ST JOHN VIANNEY CHURCH

West Green
4 Vincent Road, London N15 3QH
Parish Office Tel No: 020-8888-5518
E-mail: westgreen@rcdow.org.uk
Facebook: West Green - St John Vianney Church
Our website: http://stjohnvianneywestgreen.co.uk/
(SJV Parish Centre 020-8888-5518)

3RD /4TH DECEMBER 2016

2ND SUNDAY OF AVDENT

The Kingdom of heaven is close at hand! proclaimed John the Baptist in

the desert 2000 years ago, and the people in Jerusalem and all Judaea and
the whole Jordan district walked for hours and made their way to him.
The Kingdom of heaven is close at hand! proclaimed Fr. Joe and Fr.
Damian from the pulpit today... and we hope that (maybe) 1% of the
people in West Green would come and make that 10-minute journey to St.
John Vianney church.
Why is that? Perhaps because the words Kingdom of heaven has lost its meaning for many
of us. For the people of Israel, Johns proclamation meant something they were waiting for a
saviour, a new ruler and king, someone who will finally end the oppression they have suffered
under the Roman Empire, and many other empires before that. They were longing for this
new Kingdom to come, a world of peace, justice, freedom, for an end to all misery... The wolf
lives with the lamb, the cow and the bear make friends, and the infant plays over the cobras
hole. There will have nothing more to fear, and their lives will finally change for the better.
What do you long for? What is your souls deepest desire? Each of us has (or had) an image of
how we picture our lives to be. Unfortunately Life often disappoints us, and we feel like we
are forced to settle for smaller dreams, or even be stuck in survival mode. Our hearts grow
old, and we stop dreaming we stop believing in others, in ourselves, in God.
But God never stops dreaming with our lives, He never stops believing in each one of us! Just
as He promised to give the Israelites what they longed for, He promises us our hearts deepest
desire! What does that mean for me? What is Gods promise for me, today?
He does all that He can in order to fulfil His promise, but we need to put in our part too and
collaborate with him. Perhaps we need to have a look at our lives again and rearrange our
priorities, or change our way of seeing things, our attitudes towards life, towards people,
towards ourselves, or towards God. Whatever it is we need to do, lets not lose sight of Gods
promise... only then will we find the joy and strength to work towards it: because itll be
worth it!
FR. JOES TRIP TO BRUSSELS: Fr. Joe came back on Thursday evening from a 4-day trip to
Brussels at the European Parliament. Do have a read on the report of his experience.
CHRISTMAS PLAY REHEARSAL: We will be having a Christmas play rehearsal at 12noon this
Sunday. All children are welcomed to come and take part on this wonderful event!
FIRST RECONCILIATION PROGRAMME: A reminder for all children who received their first
Holy Communion in May 2016 please pick up a form from the back of the church to register
for the First Reconciliation program which will start in January.
Thats all for now. God bless! Sr. Devy

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY IN

LAST SUNDAYS COLLECTIONS
CATECHETICAL PROGRAMMES
All the activities take place in the Parish
Hall. Any enquiries please contact
Sr. Devy on 07403 784463
SATURDAY MORNING RELIGIOUS
INSTRUCTION
Next session on 10th December (entrance
on Vincent Road N15)
THE CELEBRATION OF BAPTISM
If you would like to have your child baptised
on the 10th December or later, the next
sessions will be on Monday, 5th & 19th
December 16. Please contact the Parish
Office to book your place on the course.
FIRST COMMUNION PROGRAMME
Theme Four on 10th December at 10am on
the Parish Hall
Leaders Meeting on 10th December after
Session
CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME
We take this opportunity to thank the
Confirmation Candidates for their help at
our Parish Bazaar last Sunday. Well done!
Theme Four on 10th December from
3.30pm 6pm in the Parish Hall, followed
by participation at our 6pm Mass.
RCIA RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION
OF ADULTS:
Next session on
th
17 December 16 Hume Hall: 4.005:45pm - Followed by 6pm Mass.
We ask you please to pray for the new
catechumens and candidates as they
continue their conversion journey. We, as a
parish, will journey with them as they
discover what it means to follow Christ as a
Roman Catholic.
FIRST RECONCILIATION PROGRAMME
2017
For children who received their first
communion in May 2016 application forms
are available at the back of the church.

