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First Sunday of Advent (A)

30th November 2025

 

This Sunday’s Scripture:   Jesus reminds us we are not in total control of our lives: a work colleague can die at any moment. The best thing is to prepare by “living in the light” of a clean conscience. Then we have little to fear in the future. The end of time for us is the beginning of eternity.

 

Fr Philip is celebrating his jubilee as a priest with other jubilarian priests from England and Wales. He said Mass for all in the Kent Estuary churches on 25th November at the English college in Rome. God bless you all and protect you.

Fr Philip .

 

6 WAY NEWS –

 

Sacrament of Reconciliation with Adoration at Holy Trinity & St George, Kendal, Saturday mornings 10am until 11am.

 

YOUR Advent Adventure starts this Sunday 30th November –

Week 1 of 4 at St Charles at 10.15am.
Week 1 of 4 for Milnthorpe & Arnside at Christ the King 3.45 pm.  Need a lift? Contact June on 07939 003816.

See posters at the back of all 3 churches for more information.

 

GRANGE News:

 

First Saturday Devotion:  Just over a century ago, between May and October 1917, Our Lady appeared at Fátima in Portugal, at the height of World War I – as Europe was tearing itself apart in a fratricidal struggle – with a message of peace and salvation for all.  On 10th December 1925, Our Lady appeared to Sr Lucia, the eldest of the Fatima visionaries while she was a postulant with the Dorothean Sisters in Pontevedra, Spain.  During this apparition, the Blessed Virgin, appearing with the Child Jesus, revealed further details of the devotion of reparation that was asked for in 1917.

On Saturday, 6th December, join us at 9.30am at St Charles’ in saying the Rosary for World Peace, followed by a 15 minutes meditation.  For further information on the First Saturday Devotion, see Irene Wild.

 

Confessions available immediately after Mass on the last Tuesday of each month (Or by private arrangement with Fr Simon or Fr Hugh).

St Charles’ church open 9.30am - 4.30pm Monday to Saturday.

Contemplative Prayer Group: Thursdays at 2pm in the Presbytery.

Morning Prayer in church: 10am Thursday followed by Rosary; 10am Friday followed by Adoration (Exposition).                                  

SVP meet on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month.                           

SVP. GIVE LIFE THIS CHRISTMAS We are again appealing for funds for the South Sudan Baby feeding stations. These can make the difference between life and death. It costs approximately £60 to feed a baby for a year. If you wish to Gift Aid your donation it MUST be by cheque, made out to "SVP Twinning". Forms available from Liz Lewis (34017).  Certificates, to give as presents, also available from Liz if wanted. Thank you all in advance. SVP members.

Christmas Cards: A selection of cards is available in the church porch.

MISSIO RED BOXES:  Anne Clough is collecting Red Boxes from the sacristy and will return them to the church porch along with newsletters from the missions. Box holder numbers have dwindled significantly, so you are urged to consider taking one.  Boxes are due to be emptied now. Please leave them in the sacristy, not in the church.

The Social Group are holding a Christmas Raffle to raise money for church funds.  We would welcome any contributions suitable for a Christmas Hamper or any raffle prizes.  There will be a box in the church porch. Thank you.

A Star of HOPE, A Memory Star, A Family Star, A Prayer Star

The Church Social Group invite you to buy a star to hang on the Church Christmas Tree.  Please donate £5.00 for church funds.  Write your hope, memory of a loved one or family prayer on it. It will then be laminated and can be hung on the Christmas tree during December.  The tree will light up our beautiful church with your hopes, prayers and special memories of loved ones, during our ADVENT PREPARATION period.

ADVENT RECONCILIATION SERVICE … The Advent Reconciliation Service will be held on THURSDAY 4th DECEMBER at 7pm at St Charles, Grange. An opportunity to prepare for the coming of our Saviour on Christmas Day.

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS … There will be a collection for flowers on Sunday 7th December to decorate St. Charles' church at Christmas.

NEW DIOCESAN VESTMENTS … A set of white and a set of purple official diocesan vestments has been purchased, funded by a very generous donation from a parishioner. Grateful thanks and appreciation.

 

Churches Together …

Quiet morning for Advent on Saturday 6th December from 9.30-12 noon and Taize Service “Stillness & Song” Sunday 7th December 6 – 7pm.  Both events at Grange Methodist Church.

 

 

 

MILNTHORPE News:

House Group (CTK): meets twice a month, usually Tuesdays, 7-9pm at Sioban’s home in Yealand. Every 5th or 6th meeting is a social one.

If interested in joining us, please contact Sioban or Deirdre.

Christ The King church can be open for private prayer at any time. Ask any member of the PPC for the door lock codes.

Christmas Coffee Morning at Christ the King on Friday 12th December at 10.30 after  Mass.   There will be a Christmas hamper to raffle for Dagoretti.
Taize Evening 14th December at Christ the King, Milnthorpe - Candlelit Advent Taizé service at 5:00 pm on 14th December after the Advent Course. All welcome.

Christ the King Advent CAFOD appeal: Please help us fundraise as a parish for a World Gift “Group gift: Essentials for families”. It includes all the essentials a family living in poverty may need this Advent to build better lives for themselves and their children, including clean safe water, healthy mum and baby supplies, goats x 2 and a cow! Our target Is £475.  Opportunities to donate throughout Advent.

 

ARNSIDE News:

Our Lady of Lourdes open for private prayer daily. 10am - 4pm.      

Adoration: at 2pm, followed by the Rosary, every Tuesday.

Mass or Eucharistic Service: Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes, Arnside. 10am Tuesday. 10am Wednesday and Thursday - Mass or Eucharistic Service.

From November 30th there will be opportunities to attach names of deceased loved ones, family, and friends to votive lights after the Arnside vigil Mass and during the week. These candles will be lit on Christmas morning and throughout the Christmas season. All monies raised will be donated to Lancaster homeless Action Service.

 

Arnside Christians Together …

Christmas Fair 6th December 10.00 - 12noon at the WI.

Donations of cakes, books, jigsaws, chocolates, tombola/raffle prizes and Christmas cards welcome.  Leave at the back of church or bring on the day.

Advent lunches,  held at Our Lady of Lourdes, on 3rd, 10th and 17th December 12.30 - 13.45. Bring your own lunch.  Tea and coffee provided.

14th December  Carols round the crib (near Londis). 2pm.

21st December Village Carol Service 4pm.  M. C.

24th December Christingle Service 6pm. S.J.

Nativity Trail round the village runs from Saturday 6th December to Sunday 4th January. Booklets from Londis.

 

Please pray for those of our parishes who are sick:

Geoff Critchley, Michael Carter, Pam Gee, Brian Mills, Eileen Parker, John Browne, David James, Angela Taylor, Philip Barry, Alan Wild, Pat Duckett, Monica Farnworth, Geoff Guy, Ira Fishman, Mary Wainwright, Bernard Walker, Margaret Godfrey, Angela Nottingham, Jo Drake-Lee, Marie Akister, Michael Foster, Angela Wright, Marian Matthews, Agnes Hughes.   

Please pray for those whose anniversaries occur about this time.

 

Lately Dead: Bernard Metcalf died recently in Boarbank.  May he rest in peace.

CAFOD World Gifts: Give a life changing gift this Christmas.

Share the joy of Christmas with a CAFOD World Gift - from safe water to school supplies!. A meaningful way to bless loved ones and help families overseas.  www.Worldgifts.cafod.org.uk

 

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