newsletter, 20th December 2015

St. Mary Star of the Sea   1 High Street, HASTINGS TN34 3EY

Tel: 01424 421263              Email: stmaryshastings@outlook.com

(Arundel and Brighton Diocesan Trust – Registered Charity 252878)

Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottines)

Parish Priest: Fr Seamus Stapleton SCA

Normal Mass Times

Sundays: 6.00pm (Sat), 10.00am, 11.30am. Tuesday to Saturday: 10.00am

Adoration: First Friday of Month 10.30am to 12 noon. Saturdays: 10.30am to 11am.

Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturdays 10.30am and after the 6.00pm Mass.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

20^th DECEMBER 2015             YEAR C         Parish Mass book p 90

CHRISTMAS PROGRAMME Christmas Carol Service with St Clements and  All Saints Churches Sunday 20th December in St Mary Star of the Sea at 3.00 pm. All are welcome CHRISTMAS EVE: Children’s Mass: 5.30pm. Children are welcome to come dressed as any Nativity character they want – angels, shepherds, etc. Blessing of Infant Jesus Nativity Figures: We invite all families coming to the Children’s Mass on Christmas Eve to bring the statue of the baby Jesus from their own cribs at home to be blessed. Carol Service: 9.30pm Mass of the Nativity: 10pm CHRISTMAS DAY: Mass of the Nativity: 10am and 11.30am ON NEW YEAR’S EVE There will be Mass at 7.30pm RECONCILIATION/ CONFESSIONS: Available before and after Masses on Sunday 20th December. PARISH FINANCES The offertory collection at last weekend’s Masses came to £677 including cheques and standing orders. The collection for flowers to decorate the church for Christmas came to £140.  Many thanks to all concerned. COLLECTION AT CHRISTMAS MASSES is for the support of our Parish Priest. Envelopes available in church porch for this. GAD holders, please use your envelopes. Thank you.

CHURCH CHRISTMAS CLEANUP Wednesday morning 23rd December from 8.30 am to 10.00 am. All are warmly welcome! --------------------------------------------------------------CHRISTMAS FLOWERS Many thanks to all who have donated flowers this year. Donations of flowers will not be needed during Advent as we do not decorate the church with flowers during this time of preparation for the Nativity of the Lord. But there will be a second collection after Masses this weekend and next weekend for flowers to decorate the church over Christmas. Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Consultation on Admission Arrangements for the Academic Year 2017 - 2018 The Governors of Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School are consulting on their Admissions arrangements for 2017-2018.  The proposed Admissions Policy and Procedures may be found on our website www.sacredhearthastings.co.uk .  The consultation period will run from 14th December 2014 to 25th January 2016 inclusive.  Comments should be addressed to: The Admissions Secretary, Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Old London Road, Hastings, East Sussex TN35 5NA by 25th January 2016.   ------------------------------------------------------------------- PALLOTTINE PRAYER Mary, Queen of Apostles As followers of your Son, Jesus, we have committed ourselves to reawakening faith and enkindling charity both in our own lives and in the lives of others. Trusting in you, Holy Virgin, we have every confidence in the help given through your intercession; and we direct our powers of body and spirit to the greater glory of God. Following the example of St Vincent Pallotti, we ask your assistance to deepen our prayer for the growth of the Kingdom of God; finally we hope that together with you we may enjoy the fulfilment of paradise forever.