(First Reconciliation)
Parents Meeting, Saturday 7th January
2017 from 12noon to 1pm in the Jubilee Hall
Session One Saturday 7th January 2017
from 12noon to 1pm in the Parish Centre.
SURGERY HOURS DROP-IN TIMES
As a parish team, we want to be available to
meet the pastoral needs of all parishioners
in St John Vianney Church as much as we
can. Complementing the existing office
hours and our general availability, we would
like to offer the following drop-in times
Tue 3.30-4.30pm
Fr Joe
4 Vincent
6.30-7.30pm
Road
Wed
11.30amFr
4 Vincent
12.30pm
Damian
Road

Thu

3.30pm
4.30pm
11.30am12.30pm

Sr Devy

6.30pm
7.30pm

Sr
Catherine

Sr Devy

4a Vincent
Road
4a Vincent
Road

AN EIGHT PART BIBLE STUDY

Classes continue on 6th December at 7.30pm
& 7th December at 10am in the parish hall
for Mary: A Biblical Walk with the
Blessed Mother, an extraordinary study
that reveals Marys unique role in Gods
Kingdom. To register please contact Sr.
Devy on 07403 784 463
OUR PARISH BAZAAR THANK YOU
We wish thank all who have donated items
such as: the New Bicycle, Hampers, Cake and
various other items for our raffle prizes.
Items for, our Tombola, cakes, candles, food
and refreshment stalls; those who helped to
sell the raffle tickets, the Confirmation
Candidates and those who helped with the
stalls and all who participated and
supported our Parish Bazaar last Sunday.
We raise the sum of 912.92 as part of
our Fund Raising Effort.
PARISH OUTREACH SOUP RUN:
The next Soup Run at 5pm on Saturday 3rd
November Group A

YOUTH ACTIVITIES IN THE PARISH

CHRISTMAS PLAY REHEARSAL
This Sunday at 12noon for one hour to
practice hymns for the Christmas Eve
Mass. All children are welcomed to come
and take part on this wonderful event!
FUNERAL MASS for the late
MRS ELIZABETH MAUREEN GRZYWACZ,
RIP will take place on Monday 6th December
at 9:15am followed by burial at Trent Park
Cemetery; May she rest in peace. We offer
our sincere condolences to both families
PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA
MON 24 THUR 27 APRIL 2017
We will join Cardinal Vincent on the
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Fatima.
3 nights full board accommodation.
Parish Pilgrimage: A full itinerary
including a visit to Lisbon on day of arrival,
daily Mass, 2x1/2 day excursions,
Price: 530 per person (excluding transport
to and from SJV Parish), Travel Insurance
26 per person, Price includes flights with
Air Portugal from London Heathrow.
200 Deposit, make cheque payable to
Tangney Tours Ltd. Booking forms are
available, please contact Germaine on
07711582620.
GREATER THINGS
CALLING ALL YOUNG ADULTS! (16-35)
Meet with God at 'Greater Things'
Youth 2000 New Years Retreat
Dynamic talks, creative workshops,
friendship, adoration & worship,
reconciliation & healing
5 pm Thursday 29th December 2016 to 2:30
pm Sunday 1st January
Maria Fidelis School, North Gower Street,
NW1 2LY. Only 85 donation
If interested in joining Fr Damian, please
speak to him, or email:
damianryan@rcdow.org.uk
To register: contact 01328 821 153, or
online: info@youth2000.org
It promises to change your life
PARISH / FUND RAISING ACTIVITY:
TEAS /COFFEE

