The Parish of St Wilfrid of York 53 London Road, Coalville, Leics, LE67 3JB FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT 22nd/23rd December 2012 First Reading: Micah 5 — Bethlehem’s greatness is prophesied. Psalm Response: God of hosts, bring us back; let you face shine on us and we shall be saved. Second Reading: Hebrews 10 — Here I am! I am coming to obey your will. Gospel: Luke 1 — Blessed is she who believed.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY The Gospel is an intimate encounter between two listening women of faith. Both have trusted in the secrecy of pregnancy. They both are moved to share their secrets. Mary has been greeted by an angel and trusts what she hears in her soul. Elizabeth hears Mary’s greeting and trusts what she hears and feels within her body. Elizabeth greets Mary with a tender benediction: “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” Mary is pictured as having received well a tremendous gift and promise. The first thing she is moved to do is to check it out with her cousin whom she has heard is pregnant too. Reception implies grateful distribution. So much preparation for the great Gift of God’s impregnating the womb of this world. All is set now, only the waiting and watching and wanting. Little children wonder at the process of birth. My very own nephew and wife had a baby this very morning and their threeyear-old daughter has been told all

about it, or as much as she can hold. It is just too much of a kind of miracle for her and I am sure for her parents as well. Christmas is like that. It is too much for us to handle and take in and be tumbled over by. Bethlehem, Israel, Mary, stable, manger, shepherds, you, me, us, all too small and yet all hold and behold the secret’s now being announced. God has come to us according to what makes sense to our minds, unless they are filled like the “Inn” with logic and arrogance. Through our senses God has come to visit and stay. It does remain more than we can handle in our one day of life. Yet God continues to give the Gift into our little hands, our little stables, our little mangers to hold and begin distributing. He came that we might have life and be freed to give it, and Him, away in the life-long, life-giving visits we make in the lives of others. Christmas is for children, yes, but for those of us who seek intimacy in life, Christmas grows us up. Fr Larry Gillick SJ

PARISH TOTE: No: 45 A. Iliffe £25 THANK YOU FOR YOUR OFFERINGS Envelopes £431.40 Loose £264.44; Standing Orders £123.00, Sr Jean £5.95 PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK: Harry Hill, Mrs Haywood, Maria Sharp, Nicole Williamson, Joan Briers, Teresa Sheriden, Cecilia Geraghty, Eileen Jarvis, Joan Brown, Nuala Culley, Michael Grimley, Christopher Hubbard, Robert Livingston, Paul Baldwin, Mary Ball, Ron Moreton, Peter Bullimore, Roger Smith, Sheila Stacey, Robert Gallagher, Mona Grady, Mary Godden, Lilian Stratton, Mary & Gordon Head, Pat Pullen, Mrs Pallett, Giovanni Brunetti, Emily Brown, Madeline Moyens, June Faulks, Val Alton, Margaret English, Pauline Sheridan, Marie Cordwell, Helen Powers, Barrie Briers, Rita Cheney, Angela Thody REQUIEM ANNIVERSARIES: Elizabeth Brown, Albert Wright, Edwin Bradley, May Walker, Fred Dearden, Teresa Staples, Brian O’Mara, Mary Poynton, BAPTISM ANNIVERSARIES: Rebecca Bates, Luke McHugh, Leah Taylor. CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES Meetings will be on Mondays at 7.30pm on 14, 21, 28 January. Rehearsal 4 February. The Confirmation Mass is on Friday, February 8th at 7pm. RCIA CANDIDATES Meetings resume after Christmas, dates TBA CHERUBS Will resume on Wednesday 16th January 2013—at 10.30am YEAR OF FAITH Throughout the Year of Faith there will be DVD presentations. Next Presentation : Mary — 7.30pm Tuesday 22nd January and Thursday 24th January at 10.30am — in Father Balfe Room - all very welcome. REPOSITORY STALL A selection of Christmas cards, cribs, calendars and cards are available to purchase. The stall is situated in the Church foyer. VERONICA HOUSE Thank you for the very generous response to the Advent collection for Veronica House. MUSIC New members (young and young at heart) are most welcome to lead music for the Christmas celebrations at St Wilfrids, please come along and join us. Any queries Contact Lynda Durcan 07730 141714 SISTER JEAN For many years we have supported the Mission where Sister Jean (Mother David) formerly headteacher of St Clare’s worked when she left Coalville in 1973. Sister Jean has written to us to thank us for all the past support, and to tell us that the fund is being closed. This weekend will be the last collection for Sister Jean’s box, and the remaining funds will be taken to Central America in January. FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME If your child has enrolled on this and is not at St Clare’s School, please see Sue after Mass to collect a form to order the book which will be necessary for the programme. Forms and money (£8.80 per copy) must be returned by 14th January.

