Dear friends,
Welcome to the weekly newsletter from St Mary’s (the last of 2022). As you’ll discover when you click on the links below, we’re trialling a new format for the pew sheet and readings sheet, with the aim of simplifying what is provided, and reducing our usage of paper and ink. Please do let me know what you think of these new formats – especially with regard to clarity and design.
Additionally, the prayer list (for those “in need”) will be revised over the coming weeks: please add to the list in church the names of those you wish to continue to be included in our prayers.
It was a real joy to mark my first Christmas with you in Kenton, and to welcome many friends and visitors to our Christmas services: in total, 115 individuals worshipped with us in celebration of the Saviour’s birth. Thank you to all whose hard work and commitment made this a special and joyous celebration – and thank you for your Christmas cards, kind gifts and best wishes.
This coming Sunday is New Year’s Day, and you would be most welcome to join us after the 10.30am Parish Mass for a bring-and-share lunch in the Hall.
It is an ancient and beautiful custom of the Church to pray two traditional prayers on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day: first, on the Eve, the Te Deum (a prayer of thanksgiving for the year past); then, on the Day, the Veni Creator Spiritus (a prayer to the Holy Spirit, asking His aid in the year ahead).
Perhaps you might spend a moment this weekend praying with these texts, and reflecting both on God’s blessings to date, and on His promises for the future, asking His Spirit to be with us as we move forward, in His strength, into a new year?
With the assurance of my prayers and best wishes,
Fr Richard