EMERGENCY CONTACT: In the event of an emergency where you may specifically require the services of a priest please continue to contact either Monica Carroll (07813 920844) or Anne Marie Carroll (07481 038633) Monica and Anne Marie can also be contacted if you need help from the Support group for shopping,
THE SEASON OF ADVENT
Week beginning Sunday 13th December 2020. (Year B)
The Third Sunday of Advent : 9.30am Mass in Church
Isaiah 61:1-2,10-11; Psalm Luke 1:46-50,53-54; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8,19-28
Monday: Numbers 24:2-7,15-17; Psalm 24(25):4-9; Matthew 21:23-27 (St John of the Cross)
Tuesday: Zephaniah 3:1-2,9-13; Psalm 33(34):2-3,6-7,16,18-19,23; Matthew 21:28-32
Wednesday: Isaiah 45:6-8,18,21-25; Psalm 84(85):9-14; Luke 7:19-23
Thursday: Mass at 9am via Zoom Meeting
Readings: Genesis 49:2,8-10; Psalm 71(72):1-4,7-8,17; Matthew 1:1-17
Friday: Jeremiah 23:5-8; Psalm 71(72):1-2,12-13,18-19; Matthew 1:18-24
Saturday: Zoom Mass at 5pm:
Readings: Judges 13:2-7,24-25; Psalm 70(71):3-6,16-17; Luke 1:5-25
Next Sunday The Fourth Sunday in Advent
Readings: 2 Samuel 7:1-5,8-12,14,16; Psalm 88(89):2-5,27,29; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION: For those of us accessing Mass on line or on television, whilst we cannot physically receive the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we can receive Spiritual Communion. A letter from the Catholic Bishops Conference reminds us that “the idea of spiritual communion is an important one to remember and reaffirm” as through it “ all are united in some way by the Holy Spirit” and they offer the following prayer for recitation:
Oh my Jesus, I believe that you are present in this Holy Sacrament of the altar.
I love you above all things, and I passionately desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally come spiritually into my soul.
so that I may unite myself wholly to you now and forever. Amen
Please see the table below with your Zoom meeting details in one handy place
Meeting ID
Passcode
Saturday Mass
December 12th at 5pm
882 8408 9264
047654
Thursday Mass
December 17th at 9am
836 8179 8489
846685
LIGHT THE ADVENT CANDLES THREE.
Three candles burning bright, chasing away the darkness from light,
Three candles, glowing light, The blessing of God giving new sight
NOTICES
THE POPE’S INTENTIONS FOR DECEMBER: For a life of prayer. We pray that our personal relationship with Jesus Christ be nourished by the Word of God and a life of prayer.
COVID-19, VACCINATION AND THE CHURCH: There has been considerable excitement recently because of the news of good progress in the production and testing of vaccines to protect against COVID-19. The excitement is perfectly understandable because of the worldwide spread of the virus and the illnesses and deaths, which have resulted. COVID-19 is a threat throughout the world and we need a worldwide solution.
There are certain moral issues, which apply around vaccines and vaccination. As far as vaccination itself is concerned the Catholic Church “strongly supports vaccination and regards Catholics as having a prima facie (all other things being equal) duty to be vaccinated, not only for the sake of their own health but also out of solidarity with others, especially the most vulnerable.” (1)
A further moral issue is raised by how the vaccines are produced. There are some of the COVID-19 vaccines which are entirely uncontroversial. But some others may have involved the use of cell lines which were originally developed from abortions performed over 50 years ago. We have a moral duty to object if new cell lines from new abortions are being used today. However, our bishops have received the assurance of the Department of Health and Social Care that “no new human foetal tissue will be used in making the (COVID) vaccine …” (2)
However, some of the researchers producing COVID vaccines may have used old cell lines. Despite reassurances, this offers us a possible moral dilemma. In accepting such a vaccine would we be condoning the original abortion? In a document published in 2017 the Pontifical Academy for Life said that “all clinically recommended vaccinations can be used with a clear conscience and that the use of such vaccines does not signify some sort of cooperation with voluntary abortion.” (3) But, in the end, it is a matter of prudent judgement of conscience.
