St Mary’s Rectory, Draycott Terrace, London, SW3 2QR

Email: chelsea1@rcdow.org.uk The church is open from 8am to 7pm daily

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7589 5487

Canon Stuart Wilson, Fr Adrian Dixon

24th

November 2013 Christ the King

WHAT’S YOUR OPINION?

You may have seen reports in the press or on television about an upcoming event in the Catholic

Church. It is called “An Extraordinary Synod on the Family” and it is going to be in Rome next year.

It will bring together the Bishops of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis has called the Synod and as

we are now aware, he always has a new take on things. What is different about this one?

The Bishops are asking for comments from families. They want to know what is in the minds and

hearts of Catholic families. This is good news. In my many years of ministry, I have always felt that

the stakeholders do not usually get the opportunity to express what is concerning them. Pastors

know, through their ministry to people, what some of the issues are but usually they lie on our hearts

as we hear them in the confidentiality of the confessional. It is good to give people the chance to air

their opinion.

However, expressing a view isn’t all that simple. The document that has come from the Vatican is

complex to say the least. What is clear is that it is not an opinion poll. They are wanting people to

reflect and so the questions are constructed with reference being made to various Vatican documents

and Papal encyclicals. My guess is that most of us will not have read these. It would be tempting

therefore to ignore the survey. I think this would be a pity.

In some places there are self-devised questionnaires being created but I am always a little cautious

about these. (I studied sociology for my first degree and this has made me a little wary of opinion

polls). A two level approach to the questionnaire seems reasonable. Answer the full one if you can.

The second option is to send your reasoned opinions to the Department for Marriage and Family

Life. Edmund Adamus is the Director and he will try to put all this together in a report. Here are the

website/email contacts: the online form at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FamilySynod2014

or email edmundadamus@rcdow.org.uk (tel: 020-7798-9363).

It isn't necessary to respond to every question. Responses are best based on the strengths of the

respondent in their study, experience or pastoral responsibility.

Canon Stuart Wilson

You can also read this newsletter online: www.stmaryscadoganstreet.co.uk

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Chaplet for the Holy Souls (to be prayed on ordinary rosary beads)

Make the Sign Of The Cross then recite the Creed.

On the 5 beads between the Cross and the medal recite:

1 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary and 1 Glory Be.

On the large bead prior to the 10 small beads say:

"O Holy Souls draw the fire of God's love into my soul, to reveal Jesus Crucified in me here on earth, rather than hereafter in Purgatory."

On each of the small beads say:

"Crucified Lord Jesus, have mercy on the souls in Purgatory."

When you have completed all 5 decades, say the Glory Be 3 times.

If you would like to place an advert in our newsletter

please call the Parish Office:

020 7 589 5487

Please pray

for those

who have

died and all

those

affected by

Typhoon

Haiyan in

the

Philippines

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Please

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Syria, the

Middle

East and

the whole

world.

MASS TIMES AND NOTICES FOR THE WEEK

The Sunday readings are available in different languages at the back of the church

Sat 23 Nov 6.30pm Vigil Mass Suzanne Monvoisin 12th RIP Anniversary

Sun 24 Nov Feast of Christ the King (Year C, Vol 2) p167

2 Samuel 5: 1-3; Colossians 1: 12-20; Luke 23: 35-43

9am Mass at the Royal Hospital Ron Vanner’s Intentions

10am Family Mass Pro Populo

11.30am Solemn Mass Luciano Sanchez RIP 6.30pm Mass Holy Souls

Mon 25 Nov 12 noon Mass Holy Souls

St Catherine of Alexandria 6.30pm Mass Jaques Abizeid RIP

Virgin & Martyr

Tues 26 Nov 12 noon Mass Jaques Abizeid RIP

Feria 6.30pm Mass Wolfgang Moore RIP & The Holy Souls

Weds 27 Nov 12 noon Mass Holy Souls

Feria 6.30pm Mass John & Philomena McDonald - wedding anniversary

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 11am & 5.30pm Benediction 11:50am & 5.20pm

Thurs 28 Nov 12 noon Mass The deceased of the Alms Houses & Holy Souls

Feria

Fri 29 Nov 12 noon Mass Holy Souls

Feria

Sat 30 Nov 10am Mass Holy Souls

ST ANDREW, Apostle 6.30pm Vigil Mass Private Intention

Patron of Scotland

CONFESSIONS: Sat 10.30am-11am; Sat 5.45pm-6.15pm; Sun 6pm-6.25pm

Sun 1 Dec First Sunday of Advent (Year A, Vol 1) p82

Isaiah 2: 1-5; Romans 13: 11-14; Matthew 24: 37-44

9am Mass at the Royal Hospital 10am Family Mass Ita Fitzgerald RIP

11.30am Solemn Mass Pro Populo

6.30pm Mass Renate Tikvic’s Intentions

The sick of our parish especially: Rhonda Morgan, Fiona Barratt, Venetia OKell, Philipp Wahl, Norman Fleming, Richard Walsh, Lady Peat, Richard, Kasper Banas. The Deceased: All those in our November Book of the Holy

Souls.

