:  Welcome to all our Parishioners If you are new to the parish, please come and say hello and complete the new parishioner registration form which can be found on our website:  https://www.ourladyofvictories.net/parish-registrationfinancial-support.html Here you can also find further information on all our parish activities. Leaving a Legacy In the last year, the parish has received a number of legacies from parishioners who have remembered the work of the parish in their wills. Please pray for the repose of the souls of those parishioners. They will be remembered in our annual donors Mass. Please consider remembering the parish in your will. See the leaflets at the back of the Church or call 0207 798 9375 or email [email protected] Pauline Books and Media The Sisters of the Pauline run their shop in the repository at Our Lady of Victories Church from Tuesday to Friday and Sunday from 9am to1pm. The contact number is 07561456074.  OLOV LATEST NEWS GIFT AID DONATIONS:   Dear Parishioners:   We have worked with our colleagues in the Parish Support Team towards procedures for processing the Gift Aid from contactless donations through the Dona provider. When signing a Gift Aid declaration on the device, you will also be asked if you would like your previous contactless donations to be Gift Aided.  Further, as entering a Gift Aid declaration on the device can take a couple of minutes, we want to help reduce the amount of time you may spend on the device, and reduce the queue for it. Leaflets have been created and placed at the back of the church and on the notice board. These contain a QR code that will enable you to use your smartphone to make your Gift Aid declaration. You can also access the Dona portal and leave your donation by simply scanning the underneath QR code: You can also donate securely by debit or credit card by clicking on the button created at the section end.   Weekly Mass Schedule Monday to Friday - 10.00 am Saturday - 6.00 pm Sunday - 9.00 am, 10.30 am, 12.00 pm and 6.00 pm.    ALL OUR MASSES ARE LIVE-STREAMED FROM OUR WEBSITE.    Eucharistic Adoration and Confession On Wednesday's, after the 10am Mass, there is Eucharistic Adoration. This is an opportunity to spend some time in prayer before the exposed Blessed Sacrament. During that time a priest will also be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Adoration concludes at Noon with the prayer of the Angelus. Confessions are also available every Saturday from 5 pm to 5.45 pm.   Please do keep an eye on the website: www.ourladyofvictories.net which will be updated weekly.  Mgr Jim Curry & Fr Francis   Our Lady of Victories 16 Abingdon Road London W8 6AF 020 7937 4778  [email protected]