Christmas Double Issue

View this email in your browser

A growing community of disciples
with a heart for Jesus, His Church, and His Mission

Forward

From Fr Michael

Reaching this moment as we begin to look forward to celebrating Christmas and the New Year, my heart is filled with deep gratitude. Gratitude to God who comes to us, who is God with us, who has been with us through the more difficult moments of this year. Gratitude to the people of the parish. You have been truly amazing in all the ways we have responded to the challenges of living our faith this year. It has been a work of grace! Gratitude to our wider community who have journeyed with us this year and have supported us in different ways. It has been a joy to have an extended family!

The Lord has been with us, he will continue to be with us. Pray hard and ask Him to bless us in all the adventures that the coming year will bring.

May the Lord bless you, your families and loved ones, this Christmas and the prayers of Mary, mother of God, support you all in the year to come.

With love and prayers,

Fr Michael

Readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

Readings for the Holy Family (27th December)

Advent at St Teresa's

Confessions
Available after Holy Mass each day until 22nd December

Beyond Adversity
A very big thank you to Nigel and Laura for their work in coordinating this project. Thank you to everyone who has read, sent reflections, composed poems, found articles, shared personal stories and all the ways you have contributed. It has been a wonderful project.

Christmas Tree and Stars
Thank you to everyone who has helped to decorate our tree with stars. We keep all the names and intentions in our prayers over the Christmas period.

Christmas Eve - Holy Mass in the morning
There is an early Mass on Christmas Eve, the last Mass of Advent. This will be live-streamed only as all our Hospitality Team are helping at the Masses of Christmas.

Hymns at Home
Sing hymns from home on Sunday at 10.00 a.m. use the following link to zoom. Please note, this does cross over our celebration of Mass which starts at 9.30 a.m.
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/76146960170?pwd=ekVGWFV0dFl3OERCaGxnRnpoUXR3QT09

Meeting ID: 761 4696 0170
Passcode: gL6Wy3

Last Chance

If you wish to attend one of the Christmas Masses you will need to reserve and collect a ticket.

4.00 p.m. Vigil Mass of Christmas
(church is fully booked, 84 reaming in school)

12.00 a.m. Midnight Mass by Candlelight
(123 remaining in church)

9.30 a.m. Christmas Day Mass with blessing of the Crib
(109 remaining in church)

How to reserve a place at Christmas Mass?

Call 07474 005179 Monday - Wednesday 9.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m. (please do not leave messages or text messages)

Christmas at St Teresa's

Hospitality Team
A very big thank you our wonderful Hospitality Team and to Lindsay who organises them. They have done an amazing job in welcoming people to Holy Mass and for times of prayer and funerals over the last few months. A special thanks to them for helping over the Christmas Masses.

Music for Christmas
Restrictions on gatherings and worship means that we are unable to sing carols this year. Thanks to some of our musicians who have offered to play (in accordance with regulations) for the Vigil Mass. All Masses will have some music but it may be unfamiliar so that we are not tempted to join in!

Christmas Collection
This is the traditional offering for the Parish Priest. There will collection bags by the door of the church (and the school). Thank you for the kindness and generosity you have already shown in cards, gifts and offerings.

St Stephen's Day Mass
We have missed our altar servers over 2020. It would be good if they could join us for Mass on 26th December at 10.00 a.m. with their families. Unfortunately, they won't be able to serve, but at least we can celebrate their feast day.

New Years Day Mass
There will be Holy Mass celebrating the Octave Day of Christmas, Mary the Mother of God, and the beginning of the New Year. Perhaps this will be a good Mass to seek the Lord's blessings through Mary's prayers for 2021. Sadly, we can't enjoy mulled wine and mince pies together - but I hope you can go home and enjoy something!

Devotions Christmas Break
Please note, devotions will be taking a Christmas break and will resume in the New Year.

Times of Mass over Christmas
Please check the times of Mass over Christmas as they are different to the 'normal' pattern.