In the parish hall after (Sun.) 9am and 11are

Masses
OPEN MEETING PARISH 90th (GOLDENRUBY) ANNIVERSARY
An Open Meeting to discuss plans for the
celebration of the Parish 90th Anniversary
will take place on Monday 5th December at
7pm in the Parish Hall.
Please put your name in the list at the back
of the church.
OPEN MEETING COURTYARD
The Open Meeting to learn more about
Courtyard a scheme to reach out to
young people between 16-25 years old will
now take place on Monday 12th December at
7.30pm in the Parish Hall.
ADVENT PRAYER SERIES
In preparation for Advent, there will be
4 one-hour sessions of prayer in the
Verbum Dei Spirituality centre, on
7th December: The Messenger
14th December: The Journey
For more information, please contact
Sr. Devy on 07403 784463.
LIVE SIMPLY invites you to a walk in
Downhills Park next Sunday, 11th
December. Meet outside the church after
the 11am Mass.
SICK & RETIRED PRIESTS COLLECTION
The clergies of this parish thank everyone
who to date have donated 969.69 to the
Sick & Retired Priests Fund.
It is not too late to make a donation if you
wish. Envelopes are available in the back of
the church, or by contacting the Parish
Office. Thank you for your prayers for all
our Catholic priests and especially for those
concluding a lifetime of service to the
Church. For more information, visit
www.rcdow.org.uk/donations
MISSION CALENDARS:
Sr Assunta, sister of Barbara and Danuta
and other St Peter Claver nuns will be
selling their Mission calendars
next week-end 11/12 December.
Please support them generously

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON
Cf. Is 30: 19, 30
O people of Sion, behold,
the Lord will come to save the nations,
and the Lord will make the glory of his voice heard
in the joy of your heart.
First Reading:

Isaiah 11:1-10

Responsorial Psalm:
Psalm 71
In his days justice shall flourish, and peace till the
moon fails.
Second Reading: Romans 15: 4-9
Gospel Acclamation Lk3: 4, 6
Alleluia, alleluia!
Prepare a way for the Lord,
make his paths straight,
and all mankind shall see the salvation of God.
Alleluia!
Gospel

Matthew 3:1-12

Communion Antiphon: Bar 5: 5; 4: 36

Jerusalem, arise and stand upon the heights,
and behold the joy which comes to you from God.
MASS & SERVICE TIMES
Mass 9:15am
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday,
Friday, Saturday
Funeral Mass
Tuesday 9:15am
for the late
Elizabeth Maureen Grzywacz, RIP
(Sat.) 6pm;
Sunday: 9:00am and 11:00am
Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Saturday: from 9:45 am 10:15am

PARISH TEAM
Fr. Joe Ryan, Parish Priest
Fr Damian Ryan, Assistant Priest
Sr. Devy Pranadjaja, Parish Sister
Germaine Ng Ying, Parish Adm/Secretary

THIS WEEK WE PRAY FOR

The repose of the soul:
Peter Osowski (Fr Damians Uncle)
Anne Spring
Maria Fuschova (Janas Mum)
Elizabeth Grzywacz
Mary King
Pat Callaghan
RIP
RIP Anniversaries
Yves Soupe
Liam Cummins
Lucy Reynolds
Patrick Cooney
Special Intentions:
Ilda Noronha
Thanksgiving
Mr & Mrs Joey Gonito
Birthday
Sr Devy
Levi Cronin (Remembrance)
For the sick and those in our parish
Pippa Da Cruz Ann Commines, Anne OBrien,
Betty Kennedy, Bridget Mitchell, Boniface
Pinto, Don OSullivan, Greta Lettice, Iris Brown,
Helen Shin, Joan Fechner OCallaghan,
Mary & John ORourke, Margaret Kennedy,
Maria DSouza, Mary, Catherine & John
OSullivan, Nellie OShea, Nelda & Angelo
Catani, Pantaleone Mansi, Pat Phelan, Patricia
Hunt, Marie Dorson, May Hempenstall, Rita
Mongelard, Sarah Namagambe, Sheila
Courtney, Sherry Arul, Timothy OConnor, Val
Eaves, William Ng Ying, Yvonne Joseph
Names not listed above, are listed
in our Book of Intentions.

PARISH OFFICE HOURS

Tues to Fri 10am-12noon, 1pm-4pm
To make an appointment
Phone: 0208 888 5518 or email
westgreen@rcdow.org.uk

We cannot guarantee to have anyone available outside

of these hours.