Sat      (30^th)       4.30 p.m.    Peter Darwin (RIP), Walter Robinson (RIP) & People of the Parish

 Wed   (4^th)        10 a.m.       Emily Devine (RIP, ann.) & Sheila Jennings (RIP, ann.)

Sat     (7^th)        4.30 p.m.   Anita Equi (RIP): Corinne & James Foster (RIP),   Ryan and Fannan families & People of the Parish

Confessions: 30 minutes before Mass . 

Rota for Sat 7^th Dec.: Reader: Norma  Collectors: Janet and Maureen Eucharistic Minister: Judith

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Mary Burns whose Requiem Mass will take place in our church on Friday at 12 noon, followed by burial at South Hetton cemetery.  We extend our deepest sympathy to her family and friends.  May she rest in peace.

Pastoral Letter: Today we will hear a Pastoral Letter from Bishop Stephen.

Advent Penitential Service will take place Tuesday,17^th December at St Cuthberts Church, New Seaham at 6.30 p.m. Priests from within and outside the Deanery will be available to hear individual confessions. 

Advent Reflections:  Our Diocesan Advent reflections theme this year is hope, peace, love and joy.  “The people walking in darkness have see a great light”. (Isaiah 9:2).  They are available online as PDF copies but we have some printed copies available.  Please feel free to take one.

The Advent Wreath: The candles on the Advent wreath symbolize hope, love, joy and peace. Some denominations consider the fourth candle to mean purity, and most use a fifth candle, called the Christ candle, which is lit on Christmas Day to remind Christians of the light Jesus brings to the world. Each candle represents one aspect of the waiting and is lit to signify Jesus bringing light into people's lives. In Catholic households, the first two candles are purple in conjunction with the colour of penance and the colour of vestments worn by priests, the third is rose for the colour of rejoicing, and the fourth is also purple.

Christmas Services:  Owing to the shortage of Clergy, only one Christmas Mass will be possible this year. This will be said Christmas Day at 10 a.m.

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception falls on Monday week 9^th December.  Mass will be celebrated at 10a.m. which gives us the perfect opportunity to honour the Holy Mother of Our Infant Saviour.

Christmas flowers for church in memory of loved ones.  Please submit your intentions by next weekend.

Senior Citizens Invitation:  Our Lady of Lourdes School have kindly extended an invitation to the senior citizens of the parish to enjoy refreshments in school on Monday 9^th December at 12.15 followed by the full dress rehearsal of the school Christmas performance at 1.15 p.m. in church.  If you would like to come, please add your name to the list at the back of church.  This invitation is extended to senior citizens only.  There are scheduled performances for families and friends of the children which will be communicated by the school.

Congratulations to the children and staff of Our Lady of Lourdes school who have been graded Outstanding in the recent Catholic Schools Inspection 6 -7 November.  They got outstanding in all 3 areas of: Catholic Life and Mission,

Religious Education and Collective Worship.  Very well done to them!

Advent Alms:  A second collection will be taken at Mass next weekend

Feasts and Memorials this week: • Tuesday – St Francis Xavier, Priest• Wednesday – St John Damascene, Priest, Doctor of the Church• Friday – St Nicholas, Bishop • Saturday – St Ambrose, Bishop, Doctor of the Church

Please remember members of our Armed Forces in your prayers