SUNDAY MASSES – Preface 1^st of Advent and Eucharistic Prayer 1

COFFEE– Coffee will be served in Clitherow House today, after the 9.30am Mass.

50-50 CLUB - all 6 monthly and some annual memberships are due for renewal this month. This may be done after any weekend Mass this weekend. New Members are always welcome. The next quarterly draw, including the Christmas Bonus (estimated at over £400) will be held on Saturday 6 December.

COME AND SEE  - Lectio Divina evening in Clitherow House on Tuesday 2 December at 8.00pm. An opportunity to explore next Sunday’s readings in a prayerful way.

SVP - Meeting in the Lady Chapel on Tuesday 2 December at 8.00pm

WEDNESDAY CLUB – will meet on Wednesday 3^rd December at 2.15pm in Clitherow House. A demonstration of Christmas floral arrangements by Pat Wiley. All welcome.

JOURNEY IN FAITH - The next session takes place on Thursday 4^th December at 7.30pm in Clitherow House

CHURCH CLEANING – The cleaners for the church this week are: M Dawson, P&D Hird, S Hopper, R Pickles on Thursday 4^th December at 10.00am

EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT – on Friday 5^th December from 9.00am finishing with Holy Communion at 6.30pm. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be recited at 3.00pm. If you are able to spend some time before the Blessed Sacrament, please put your name on the list at the back of church.

PRAYER BREAKFAST - The next ecumenical prayer breakfast will be held at the Parish Church on Saturday 6^th December at 8.00am

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS HOUSEBOUND TEAM - Holy Communion will be taken out to the sick and housebound of the parish after the 9.30am Mass next Sunday 7^th December by Mary Vickers, Audrey Clissitt, Moira Dawe, Keith & Sheila Foster, Joe & Margaret McGuinness, Ian Monger, Doreen Nolan, Maggie Power and Peter Thompson

  “MARKETS WITH MORALS” – Details of a Business Breakfast Discussion with Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP for Christians in Business on Saturday 6 December can be seen on the Church notice board.

SENIOR CITIZEN’S PARTY – on Saturday 13 December in Clitherow House.  If you would like to come to the party, please complete the tear-off slip at the bottom of the page and indicate if you need transport.

A PARISH CEILIDHI will be held at Otley Civic Centre on Saturday 31^st January 2009 to raise funds for our new Parish Centre. There will be live music, a bar and pie and pea supper. Tickets available in the New Year - £6 each

CHRISTMAS FAIR Our grateful thanks to all who contributed in any way to the success of the Fair. The total profit was £3,041-32, which was a splendid result. The numbers of unclaimed raffle prizes are on the noticeboard.

CHRISTMAS EVE VIGIL MASS will as usual be geared to younger parishioners with children doing the readings. We are seeking volunteers to undertake the readings, bidding prayers and offertory collection. There is a sheet on the table at the back of church for children and teenagers willing to take part. Many thanks.

CHRISTMAS BOOK – once again, we invite you to sign our Parish Christmas Book in lieu of sending Christmas cards to your friends in the parish. The book will be at the back of church for the weekend Masses in December. Any donations in lieu of cards will be sent to our twinned parish in Uganda to help the poor community there. There have been some lovely messages in the book in previous years and hopefully you will all enjoy reading them again this year. Many thanks.

CHRISTMAS DRAW – Tickets for the Christmas Draw will be on sale after each Mass this weekend – 40p each and £2 per book.  Please take a few books to sell to family and friends. Thank you for your support

YOUTH GROUP ACTIVITY FUNDS Beth Street is kindly donating her 15% commission on her Avon sales to this fund. Please take an Avon brochure from the back of church, shop comfortably in your own time and help our Youth Fund. Many thanks

DEPUTY HEADTEACHER – Due to the promotion of the present postholder, the Governors of St Walburga’s Catholic Primary, Shipley, wish to appoint a Deputy Head for April 2009.  Full details of the post are on the notice board at the back of church.

COLLECTION - Last Sunday’s Offertory was £883-46, excluding Bankers Orders. Collection for Catholic Youth Service £291-55.  Retiring collection today for Peru Mission Fund.  Diocese of Leeds Registered Charity 249404.

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I would like to come to the Senior Citizen’s Party

Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Tel No  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   Transport  YES / NO

YOUR PRAYERS

Irene Oates, Emma Danskin, Brian McGeough, Kathleen O’Donoghue,
Margaret Harvey, Eric Connolly, Beatrice Harriman, Catherine Walsh,
Celia Hennigan, John Foley, Kelly Bailey, Lil Moss, Patty Kelly,
Martin Jeremy Scott, Brian Johnson, Katie Dennison,
Michael Roche, Nancy Kilmartin, John McDermott,
Patrick Cush, Chris Kinden, Nicholas Rowan
and all the sick of the Parish.

Lately Dead:

Christopher Winship

David Daniel, Helen Parker, Mary Mangeolles, John Colgan

Advent: A time of hope

It is said that while there is life there is hope.
This has an even deeper meaning in reverse:
while there is hope there is life.
Hope is strength.
Hope sheds light into despairing hearts.
It inspires the will to live.
It is the doctor’s most powerful ally.
It revives ideals and renews dreams.
As long as there is hope, no situation is impossible.
Advent summons us to wait in joyful hope
for the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
In the final analysis, he is our hope.