Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

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Where do you live? - Come and See John 1:35-42 Dear parishioners and friends, Some years ago Pope Francis reflected that  we are entering an epoch of change, not just a change of epoch. Change for the better or for the worse? That all depends who is asking the question and who's benefitting  from the change. Our scripture readings this Sunday are marked by change, call and response. When a friendship is born there is often no tangible change in ones life-just an awareness, that one’s life  is different, and that one’s capacity to love and care has been enlarged without any effort on ones' own part. Any encounter with the mystery of life, God, changes us. Peter, Andrew and John encounter Jesus. That first meeting will change their lives and ours. Once you have had the encounter you need to make a choice. We have found the Messiah –Life, announces  Andrew  Or as one author put it: “Do you trust life or distrust life, living with fearfulness, and fear? The choice is between drifting along in the stream of life or living deliberately”. Mgr Jim Santo Niño Feast Day 2024 The theme for the year is peace. The annual Feast day of Sto. Nino Feast day  will be celebrated on 21st January 2024 at 2pm. You are all welcome to join the celebration.   Anyone wishing to donate or contribute food or other items, please contact Carmen Tanedo directly on 07440 345468 or email: [email protected]. For those wishing  to make a cash donation please give this to the Fathers. On the 14th January after the 12 noon Mass there will be a meeting to finalise all the details, followed by a practice for the choir members. Peace Sunday 14 January 2024 The work of Pax Christi is based on the gospel and inspired by faith. Our vision is of a world where people can live in peace, without fear of violence in all its forms. Rooted in Catholic Christianity, we work with all who share our values to abolish war and create communities of peace and justice. Your support allows Pax Christi  to continue in their work of peace making. www.paxchristi.org.uk Churches Together In Kensington and Chelsea Churches Together in Notting Hill: Will hold an ecumenical service on Thursday, 18th January, 2024 at 7pm hosted by St Yeghiche Armenian Church 13b Cranley Gardens, South Kensington, SW7 3BB the speaker is Doral Hayes, Churches Together in England's Principal Officer for Ecumenical Development & Relation. Funeral of the late Julie Quadras (updated) This will take place on Thursday 25th January at 2pm at Putney Vale Crematorium (East Chapel), Stag Lane, Putney, SW15 3DZ. All are welcome. Viewing of Julie’s mortal remains is possible on 24th January from 10am-4:30pm at Chelsea Funeral Directors (206B Fulham Road Chelsea, SW10 9EL). May she rest in peace. We Dare To Say – Lent Faith Sharing Groups We Dare To Say is a resource for small group faith-sharing and for individual meditation, featuring five sessions each based on a line from the Lord’s Prayer. Each session includes scripture, prayers and a reflection with questions. The connection of the Our Father with the sacraments and the devotional life is explored, and wisdom from the saints is offered for the spiritual growth of group participants and individuals alike. If you’re interested in joining a group then please contact Fr Francis on: [email protected]. We hope to run a group after the 10am weekday Mass and another on a weekday evening, or weekend time. Let us know your preferred time. Poster here. CAFOD: the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, are looking for people to give some time and join them in their mission. Could you help in our parish, inspiring our church to help build a better world or by visiting our local schools? Or raise a voice and campaign for justice or perhaps speak for CAFOD throughout the area? Could you support local volunteers or share your admin or people skills to help CAFOD keep costs low? Training and support is provided. See cafod.org.uk/Volunteer for more information or get in touch with [email protected] Or could you take part in The Big Lent Walk? cafod.org.uk/walk 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]