Event Calendar

6th Dec - Pastoral Assistants meeting

The next pastoral assistants meeting will be held on Tuesday 6th Dec, at 8 pm, in HX Sacristy.

10th Dec - African Mass

There will be an African Mass and celebration, followed by supper, for all our parish on Saturday 10th December, at 5.30 pm, at Holy Cross Church. Those who would like to be involved in the Mass and readings, please contact Tony Rowley.

17th Dec - Carol Singing at Hospital

Volunteers are required for Carol Singing, round the wards on Saturday 17th December, starting at 1.30 pm, meeting in the Hospital Chapel. Further details from Rev'd Gareth Rowlands on 444455, ext 2717, or John Hurley.

17th Dec - 20 and 30something

In your 20s or 30s? Looking to meet up with other Catholics your age? The twentysomethings invite you to visit www.project2030.org.uk, to find out what we are up to. There will be an Advent Retreat for the 20somethings on Sun 18th Dec, at More House, 53 Cromwell Road, London, and for the 30somethings on Sat 17th Dec, at Maria Assumpta Centre, Kensington Square, London. To receive a copy of the social and spiritual programme, please contact The 2030 Office, St. Joseph's Centre, Tilston Road, Malpas, SY14 7DD or text/ring Clare on 07950202205 or email hugh@project2030.fsnet.co.uk.

19th Dec - Baptism Talks

The next baptism talks will take place on: Monday 19th December, and Monday 16th January at 8 pm, in Holy Cross Church. These talks are one off talks, and are for parents who have already seen and made the necessary arrangements, with Father Paul. Those attending should also contact Jim Wall in advance.

21st Dec - Senior Citizen's Christmas Lunch

Senior Citizen's Christmas Lunch will be on Wednesday 21st December 2005, at 12 noon at Holy Cross Hall. Please put your name on the lists in the porches if you wish to attend.

Helpers are needed for the Senior Citizen's Christmas Lunch, in the kitchen and in the hall. If you are able to help, please contact Father Paul.

Advent & Christmas 2005

Thursday 15th December:
7.30 pm Parish Reconciliation Service (Holy Cross).

Thursday 22nd December:
7.30 pm Carol Service
8.15 pm Mince Pies and Sherry (Holy Cross)

Christmas Eve:
5.00 pm Family Mass (Holy Cross)
8.00 pm Vigil Mass (St. Luke's)
9.20 pm Carols
10.00 pm Midnight Mass (Holy Cross)

Christmas Day:
11.00 am Morning Mass (Holy Cross)

31st Dec - Dance at Holy Cross Hall

Saturday 31st December: New Year's Eve - Tom Conway.

Lucky ticket draw. No yong person under 14. Bring your own drinks and nibbles. Contact Pat or John.

6th Jan - Stations of The Cross

The Stations of The Cross will be held on the first Friday of each month, at 3 pm, at St. Luke's Church. The next one is on Friday 6th January 2006.

11th Jan - The Barn, New Hall, Chelmsford

The Barn, New Hall, Chelmsford are holding the following events: Saturday 31st December: New Year's Eve - Tom Conway.

Lucky ticket draw. No yong person under 14. Bring your own drinks and nibbles. Contact Pat or John.

12th Jan - Parish Council Meeting

The next parish council meeting will be held on Thursday 12th January 2006, at 7.30 pm, at HX Sacristy. .

13th Jan - Sanctuary Rig

Live on Friday 13th January 2006 at Holy Cross Hall, in aid of the Asian Earthquake Appeal & Holy Cross Building Fund. Tickets: £5. Also, on sale after Masses .... their first single entitled, "Sail On", is available on CD, with three other songs for £5.

Kevin Casey

We regret to announce the death of Kevin Casey, of Great Brays, which occurred on Tuesday 29th November. His body will be received into Holy Cross Church, on Thursday 8th December, at 7 pm. His funeral mass will take place on Friday 9th December 2005, at 12 noon followed by burial at Parndon Wood. On behalf of our parish community, we offer Kevin's family our sincere sympathy, and the assurance of our continued prayers. May he rest in peace and rise in Glory. Amen.

St Mark's School

St. Mark's school will be starting a new venture in Jan. They will be giving young people, especially those in Year 11, a chance to explore Catholic spirituality in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, in an after school club, over a 6 week period. They are asking parishioners, especially the housebound, to pray for the success of this venture.

Tree of Light

We shall be having our Tree of Light again this year, whereby you are invited to sponsor a light in memory of a loved one, and several of our Masses over the Christmas period will be offered for all those whose names appear on our Tree of Light. The labels that you will need, in order to write out the name of names of your loved ones, will be available in the porches during the weekends of Advent. The suggested voluntary donation is £3 per light. If you are a Gift Aider, would you please gift aid this money, by placing the money in an envelope with your Gift Aid number or name on. This year I would like to nominate Holy Cross Parish Building Fund as the recipient of any monies from the Tree of Light.

Book Fayre

There will be a Book Fayre, in aid of the Building Fund, in Holy Cross Hall has been postponed till Feb/March 2006. If anyone has any books, please could you box them up, and leave them at the back of both Churches after the weekend Masses. Thank you.

Trip to Sidmouth, Devon

This proposed trip has now been cancelled due to lack of applications. If you have sent in any monies, they will be returned to you by post, as soon as possible. Thank you.

Criminal Bureau Record forms

Please do not return any forms to the Presbytery at the moment. Please hold onto the forms, and we will announce an evening when people can come to the Parish Centre to have their "proofs of identification" validated, as per the form, and the forms will then be left with our Parish Representative that evening, and the parish will then hand them over to Mr Simon Moules in our Diocesan Office.

Second Collection

Second collection will be taken on

• 10th & 11th December - Senior Citizens Xmas Lunch
• 17th & 18th December - Christmas Flowers

One Stone Weight Loss

Kathy has started her next one stone weight loss, for the Regina Caeli Fund. Total weight loss so far: 7 lbs. Once she has lost the weight, anyone wishing to make a donation, please place in the buckets, at the backs of the Churches. If you are a gift aider, please put your number on the envelope with you donation. Thanks.

Companion Needed

Female Lady Companion needed, to share a 3 bedroomed house, with a 70 year old lady. Please speak to Father Paul for further details.