OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE

Times of the Christmas masses at OLQP:

Bishop Richard issued a new Pastoral Plan for the Diocese The Word Who is Life: The Call to Mission in January 2024. The Plan marks an important new stage in the development of diocesan parish structures, with the 11 former deaneries of the Diocese becoming 11 new parishes. Two new parishes have been established this year; Brighton & Hove (14 September) and Guildford (29 November). Weybridge will be inaugurated on 7 December. To find out more about the Pastoral Plan, visit the diocesan website: www.abdiocese.org.uk/diocese/pastoral-plan .

Dear brothers and sisters, The Prophet Isaiah, writing some 800 years before the birth of Jesus, looks forward to a time when there will be peace and justice. His prophecy, which we hear in today’s first reading, speaks of openness to those gifts that we now recognise as the gifts of the Spirit, of mercy and justice for those who are oppressed, of total harmony for all of creation. In the Gospel this weekend, we find the last of all the prophets – John the Baptist – speaking out against the oppressors of his day and warning them of the coming of the Messiah, the Christ, whose message St Paul preaches to the Romans in a way that reflects the prophecy of Isaiah – for Christ has come that all may live in harmony. At a time in our own history when we see so clearly that this message of peace and justice, of harmony between peoples and across the whole of creation – itself, God’s gift to us – is in peril, let us pray fervently for a renewed openness to the gift of peace. Let us pray for the recognition of the dignity of every person, especially on the part of all those in positions of power. May the world hear the warnings of John the Baptist and be open to the gifts of the Spirit and the peace that is Jesus’ gift to us. With every blessing,  + Richard

Thank you for the generous support and welcome shown to Fr Hugh last weekend. If you missed the chance to donate, you can visit their website: www.missionariesofafrica.org.uk/donations , or you can make a transfer directly to their bank account: Account name: Society of Missionaries of Africa Account number: 82296731, Sort code: 60-21-07 Reference: OLQP Adur Valley, BN43 5WG

I do not think that you would like Saint John the Baptist to be your parish priest. I may be wrong, but I think he might have upset many of you with his direct speech. But what he said would be true. Many came to him in the wilderness out of curiosity, some to ridicule him and some would have been religious groupies not wanting to miss out. Some came in sincerity, wanting to change their lives and repent. It was of course, to prepare the way for Jesus, who was to baptise with the Holy Spirit and fire - look at Pentecost. But many would have seen this event as a one-off and an end in itself. If it didn't work, then find something or someone else to fix my life. Religion is not an end in itself but worship of God unites us with God who is the beginning and the end of all that is. The sincere would have been small in number. They were prepared to meet Jesus and out of this small number, like a shoot from a stump, grows the beginning of the Church. The Church is never what you think her to be, and she may have to say things that we find uncomfortable at times or consoling at others. But the Church is called to be and is a "signal for the peoples". A sign and taste of what is real, eternal and true and still preparing the way for the Lord in His second coming in glory. With my daily prayer for a really blessed Advent. God bless you.  Fr Graham

This Sunday, we encourage you all to come together at our SVP Christmas event, after the 9.00am mass, raising money for local people in need this Christmas. We have beautiful tote bags, quilt covers, table runners, stockings and Christmas gift bags of all sizes, all handmade by a craft group for us. Plus you can get a different Christmas outfit for the season, be it a jumper of glittery dress or other outfits for all ages, male and female, and a lot of these are brand new too. There will be a raffle, and cakes of all sizes, where you can buy a slice to take home or sit down and enjoy with your coffee. Scones, fruit crumbles and hot sausage rolls, all freshly made. All are welcome.

Dear brothers and sisters, This Sunday sees the Church begin a new Liturgical Year. The First Sunday of Advent heralds a time of preparation for our celebration of the Lord’s birth. It is, also, a "season of two parts." We begin with a focus on the coming Kingdom of God. The second part, beginning on 17th December, provides a more intense preparation for Christmas. In this first part of Advent, we reflect on our hope in the coming Kingdom. This carries a particular resonance this year, perhaps, as we enter the final month of the Jubilee Year of Hope. Advent calls us to be open to the gift of hope. Hope is a virtue. Hope is a gift. It is a mark of the Christian, for our lives are a preparation for the coming of the Lord. We proclaim, every time we profess our faith in the Creed: “I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.” The Christian life looks forward all the time – in hope – to the wonder of the experience of total love in the Kingdom of the Father. This hope must inform our actions, our encounters with others, our words, our prayer. It is this hope that enables us to live our Christian life, sometimes in the face of opposition and not without suffering and difficulty, here and now – to be Christ’s people each and every day, as we await His coming.  May this season be a time of renewed hope for us all, bringing us to be ever more effective in the work of mission that the Lord has given to us as beacons of hope, witnesses to the coming Kingdom of Our Lord Jesus Christ. With every blessing, + Richard

We will be watching 'The Way', a film which has inspired thousands to walk the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. Friday 5th December at 7:30pm Fish and Chips will be provided as an optional addition for £10. Please email moviectkchurch@gmail.com if you would like to pre order food. All are welcome

Oh for swords to be changed into ploughshares, spears into pruning hooks and all weapons of war to be disarmed, multilaterally, and food to be given to the hungry. This is the vision of Isaiah that flows from obedience to the word of the Lord and a promise of things to come. The Lord will accomplish it and if we are to share in it we must walk in the light of the Lord and "put on the Lord Jesus Christ". As we begin the season of Advent we pray and yearn for this conversion of heart and mind for ourselves and the nations. This is a new liturgical year and a new beginning. It is a time of hope and expectancy, not just for Christmas but for the completion of everything that Isaiah prophesied. During this time we are expected to be "ready" to greet Him who is to come - Jesus. We prepare to celebrate His first coming in humility at Christmas but first we prepare to greet Him when He next comes to reveal the new heavens and the new earth. That could be anytime - even before Christmas. To help prepare please take some of the resources we have available in church for Advent. It is good that we begin this season with an appeal to assist those in the missions and those whom they serve. We can help them in many ways, they will help us with their faith and prayer. With my daily prayer for a blessed Advent. God bless you.  Fr Graham