THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR B)
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Notices
PARISH OFFICE Yvonne has returned to her duties as Parish Secretary, albeit working from home for two days per week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9.00am to 2.00pm, until further notice. For all Parish matters please contact Yvonne via email on office.ourladyofpeace[AT]northamptondiocese.org or Fr Joseph via email on frjosephudoh[AT]northamptondiocese.org or you can telephone the Parish office on 01628 605764 and leave a message.
MICHELE DIGANGI, RIP Please pray for the repose of the soul of Michele Digangi RIP who died recently. No details are available for his funeral service currently.
RONALD JOHN WAKEFIELD, RIP Please also pray for the repose of the soul of Ronald Wakefield who died recently and will be buried on Friday 18th December at Slough Crematorium.
TWO WEEK NEWSLETTER Next week’s newsletter will be for two weeks, then back to weekly from the weekend 9th – 10th January 2021.
CHRISTMAS FLOWERS Many thanks for your contribution for the flowers at Christmas.
CHRISTMAS OFFERING Christmas and Easter are two times in the year that your donations go directly to the priest as a significant part of his wages. Should you wish to give a Christmas Offering to our priest, among the numbered offertory envelopes, there is a white one written Christmas Offering for this purpose. The Missionary Society of St Paul’s donation envelopes are also available in the Church should you wish to use them. You could also donate directly to the parish accounts or through the diocese’s online and phone in giving platforms, quoting the reference: Christmas Offering. Please refer to the Finance section on the back page of the newsletter for the bank and online donation details. Thank you for your ongoing support especially at this trying times.
GIVING TREE This year, we have introduced a giving tree project in support of Burnham Care and Share, The London and Slough Run and St Vincent de Paul. Kindly go to the Christmas Tree at the foot of the sanctuary, choose a label or labels from the tree, purchase a suitable gift, and return to the church by the 14th December deadline. Place gift in one of the boxes provided by exit door. Thank you.
PRE-OWNED GIFTS Thank you for your generous response to the request for preowned children’s toys and books. The deadline is now passed. Donated items have been collected for distribution.
FACE MASKS Many thanks to all who have donated disposable face masks. We remind you that proper face coverings must be worn over the nose and mouth before entering the Church and throughout the duration of services.
BAPTISM PREPARATION COURSE If you wish for your child to be Baptised over the next few months, you will need to take part in a Baptism course. This is especially important for first time parents. The next Baptism Preparation Course will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, 15th December between 6.00pm – 8.00pm. If you wish to join the course, and have not already advised Yvonne, please let her know via email on office.ourladyofpeace[AT]northamptondiocese.org.
PARISH ROSARY Sunday, 13th December at 7.30pm on Zoom. We will be including some Christmas Carols too. If you need an invite please email Cedrica on cedricalobo[AT]yahoo.co.uk
PARISH ONLINE PRAYER SERVICE A dedicated email has been set up for you to send prayer requests. The email address is: prayerministry.ourladyofpeace[AT]northamptondiocese.org Meanwhile, let us continue to support and pray for one another in the parish.
MASS BOOKING Kindly drop off your intentions at the Presbytery, place it in the donation box in the Church or give it to Fr Joseph. You can still make a request for Masses by email and telephone.
CAN WE HELP? Please get in touch with Fr Joe if you or any parishioner needs help.
PARISH FINANCES
Letter from Tony McNiff, Chief Operating Officer for the Diocese of Northampton:
Dear Fellow Parishioners,
I am writing to introduce myself as the new Chief Operating Officer at the Diocese having joined at the beginning of September.
I am very much looking forward to visiting the parishes across the Diocese as soon as possible but unfortunately the constraints of COVID-19 have meant that I have been unable to visit as many as I would have wished.
Parishes I have visited and the financial returns from those I have not, tell a very similar story. The reality of the situation is that they have been struggling to cover their costs with reduced income. Over the period to September 20 (the latest accounts produced), income received has dropped by almost £1.7m and whilst efforts have been put in place to reduce costs including claiming support from the Government’s furlough scheme and reducing property expenditure to all but essential H&S related matters, a reduction of this magnitude has been difficult to manage.
For Our Lady of Peace and St Andrew’s, income from Offertory is down by 50% from £26000 for 6 months to September 2019 to £13000 to September 2020 and total income for the same period, down by 55% from £47000 to £21000.
I would, first of all, like to thank you for the generosity that you have shown in continuing to support the life of our parishes over recent months. I am also acutely aware that many are suffering significant hardship as a result of the pandemic.