PARISH TOTE Have you considered supporting the Parish by joining the Parish Tote? There are lots of numbers still available. The cost is 50p per number and there are cash prizes each week. Please speak to Julie Caulfield or any of the tote collectors at Mass for further information. CHRISTMAS MASSES... ...are as on the back page. There will be Carols for half an hour before both of the Monday evening Masses. BAPTISM COURSE The next course is on Thursday, 31st January, at 7.00pm DIOCESAN YEAR BOOKS The 2013 Year Book is available at the back of Church, price £3. It contains lots of interesting information about the diocese, including at least three articles about people you know! CONGRATULATIONS... ...to Mrs Jane Monaghan, our Headteacher, on her retirement. Pope Benedict has awarded her the Benemerenti (“well deserved”) medal in recognition of her thirtyseven years service to Catholic education. DEANERY QUIZ NIGHT... ...at ‘The Linford’, Newtown Linford, on Saturday Jan 26th, 7.45 for 8pm

FROM FATHER COLIN Thank you to all who did so much in the parish while I was away. May God give you all a very blessed Christmas. Ministries Rota: 22nd/23rd December Sat 6pm

Sun 10am

Readers:

Katherine Cohoon

Claire Jacques

Offertory/Welcome:

Mrs McLeod/Hanrahan

Haywood Family

Tote:

Barrie Proctor

L. Moore

Tellers:

P. Boyd/D Starbuck

Tea/Coffee:

Jordan Family Church Care: Ibstock Team 29/30th December

Readers:

John Watkins

P Hancott/J Southall

Offertory/Welcome:

Whitfield Family

Durcan Family

Tote:

J Watkins

J Caulfield

Tellers:

J Caulfield/S Kendrick

Tea/Coffee:

Bonser Family Church Care: A Alcaraz

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Sunday Lectionary Year C; Psalter Week 4 Sat 22 6.00pm Mass for the People of the Parish Sun 23 10.00am Mass for November Dead List Confessions after both Masses Mon 24 Christmas Eve 2.30–4pm: Confessions on call in presbytery NATIVITY OF OUR LORD — HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION Mon 24 6.00pm Mass for the People of the Parish 9.30pm Mass for Walter & Cicely Cohoon RIP Tue 25: 10.00am Mass for Special Intention Wed 26 St Stephen 10.00am Mass for Father Andrew Conrad Smith RIP Thu 27 St John, Apostle & Evangelist 10.00am Mass for Father Anthony Sketch Fri 28 Holy Innocents 10.00am Mass for November Dead List Sat 29 St Thomas of Canterbury 9.30am Morning Prayer and Holy Communion 5.15–5.40pm Eucharistic Exposition & Confessions THE HOLY FAMILY Sat 29 6.00pm Mass for Donor’s Intention Sun 30 10.00am Mass for the People of the Parish

CONTACT DETAILS Parish Website: http://stwilfscoalville.blogspot.com/ Priest in Charge: Father Colin Patey VF: Phone: 01530 832098 Email: [email protected] Deacon: Rev John Timson: Phone: 01530 243477 Pastoral Assistant: Miss Sue Tompkin: Phone: 01530 811486 Schools: St Clare’s Catholic Primary School: Phone 01530 837747 Head teacher: Mrs J Monaghan http://www.st-clares.leics.sch.uk/ De Lisle Catholic Science College: Phone 01509 268739 Head teacher: Mr C Davies http://www.delisle.leics.sch.uk/ Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Trustees (Company Number 7151646, Charity Number 1134449) Registered Office: Willson House, 25 Derby Road, Nottingham, NG1 5AW