ST JOHN VIANNEY CHURCH

West Green
4 Vincent Road, London N15 3QH
Parish Office Tel No: 020-8888-5518 E-mail: westgreen@rcdow.org.uk
http://stjohnvianneywestgreen.co.uk
(SJV Parish Centre 020-8888-5518)

12th / 13th December 2015

Dear Parishioners,
Today, the Third Sunday of Advent is also known in the
Latins tradition as GAUDETE Sunday. This means rejoice ...
When you look at the texts of the scripture readings, notice how
many times we are encouraged to shout for joy to exult to
have no more fear to be happy no need to worry Why all of this? Because the Lord
is near!
There is a sense of urgency in the Gospel too. Three categories of people ask,
What must we do? If we are to prepare for the coming of the Saviour; so it is not by
accident that this third Sunday of Advent is also the first Sunday of the Year of Mercy.
THE YEAR OF MERCY: Pope Francis has declared the Year of Mercy opened on 8th
December; the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and ending on the Feast of Christ the
King 2016.
During this Holy Year of Mercy, we are to unpack and live out the mercy of God in
our lives. The concept of a holy year has many aspects to it. The Holy door in St Peters
in Rome is a symbol of the Open Door of Gods mercy; an invitation to enter any church
door and hopefully find welcome, compassion, forgiveness, joy and celebration of Gods
gracious presence. It could also be any family home where people are made welcome
and when the visitor departs the better because of the encounter.
THE JUBILEE YEAR: A Jubilee Year of Mercy has its foundation in ancient
traditions a jubilee year, very 50 years meant that debts were written off; slaves were
set free; the land was rested; a whole new beginning was possible.
In this Year of Mercy, we are invited to look at and live the CORPORAL and
SPIRITUAL works of mercy. These works have been part of our pastoral strategy for
years we are trying to feed the hungry; cloth the naked; shelter the homeless; visit the
sick; counsel the doubtful; comfort the afflicted; bear wrongs patiently and pray for the
living and the dead.
As ever we need to improve on what we are already doing this is the object of
Proclaim 15, which we now try to continue in the Year of Mercy.
For example, during Lent we may try to explore a little more, the concept of
PRAYING and FASTING and see how we could really link it with the Year of Mercy.
We looked at some of these ideas in our Parish Pastoral Council meeting last
Wednesday. Gradually we will unpack and make the most of the challenges facing us.
We welcome Fr Samuel arriving from Ghana midweek.
Thats all for now, have a good week. God bless.

Fr Joe

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY IN

LAST SUNDAYS COLLECTIONS
CATECHETICAL PROGRAMMES
All the activities take place in the Parish
Hall. Any enquiries please contact Sr. Clara
at clarasmfmvd@gmail.com or
07816452215.
CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME:
We welcome our Confirmation candidates to
participate at our 6pm Mass
FIRST COMMUNION PROGRAMME
(Children attending Catholic schools)
Today we welcome our First Communion
candidates to participate at our 11am Mass.
HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME
(Children attending non-Catholic schools)

Today we welcome our First Communion

candidates to participate at our 11am Mass.
FIRST RECONCILIATION PROGRAMME
(for children who received their First Holy
Communion in May 2015)

First session and Parents Meeting on 16

January 16 at 12noon.

THE CELEBRATION OF BAPTISM: If you

would like to have your child baptised on
the 23rd January 2016 or later, the next
sessions will be on the Monday, 11th & 25th
Jan. 16. Please contact Sr. Clara to book
your place on the course.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR
ADULTS (RCIA): For adults that are
interested in preparing for your First
Communion and Confirmation. For adults
who have not been baptised. And for
Christians of other denomination who
would like to be received in the Catholic
Church. The next session on the 19th Dec.15
from 3:30pm-5.45pm, followed by 6pm
Mass.
FOLLOW US ON:
Facebook:
West Green - St John Vianney Church
Our website
http://stjohnvianneywestgreen.co.uk/

YOUTH ACTIVITIES IN THE PARISH

FAMILY MASS: There will be a rehearsal on
the 13th December after 11am Mass for an
hour to practice hymns for the Christmas
Eve Mass, and that if any child would like to
play to bring their recorders with them.
EUCHARISTIC MINISTER TRAINING
If you will like to be part of the Eucharistic
Minister team we will have a training
session TODAY 13th and 20th December from
10 10:50 am in the Parish Hall.
Please contact Mariantha or Sr. Clara to
book your place in the Training Course.
ADULT FORMATION IN THE PARISH
The Bible Timeline is a fascinating study
that takes you on a journey through the
entire Bible.
Next session: Tuesday 15th December at
7:30pm or Wednesday 16th December at
10am in the Parish Hall.
THANK YOU:
We take this opportunity to thank all our
parishioners who have used their Gift Aid
envelopes during the financial year
April 06, 2014 to April 05, 2015. The total
Tax recovered is 11,845.42. Thank you
for your generosity and financial
support.
ADORATION WITH THE BLESSED
SACRAMENT:
This month we will have the Adoration of
the Blessed Sacrament on the 13th
December after the 11am Mass as part of
the launching of the Year of Mercy.
WE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOUL
OF
The late EILEEN LYNCH, RIP: who died on
19th November and whose Funeral was at St
Monicas last Monday. May she rest in peace.
The Funeral Mass for the late GERRY
CULBERT, RIP will take place at St Ignatius
on Thursday 17 Dec at 10am. May he rest in
peace.
We offer our sincere condolences to both
families

