St. Joseph's, Helensburgh

ADVENT: 'Proclaiming, Praying and Living the Gospel, Each Day of Advent'

We now find ourselves in the season of Advent. We are offering some helps to our living this time as a period of preparation for the celebration of the Birth of Christ. All too easily, it can be overtaken by commercial and perhaps less helpful attractions. Each week in Advent there will be opportunities to prepare for the celebration of Christmas as the Birth of Christ. Details of our Advent programme are available on the front page of the website, and a paper copy can be taken from the vestibule in the church.

A great deal of work has been done in the church to help us focus on this season. Many thanks to our Floral Art Group: Claire, Jenny and LInda, for bringing Advent before our eyes. 

Each Monday evening of Advent, there will be a special moment for prayerful preparation for the Coming of Christ. This Second Week, we will have Adoration with Lectio Divina, a particular, ancient way of praying the Scriptures. Please consider joining with us at 7pm on Monday.

 

Adventskranz - Many thanks to all who did so much work last Sunday to help us celebrate the start of Advent. A great deal of work went into preparing the Church, buying Advent / Christmas snacks and setting up facilities to provide enjoyable fare for all. We are most grateful for all that was done. We had a most pleasant time together as we set out on the Advent journey.

​

Advent Reflections: Jenny, our Catechist, will be offering sessions for those who might wish to spend time in prayer and faith-sharing. Please speak with her to express interest.

​

SVDP CHRISTMAS COLLECTION:

Today you have the opportunity to make a special donation to our parish SVDP.  With your greatly appreciated support, we will provide financial help and distribute toys and small gifts to families and individuals, helping to make their Christmas a little brighter.  Please put your donation into the box on the exit table as you leave church.

Members of our SVDP will hand out an information leaflet at today's Mass, summarising work carried out during the past year.  

 

CHRISTMAS TOYS & GIFTS for children and teenagers can be left under the tables in the vestibule of the church.  Specially needed this year are gifts for Boys and Girls between the ages of 8 to 13 years old.  Many thanks.

​

If you or anyone you know requires assistance please contact SVDP at 07954-163267.  Our parish SVDP is here to help.

 

ST. NICHOLAS - PASTORAL CARE FUND

Next Sunday, the Archdiocese will have the annual collection for the St. Nicholas Care Fund.

​

CHURCH STALL

Advent Calendars and Christmas Cards are now on sale in the Piety Stall adjacent to the main entrance to the church.

​

FOODBANK

As we approach Christmas, the Foodbank volunteers seek to make Christmas special for those in food poverty.

This year has been particularly difficult for everyone with the rises in cost of living, none more so than those who need to come to the Foodbank.

We call once again on the generosity of St Joseph’s parishioners.

We urgently need:

Tins of stew, meat or chicken; tins of soup; tins of vegetables; 

Cartons of long life milk(full and semi skimmed); breakfast cereals; tins of custard or rice pudding; Christmas treats for children.

There is a box for donations in the church porch which displays a full list of items asked for. Thank you. 

​

CHURCH DONATIONS

The Archdiocese has arranged for each parish to have a special QR code. This allows people to make donations to the parish by using their phone, tablet, etc. The code is displayed at the back of the Church. It is also accessible on the front page of the website. Visitors are others who may not have cash with them can now easily make a donation to St. Joseph's. We are always grateful for financial support for the work of the parish. 

​

 

Prayers are Requested

 

For all the Sick of the Parish and those for whom our prayers have been asked: 

Alice Catterson, Anne Mundie, Roland King, Jenny Rodgers

​

Recently Deceased 

Ewa McCarthy, Ray Gairns, Elizabeth Boyle, Campbell McDougall, Bernard Murray

​

Month's Mind - All those whose Month's Mind occurs about this time.

​

Anniversaries 

Bill Gilmour, May Mundie, John Hickey, Elizabeth McGavigan, Bridie McCann, Collette Gilligan, Dorothy Feeney, Hannah Hosie, Mary Cameron Kane, Helen Gaughan, Michael and Irene Lonnen, Theresa Murphy, Philip Connolly

​

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

​

​

​