(front of) newsletter, 11th December 2016

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 Deacon: Rev. Duncan Brown.                                                    Priest: Mgr Tony Harris, 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.

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT: GAUDETE SUNDAY

11^th December 2016             YEAR A         Parish Mass Book page 88

WE WELCOME FR HERMES, a Pallottine priest who will be with us over Christmas and the New Year. Fr Hermes is studying at Cliftonville. -------------------------------------------------------- PARISH MATTERS  Deacon Duncan  can be contacted on  07766 828612  for help on parish matters ------------------------------------------------------- FLOWERS FOR CHRISTMAS There will be a second collection on the third (today) and fourth Sundays of Advent to decorate the church for Christmas. PARISH FINANCES The offertory collection last weekend came to £738.61 including cheques and standing orders. Many thanks to all concerned. DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES Please see notice on back of this newsletter. --------------------------------------------------------CHILDREN’S MASS ON CHRISTMAS EVE at 5pm. We are planning for the children to act out the Nativity during the reading of the Gospel. If your child would like to take part, please give your name either to Mrs Allen or to Mrs O’Connor. We will have a short rehearsal on Sunday 18th December after the 10am Mass and again on Friday 23rd December at 10am. All children attending this Mass are invited to dress up as angels or shepherds. ------------------------------------------------------------- THE PUPILS OF SACRED HEART SCHOOL have their Christmas presentation in our church on Friday 16th December at 6pm. -------------------------------------------------------------- BAPTISM COURSE Saturday 14th January in the presbytery from 10.30am to 12 noon. Parents requesting Baptism for babies and toddlers in the next 4 months  are required to attend. Babies/ children welcome. DIVINE MERCY GROUP WELCOMES you to join us in the presbytery at 2.30pm  on Monday 19th Dec.

PARISH COMMUNITY CLUB In the Crypt. Entrance via The Bourne. Mondays 10.30am to 12 noon.  December programme: 12th: Christmas Lunch at EHSAA (members only, ordered in advance). 19th: Coffee and chat, mince pies. 26th: St Stephen’s Day – closed. January 2017 programme: 2nd: closed. 9th: Linco Lingo – Bruce. 16th: Do you remember rationing? Jog your memory with Brenda. 23rd: Coffee & chat plus armchair exercises – different ones from last time! Annual subscription: £3. Non-members welcome: 50p for talks. Coffee/tea & biscuit/ cake: 50p. NEW YEAR’S DAY: Now that we have entered the season of Advent, several people have been thinking of those who may be alone over the New Year. As New Year’s Day will be on a Sunday, we will extend the tea and coffee after the 10am Mass to cover the lunchtime period and to offer a light lunch, free of charge. As there will be no buses that day, we’d like to set up a lift service for those who have no transport and would like to attend. Could you offer to give someone a lift to the church and take them home when they are ready to go home? If so, please ring 729516 to link to someone who needs a lift.  Could you help to prepare and serve food for an hour between 10.30am and 2.30pm? If so, ring 431970. Could you bring some prepared food when you come to Mass on that day? If so, please bring it to the church hall at any time between 10.30am and 12.30pm. Would you like to join us on New Year’s Day?  If so, just come along any time between 10.30am and 1.30pm and enjoy a chat and some food. If you need a lift, please ring 729516 so that we can link you to someone who can pick you up and bring you home later. ------------------------------------------------------------ A THOUGHT Happiness often sneaks through a door you didn’t know you had left open.