Dearest friends,
As we enter the Christmas Octave, we turn to the baby in the manger and delight in all that we see around us. We reflect the shared love of the Holy Family in all that we do.
I don’t know about you, but this year has felt very special indeed. I’ve lost count of the number of carol services and nativity services I’ve attended and prayed at. Each time I’ve been invited into a school or a group, I’ve been touched by the warmth and love shown, how the very mention of the word ‘nativity’ makes people smile, and guards come down.
It’s been a delight to talk about Jesus, to tell people about His mercy, grace, and peace. To SHOW them what that can mean in practice.
It’s also been a time of change, and I know that some of you are feeling that more than others. But, as Advent started a new year dawned for both parishes, and I pray that over the Christmas Octave, you are able to reflect on what has been good, what has been helpful, and what may have hindered, and perhaps bring those thoughts to the planning meeting in January.
I’ve loved sharing a new mass setting with you, and although it has at times been… tough…! There have been moments of pure delight and I’ve enjoyed watching you engaging with the liturgy with a new energy and concetration.
We’ll return to the ‘old’ setting over Christmas before introducing a new setting for Ordinary Time in January – if you want to listen to it beforehand you can watch a taster video on this website:
I pray you have a wonderful Christmas and as you prepare for the new calendar year, that your faith will grow, your hearts will expand, your love explode, and your mercy know no bounds.
In love, & wishing you a very Happy Christmas,
Fr. Matthew
Notices
Final Advent Lecture
This Thursday (18th) – a talk on the Apostolic Succession. 7pm, Wickham Hall).
Dates for next year
I’m starting to populate dates for next year, you’ll see I’ve added some longer term dates for the Oswestry events – the pilgraimge, the Chrism Mass, and the regional festival – do pop them in your diary now.
Planning Meeting
Please put 15th January, 7pm in your diary for our termly planning meeting. We’ll review Advent and Christmas and will plan the term ahead, including Easter. If you would like to see something or change something, come and say!
Sunday 21st December
4th Sunday of Advent 🟣
9am – Sung Parish Mass [SJ]
11:15am – Sung Parish Mass [SL]
7pm – Solemn Evensong [SJ]
Psalter Week 4, A(II), Advent 4,
O Oriens (O Rising Dawn/Morning Star)
Sunday 28th December
The Holy Family ⚪️
9am – Sung Parish Mass [SJ]
11:15am – Sung Parish Mass [SL]
Psalter Week 1, A(II), Christmas 1
Upcoming Dates
December
18th – Advent Course, 4th lecture, 7pm [WH]
20th – 9 Lessons & Carols, 6pm, both churches
21st – Solemn Evensong with Benediction, 7pm [SJ]
24th – Live Nativity, 4pm [SJ]
Midnight Mass, 8pm [SJ]
Midnight Mass, 11:30pm [SL]
25th – Christmas Day Mass, 10am [SL & SJ]
January
7th – St. Luke’s PCC
15th – Joint Planning Meeting for Spring & Easter, 7pm [SL]
24th – Rosary Group, 10am [SL]
26th – History of the Anglo Catholics Talk, 2pm (Exeter)
Further Ahead
26/2 – Lent Course Starts, 6 weeks, 7pm [WH]
26/3 – Oswestry Chrism Mass, Exeter Cathedral
25/4 – Oswestry Regional Festival, Truro Cathedral
5/9 – Glastonbury Pilgrimage