Happy New Year

I pray that 2018 may bring good things to our community.

New Year's Day is the 51st World Day of Peace. Here is the message of Pope Francis for the occasion.  This year the Holy Father takes as his subject "Migrants and refugees: men and women in search of peace".

The first day of the year is also a feast of Our Lady under her most ancient title, "Mother of God". Let us commend all our intentions for the year to her prayers. You might like to use the oldest known prayer to Mary to start the year:

We fly to thy protection, O holy Mother of God,
despise not our petitions in our necessities,
but deliver us always from all dangers,
O glorious and blessed Virgin.

Newsletter for 30/31 December - Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph.

Click here to read the latest newsletter.

Adeste fideles - O come, all ye faithful

O come, let us adore him! Come and worship the new born Christ with our brothers and sisters all over the world.

Newsletter for Advent 4 & Christmas

Click here to read the latest newsletter with details of weekend and Christmas Masses. Also there are a few remaining opportunities for confession before Christmas.

For reflection here is the opening section of Bach's Magnificat, an exuberant setting of Mary's song of joy.

Advent 4 & Christmas Masses

Full newsletter will be published here on Thursday. Until then....

Confessions before Christmas

Part of a good spiritual preparation for Christmas is to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Here is a list of available times. I particularly recommend Monday evening. Feel free to pop into Church anytime between 6.30 and 8pm, Spend some quiet time adoring the Lord who comes to bring us forgiveness. Two priests will be available to celebrate the Sacrament with you. Come when you can - leave when you must. Mince pies and mulled wine in presbytery at 8pm after Benediction.

Newsletter for 16/17 December - Advent 3(B) Gaudete

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Please bring the figure of the Christ-Child from your crib to be blessed at the 10am Mass this Sunday.

This Sunday we welcome St Charles School to take a major part in our Mass. “Let all that you do, be done in love.” (St Charles Borromeo). Love is made possible by respect. St. Charles School offers a friendly, family atmosphere based on Catholic principles backed by good teaching and high expectations. The school continuously strives toward excellence with Christ at the Centre of everything we do. For more information please see the school website, stcharlescatholicprimarymeasham.org, phone 01530 270572, or email office@st-charles.leics.sch.uk

For reflection you might like to listen to this lovely setting of the very familiar "O come, Emmanuel."