IN A DARK HOUR - Jesus exaggerates in today’s Gospel when He claims not to know the day or the hour when He will come again. He occasionally makes such overstatements to drive home a point we might otherwise miss. His point here is that the exact “hour” is not important. What is crucial is that we not postpone our repentance, that we be ready for Him—spiritually and morally—when He comes. For He will surely come, He tells us—like a thief in the night, like the flood in the time of Noah. In today’s Epistle, Paul too compares the present age to a time of advancing darkness and night. Though we sit in the darkness, overshadowed by death, we have seen arise the great light of our Lord who has come into our midst. He is the true light, the life of the world. And His light continues to shine in His Church, the new Jerusalem promised by Isaiah in today’s First Reading. In the Church, all nations stream to the God of Jacob, to worship and seek wisdom in the House of David. From the Church goes forth His word of instruction, the light of the Lord—that all might walk in His paths toward that eternal day when night will be no more. By our Baptism we have been made children of the light and day. It is time we start living like it—throwing off the fruitless works of darkness, the desires of the flesh, and walking by the light of His grace. The hour is late as we begin a new Advent. Let us begin again in this Eucharist. As we sing in today’s Psalm, let us go rejoicing to the House of the Lord. Let us give thanks to His name, keeping watch for His coming, knowing that our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

Last Sunday’s Collections

Sunday, 24th

November 2019

Gift Aid £536.00

First Collection £245.17

Second Collection £96.54

2nd

Collection today – Parish St. Vincent de Paul Society.

v

MASS AND SERVICE TIMES Saturday, 30th November – Sunday, 1st December 2019

Saturday, 30th

November 2019 Saint Andrew, Apostle and Patron of Scotland, feast *10.00am – Holy Mass at OLSM – People of the Parish *10.30am – Confessions at OLSM after Mass Vigil of First Sunday of Advent – Year A *5.00pm – Vigil Mass at Llanarth – Dennis Mitchell RIP, Victor Knight RIP & November Lists

Sunday, 1st

December 2019 First Sunday of Advent - Year A *10.00am – Holy Mass at OLSM – Martin Russell RIP Note: incense is used at this Mass *6.00pm – Holy Mass at OLSM – Imelda Evans RIP & Rhys Watkins RIP.

Monday, 2nd

December 2019 Weekday of Advent *10.00am – Holy Mass at OLSM – Clifford Rose RIP.

Tuesday, 3rd

December 2019 Saint Francis Xavier, Priest *11.00am – Exposition, 11.45am Benediction & Angelus *12.00noon – Holy Mass at OLSM – Anne Powell Int’s. *7.30pm “Let it be done to me” Advent Course – St. Michael’s Ctr.

Wednesday, 4th

December 2019 Saint John Damascene, Priest and Doctor of the Church *10.30am – Holy Mass at Llanarth – People of the Parish.

Thursday, 5th

December 2019 Weekday of Advent *8.30am – Holy Mass at OLSM – Sick of the Parish.

Friday, 6th

December 2019 Saint Nicholas, Bishop *10.00am – Holy Mass at OLSM – Martin Russell RIP. *10.45am - Evangelisation Group Meeting. *6.30pm – Latin Rite Mass –

Saturday, 7th

December 2019 Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church Advent Retreat Day, from 10.30am till 3pm in St. Michaels Ctr *10.00am – Holy Mass at OLSM – Harold Vincent Bowkett RIP. *10.30am – Confessions at OLSM after Mass Vigil of Second Sunday of Advent – Year A *5.00pm – Vigil Mass at Llanarth – People of the Parish.

Sunday, 8th

December 2019 Second Sunday of Advent - Year A *10.00am – Holy Mass at OLSM – Bronwyn Evans RIP Note: incense is used at this Mass *6.00pm – Holy Mass at OLSM – Rhys Watkins RIP, (8.00pm Unicorn Singers concert in Church.)

HOLY FATHER’S PRAYER INTENTIONS The Holy Father’s prayer intentions for December: That every country determine to take the necessary measures to make the future of the very young, especially those who suffer, a priority.

