WELCOME
Times of Mass and DevotionsHA = Holy Angels Church, Ash GU12 6LU HF = Holy Family Church, Farnham GU9 0LH |
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| Sat 10 Jan | 5.30pm | HA | First Mass – Fr. Terry Martin and Deacon Robin Farrow | Ann Franisak (RIP) |
| 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) | ||
| Mon 12 Jan | NO MASS | |||
| Tue 13 Jan | Liturgy of the Word & Holy Communion | |||
| Wed 14 Jan | Liturgy of the Word & Holy Communion | |||
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| Thu 15 Jan | 6.15pm | HF | Adoration | |
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7.30pm |
Liturgy of the Word & Holy Communion | |||
| Fri 16 Jan | NO MASS | |||
| Sat 17 Jan | 5.30pm | HA | First Mass – Fr. Terry Martin & Deacon Robin | Margaret and James Kiely (RIP) |
| Sun 18 Jan | 9.15am | HF | Second Sunday in Ordinary Time | Frank Packwood (RIP) |
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11.00am 3.00pm |
HA HA |
Afternoon Teas in St. Mary’s Room |
Special Intentions of the people of the Parish | |
Collections for 4th January, 2015
Holy Angels Offertory: £230.24
Friends of the Holy Family (crib collection) £ 68.35
Holy Family Offertory: £223.90
Friends of the Holy Family (crib collection) £170.00
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.
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. DABCEC Bookshop Tel: 01293 651165 email: bookshop@dabnet.org
Information
Prayer Group
The prayer group for both Holy Angel and Holy Family Churches will take place once a month on a Tuesday in the Parish Office at Holy Angels Church at 7.30pm for a 7.45pm start.
The next prayer group will be on the 13th January and the 10th February, 2015.
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.
Holy Angels
Teas and coffee following Sunday Mass
Please note that refreshments will be provided on the first and third Sunday of the month. Teas and coffee will be provided on Sunday, 18th January following the Sunday Mass. Why not come along and meet our new Deacon Robin soon to become our new parish priest.
Afternoon Teas: Sunday, 18th January, 2015
Next Sunday the Churches Together Afternoon Teas will be provided in St. Mary’s room at Holy Angels Church at 3.00pm – 4.30pm.
If you are feeling a little flat after Christmas and are in need of some company, why not come along and enjoy a chat with refreshments provided.
Holy Family
Christian Unity Week 18-25 January
The theme this year is ‘Is it necessary to go through Samaria?’ John 4:4. Resources are downloadable at www.ctbi.org.uk/682/
CTF Unity Service Sunday 18th January at St. Mark’s, Upper Hale at 4:00 pm, follow by a bring and share tea. Car Parking available at Hale School. This service will be lead by the 4 local church leaders including Deacon John. It would be good to see some support from our community.
During the week there will be prayers in Farnham at 10:30 am.
Monday; Tuesday; Thursday and Saturday in the St. Joan’s Centre, either in the Foyer or the Wright Room.
Wednesday Farnham Pentecostal Church, Red Lion Lane, Friday in the Pavilion at the back of St. Andrew’s Parish Church, Farnham.
Today’s Gospel
Today we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus. Jesus, the Sinless One, joined the queue of sinners, and was baptised by his cousin, John, in the waters of the Jordan. He did so in order that he might free us from the power of sin. Let us pause to call to mind our sins, and our need for purification and liberation.
Times of change (e.g. change of one’s career, change of one’s way of life) are times of risk and uncertainty. At. Such times people become very vulnerable. What they need most is someone to give them support and encouragement.
Prior to his baptism Jesus had lived for thirty years at Nazareth. It had been an uneventful life (as far as we can tell). Nevertheless, during those years he had begun to hear another call a call away from Nazareth, a call to the service of his brothers and sisters in the wider community. So finally he left Nazareth.
When he appeared before John to be baptised, he had reached a cross-roads in his life. He had left behind him the comparatively quiet life of Nazareth, and was about to embark on his public mission. No doubt he came to that moment after a lot of prayer and reflection. Nevertheless, it can’t have been easy for him. He must have experienced some uncertainty and anxiety. He needed affirmation.
During his baptism Jesus received that affirmation. He heard the wonderful words: “You are my beloved son; with you I am well pleased.” These words also set the seal of divine approval on the mission he was about to begin, the mission to bring sinners back to God.
The heavenly Father’s words of affirmation put wind in his sails. Not only did he receive approval from on high for his mission, but he also received power from on high for it. This is signified by the descent of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit was not just given for that moment; the Spirit re-mained with him throughout his public ministry.
This feast in which we recall the baptism of Jesus reminds us of our own baptism, and renews its grace within us. From a spiritual point of view, baptism is the greatest thing that can happen to us. What happened at the baptism of Jesus happens at our baptism too. God call us by name. He says to each of us, “You are my beloved son,” or “You are my beloved daughter.” And the Spirit descends on us, because we too are given a mission: to participate in the work of Jesus.
We are not called to save the world, or to solve all its problems. Nevertheless, each of us has our own unique call, in our families, in our work, in our world. Faithfulness to small, everyday tasks is our way of responding to the problems of our time and of participating in the work of Jesus.
(written by Flor McCarthy, SDB)
Jesus’ Baptism Prayer
Beloved Son of God,
baptised by John,
we praise you
and marvel at your humility.
You are one with us in baptism:
take us with you into the kingdom.
You are one with us in humanity:
lead us into the love of the Father,
to whom be thanksgiving
now and always.
(Taken from The Book of a thousand Prayers)