You may have noticed the commercial world is further hijacking Advent and Christmas by using terms such as ‘festive season’ ‘hosting season’ ‘winter festivities’, all the more reason then, for us to send Christmas cards which reflect the reality, namely, the birth of the Christ child. Amongst others, various charities, one of which is, ‘Aid to the Church in Need’ (a charity which particularly supports the persecuted Church) produce beautiful Christmas cards, with both Greek icons and Renaissance images of the Nativity, which are available for you to purchase in the narthex / lobby/ church porch. Purchasing their cards supports the persecuted Church and reminds all of us, that it is the Christmas Season into which we will be entering after Advent. P.S. when buying stamps for your Christmas cards, do ask for the ‘Christmas stamps’ in doing so, others, over-hearing your request, will be reminded of the reason for the season. On the weekend of the 29th November and 6th December, the parish ‘Christmas’ repository will be selling items in the parish hall after the Masses. If you don’t have a Christmas crib for the family this would be an opportunity to buy one to use as a ‘centre piece’ at home, perhaps adding figures to it, year by year.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME The children’s books and Bibles have now arrived and are available for those who have not yet collected them along with the first ‘parent’s crib sheet’. Parents need to work through the first chapter of the book with their child/ren before the first meeting THIS THURSDAY 20th November at 5 pm. The catechist will review this first chapter with the children, while parents, with Fr. Ian, will look at the next chapter, chapter 2. Donations towards the cost of the books and Bibles would be welcome. CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME 2025 /2026 Thanks for coming along last Thursday evening; as will be seen from the programme distributed, we will begin on Thursday 8th January . Many thanks.
Terminally Ill (Adults End of Life) Bill From ‘Right to Life’:- Last week, the special select committee formed to hear evidence about the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill concluded its proceedings. The Committee did not draw any conclusions, but all of the evidence heard can be seen in their report . If you’d like an easier way to catch up, you can read our highlights of week 1 , week 2 , and week 3 . Now that the select committee has reported, the normal Committee stage begins. This is where the Bill is examined line by line, and any peer can suggest amendments. Unlike in the Commons, all suggested amendments have to be considered, and members can discuss an issue for as long as they want. The government cannot restrict the subjects under discussion or impose a time limit. The Committee stage will now be held on the following Fridays, with the possibility of additional dates being added later. Currently, the House of Lords will consider the Bill on the following dates: Friday 1th & 21st November and Friday 5th & 12th December. Incredibly, almost 1,000 amendments have been tabled to the Bill! This is already close to the most amendments ever tabled to any Bill in UK history and, with more likely to come, it is on track to break that record. This sheer number of amendments demonstrates that Peers, including those who are, in principle, supportive of assisted suicide, are increasingly identifying how flawed this dangerous Bill is. It must never become law. That’s not all – as I write, the Joint Committee on Human Rights is hearing evidence on the Bill and the potential impact on the Human Rights of disabled people. Please contact members of the House of Lords, asking them to oppose the Bill. You can find all our resources on our campaign page. You can use our guide to writing to Lords to write a paper letter (always the most impactful option!) or use our webtool. See:- Right To Life UK: Pro-life Advocacy on Abortion & Euthanasia | Positive Change on Life Issues