In brief: we all have a duty to protect ourselves and others, especially against dangers as great as COVID-19. Many of the vaccines have been produced with no morally objectionable methods. Those that do, can still be accepted with a clear conscience because of the remoteness of the connection with an abortion many years ago. It is not yet clear if we will have any choice about which vaccine we will offered but “whilst many may in good conscience judge that they will accept such a vaccine, some may in good conscience judge that they will not. If the choice is made not to receive this vaccination, then the person must make other provision to mitigate the risk of harm to the life and health of others and to his or her own life and health.”(cbcew, September 2020)
References:
(1)&(2) Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales: August 2020
(3) ‘Note on Italian vaccine issue’ (2017) Pontifical Academy for Life
A further document from the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales was published on 25 September 2020
DONATIONS TO CHURCH: Have you been thinking of donating to church but unsure of how to do so with the current Covid-19 restrictions? It’s pretty easy. Here’s how you can do it:
1) Set up bank transfers (highly recommended), whether it is for a one off donation or regular giving via standing order. Make it payable to:
Account name: Diocese of Hallam St. Josephs Dinnington
Bank: HSBC Bank PLC
Sort Code: 40-41-07
Account number: 81094084
Please quote your name as reference. If you want to complete a Gift Aid Declaration, please contact Adeline on 07752-230051 (mobile).
2) Cash or cheque in an envelope - please quote your name and contact number on the envelope so it can be recorded for Gift Aid (if applicable).
3) Gift Aid Numbered Envelopes and/ or loose cash– place this in the loose plate collection at Mass
Thank you so much for your continued support and it is very much appreciated. For further assistance and advice, please contact Adeline on 07752-230051.
CARING GROUP: Could anyone wanting transport to attend the Christmas Masses please get in touch with Judith Sherratt on 01909 563874.
ST JOSEPH’S SCHOOL CHRISTMAS RAFFLE: A beautiful Christmas hamper has been created by Miss Jenkinson’s family. It is full of Christmas goodies including a Christmas cake, snacks, chocolates, wine, whiskey, Prosecco, Gin, shortbread and even a soft Santa toy. All money raised is coming directly to St. Josephs School to develop the outdoor area. With no Christmas Fayre this year the raffle is the only fund raising event for this year, so please help out if you can by buying tickets and also spreading the word among family and friends. Tickets are £1 each and the draw will be made on 17th December so hurry! For further information contact Shauna.
CAFOD WORLD GIFTS: You may know that you can get gifts through CAFOD that go to help people in the third world. It’s not too late to order your World Gifts catalogues for 2020 and below is a link to the website: https://worldgifts.cafod.org.uk/products/world-gifts-christmas-catalogue-2020?_pos=1&_sid=5b9089504&_ss=r
TO OUR CATHOLIC UNIVERSE AND CATHOLIC TIMES READERS IN THE PARISH: At the moment you are unable to collect your paper at Mass, but you can get it delivered direct to your home every week, POST FREE. Please go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com or call them on 0161 820 5722 and they will arrange for you. SPECIAL OFFER 3 MONTHS :-£22.00or 12 Months:- £80.00
SALVATION ARMY: We usually make donations to the Salvation Army during Advent. This year you can make a donation directly to Dinnington Salvation Army or take food to the Salvation Hall on Saturdays between 9.30-11 am or leave with Chris Parrott. Please don't leave donations in church or at Fr Andy's house. They also have a direct just giving page which is
MARY'S MEALS CHARITY: any donations to this charity are being match funded by the government, up to the 31st of January. We also support this charity.
SWINTON LOCK: A fundraiser for Rotherham for those in need is Swinton Lock. At the moment they also have a fundraising page-https://swintonlock.enthuse.com/pf/Christmas. The charity offers wide ranging help across the whole borough, including to those experiencing food poverty, and is being supported by Elizabeth, who many will know from her visits to the parish and who is herself a survivor of sexual exploitation, and has received help and support from the charity in the past.
Thank you to anyone who feels they can help out during these difficult times.
ST WILFRIDS CENTRE: St Wilfrid's Centre is selling their popular Christmas Cards online through their website. This year's card image "Looking out from the Warmth of St Wilfrid's" is taken from a painting by their Head of Centre, Ruth Moore. Cards are only £4 for a pack of 10 cards and postage for up to 10 packs is only £2.95 Please visit https://www.stwilfridscentre.org/online-shop/christmas-cards-1
PLEASE REMEMBER OUR SICK ESPECIALLY IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES: George Blow & his
Grandma, Mary Brady, Christopher Browne, Eileen Butterfield, Jim Chandler, Peggy Cummins, Gillian Gee, Brendan Handley, Robert Hume, Sophie Hughes, Ged Krotki, Kumba, Pat Luton, Isabel Main-Reade, Haylen Markillie, Franz Muller, John Parker, Kate Patterson, Tom Rutherford, Sandra Sherratt, Olive Stafford, Robert Stock, Pat Vickers, Claire Watt, Michel and Father Andy’s friend Marie.