Priory Church of Our Lady and St Michael, Abergavenny

Eglwys y Priordy Ein Harglwyddes a Mihangel Sant, y Fenni

Parish Priest: Father Matthew Carney OSB ☎ (01873) 851051 Mobile: 07402 979597 The Presbytery, 10 Pen y pound, ABERGAVENNY NP7 5UD

Email: parishoffice.olsmch@gmail.com Website: www.olsm-abergavenny.co.uk

St Michael’s Centre – Administrator: ☎ 857750 Jems Catering: ☎ 07859 938015

Deacon: Rev Dr Andreas Erhardt ☎ (01873) 855078

Safeguarding reps: William & Evelyn Duggan ☎ (01873) 855353

Sunday, 1st December 2019 First Sunday of Advent – Year A

PARISH MASS BOOKS – The readings for Sunday mass can be

found on page 82 of the new mass books.

Entrance Antiphon (Cf. Ps 24:1-3) To you I lift up my soul, O my God. In you, I have trusted; let me not be put to shame. Nor let my enemies exult over me; and let none who hope in you be put to shame.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 121:1-2.4-5.6-9)

I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’

Gospel Acclamation (Ps 84:8)

Alleluia, alleluia! Let us see, O Lord, your mercy and give us your saving help. Alleluia!

Communion Antiphon (Ps 84:13) The Lord will bestow his bounty, and our earth shall yield its increase.

Gospel Reflection: First Sunday of Advent (A)

FOR YOUR DIARY - - -

Sunday, 8th December 2019 Unicorn Singers – 8pm in Church

- - -

Wednesday, 18th December 2019 Parish Carol Service - 7pm

- - -

LOURDES PILGRIMAGE Travelling with Tangney Tours – 11

th-18

th

September, 2020, flying from Bristol. £700. Details and Booking forms at back of Church, return with £150 deposit ASAP.

YOUTH NIGHT

The next Youth meeting will be on Saturday 7th

December from 4-7pm in St. Michael’s Centre.

NEW PARISH MASS BOOKS A new edition of the parish mass book is in use from this Sunday. Thanks to those parishioners who have sponsored them. DAY FOR RELIGIOUS – This coming Thursday Fr. Matthew and Sr. Josephine are leading a day for the religious sisters of the Archdiocese at Llantarnum Abbey in Newport.

YEAR OF THE WORD Today, the First Sunday of Advent (1

st

December) sees the launch of the Year of the Word under the title of The God Who Speaks. The Year marks the 10

th anniversary of Pope

Benedict XVI’s Verbum Domini on ‘The Word of the Lord’ as well as coinciding with the 1,600 anniversary of St. Jerome’s death. To celebrate the opening of the Year of the Word there will be Solemn Evening Prayer and Benediction at Cardiff Cathedral beginning at 3.30pm, presided over by Archbishop George. Evening Prayer and Benediction will be led by the students and staff of St. Alban’s High School, Pontypool. YEAR OF THE WORD – STUDY DAY. An Exposition of the Vatican Documents – “Dei Verbum” and “ Verbum Domini”, by Fr. Laurence Bryce, Saturday 7

th December –

Cormerstone Ctr, opp Cathedral in Cardiff, 10am-12noon.

ADVENT PARISH DAY OF REFLECTION

This Saturday, 7th

December, beginning with Mass at 10.00am then talk, lunch and devotions, ending for 3pm – St. Michael’s Centre. A simple lunch will be provided

PARISH LIBRARY – A selection of religious

and devotional books is available in Church for borrowing, by the side door entrance to the Church. If you have some books you would like to donate please give to Fr. Matthew.

Advent Retreat - St. David’s Catholic College, Ty-Gwyn Road, Cardiff CF23 5QD, December 14

th 2019 10.30 – 15.00 “The Word of God is

something alive and active” (Hebrews 4:12) During this Advent Retreat we shall focus on how we listen to God. In the Old Testament God said, “listen, Israel” and in the New Testament a voice is heard from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, listen to Him.” When we proclaim that the Word of God is alive, we are saying that we believe that God is actively speaking to us because He wants be close to us, ‘restore our soul’ and as the Good Shepherd, tenderly guide us to ‘green pastures’. But are we listening? Together we shall reflect on the power of God’s Word to bring forth life, just like at the time of Creation and we shall focus on three pathways into listening: Adoration, the Bible and the Voice of the Poor. The retreat is free of charge and open to people of all faiths and no faith. Registration is at 10am with 10.30am start.

