This week's News

ADVENT PENITENTIAL MORNING

Please join us in St Augustine's Church this Saturday 30th Nov from 10-12noon.

We will hold a Holy Hour, several Priests will be in Church to hear Confession and then come for a coffee in the hall
~ All in preparation for the Season of Advent.

Everyone welcome to drop in during the morning and stay for as long as you would like.


Carols by Candlelight ~ Sunday 8th December at 3pm in our Church

Everyone is invited to come along for a beautiful Advent service with singing, reflections and something for the little ones.

Taking place on the 2nd Sunday of Advent, it is a time to prepare together for the coming of the season.

After the service, please join us for festive refreshments in the hall with a raffle for our 2 Parish Projects, Brandon Trust and Little Sisters Of The Poor, as well as finding out the lucky winners of the Parish Christmas Prize Draw!

International day for ending violence against women and girls.
The Caritas Social Action Network and the National Board of Catholic Women have issued a statement on the need to act with determination, urgency and create a world that is safe for all women and girls.

"25th November marks the international day for ending violence against women and girls. The day is observed annually and begins a 16-day period to raise awareness of the global scourge of violence against women and girls.

We are encouraged to take part in events, social media campaigns and educational activities that advocate for ending this violence. This is an increasingly important issue, recognised by the World Health Organisation as a pandemic and now in the UK as a national emergency.
Globally, a third of women have been subjected to physical or sexual abuse.
Women and girls are particularly vulnerable in times of war and conflict; sexual violence is used as a weapon of war. An estimated eight million women and girls in Ukraine are in need of humanitarian aid. In Gaza, disproportionate numbers of women have been killed, while pregnant women face malnourishment and lack of access to essential healthcare. Escalating restrictions on women living under the Taliban in Afghanistan include forbidding speaking in public to other women, singing, travel, study or work.
Ending violence against women and girls involves challenging deeply rooted cultural attitudes. In the words of Gisele Pelicot, speaking recently in court in France about the horrific violations orchestrated by her husband; “shame must change sides.” This is a challenge which lies deeply at the heart of Catholic Social Teaching.
Pope Francis has spoken about violence against women and girls on many occasions, issuing a call to all Catholics to use our power to bring about this cultural change. “It is our duty, the responsibility of each person, to give a voice to our voiceless sisters… It is necessary to act immediately, at all levels with determination, urgency and courage.”
As Catholics, we are preparing for the Jubilee year as pilgrims of Hope. Let us enter these 16 days with that Hope, so that we can indeed act with determination, urgency and create a world that is safe for all women and girls.

Do you need help?
If you feel unsafe at home or are worried about someone else, contact:
The National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
nationaldahelpline.org.uk

Life Fear Free Helpline (Wales): 0808 8010 800
welshwomensaid.org.uk

Rape Crisis: 0808 5000 2222
rapecrisis.org.uk

Galop: 0800 999 5428
galop.org.uk

If you are concerned that you may be harming the people you love: Respect Phoneline: 0808 8010 327
respectphoneline.org.uk

Read the full statement and details here:
https://www.cbcew.org.uk/stand-up-against-domestic-abuse/


Thanks to Deacon Vincent for his Reflections for First Sunday in Advent Year C

1st Reading from the prophet Jeremiah 33: 14-16.
Jeremiah is asked by God to inform the people that Jerusalem and Judah are going to be restored. God goes on to say that a descendant of the line of David will come forth and display justice and righteousness in the land, and his name will be, “The Lord is our righteousness”. Christians have always seen this is as a promise of the coming Saviour Jesus Christ, who is a descendant of David, by Joseph’s lineage. God is encouraging his people to keep strong in turbulent times for Israel. It is a good thing, to remind ourselves, that God really is the Master of the Universe.

Psalm 24: 4-5b, 8-9, 10, 14.
This is a song asking God for forgiveness and help. It is a reminder that we need God’s guidance and the help of his commands to find the right path and lead the Gospel life, as illustrated by Jesus in the
Gospels.

2nd Reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians 3: 12-4: 2.
This is a charming and loving prayer, with a subtle reminder to the Thessalonians that they still have a way to go in perfecting the Gospel life. Paul aligns Jesus with God in the opening passages, which shows how he is still working out the actual relationship of Jesus with the Father, he is confident of their unity of action, however. Paul mentions Jesus coming (the Parousia) more prominently in these letters to the Thessalonians. It is a timely reminder for us, during Advent, to renew our prayer, “Come Lord Jesus, Come.”

The Holy Gospel according to Luke 21: 25-28, 34-36.
We concluded the previous year with predictions of the end, and we begin our new Liturgical Year with yet another reminder that this world will end one day. It is best to think occasionally of our own end and remind ourselves of the things that really matter. Loving God and always being respectful to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, staying sober and leading good lives according to God’s law, treating our neighbour with kindness and consideration. Always looking out for the widows and orphans, who need our loving care. Now is the time for preparing to meet the Lord. Hold ourselves upright and don’t be weighed down by the troubles of the day; always trust in the Lord, Our Redeemer. He loves us and wants to lead us to the Father, so always be joyous as we journey with Our Lord.


God grace us to always be prepared to meet our Lord. Deacon Vincent.

*I fully acknowledge the assist given me by Nicholas King’s Study Bible in this and all my reflections. For his insight into the books and writings of the Holy Bible. He has been my inspiration and insight into the wonders of Holy Scripture. *

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