WELCOME
Times of Mass and DevotionsHA = Holy Angels Church, Ash GU12 6LU HF = Holy Family Church, Farnham GU9 0LH |
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| Sat 3 Jan | 5.30pm | HA | First Mass – Fr. Terry Martin and Deacon Robin Farrow | June Mary Ford (RIP) |
| Sun 4 Jan | 9.15am | HF | The Epiphany of the Lord | Special Intentions of the people of the Parish |
| 11.00am | HA | Special Intentions of Deacon Robin and family | ||
| Mon | NO MASS | |||
| Tue 6 Jan | Liturgy of the Word & Holy Communion | |||
| Wed 7 Jan | Liturgy of the Word & Holy Communion | |||
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| Thu 8 Jan | 6.15pm | HF | Adoration | |
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7.30pm |
Liturgy of the Word & Holy Communion | |||
| Fri 9 Jan | NO MASS | |||
| Sat 10 Jan | 5.30pm | HA | First Mass – Fr. Terry Martin & Deacon Robin | |
| Sun 11 Jan | 9.15am | HF | The Baptism of the Lord | Special Intentions of the people of the Parish |
| 11.00am | HA | Elizabeth Morris (RIP) | ||
Baptisms
If you are wanting a child baptised in the next three or four months please obtain a form from the back of the church and hand it, as soon as possible (even if you cannot complete it all), to either Deacon Robin or Deacon John. You will need to attend an evening’s course and the next course will take place early in February, you will be given the date once we have your basic details. It is recommended that you obtain and read ‘Your Baby’s Baptism – Catholic’ from Redemptorist books(Product Code: 1028 ISBN: 9780852314111) There is also ‘Your Godchild: How to be a Catholic
Godparent’ (Product Code: 1450 ISBN: 9780852313640), for God-parents These are available from Redemptorist books www.rpbooks.co.uk.
Information
Crib Collection
For those of you who were unable to make a donation to the Crib Collection over the Christmas period, the box will be available this weekend for the last time. The donations will be used to help our Christian brothers and sisters in the Holy Lane, specifically in and around Bethlehem and the Holy Family Parish in Gaza so anything that you are able to donate will be very much appreciated.
Alton Day of Renewal – Saturday 24th January (Speaker Alastair Emblem)
If you are looking for something a little different, along with the rosary and either mass or a liturgy then try the Alton Day of Renewal. It meets on the 4th Saturday of the month, 11:00 to 4:00, at St. Lucy’s Convent Medstead GU34 5LL. This is the 40th year of this day of renewal and offers an opportunity to listen to a variety of speakers and participate in healing prayer. The theme for January is ‘A Time of Purification’ and will be led by Alastair Emblem, prayer group leader at St. Joan of Arc, Farnham. More information available in the porch.
Epiphany
The Greek word Epiphany, means appearance or manifestation. First, the angels revealed Jesus to the shepherds. In the Western Church, the Feast of the Epiphany celebrates Jesus’ first appearance to the Gentiles, represented by the Magi, while in the Eastern Church, the feast is the commemoration of the baptism of Christ where the Father and the Holy Spirit gave combined testimony to Jesus’ identity as Son of God. (We will celebrate the Baptism of the Lord next Sunday.) Later, in the synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus revealed himself as the promised Messiah, and at Cana he revealed his Divinity by transforming water into wine. These multiple revelations are all suggested by the Feast of the Epiphany.
Today’s Gospel
Our Gospel, today, teaches us how Christ enriches those who bring him their hearts. The adoration of the Magi fulfils the prophecy of Isaiah in our first reading that the nations of the world will travel to the Holy City following a brilliant light, bringing gold and incense to contribute to the worship of God. The Responsorial psalm also includes a verse about kings coming from foreign lands to pay homage to a just king in Israel. The second reading, Paul’s letter to the Church of Ephesus, expresses God’s secret plan in clear terms: “the Gentiles are…co-partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.” In the Gospel we are reminded that if God permits the Magi – foreigners and pagans – to recognise and give Jesus proper respect as the King of Jews, and there is nothing in our sinful lives that would keep God from bringing us to Jesus.
There were three groups of people who reacted to the Epiphany of Christ’s birth. The first group headed by King Herod tried to eliminate him, the second group, priests and scribes ignored him and the third group, represented by the shepherds and the Magi, came to adore him. Let us be among those who adore him worshiping Jesus during the mass and being the light that attracts others to Him.
Thank you from Deacon Robin
My dear Brothers and Sisters, it’s a great joy to be beginning my new ministry with you on the feast of the Epiphany.
This is a beautiful celebration in which God’s mysterious plan of salvation begins to be revealed to the world (Ephesians 3:9). It seems to very appropriately capture something of my experience and feelings at this time. As a family we have had a long journey over the past four years since I left my previous ministry in the Church of England. Finding out that the Lord was in fact leading me back into ministry in a new way and that I was being sent to be with you has been a great gift, and I am looking forward to the opportunity of getting to know you all.
We are very aware of the hard work which many of you have put in to ready the Priest’s House for us, and have been very touched by the cards and gifts which were waiting for us when we arrived. Moving at Christmas is a good subject for sermons, but practically trying, so the warmth and generosity which we have already encountered here has been especially appreciated.
At the start of this new year may I take this opportunity to wish you every blessing and my prayers for all of you as we begin together this new chapter in the life of our churches.
Deacon Robin Farrow
A Reflection for this Sunday
There is a great difference between successfulness and fruitfulness. Success comes from strength, control and respectability. A successful person has the energy to create something, to keep control over its development, and to make it available in large quantities. Success brings many rewards and often fame. Fruits, however, come from weakness and vulnerability. And fruits are unique. A child is the fruit conceived in vulnerability, community is the fruit born through shared brokenness, and intimacy is the fruit that grows through touching each other’s wounds. Let’s remind one another that what brings us true joy is not successfulness but fruitfulness. (Taken from Bread for the Journey by Henri J M Nouwen)