ST JOHN VIANNEY CHURCH
West Green
4 Vincent Road, London N15 3QH
Parish Office: 020-8888-5518 E-mail: westgreen@rcdow.org.uk
Facebook: West Green - St John Vianney Church
Website: http://stjohnvianneywestgreen.co.uk/
22nd/23rd DECEMBER 2018
4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Dear Parishioners,
Today’s gospel tells of that wonderful
moment where Mary visited her cousin
Elizabeth – and what a special encounter it
was! Two women: both unexpectedly
carrying a child – one too old and well past
the time of child bearing, the other a very
young maiden barely of marriageable age.
I love how the two women are depicted in
the image above. The joy and delight of this
occasion was so palpable in Mary’s and
Elizabeth’s expression, we can almost hear
Elizabeth’s laughter!
The existence of a new life is always a cause
for rejoicing. I remember when my sister
was pregnant with her first child – the joy
she felt was so great that she would travel to
work on the bus every day with such a huge
smile on her face; it made everyone around
her smile as well! (Although she was never
quite sure whether they were smiling with
her or laughing at her...)
Yet Mary’s joy had a rather curious reason
at its core. “Blessed is she who believed
that the promise made her by the Lord
would be fulfilled!” Elizabeth exclaimed.
Unlike Elizabeth, who kept quiet and said
nothing for the first five months until her
pregnancy actually showed, Mary rushed to
share this wonderful news with Elizabeth
straight away. There was no way of knowing
whether she was truly carrying a child yet
(there were no pregnancy test kits available
at that time!) For all she knew, the whole
angel-thing could’ve been only a dream! Yet
she believed, not only that she was carrying
a child, but that the child in her was the
promised Saviour that the people of Israel
had been waiting for, for centuries.
She believed... and thus rejoiced.
We live in an age of scepticism. Fake news,
scams, hoaxes, photoshopped images... the
message is clear: Don’t believe what you
see/read/hear! Everyone seems to have
their own agenda, and no one trusts anyone
anymore. It’s no wonder that we find it
difficult to believe in God’s promise (‘if He
even exists’, that little sceptic voice in us
quips!) Quite often we find it difficult to
rejoice in our lives, because we don’t believe
anymore. We walk around with sombre
faces, because we don’t ‘see’ God doing what
we ask Him to do or answering our prayers.
As we approach Christmas day, let us
reclaim that child-like trust in God again;
let us believe that God truly keeps His
promises, and rejoice with Mary.
‘Blessed are you who believe!’
STREET CAROL SINGING: Thank you to all
who participated in our highly enjoyable
carol singing last Wednesday! It was a
wonderful witness of God’s presence among
His people. Well done everyone!
God bless, Sr. Devy
 THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY IN FOR 2018 - 2019
LAST SUNDAY’S COLLECTIONS If you have any enquiries, please contact
Sr. Devy on 07455 544 065 or
CHRISTMAS 2018
Parish Office on 020 8888 5518
MASS TIMES & SERVICES
Monday, 24th Dec 9:15am FIRST COMMUNION PROGRAMME
Next session: Sat, 12th January at 10am
CHRISTMAS EVE – MONDAY 24th
Family/Children’s Mass 7:00pm FIRST RECONCILIATION PROGRAMME
Carol Service 10:00pm Registration is now open for children who
Mass of Christmas 10.30pm had received their first Holy Communion in
May 2018 to prepare for the Sacrament of
CHRISTMAS DAY – TUE, 25th Reconciliation. The first session will be on
THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD
Saturday, 19th January 12pm-1:15pm
Masses: 9:00am
11:00am CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME
Next session: Sat, 12th January at 3:30pm.
Wed, 26th to Sat, 29th 9:15am
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR
Sat, 29th (Vigil mass) 6:00pm ADULTS (RCIA)
Sun, 30th December 9:00am Next session: Sat, 5th Jan + Mass 6pm
11:00am