LAST WEEKEND’S OFFERING: The Sunday collection was £3,360 including standing orders.

The second collection for Sick and Retired Priests raised £1,615 and the Typhoon Haiyan Appeal

raised £1,175. Thank you for your generosity.

ST JOSEPH’S SCHOOL CHRISTMAS FAIR: Next Sunday 1st December from 11am - 3pm our

coffee morning will move to St Joseph’s Primary school for their Christmas Fair. There will be stalls,

refreshments, Father Christmas, a Mummy & Daddy secret gift shop (Shhh! No parents allowed!) and

much, much more!

FREE TUITION FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE: The Assumption Sisters, students and staff of

Heythrop College are offering free tuition for the young people of our parish on Mondays and

Thursdays from 5pm – 6.30pm during term time only. Please contact Daniel McNamara for more

details: danielmcnamara@rcdow.org.uk or call 07890 675 484.

WESTMINSTER YEAR BOOKS: These are on sale at the back of the Church - £4.50 or £5 (ring

bound copies) - and are an invaluable source of information. Please put the money in the

“Newspapers and Magazines” slot by the newspaper stand. Thank you.

WELCOME THIS WEEK TO FR. JOHN of the Legionaries of Christ who replaces Fr. Michael

Mullan. Fr. John will be with us for a few days and will assist with the celebration of Mass.

This is a special weekend for our parish. After much prayer and discussion, the Diocese has

embarked on an extraordinary initiative – the Growing in Faith campaign. Building on the

generosity and sacrifices of our forbearers, Growing in Faith will be our generation’s legacy to

our Parish, to our faith, to our commitment to the Church, to future generations.

Over 100 parishes have already taken part. Each of them had a tremendous response, with more

than 950 volunteers sharing Archbishop Nichols’ visions with over 40,000 parishioners. Each

parishioner has had the opportunity to learn about Growing in Faith’s priorities in a personal

way, to ask questions and had the time and space needed to consider as to how they might

participate.

There are 23 parishes conducting Growing in Faith right now, including ours. Today we invite

everyone to play their part. Fr. Stuart will be speaking at every Mass. Please listen. Your

involvement will make a difference.

Growing in Faith is not a luxury but a necessity – this is our opportunity to do something special

for Catholics now, and future generations.

DISTRIBUTING “VINNIE PACKS” WITH THE SVP 29th NOVEMBER 10.30PM – 12.30AM:

We are looking for volunteers to help distribute “Vinnie Packs” to the homeless in Victoria. The packs

contain various items including a thermal blanket, hat, a toothbrush and toothpaste. Under 16’s must

attend with a parent. Please meet at St Mary’s at 10.30pm and we will depart together.

HELP SETTING UP THE CRIB: Soon we will be installing our Nativity in the Sacred Heart

Chapel. Everyone loves it and it is the result of wonderful team effort. If you can spare half an hour or

half a day, your help will be much appreciated by Baby Jesus and team. If you can help please

contact Maria Cristina on 07717104926 or email mcwhitedacruz@hotmail.co.uk. Thank you!

BAPTISM: We welcome to the family of the Church Sergio Mendes-Fonseca, James Haig-Thomas

and Sophie Ribeiro. May God bless them and their families.

ST THOMAS MORE LANGUAGE COLLEGE CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR: St Thomas More

Language College invite you to their Christmas Craft Fair on Thursday 5th December 4.30pm -

7.30pm. Please see the poster at the back of the Church.

EVENTS OF THE WEEK

Mon 25 Nov: Finance Committee Meeting 5pm

Tues 26 Nov: Parent & Toddler Group 10am; Marriage Preparation Session 4 at 8pm

Weds 27 Nov: Journey of Faith 7.30pm; Carol Concert rehearsal 7.15pm

Thurs 28 Nov: Latin Choir 7.15pm

CHILDREN’S LITURGY: We explained to the children that Jesus is not a fairy-tale king, armed with a sword and eager to expand his dominions. Rather, he is a special king who wants to change our hearts. The children

continue to rehearse for the Carol Sevice.

ST MARY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT 7th

DECEMBER

Tickets for our Carol Concert are on sale before and after all weekend Masses.

Tickets cost £10 for adults & £1 for children under 15. Babies in laps are free. Raffle tickets will also be on sale before/after weekend Masses.

Concert tickets are also available via the Parish Office during opening hours or contact Morgan Lye on 07771 806 686

ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO THE CARDINAL HUME CENTRE AND NEW WAYS CHARITIES.