Christmas Masses

Parking for the Vigil Mass
If you have reserved seats for the school, please park at school either in the carpark or playground.
If you have seats reserved in church, please park on the church car park.

Opening Times
The church will open 30 minutes before Holy Mass. You do not need to come early to reserve seats. If there is a queue to enter the church, please remember to socially distance.

Tickets
If you do not present a ticket you will not be able to enter the church. Please hand the ticket to the Hospitality Team, this will be used for track and trace.

Follow Directions
Our Hospitality Team will take you to your seats. Please follow their instructions and do not swap or change seats.

Distribution of Holy Communion - Everyone remains in the place.
For practising Catholics: Please kneel for Holy Communion. If you are unable to kneel please stand.
For non-practising Catholics and non Catholics: Please stand and place your arm across your chest for a blessing.
For those who do not wish to wish to receive a blessing: Please remain seated.

At the end of Holy Mass
Due to numbers and to ensure social distancing, please follow the instructions of Hospitality Team will invite you to leave a row at a time. Please return to your cars and homes and keep social distancing.

Times of Liturgy (2 weeks)

Sunday 20th December
Fourth Sunday Advent - O Clavis David
9.30 a.m. Holy Mass - Deceased members of the Beahan, Byrne and Ruscoe Families

Monday 21st December
Advent Feria - O Oriens
9.30 a.m. Holy Mass - Anne Gamble Intentions

Tuesday 22nd December
Advent Feria - O Rex Gentium
8.00 a.m. Holy Mass - Patrick Burke R.I.P

Wednesday 23rd December
Advent Feria - O Emmanuel
2.00 p.m. Monica Prayers

Thursday 24th December
Christmas Eve
8.00 a.m. Holy Mass via Livestream - Trevor Foster R.I.P

4.00 p.m. Vigil Mass of Christmas - Barbera Gibson R.I.P
Tickets required

Friday 25th December
Christmas Day
12.00 a.m. Midnight Mass by Candlelight - Anne and Alan Dean R.I.P
Tickets required
9.30 a.m. Christmas Day Mass - Arthur and Agnes Godwin R.I.P
Tickets required

Saturday 26th December
Feast, St Stephen the First Martyr
10.00 a.m. Holy Mass - For and end to the pandemic

Sunday 27th December
Feast of the Holy Family
9.30 a.m. Holy Mass - Dr Kathleen McCartie R.I.P

Monday 28th December
Feast of the Holy Innocents
9.30 a.m. Holy Mass - Dorothy Bradley

Tuesday 29th December
Feast of St Thomas Becket
9.30 a.m. Holy Mass - Alan Davies R.I.P.

Wednesday 30th December
Sixth Day within the Octave of Christmas

Thursday 31st December
Seventh Day within the Octave of Christmas
9.30 a.m. Holy Mass - John Harbron R.I.P

Friday 1st January
Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God
11.00 a.m. Holy Mass - People of the Parish

Saturday 2nd January
Memoria, St Basil the Great and St Gregory Nazianzen
9.30 a.m. Rorate Mass - For and end to the pandemic

Sunday 3rd January
Second Sunday after the Nativity
9.30 a.m. Holy Mass - Anne Marie Tunney R.I.P

Printable Version

Parish Priest
Rev Fr Michael Glover

parishpriest@catholictrentvale.org.uk

Parish Phone
Tel: (01782) 658 063

Hospital Chaplain
Rev Michael Puljic
Chaplaincy: (01782) 676400
Parish: (01782) 215 217

Temporary Office Hours
Mon - Tues 9.00 a.m. - 1.00pm
Wed - Office Closed
Thurs - 9.00 a.m. - 12.00 p.m.
Fri - Christmas Reservation 9.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m.

office@catholictrentvale.org.uk

Parish Secretary
Eileen Ratcliffe

Safeguarding
Representative: Helen Clarke
Contact can be made through the Parish Office, or call the Diocesan Team on 0121 230 6240 or
safeguarding@rc-birmingham.org