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION – YEAR OF THE WORD

Listen, heavens, while I speak; earth hear

the words I am saying. May my teaching fall

like the rain, may my word drop down like

the dew, like showers on fresh grass and

light rain on the turf. For I proclaim the

name of the Lord. Oh, tell the greatness of

our God!” Deuteronomy 32:1-3

SVP – If any parishioners are in need of help,

such as with lifts for hospital visits, shopping, coming to mass or more material needs, please contact Aidan on 01291 690148 or, alternatively, Robyn on 856414. The 2

nd

Collection this Sunday is for the Parish SVP. HOLY COMMUNION COURSE- Preparation Session after mass today. PARISH PENITENTIAL SERVICE – Thursday 19

th

December from 7pm, when a number of priests will be available to hear confessions Brynmawr's Market Hall cinema has a one-off

showing of Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress (PG) on

Sat. 14th December at 10.30am. It's great for

everyone aged 8+ and all adults. Let's make this

a big Churches Together event. Don't miss it at

our best-value-in-Wales

cinema! See www.pilgrimsprogressmovie.co.uk

"...will be enjoyed by the whole family": 4 stars -

Premier Christianity magazine

EU CITIZENS – CITIZENS RIGHTS SERVICE. Info is available at the back of Church on the help the Citizens Advice Service can give to European Citizens seeking the right to stay in the UK after Brexit. See info at back of Church on the noticeboards.

CHRISTMAS CARDS – From Tradecraft are available at the back of Church. RED WEDNESDAY SERVICE – Thanks to all those who came long and who were so generous to the collection for Aid to the Church in Need, £240 was raised.

PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL THE SICK AND THE HOUSEBOUND OF OUR PARISH: Margaret Russell,

Sarah-Louise Coleman, Brigid Malnati, Doris Bishop, Chris O’Connell, Angela Jones, Noreen Desmond, Mrs Heuclin, Mary Owen, Ann Green, Alasdair Kirkpatrick, Winnie Herbert, Colin Anderson, David Johnston, Tina Langford, Francis Kay. Please also pray for the repose of the souls of those who have died recently – Martin Russell, Bronwyn Evans, Bishop Daniel Mullins & Dennis Mitchell & those whose anniversaries occur at this time.

PARISH XMAS LUNCH – Sunday 15th

December, must be booked in advance, no spaces on the day. Bring your own drinks, no bar available. Info/menus at back of Church.

EU SETTLEMENT SCHEME - If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you will need to apply to living in the UK after June 2021. You can apply online at www.gov.uk/eusettledstatus If you know of someone to whom this applies, please let them know. If you need help doing this, phone the helpline – 0300 123 7379.

ADVENT COURSE – Continuing on

Tuesday 3rd

, 10th

and 17th

December at 7.30pm in St. Michael’s Centre. Based around a video series “Let it be done to me”, on Mary’s role in salvation history. How Mary helps us to be filled with God’s presence. One video from the series is also being shown on Saturday 7

th December

during the Advent day of reflection in St. Michaels ctr.

EVANGELISATION GROUP – This Friday 6th

December 10.45am.

ABERGAVENNY FOOD BANK Thank you for your continuing donations to the Food Bank, in particular to those of you who have already begun to give Christmas related items. If you are considering these particular items could you please bring them along by Tuesday, 10

th December so that we

can deliver them to the Food Bank. They will then be able to incorporate them into Christmas parcels in good time. Many thanks. God Bless, SVP.

GLOBAL HEALING EVENING

Thanks to all those who came to the recent evening. The video can be viewed online. In response, we hope to take part in CAFOD’S Live Simply Campaign, info on this at the back of Church. If you would like to know more come to the next Evangelisation group meeting this Friday 6

th December at

10.45am.

RED BOXES If you have one of the Red Boxes, then please return this as soon as possible so the monies can be counted and forwarded to Missio. Please hand your full boxes into the Sacristry. Emptied boxes will be left in the porch for collection. Thank you. Missio have also written to thank us for our recwent donation of £130, the collection that was taken on World Mission Sunday.