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SCRIPTURE
READINGS
|
Zephaniah |
3:14-18 |
| Psalm |
Isaiah
12:2-6 |
| Philippians |
4:4-7 |
| Luke |
3:10-18 |
John
the Baptist was a very popular figure. He had accumulated
a large number of followers, all of whom looked
to him to be baptised since he had something which
attracted people, which made them seek him out and
submit to his ministry. He had been doing this for
some time and had gained a good reputation amongst
the people with whom he worked. They trusted him
and they believed in him; John baptised many of
them with water and it is instructive for us to
wonder about this: why did people seek him out?
Why is it that they wanted, without any apparent
coercion or force, to be baptised anyway? What was
it they were seeking? It is not too difficult to
put ourselves in their position since what they
were seeking is really what we continue to seek.
There
is within each human being the seed of what is called
the Word of God. That is, we carry within us, as
a species, a divine spark, a need to explain ourselves
in the midst of a world which surrounds us and begs
questions of us. If anything has been a perennial
feature of the human race, this search most certainly
has. It may be that you are here in church today
because you are still seeking the answers to those
questions. This is the condition of the followers
of John who
came to him and who sought inclusion into his community.
They not only wanted to believe; they had to. We
are made in the image and likeness of God and this
inevitably brings itself to bear on our lives at
some point. If we are wise, we will try to deal
with it. John's disciples did, and looked to John
to provide them with what they were searching for
- a closer relationship with God through baptism.
They looked to John, but John looked to Another:
to Jesus from Nazareth . We might be used to hearing
of this but the fact that John the Baptist did not
view Jesus as competition should make us think.
It would have been all too easy for John to see
Jesus as threatening his own position - he was a
man with a powerful influence - but this did not
distract him. He knew his place in the scheme of
things and it was one of subordination to Jesus.
John the Baptist could not absolve sin; he knew
that sin was causing havoc, as it had always done,
but it was not within his gift to remove it. Such
was its power that only divine intervention could
fight it and win. Let us, then, prepare our minds,
hearts and indeed our lives and our souls for the
arrival of the One who is coming to us.
Fr
James Campbell, SJ
CHRISTMAS
MASS TIMES
Christmas
Eve (Thursday):
6pm
Children's Mass
(
11pm
Doors open)
11.30pm
Carols
12
Midnight : First Mass
of Christmas
Christmas
Day (Friday):
8am
, 9.30am
(Family Mass),
11am
Sung Latin
12.30pm
(with Carols)
No
afternoon or evening Masses
Boxing
Day (Saturday):
11am
, 6pm
THANK
YOU!
A
big Thank You to everyone for making our Christmas
Fair and our celebration of the Immaculate Conception
such a success. Our special thanks to those whose
hard work behind the scenes made it all possible
and to all who played an active role as hosts and
organisers.
FARM
STREET CHILDREN'S CHOIR
There
will be choir rehearsal this Sunday in the meeting
room.
CHRISTMAS
NATIVITY
Children
who wish to take part in the Christmas Nativity
on Christmas Eve at the 6.00pm
Mass should see Patsy Cummings
or contact her by email pcummings@rcdow.org.uk
. There will be images from last year's Nativity
on the plasma screen in the Hall today.
ADVENT
TALKS
Fr
Anthony Meredith continues his series of talks for
Advent in honour of the Year of the Priest. His
theme today is The Priesthood of all Believers
and next Sunday will be The Ordained Priesthood.
5pm
in the Hall. All welcome.
CHRISTMAS
CARDS
There
is a variety of Christmas cards on sale in the Hall
and at the back of the church including images of
our Christmas crib as well as the Farm Street Madonna.
There are also cards on sale on behalf
of the Catholic Children's Society. There
are books and CDs at bargain prices as well as Fair
Trade items. Come and buy!
CHRISTMAS
CARDS
There
is a great variety of the Christmas cards on sale
in the Hall and at the back of the church including
images of our regular Christmas crib as well as
the Farm Street Madonna. There are also cards on
sale on behalf
of the Catholic Children's Society.
LIVING
STONES PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND
15th
to 26th JUNE 2010
A
pilgrimage for Farm Street Parish and friends led
by Fr Tony Nye SJ and Deacon Duncan Macpherson of
Living Stones. A unique opport-unity to meet and
worship with our Christian brothers and sisters
in the Holy
Land
and to experience spiritual renewal in the land
where Jesus walked. For further information contact
Fr Tony Nye SJ tel 0207 493 7811or by e-mail: tonynyesj@jesuits.net.
MOUNT
STREET FLYERS FOR 2010
Flyers
are ready at the doors with information regarding
events, programmes and talks starting in 2010. We
are very fortunate to have these opportunities for
Faith formation right on our doorstep. Take some
flyers home with you!
FARM
STREET DIARIES
Pocket
diaries for 2010 are now available from the bookshop
at the back of the church and in the Hall. These
are a useful guide to the liturgical calendar and
also contain prayers and information about church
times. A bargain at £1.
TRADITIONAL
HANDWORK OF BEDOUIN WOMEN
St
Catherine's Monastery in the Sinai
Peninsula in Egypt
supports poor Bedouin women
and their families. These women have a long tradition
in needlework and textiles and produce a variety
of bags, wallets and other items to sell to help
themselves to survive in the desert. There will
be a selection of their products on sale in the
Hall after Mass today. Please give your support
if you can .
Please
use Gift-Aid envelopes for your donations if you
are a UK
Tax-payer .
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