Friday this week, 24th November, being the last Friday of the month, sees the ladies tea and chat session take place in the Garden Room at 2:30 pm. This session is open to all - just come along and join the ladies of the parish for a friendly chat over a cup of tea and a slice of cake.
The World Day of the Poor, a Roman Catholic observance, celebrated on the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time since 2017, will be marked this year on Sunday 19th November.
It was established by Pope Francis in his Apostolic Letter, Misericordia et Misera, issued on 20th November 2016 to celebrate the end of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. The World Day of the Poor was established with the theme, "Let us love, not with words but with deeds". The theme for this, the seventh World Day of the Poor, is “Do not turn your face away from anyone who is poor” taken from the book of Tobit. In his message for this World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis reflects on the example of Tobit. He considers how the Book of Tobit teaches us to be realistic and practical in whatever we do with and for the poor, writing that "caring for the poor is more than simply a matter of a hasty hand-out; it calls for re-establishing the just interpersonal relationships that poverty harms." In his message marking World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis says “whenever we encounter a poor person, we cannot look away, for that would prevent us from encountering the face of the Lord Jesus.”
In his message, Pope Francis reminds us that the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) is not simply a story from the past but continues to challenge each of us in the here and now of our daily lives. He writes: "It is easy to delegate charity to others, yet the calling of every Christian is to become personally involved.” You can read the full text of the Pope's message for World Day of the Poor here.
Next Sunday we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe which marks the beginning of the final week of the Church’s liturgical year. This glorious feast points us to the end of time when Jesus, the great King, will return in all His splendour and glory to establish His unending Kingdom on earth, when He unites Heaven and earth into the new and resurrected Kingdom yet to come. On that day, Christ “will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.” This day is also celebrated as Youth Day, and to support the work of the Diocesan Youth Service, there will be a second collection taken at all Masses next weekend.
CAFOD has a range of gifts available for Christmas and other special occasions throughout the year. The 2023-2024 gift catalogue is filled with ethical and sustainable presents for friends and family to mark birthdays, anniversaries and other celebrations as well as Christmas itself.
You can find the World Gifts catalogue in the church porch, complete with a Freepost order form, or you can buy them online from the CAFOD web site - click here.
In the Catholic Church the month of November begins with the Solemnity of All Saints’ on November 1st, followed by the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed – All Souls’ Day’ on the 2nd November. Together these days mark the start of a month of remembrance, often referred to as the month of the dead, during which we remember and pray especially for our loved ones who have gone before us and whose loss we feel. On the table at the back of the church there is a Book of Remembrance, and you are all invited to write in this the names of those family members and friends who have died, who will then be remembered especially during Masses throughout this month.
Thank you to all those who gave up their time on Saturday morning to help with the ongoing work tidying up the church hall. The opportunity was also taken to complete the lighting upgrade in the hall. The old fluorescent lighting has all now been replaced with bright and effective energy-efficient LED lighting which will both reduce running costs and simplify ongoing maintenance.
Like last year, FIND is again focusing its Christmas appeal on gift vouchers and store gift cards which can be passed to those in Ipswich less fortunate than us. Between now and Christmas, FIND will be issuing some 900 food boxes to make sure it can provide for Christmas and January. Having store vouchers will enable people to buy fresh foods or gifts of toys, clothes and other items. Suggested providers are Sainsbury's, ASDA, ALDI, Co-op, Waitrose, Smythes, The Entertainer toy store, Argos, Primark and M&S. Any vouchers donated must have receipts with them so that it is certain that they have been 'loaded'. If you are able to respond to this appeal, please put any donated vouchers or gift cards, along with the corresponding receipt, in an envelope marked FIND Christmas Appeal and drop it in the collection plate at any Mass no later than Sunday 17th
December to allow for collection and distribution.
On Tuesday 28th November a Christmas Wreath workshop will take place in the Garden Room between 7 and 9 pm. The cost will be £15, which includes the supply of all the equipment needed, but if you have any special decorations you would like to incorporate, then do bring them along. For further information, and to book your place, please contact Janet Irving on 07837 152179.
Thank you all for the continuing generosity you show by your regular donations to the FIND tub in the church porch. We have been given a list of most needed items from FIND which is as follows:
Additionally, with Christmas fast approaching, and seasonal donations of things like tubs of sweets and biscuits would be appreciated. Any of these items will be very gladly received but they are only suggestions - any and all donations that you can make will be very welcome and help others less fortunate than ourselves. Also, if anybody has any spare bags they could donate, these are always useful in distributing food.
We have also received a special thank you from Maureen Reynel, founder and director of FIND, for all our donations in the past and for our continuing support.
On Saturday 2nd December, a Christmas Sing-a-Long concert will be held in the parish hall starting at 7:00 pm. You are all invited to come along and bring with you any (portable) musical instruments you might play and your best Christmas voice to join in. Music will be provided by the Martlesham Ukulele Players. Tickets, costing £5 which includes a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie, will be available after weekend Masses.
