Dear brothers and sisters,

Is it possible to be saved without Baptism?

Since Jesus died in order to save every human person, those people who die for the faith, even though they are not baptised, can be saved: this is called Baptism of blood. Catechumens, that is those who are preparing for baptism, and all those who, even without knowing Christ and the Church, still, led by grace, sincerely seek God and strive to do his will can also be saved without Baptism: this is called Baptism of desire. For those children who die without being baptised, the Church in her liturgy entrusts them to the mercy of God.

First Fridays Holy Hour

From February 2024, the Emmanuel Community will be leading a Holy Hour in the church as requested by Jesus of St Margaret Mary Alacoque at 7:30pm on the first Friday of every month.  The point of this Holy Hour is not to get stuff from Jesus but first of all to console his heart and to express our gratitude for his generous gift of himself, and all his gifts to us.  It will also be an opportunity to learn how to pray, to learn what Eucharistic adoration is, and how to do it in a way which will bear fruit in all the areas of our life. One advantage of this kind of prayer is that anyone can come, knowledge of responses is not needed: so please put this in your diaries now, and generously bring your family, friends, neighbours and workmates, in order that they too can discover the earthly happiness of God’s love for them.

14 December Lights of Christmas Pilgrimage

On the evening of 14 December our parish is booking a free bus to take us to the opening ceremony of the Lights of Christmas at St Mary’s Cathedral forecourt.  It is a wonderful evening for all ages, and especially all the family.  People have booked quickly, and there are only 14 seats left!  The bus will depart from the SPC Church car park at 6.30pm and drive back at 10:00pm.  To reserve your seats please book with the parish secretary as soon as possible, as seats are limited, so first come, first served.

Advent Spiritual Preparation 

We will soon need to start preparing for the coming of Jesus at Christmas. We are proposing a novel kind of Advent group. From Tuesday 5 December, the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for adoration from 7:15am to 8:45am Tuesday to Friday. Our group will be our parishioners, and our book for meditation will be the baby Jesus himself. Come Lord Jesus!

Flowers Service

Every parish is a place for us to give and receive.  Our flowers are an offering of love to Jesus, and make our church a better place to pray.  We need at least four families to take responsibility for the flowers once a month (except January).  Offerings from your own gardens are welcome, and the parish budget will make up any shortfall. Please contact the parish secretary to be put on the roster.  Thankyou for your generosity.

Yours in Our Lord,

J+