But, as we come out of lockdown and our churches reopen more fully, our costs will start to increase and it will become increasingly challenging to support our parishes with reduced levels of donations. For that reason, I am asking you consider recommencing or increasing your donations if you are able to do so.
The support of those parishioners who contribute regularly by standing order and the associated Gift Aid we have been able to claim from the Government have been invaluable over the last 9 months and have highlighted how important this method of giving is. If you are able to contribute by standing order, please consider doing so. The Finance Team at Bishops House can help you with this if you are unable to arrange this locally.
If you are unable to attend Church and therefore find it difficult to contribute, please remember that you can do so online (see Parish Donations) or by ringing the Diocesan Finance Team at Bishops’ House who will be pleased to help you donate.
Our priests rely heavily on your contributions, particularly at Christmas and Easter and your generous offerings at these times are hugely appreciated.
Thank-you for listening and for your ongoing support.
Tony McNiff
Christmas 2020
CHRISTMAS SERVICES FOR OUR LADY OF PEACE AND ST ANDREW’S As promised, I am delighted to announce the schedule for the Christmas Services. You will see extra services planned this year to enable as many as possible to attend.
A booking system will be in operation to manage numbers (for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services only), to ensure maximum safety for all and will be done on a first come, first served basis. Update (20/12/2020): Please note the 5.00PM Christmas Eve Children’s Masses are both fully booked. If you cannot attend the mass you have booked, please make contact for us to make provision for anyone on the waiting list.
Booking is not required for 26th or 27th December. Bookings can be made by telephone or email (see details below). Please do not telephone the Presbytery, but instead use the dedicated email address or telephone number to book your places and please also ensure you book only one service per person or group.
Dedicated telephone number and email address for OLP and St Andrew’s Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Services. Telephone: 07869 932 246 or email: olopxmasservices[AT]gmail.com
Email requests should include which service you wish to attend, how many people will be in your group, and also your telephone number. As per Government guidance, groups are limited to no more than 6 from your household or support bubble (unless a legal exemption applies).
I look forward to welcoming you all to Masses this advent and over the Christmastide.
Fr Joe
Masses at Our Lady of Peace:
| Day/Service | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas Eve Children’s Mass* Mass is fully booked | 24th December | 5.00pm |
| Vigil & Midnight Mass* | 24th December | 11.30pm |
| Christmas Day (9.30am)* | 25th December | 9.30am |
| Christmas Day (11.00am)* | 25th December | 11.00am |
| Boxing Day (Saturday 10.00am – online only Mass) | 26th December | 10.00am |
| Boxing Day (Saturday evening) | 26th December | 6.00pm |
| Sunday | 27th December | 9.30am |
Masses at St Andrew’s:
| Day/Service | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas Eve Children’s Mass* Mass is fully booked | 24th December | 5.00pm |
| Vigil & Midnight Mass* | 24th December | 9.30pm |
| Christmas Day* | 25th December | 11.30am |
| Sunday | 27th December | 11.30am |
RESUMPTION OF PUBLIC LITURGIES AT OUR LADY OF PEACE AND ST ANDREW’S
Please note:
- Restrictions apply on number of attendances at Baptism, funeral, and marriage.
- Proper face coverings must be worn over the nose and mouth before entering the Church and throughout the duration of Mass and services.
- Please provide contact details on entry. We have a number of methods (QR code, form or tick list). The NHS QR App can be found via this link: https://covid19.nhs.uk/.
- After Mass, please stay seated until a Steward advises when you can safely leave.
- To light a candle after Mass, please wait until others have left and advise a Steward.
- Doors will remain open for proper ventilation – do wrap up well before coming to Mass.
- Please avoid congregating in the car park in groups – in line with Government guidance.
- If you need to speak to Fr Joseph please contact the office by phone or email to set up a time: Phone (01628 605764). E-mail (frjosephudoh[AT]northamptondiocese.org).
Weekend Mass times are as follows:
Weekend Masses
| Day | Location | Time | Who can attend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat | Our Lady of Peace | 10.00am | Specifically for the elderly and those who need to take extra care, but who are permitted outside of the home. |
| Sat | Our Lady of Peace | 6.00pm | Anyone |
| Sun | Our Lady of Peace | 9.30am | Anyone |
| Sun | St Andrew’s | 11.30am | Anyone |
If you are concerned about anything, please do not hesitate to contact the Parish office. In the meantime, please feel free to come for private prayers at the times and dates shown below (No private prayer schedule at St Andrew’s):
Private Prayer Sessions (N.B. revised schedule)
| Day | Venue | Open | Close |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Our Lady of Peace | 7.00pm** | 8.00pm |
| Friday | Our Lady of Peace | 10.00am | 12noon |
A donation box is available in Our Lady of Peace for Mass intentions, offertory envelopes, donations, etc.