Mon, 31st Dec 9:15am THE CELEBRATION OF BAPTISM

NEW YEAR’S DAY – TUES 1st JAN 2019
(Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God)
Tue, 1st January 9:15am
REMEMBRANCE TREE
Our Remembrance Tree is up and we
encourage parishioners to write the names of
their loved ones and hang it on the tree.
ADORATION OF
THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
Tuesdays after 9:15am Mass
and on the 1st Sunday after 11am Mass
ROSARY
Please join us in praying the Rosary at
8.45am on weekdays, before 9.15am Mass.
MORNING TEAS /COFFEE
In the Parish Hall on Sunday,
after 9am and 11am Masses.
We also welcome parishioners and
newcomers on Thursday mornings
after the 9:15am Mass.
CATECHETICAL PROGRAMMES
If you would like to have your child baptised
on the 12th January or later, the next
session will be on Monday, 7th & 21st
January 2019 at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall.
Please contact the Parish Office to book your
place on the course.
DANIEL RAHILLY
We pray for the repose of the soul of
Daniel Rahilly, RIP
a former parishioner who died on Tuesday
18th December.
His Requiem Mass will be held here on
Monday 21st January 2019 at 10am
We remember his family and friends in our
prayers.
May he rest in peace
CLEANING THE CHURCH FOR
CHRISTMAS:
A big ‘Thank You’ to the cleaning team for
keeping our church clean, week after week,
and especially for this Christmas time.
Well done!
HOMELESS ‘SOUP RUN’
On behalf of all the homeless who have been
seen and fed during our Soup Runs, many
thanks to all the parishioners who have
been helping with the preparation of
sandwiches, soups, tea and coffee throughout
the year; and to those who have generously
donated gifts and clothing.
A special thanks to our volunteer drivers/
helpers who distribute the foods on
Saturday evenings.
Thank you all for your help and support!
PARISH OUTREACH SOUP RUN
The next Soup Run is on
Sat. 05 January 2019: Group D
WESTMINSTER 2019 YEARBOOKS
Available in the repository: £4.50 per copy.
JUSTICE & PEACE COMMISSION
2019 CALENDARS
With quotes from Laudato Si.
Available at £2 each or 3 for £5 in the
repository
THE ANNUAL MASS IN HONOUR OF OUR
LADY OF LOURDES
Takes place on Saturday 9th February at
2pm. The Sacrament of the Sick will be
administered during Mass. All are welcome
to attend. A special invitation is extended to
all who are sick or infirm, all hospital
chaplains, doctors, nurses, healthcare
assistants and all who work in healthcare.
If you plan to attend in a wheelchair,
please let Germaine know by
Sunday 27th January.
APPLYING FOR A PLACE IN RECEPTION
AT ST. JOHN VIANNEY SCHOOL
FOR SEPTEMBER 2019
Stanley Road, Tottenham, N15 3HD.
Application packs are now available from
the school office.
See notice board for full details.
The deadline for ALL applications is
TUESDAY, 15th January 2019
LITURGY GROUP GATHERING
Thanks to all who came to our mince pie
gathering last Sunday – it was delightful!
There will be a special day organised on
Saturday, 2nd March 2019 for all who
are involved in our liturgical celebration.
Please mark this date on your calendar.
WESTMINSTER
JOB VACANCY
JUSTICE & PEACE COORDINATOR
Location: West Green Parish and
Vaughan House London;
Contract type: Permanent.
Job Purpose: To serve the Westminster
Justice & Peace Commission
in coordinating Justice and Peace
endeavours across the diocese.
Salary: £30,000
Hours of Work: 35 hrs per week.
Closing Date: 4th January 2019.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
Coordinate the Diocesan evangelical work of
Justice and Peace in accordance with Catholic
Social Teaching, through awareness-raising
and coordinating action.
See notice board for full details.
ACTIVITIES IN THE PARISH HALL
Irish Dance Classes: Mondays, 7:30pm
Resumes on 7th January.
Karate Classes: Fridays
6:30pm for Children & 7:30pm for Adults
Resumes on 12th January
SEE NOTICEBOARD FOR FULL
INFORMATION
Fr Joe and the Parish Team
 Entrance Antiphon
Drop down dew from above, you heavens, and let
the clouds rain down the Just One; let the earth be THIS WEEK WE PRAY FOR
opened and bring forth a Saviour. The repose of the soul:
First reading Daniel Rahilly
Micah 5:1-4 Sharon Stoker
Madeleine Holmes
Psalm 79:2-3, 15-16, 18-19 Elizabeth Miller
Lord of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on Ellie Kimber
us and we shall be saved. Jocelyn Luxon
RIP
Second reading
Hebrews 10:5-10
RIP Anniversaries
Gospel Acclamation Justina Ikediashi
Alleluia, alleluia!
I am the handmaid of the Lord: Special Intentions:
let what you have said be done to me. The Bromfield Family
Alleluia! Gabby Bromfield
Sinton Family
Gospel
Claire White
Luke 1:39-44
Gayle White & Family
Communion Antiphon Mary Dove
Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son; Paula Smith & Family
and his name will be called Emmanuel. Patricia Doherty

MASS & SERVICE TIMES

Monday 9:15am And for the sick and those in our parish
7pm Family Mass Christmas Blessing
10pm Carol Service Donor’s Intentions
10.30pm 1st Mass of Christmas The Verbum Dei Community
Kim Cummins
Tuesday 9:00am and 11:00am Walter & Liz Heaton
[Christmas Day] Janice Leckie
Wednesday 9:15am Christine & John Danaher
Thursday 9:15am
Birthday
Friday 9:15am Christina Danaher
Saturday 9:15am Rose Marie Soltz
[6pm – Sunday Vigil Mass] NAMES NOT LISTED ABOVE
ARE LISTED IN OUR BOOK OF INTENTIONS.
Sunday 9:00am and 11:00

Saturday: Sacrament of Reconciliation

PARISH OFFICE HOURS
from 9:45am – 10:15am
Fri 10am-12noon, 1pm-4pm
To make an appointment
PARISH TEAM
Phone: 0208 888 5518 or
Fr. Joe Ryan, Parish Priest
email westgreen@rcdow.org.uk
Sr. Devy Pranadjaja, Parish Sister We cannot guarantee to have anyone available
Germaine Ng Ying, Parish Admin/Secretary outside of these hours.