Text Giving If you wish to support the parish by giving £5 via your mobile ‘phone, just text PARISH ROYST to 70800. A Few special weekday Masses.. Please note that after Christmas there will be three weekday Masses at the unusual time of 12 noon: St Stephen (Boxing Day) 26th December St Thomas of Canterbury Friday 29th December, our Patronal Festival, this Mass will be followed by Mulled wine and Mince Pies Mary, the Holy Mother of God on Monday 1st January Westminster Year Book 2018 (containing the 2018 Liturgical Calendar) Copies are now available at the back of the church priced at £4.50. Parish Diaries 2018 Copies of next year’s parish diary are also now available at the back of church. Please feel free to take one home. The House of Prayer meetings will resume in the new Year SVP Vinnie Packs The SVP are distributing 12,000

Vinnie Packs containing cold weather essentials to the homeless and those spending the principal part of their day on the streets. Each pack contains thermal gloves, two pairs of socks, gloves, toothbrush, toothpaste, information card and pen. Please could you consider sponsoring packs at a suggested donation of £3.50 per pack. Donations can be sent to Vinnie Packs, PO Box 72264, London SW1P 9EZ with cheques made out to SVP. Certificate of Catholic Practice is requested by many Catholic schools as an objective measure of regularly attending Mass for those applying for admission as practising Catholic. If you are eligible for this please see Fr Philip after any Sunday Mass to arrange an appointment. The deadline for applications to Nursery or Reception Class is 15th January 2017. Cleaning Rota Monday – Pat Friday – Mary & Pat Parish Office will be closed this week.

Parish Priest: Fr Philip Knights Parish Secretary: Sharon O’ Toole

6, Melbourn Road Parish Office is open:

Royston Tues 12:30-3:30pm

Herts SG 8 7DB Wed 11am -1pm

Fri 10:30am -1:30pm

philipknights@rcdow.org.uk royston@rcdow.org.uk

01763 243117

http://parish.rcdow.org.uk/royston/ facebook @roystoncatholic

Mass this Sunday: Fourth Sunday of Advent (B) 24th December 2017 2 Samuel &:15,8-12,14,16 David commits himself to prepare a permanent Temple for the Ark of the Covenant, a house for the Lord to dwell Romans 16:25-27 The Mystery of God’s good purposes are being made clear in Christ Luke 1:26-38 The angel Gabriel comes to Mary to announce how God will work with her to bring his Son into the world. Mass This Week Saturday 23rd 6:30pm For Our Parishioners Sunday 24th 9:00am Luisa Sartini Baldwin (RIP)

5:00pm Children’s Vigil Mass of Tracy Kerrigan (anniv) Christmas 9:30pm Mass of Christmas Night Intention of Steve & Jo Smith Monday 25th 9:00am Mass of Christmas Dawn For Our Parishioners 10:30am Mass of Christmas Day Margaret Murray (RIP Tuesday 26th 12 Noon St Stephen Pauline Browning (RIP) Wednesday 27th 9:15am St John Margaret Murray (RIP) Thursday 28th 9:15am Holy Innocents Sasha Wilkinson (RIP) Friday 29th 12Noon ST THOMAS OF CANTERBURY Special Intention Mass followed by Refreshments for PATRONAL FESTIVAL Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday 5:45pm or by appointment. The Sanctuary Lamp burns in memory of Alice Bristow (RIP)

CHRISTMAS 2017

Sunday 24th December 4:30pm Carols by Candlelight 5pm Children’s Vigil Mass of Christmas. 9pm Carols by Candlelight 9:30pm Mass of Christmas Night Monday 25th December 9am Mass of Christmas Dawn 10:30am Mass of Christmas Day Tuesday 26th December St STEPHEN 12 noon Mass Wednesday and Thursday Mass 9:15am Friday 29th ST THOMAS OF CANTERBURY 12noon Mass + Mulled Wine and Mince Pies Monday 1st January SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD 12 noon Mass