Parish Blog

A Message From Fr. Jose – 14th December

Posted on by St Simon Stock Parish Office
Fr. Jose - Parish Priest

Fr. Jose – Parish Priest

Dear family members and friends: Today is Gaudete Sunday, a call to rejoice as Christmas approaches. The readings of today are full of hopeful joy in anticipation of Christ’s arrival. Today’s Gospel announces the arrival of the Messiah describing what Jesus is doing as answer to the question of the disciples of John the Baptist whether they should wait for another one. It clearly states that the reign of God is at near. Jesus continues to speak about John the Baptist’s role to prepare the way for the One who is to come. He raises John the Baptist as the greatest among those born of women, but the least born into the Reign of God is greater than him. Let us be joyful that we are born in the reign of God and let us be witnesses to that. Amen

Crib Offerings

Posted on by St Simon Stock Parish Office

The Crib will remain on display throughout the Christmas season and up to the feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas).  We will be donating our crib offering to The Catholic Children’s Society’s Southwark Crisis Fund which helps families in our Archdiocese who are facing a crisis in their lives. To gift aid your offering please use one of the envelopes on the table.

Christmas Offering Envelopes Available On The Newsletter Table

Posted on by St Simon Stock Parish Office

The offertory collection taken during the Midnight & Christmas Day Masses is traditionally your personal gift to your Fr. Jose. A priest’s income is normally whatever he receives from the parish (mainly Mass offerings). This collection at Christmas forms an important part of Fr. Jose’s income for the year and enables him to meet personal expenses. If you can gift aid your offering, the parish can benefit from the tax refund. To do so write your name and address on the envelope provided, or use one of the Gift Aid envelopes available in the church foyer. Offerings made by cheque must be made payable to “St. Simon Stock Catholic Church”. You can also make your Christmas offering using the contactless machine in the church foyer. If you are away at Christmas, you can hand in your offering before you go or on your return.

Parish News – 7th December

Posted on by Adam Grannell - Website Administrator
Adam Grannell – Website Administrator

Dear Parishioners,

The parish website is updated with the Mass times for this week Fr. Jose’s weekly message, the weeky newsletter, dates for your diaries, and church notices.

Today is the Second Sunday Of Advent. Our Advent Appeal second collections will be for The Friends of the Holy Land.

The Solemnity Of The Immaculate Conception Of The Blessed Virgin Mary is on Monday. There will be a Solemn evening Mass at 7.00pm.

Coming up:

  • Wednesday 17th  DECEMBER – Decoration of the church ready for Christmas from 2.30pm; Please speak to Mark if you want to help out.
  • Friday 19th December – Advent Carol Service at 7.00pm.
  • Saturday 20th December – Advent Confessions

Please continue to pray for Fr. Jose as he continues his recuperation from his recent surgery. 

Lastly, keep submitting your favourite and family recipes for the Parish Cookbook. Hand in your recipes to the parish office or Submit your recipe here.

Have a great week!

A Message From Fr. Jose – 7th December

Posted on by St Simon Stock Parish Office
Fr. Jose - Parish Priest

Fr. Jose – Parish Priest

Dear family members and friends: We are entering the second Sunday of Advent which symbolizes Peace. It denotes the expectation that there will be peace on earth after all divisions and destruction. Jesus is the King of peace and we expect the establishment of peace through Jesus. Today’s Gospel brings to us the message given through John the Baptist to “repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” It is really the invite to prepare the way for the Lord, and make straight paths for him. Through the observation of the days of the Advent, let us prepare the way for the Lord by our prayers, sacrifices and good deeds of charity. Let us specially pray for the peace in the world, especially in those places where there are all types of atrocities and problems. Amen