PENTITENTIAL SERVICES IN HARINGEY

Muswell Hill Tuesday 15th Dec 7.30pm
TBC
Wood Green Thursday 17th Dec 7.30pm
Stamford Hill Friday 18th Dec 7.30pm
West Green Friday 18th Dec 7.30pm
Tottenham Monday 21st Dec 7.30pm
Stroud Green No Penitential Service
PARISH SOCIAL AND FUND RAISING
ACTIVITIES TEAS /COFFEE
In the Jubilee Hall after the 9am and 11am
Masses. We will be having a mini tombola.
All welcome.
PARISH OUTREAC SANDWICH MAKING
(PREPARATION):
The next Soup Run at 5pm on Saturday 19th
December Group A.
Next weekend we will need extra drivers
to help with distribution of food and gifts
to the homeless.
Volunteer Drivers urgently needed
CLEANING THE CHURCH FOR
CHRISTMAS: We are urgently looking for
volunteers to help with cleaning the Church
for Christmas. If you can help, please come
along and join us after the 9:15am Mass
on Wednesday 23rd December. We would
need a couple of men to help the ladies.
Thank you.
YEAR OF MERCY:
The Cardinal will open the Holy Door in
Westminster Cathedral in the context of
Vespers and Benediction at 3.30 pm on
Sunday, 13 December. You are very
welcome to attend. Those making a brief
pilgrimage during the Year to the
Cathedral Holy Door or the others through
the Diocese may gain the Jubilee
Indulgence for themselves or the Holy
Souls. Our closest Holy Door is at Brook
Green; the Italian Church, Clerkenwell;
Enfield; Haverstock Hill; Hounslow;
Kingsland; Lincolns Inn Fields; Marylebone;
Soho Square; Stanmore; Waltham Cross; Our
Ladys, Welwyn Garden City; Our Lady of
Willesden

HOMELESS DURING ADVENT:

Each year we have a basket/ container in the
church for donations and presents for the
HOMELESS e.g.: socks, gloves, hats/caps,
scarves, toiletries (toothpaste, soap,
disposable razors) etc. Bigger items such as
CLEAN blankets, towels, mens clothing will
be greatly appreciated and these can be
handed in to the presbytery during office
hours before Friday 18th December.
(Please DO NOT LEAVE ITEMS ON THE
DOORSTEP OF THE CHURCH, PARISH
OFFICE or CENTRE)
LIVESIMPLY EXPLORES LAUDATO SI:
YOU ARE INVITED to find ways that our
Parish might respond to it practically.
Action for the week - Please continue to pray
for the leaders attending the Paris Climate
Change Conference.
Well read together, share our thoughts and
ideas and make some plans for the months
ahead in our faith community.
When: Monday evenings from 7.30pm8.45pm, Monday 14th December
Chapter Six: Ecological Education and
Spirituality; where: the Parish Centre,
Jubilee Hall. All are invited. For further
details please contact Daniel St Guillaume on
07906841486.
PARISH PILGRIMAGE AND DAY TRIP
8 - DAY INCLUSIVE PILGRIMAGE TO
GREECE IN THE FOOTSTEP OF ST PAUL.
From 5th October 12th October 2016:
Price per person 947. A deposit of
250.00 per person will be required to
reserve this booking.
There are a few seats available on this
pilgrimage.
It includes Coach Transfer to London
Stansted return. Flights: London Stansted
Thessaloniki / Athens return.
Accommodation: 2 nights in THESSALONIKI;
1 night in KALAMBAKA; 1 night in DELPHI; 3
nights in ATHENS. Single supplement
225.00. Please contact
Mariantha on 02083523405
or Germaine on 07711582620.

Entrance Antiphon
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice.
Indeed, the Lord is near.
First Reading

Zephaniah 3: 14-18

Canticle
Isaiah 12
Sing and shout for joy for great in your midst is
the Holy One of Israel.
Second Reading

Philippians 4: 4-7

Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
The spirit of the Lord has been given to me.
He has sent me to bring the good news to the
poor.
Alleluia!
Gospel

Luke 3:10-18

Communion Antiphon
Say to the faint of heart: Be strong and do not
fear.
Behold, our God will come, and he will save us.

MASS & SERVICE TIMES

Mass 9:15am
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,
Friday, Saturday
Penitential Service
Friday at 7:30pm
Sunday Masses:
(Sat.) 6pm; 9:00am and 11:00am
Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Saturday: from 9:45 am 10:15am

THIS WEEK WE PRAY FOR:

The repose of the soul:
Gerry Culbert
Eileen Lynch
Patrick Patsy Murphy
Mick Foley
John Holmes
France Marceline Bumstead
RIP
RIP Anniversary:
William Towell
Special Intentions:
Kathy Foley
The Doyle Family
Allan Essoo
Fr Pat Sammon
Birthday
Barbara Kentish
Levi Cronin (Birthday Remembrance)
For the sick and those in our parish
especially:
Alice Amorin, Anna Sista, Larry Healy, Lucy
Kishlak, Madeleine Jordan, Maria DSouza,
Margaret Lettice, Marilyn Martin, Mary
Caulfield, Mary Glynn, Mary Wallace, May
Hempenstall, Myra Kent, Padraig Murphy,
Patrick McCreash, Patsy Murphy, Sheila
Campbell, Enrique Alonso Paez.
Names not listed above, are listed
in our Book of Intentions.

PARISH OFFICE HOURS:

Tues to Fri 10am-12noon, 1pm-4pm

PARISH TEAM:
Fr. Joe Ryan, Parish Priest
Sr. Clara Segui, Parish Sister
Germaine Ng Ying, Parish Adm/Secretary

To make an appointment
Phone: 0208 888 5518 or email
westgreen@rcdow.org.uk

We cannot guarantee to have anyone available outside of

these hours.