Thank you for your cooperation and God bless.
Fr Joe
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Please read Attending Mass After Lockdown: Your Questions Answered.
Public Mass Downloads:
GOVERNMENT TIER GUIDANCE – PLACES OF WORSHIP
What we are able to do in each local restriction tier:
- Opening Places of Worship for communal prayer
- All tiers: Open for as many people as can be safely accommodated with social distancing measures.
- Attending Places of Worship for communal prayer
- Tier 2: Can only interact indoors with your own households, but outdoors can interact in groups of up to 6.
- Tier 3: Can only interact with your own household both indoors and outdoors.
- Wedding Ceremonies
- All tiers: Can take place with up to 15 attendees, all of whom can interact.
- Wedding Receptions
- Tier 2: Can take place with up to 15 attendees, all of whom can interact.
- Tier 3: Cannot take place.
- Funerals
- All tiers: Can take place with up to 30 attendees, all of whom can interact.
- Commemorative events post-death
- All tiers: Can take place with up to 15 attendees, all of whom can interact.
- Other Standalone Life-Cycle Ceremonies – that do not take place as a part of communal worship
- Tier 2: Can only interact indoors with your own households, but outdoors can interact in groups of up to 6.
- Tier 3: Can only interact with your own household both indoors and outdoors.
- Supervised Activities for Children (including Sunday schools, etc.)
- All tiers: Can take place with no limit on the number of children permitted to attend, following COVID-Secure guidance. Adults must ensure social distancing at all times.
N.B. Wherever interaction can take place, social distancing of 1m+ should still be strictly maintained between anyone who doesn’t live together or are in a ‘support bubble’.
CAFOD WORLD GIFTS World Gifts, CAFOD’s range of virtual gifts, make a real difference to families living in poverty across the world. While we have the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown here, we can still be good neighbours to our sisters and brothers overseas by giving World Gifts as Christmas presents to family and friends. The Keep Clean Kit gift for £6 and the Vegetable Garden gift for £10 are just two gifts that will help vulnerable families affected by the pandemic to protect and feed themselves. Let us spread joy and hope around the world this Christmas. Visit cafod.org.uk/worldgifts.
CELEBRATE ADVENT WITH CAFOD After a year of uncertainty, we all need the hope, peace and joy that the Advent season can offer. There is an amazing range of resources and virtual events to help us come together online to pray, reflect and celebrate as we prepare for the coming of our Lord. Visit cafod.org.uk/parishes to learn more, scroll down for the pray, reflect and celebrate with Cafod.
SUBMISSIONS FOR THE PARISH WEBSITE OR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER can be sent to Yvonne. Items on paper and print are also accepted and can be given to Yvonne or Fr Joseph, or delivered to the Presbytery. The deadline for items for the printed bulletin is Thursday 12 noon.
Parish Donations
FINANCES
Tony McNiff, the new Chief Operating Officer, COO of the Diocese, who is head of Finance and Development offices of the diocese has written to introduce himself and to thank you for your contributions. He is appealing on behalf of the diocese for your ongoing financial support. His letter also gives update on the sad financial impact of the COVID 19 on diocesan income, with loses for 6 months up to September 2020 amounting to £1.7m and our parish losing 55% of parish income for the same period. Full text of Tony’s letter is available in the Church and on the parish website.
We are ever so grateful for your financial support, and to the volunteers who help in so many ways for the Church to open again for Masses and for private prayer.
- Donating by phone: ‘Giving Tuesday’ – Telephone Donation In addition to the online donation facilities currently available, the Diocese has begun a ‘Giving Tuesday’. Each Tuesday between 10:00am and 4:00pm, you can call this number, 01604 712065, and donate to your parish.
- Online Donation We have an online donation facility on our main Diocesan website through Virgin Money giving (link below). If you use this option, we ask that you please indicate in the notes section which parish, including the parish name that you would like your donation to be attributed to. Please note that there is the facility to Gift Aid any donation to your Parish: northamptondiocese.org/donate/
- Standing Order via donor’s own bank: You can set up a standing order for donations to your parish using either your online bank account or in branch. You can also make a one-off payment to the parish. The information required to make the donation is as follows:
Bank: NatWest.
