The “O” Antiphons leading up to Christmas

T he Roman Church has been singing the “O” Antiphons since at least the eighth century. They are the antiphons that accompany the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from 17-23 December. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming Christ as the fulfilment not only of Old Testament hopes, but present ones as well. Their repeated use of the imperative “Come!” embodies the longing of all for the Divine Messiah: O Sapientia (O Wisdom), O Adonai (O Lord), O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse), O Clavis David (O Key of David), O Oriens (O Rising Sun), O Rex Gentium (O King of Nations) and O Emmanuel (O God-with-us).

Advent Reflection Group

Join Monika Manser at 7 Blundell’s Avenue after 9.00am Mass each Tuesday in Advent to reflect on the daily meditations in the book “Advent and Christmas Wisdom” by Henri J.M Nouwen? The book is published by Redemptorist Publications and is readily available from various on-line bookshops.

Tree of Hope for CHAT

We are hosting a CHAT Tree of Hope in the narthex at St Andrew’s. Each tag on the tree contains the option of either making a financial donation or purchasing a specific item to be dropped off at CHAT, who will ensure it goes to people in need in the community. Choose a tag and either donate on your own behalf or perhaps as a thoughtful gift for that person who seems to have everything and then present them with the tag so that they can see the impact of the contribution made on their behalf.

Diocesan Advent Reflections

Here is the link for the next Advent Reflections: Journey to Christmas and The Jubilee of Hope, which includes a reflection on the Gospel for Gaudete Sunday by Monsignor Robert Draper: https://email.workwithgusto.co.uk/t/t-E58097C2B0E9A3FE2540EF23F30FEDED.

Christmas Draw Tickets

The tickets for the Christmas Draw are still on sale. Instead of multiple prizes, this year there are only three large hampers, filled to the brim with luxury or local products for Christmas! Tickets for these great prizes are £5.00 each.

St John’s School Carol Service

This year we are delighted to welcome our children from St John’s School to St Andrew’s for their Carol Service this Thursday, 19 December, at 6.00pm. Do come along and give them your support.

Parish Carol Service

Our Carol Service involving the communities of St James, St Boniface and St Andrew will take place at 7.30pm next Saturday, 21 December, at St Andrew’s. Please make a special effort to come and take part!

Christmas Get-Together at St Boniface

The annual Christmas Get-Together at St Boniface Hall will take place next Saturday, 21 December, 2.00-4.00pm. Finger food will be on offer and some desserts too. If they can, people are asked to bring a plate of food along to share. Carols will be sung, and “Goody bags” and selection boxes will be given to the children.

200 Club

Congratulations to Jean Fitz-Costa who won the £30 prize and to Siobhan Gilroy who won the £20 prize in the December draw. We are looking for more parishioners to join in this on-going fundraiser. Please consider joining for as little as £1 a month, and speak to Simon Coombs or Sheelagh Bourdon at St Andrew’s or Siobhan Gilroy at St Boniface. 

Raffle for CHAT

Raffle tickets are still on sale for £1 each. These can be bought via Ewelina Zychlinska’s Justgiving page. Just email her via the page and she will reply with your ticket numbers. At St Boniface, tickets can be bought with cash. The draw will take place on 22 December. You can also continue to make donations via her fundraising page https://www.justgiving.com/page/ewelina-ych-1731777385365?newPage=true , which will be match-funded by Barclays Bank.

Friends of the Holy Land Christmas Appeal

This Christmas, there will be no celebrations in Bethlehem once again. Without tourism, Bethlehem’s lifeblood which supports 80% of the population, unemployment has surged. With the borders closed, there is no option to seek work in Israel. Prices have skyrocketed, residents are traumatised by the constant fear and anxiety for the future, while their daily lives are restricted by checkpoints and roadblocks.

This brutal war has already claimed over 700 lives in the West Bank and devastated countless others. Parents have run out of words to comfort their children as their loved ones perish in neighbouring Gaza, barely 50 miles away. Nearly every family has lost someone. Yet, the Friends of the holy Land have not lost hope, and neither should you. Over the past year, FHL have seen hope shine more brightly than ever through the Christian community in the West Bank. Though they number around 45,000, less than 1% of the population, the impact they make is remarkable.

Click here to watch an animation about the situation in Bethlehem. You can donate at https://www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/donate/christmas