Third Sunday of Advent (Year C)

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Statistics Each year the Diocese of Westminster asks us to submit a set of ‘pastoral statistics’ about the life of the parish. These include the average number of people who came to Mass over four Sundays in September and October (879), the number of baptisms (44), confirmations (40), first holy communions (52), marriages (8), and funerals (13).              But also, they inquire about how many people are active and involved in the parish, in parish groups and in teaching the faith as catechists (50). The statistics briefly look beyond the walls of the church to how many people are visited and brought holy communion when they are sick or housebound (14).              However, as ever with statistics it doesn’t tell you the full story. It doesn’t tell you about the individuals behind each of these numbers. It tells us nothing of the journey of faith of those adults who chose to become Catholics at Easter, the couples who felt called to marriage, the people have been lifted up by the prayer of the parish at every Mass, or the comfort given by the Lord through a member of the community.              It fails to tell the story of someone who previously felt unwelcome in the Church and has now found a home in our community. Or the people who have left, who don’t come to Mass anymore, who have lapsed from the faith. From a priest’s perspective the numbers don’t include how many phone calls, emails, prayers, conversations and blessing of bibles, statues, and rosaries.               As we come towards the close of this year, it’s good that we thank God for all the numbers – yes, but all the individual stories too. We praise God for the great work he is doing among us. Fr Francis Congratulations to Henry, Morgan and Mason who were baptised on today, 14 December. May the living waters of the life of Christ inspire your faith, increase your hope, and give fervour to your love. Please pray for those who are sick: Fergus Duffy, Nicanor Abalos, Duncan Taylor, Canice Carson, Laetitia Smith, James Langan, Theresa Chee and Pamela Faber.   Please pray for those who are recently deceased:  Clodagh Doyle, Paul Kyaka and Joan Lavelle.   Please pray for those whose anniversaries occur at this time:  Marie Hume, Carmen Cohen, Terence Brock. Catholic Women’s Association - Welcomed and established at OLV The Catholic Women’s Association (CWA) were welcomed formally at the 10.30am Mass on Sunday 8th December 2024. They also brought up gifts and sang as part of the offertory procession. More photos from the event and information about the group can be found here.   For further information please contact Agnes on 07921 651447, or email [email protected]. Caritas Advent Giving: Updated This Advent we will be participating in the Caritas Advent Giving programme which will raise food supplies for our local White City Food Bank. Shop online and deliver to: The Presbytery, Commonwealth Avenue, White City, W12 7QR. Thank you for your support in this initiative, and the help it provides to so many vulnerable families. I know God will bless our generosity.  Suzanne Williams [[email protected]] (Our Lady of Victories Caritas Representative) Christmas Masses Tuesday 24th December - CHRISTMAS EVE 5.30 pm: Carols  6 pm: First Mass of Christmas   8.30 pm: Carols 9 pm: Christmas Mass during the night (Midnight Mass)   Wednesday 25th December - CHRISTMAS DAY 9 am: Mass at Dawn 10.30 am: Mass during the Day 12 noon: Solemn Sung Mass  All Mass times can be found here. Extra Confessions times are before each Mass on Fourth Sunday of Advent (21st/22nd December). 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.  Santo Niño Feast Day - Sunday 19th January 2025 For those wishing to donate or contribute food or other items please contact Carmen on 07440 345468 or email: [email protected] Carmelite Talks Thursday 19th December 2024 Church of Our Lady & St Simon Stock, Church Street, W8 4BB   4pm: "Safeguarding" - Fr Alex Ezechukwu, Carmelite friar (Oxford) 5pm: "Discerning Vocation" - Fr John O'Leary, Rector, Allen Hall Seminary (Chelsea). All welcome. A Christmas Celebration in Westminster Cathedral Tickets are on sale for the annual Christmas concerts performed by the world-famous Westminster Cathedral Choir, orchestra, and celebrity readers, on 18 and 19 December at 7.30pm. Tickets can be purchased from the Cathedral Gift Shop or directly from Ticketmaster; go to www.ticketmaster.co.uk and type in Westminster Cathedral when prompted. Religious of the Assumption  are inviting single women (18-30s) open to discerning a call to consecrated life to take part in a discernment weekend in Rome to celebrate the Jubilee Year 2025 . This will take place from Friday 31st January to Sunday 2nd February. For more information or to register, contact us at [email protected] Foundation Governor St Thomas More Language College - Chelsea (11-16) is seeking a professional and highly motivated school governor to join the governing body at this outstanding oversubscribed mixed comprehensive in the heart of Chelsea.   If you would like to know more, please contact the school office and speak to the Headteacher's PA, Ms Chanel Spooner [email protected]  or visit the diocesan website which can be found here. BEWARE - SCAM EMAILS! Do not open any email ending “gmail.com” claiming to be from one of the priests of the parish, it will almost certainly be a scam! Genuine clergy emails always end with “rcdow.org.uk” - spread the word!  Pauline Books and Media The bookshop will be open from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Friday and Sunday.   The contact number is 07561 456074. 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 parishioner registration form which can be found on our website:  https://www.ourladyofvictories.net/support.html Here you can also find further information on all our parish activities. 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 Wednesdays, after the 10am Mass, there is Eucharistic Adoration. This is an opportunity to spend some time in prayer before the exposed Blessed Sacrament. A priest will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation from 10.30 to 11.15am. Adoration concludes at Noon with the prayer of the Angelus. Confession also available every Saturday from 5 to 5.45 pm. Parish Team: Fr Nigel Woollen (Parish Priest) Fr Francis Thomas (Assistant Priest) Rev. Paul Hewitt (Permanent Deacon)  Sr Maureen McNamara rsm (Sacramental Programmes) Mrs Rachel Mulira (Parish Secretary) Our Lady of Victories 16 Abingdon Road London W8 6AF 020 7937 4778  [email protected] Support our Parish Financially here