Sort Code; 60-06-11.
Account Name; 46716203. Account Name; RCDN Our Lady of Peace.
Payment Ref: Our Lady of Peace, Slough or Parish Priest’s Easter offering. - Standing Order using the form: https://northamptondiocese.org/wp-content/uploads/GAD-general-June-18-v2-revision.pdf You can complete the standing order form for donations to your parish with the option to Gift Aid. Please indicate on this form if you are not a tax payer but would like to set up a standing order only.
There are two sides/sheets to this form, it should be printed, completed, signed and returned to our Parish office, we will then forward to central offices at Bishop’s House for processing at a later date. Please remember to state which parish this standing is for i.e. ‘For the benefit of Our Lady of Peace, Slough Parish’ section at the top of the form. Banks will require 7 working days from receipt of these forms to activate the request so please ensure the start date reflects this 7 day period to ensure the S.O. can take effect. - There is also a donation box in Our Lady of Peace for Mass intentions, offertory, donations, etc.
Thank you for any help you are able to give and God bless. Fr Joseph
News Links
- Diocese News
- Diocese Twitter page (includes the Bishop’s weekly engagements)
- The Vine (Journal of the Diocese of Northampton)
- Diocese of Northampton Flickr photo albums
- News from the Catholic Church in England & Wales
- Videos on Vimeo from the Catholic Church in England & Wales
- Catholic Church in England & Wales Flickr photo albums
- News from the Vatican (in English)
Masses & Intentions
Times for Private Prayers
December 12th – December 20th
Sunday Readings: Year B
Weekday Readings: Cycle I
Third Week of Advent
N.B. Changes and new events are in bold text.
Join Live streaming of Masses on
Facebook: ourladyofpeacecatholicchurchburnham or YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCegtpwudlmz48G-m3gPNy4Q
December 12th – December 20th
| Saturday, 12th December | THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Mass Readings (Year B) 🔷 10.00am Our Lady of Peace – Michele Digangi Intentions (Rosary Group) 6.00pm Our Lady of Peace – Jack & Daphne Lavender RIP (P&C); Kitty Keaveney RIP (Conroy); Adriana Burton |
| Sunday, 13th December | THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Mass Readings (Year B) 9.30am Our Lady of Peace – Cyril Maasch RIP (Denise); Jim Deignan RIP (Family) 11.30am St Andrew’s – Italia Clementoni RIP (Lucia); People of the Parish |
| Monday, 14th December 9.30am Our Lady of Peace – Fr Emmanuel Mbuk, MSP Birthday (Rosary Group); Melanie MacFarlane Intentions (Rosary Group); Josephine Pwajok Intention 7.00pm-8.00pm Our Lady of Peace – open for private prayer + Monday prayer group |
| Tuesday, 15th December 9.30am Our Lady of Peace – Victor Herman RIP (Norman); Sick & Housebound of the Parish (Rosary Group) |
| Thursday, 17th December | O Wisdom 9.30am St Andrew’s – Mr & Mrs Stachiewicz RIP & Joanna Int (Heys); Hadrian & Cedrica in thanksgiving (Family); Custodio Joanes RIP (Roselin) |
| Friday, 18th December | O Adonai 9.30am Our Lady of Peace – Bernard & Margaret Reilly RIP (Boundy) 10.00am-12noon Our Lady of Peace – open for private prayer |
| Saturday, 19th December | FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT | O Root of Jesse Mass Readings (Year B) 🔷 10.00am Our Lady of Peace – Richard Quille RIP (Quille); Fr Anthony Bassey Intentions (Rosary Group) 6.00pm Our Lady of Peace – Clarry & Winifred Murphy & Julia Murphy RIP (P&C); |
| Sunday, 20th December | FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT | O Key Mass Readings (Year B) 9.30am Our Lady of Peace – Anne Maasch RIP (Anniversary) (Denise); Hadrian & Cedrica (25th Wedding Anniversary) (Family) 11.30am St Andrew’s – Philomena Ward RIP (Shiels); Mamu K Ratna RIP(K Ratna & Sepala); People of the Parish |
🔷 Public Mass intended for the elderly and those who need to take extra care, but who are permitted outside of the home.
Liturgy Office resources:
Season of Advent
Calendar notes for 2021 (PDF)
Our Lady of Peace Church – Lower Britwell Road, Burnham | SL2 2NL
St Andrew’s – Elmshott La/Washington Drive, Cippenham, Berks | SL1 5RE
Our Lady of Peace 