Parish of Hoyland Saint Andrew - Parish News

Christmas Message

12/25/2018

On the evening of 24 December the Church’s celebration of Christmas begins. We have Midnight Mass at St Andrew’s at 11.30 pm and the following morning the Christmas Day Mass at St Peter’s at 10 am. For the Church, the season of Christmastide continues up to 13 January this year and ends on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The most special days of this time are from Christmas Eve through to New Year’s Day, also called the Octave (eighth) day of Christmas. Just as with Easter, there are eight special days, simply because these times of year are so meaningful in the Church’s calendar.
Christmas celebrates the human birth of the Son of God, who was named Jesus. This fulfils God’s promise to be with his people and not to be distant from them or indifferent to their needs. God is with us and cares for us. For this reason the Christian faith always holds out hope for a new and better future. Even in our struggles we can become aware of the ways in which God is with us to inspire us and strengthen us and to fill our lives with his love. This does not bring the promise of an easy life, but it does hold out the prospect of countless blessings and the living hope of eternal life.
We hope that you will have a joyful and peaceful Christmas and find time to be with family and friends as well as to get some well-earned rest. You are invited to come and join us too as we worship the God who is always with us.

Advent Update

12/16/2018

An Advent Message from Fr Richard
Not long to Christmas now! We are currently around the mid-point of Advent. There is much more to this time of year than just a countdown to Christmas. Advent is a season of its own in the Church’s year and is symbolised by the colour purple and by the coloured candles which are used for each Sunday during this time (three purple, one rose and a central white one for the coming of Christmas).
During this time we can think about what it means to live in the expectation, not only of Christmas, but of the coming of Jesus Christ whose birth we are preparing to celebrate. The Advent candles represent: the Patriarchs who first led the people of Israel; the Prophets, who announced the coming of a Saviour; John the Baptist, who pointed Jesus out for other people and called them to prepare a way for him; and the Virgin Mary, who gave birth to the Son of God.
So we can see that the birth of a Messiah was expected long before Jesus was born. When he came, not everyone was prepared for him and many did not accept him. Yet his life, death and resurrection brought change to the lives of so many and still does today. Those who live in the hope and expectation of knowing Jesus and the life he brings will not be disappointed. We need to prepare a way for him in our own lives though. This means turning away from the darkness of selfishness and cynicism. It means being prepared to grow in faith and in love for others.
Christmas is an exciting time of year, but it can be a sad time also for many people. The Advent hope is that even in our sadness we can find our lives lit up by the presence of the Christ who was born in Bethlehem and who promised to be with us now and always. It is my own hope that many more people will find this special joy and the peace of knowing that we are loved unconditionally by the God who is always with us.

Calendar for remainder of December
Coffee Mornings:
From 10.00am every Tuesday throughout December (except Christmas Day!)
Services:
Wed 19th Dec 12.00 noon Feria
Thur 20th Dec 12.00 noon Feria
Sun 23rd Dec 9.30am Parish Mass
Christmas Eve Midnight Mass 11.30pm
The Christmas Day Benefice Mass will be at St Peters at 10.00am
Benefice Mass on 30th December will be at St Andrews at 10.00am.

Social Activities:
The Christmas Dinner was held this year at the Crown Inn on Monday 10th December. It included a raffle and quiz - great meal and great company. Thanks to Cath, Michael and the team for their hard work in helping make this an enjoyable evening.
Worsbrough Brass once again gave a super performance in church on Thursday 13th December. The programme really put us in the Christmas spirit - thanks to all who supported this event. We look forward to our next concert hopefully in September next year.

Advent Newsletter

12/2/2018

A thought for Advent
The prophet Jeremiah speaks about honesty and integrity. In a world which is flooded with misleading and biased information, Christians are called to witness to the truth and to live lives of integrity. The life of Jesus is a model of integrity, as there was nothing in the way that he acted that clashed with the beliefs and values he proclaimed. It is so easy to fall into the ways of speaking and acting that we see in the world around us and for our thoughts to wander away from the faith we have received. So the call for us in the gospel is to “stay awake”; to be spiritually attuned to God’s will and to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Let us pray that Holy Spirit will guide our thoughts and actions as we enter into the joyful season of Advent.

December Calendar
Coffee Mornings:
From 10.00am every Tuesday throughout December (except Christmas Day!)
Christmas Meal:
Monday 10th December.- all places now taken.
Christmas Concert:
Worsbrough Brass will perform a selection of carols and contemporary festive music on Thursday 13th December (doors open at 7.00pm for 7.30pm start). Tickets costs £6.00 or you can pay on the door. The price includes refreshments. The will also be raffle for our famous Christmas Hamper and other prizes.
Services:
Wed 5th Dec 9.30am Feria
Thur 6th Dec 9.30am St Nicholas
Sun 9th Dec 9.30am Parish Mass
Sun 9th Dec 4.00pm Christingle
Thur 13th Dec 9.30am Feria
Sun 16th Dec 9.30am Parish Mass
Sun 16th Dec 4.00pm Readings & Carols (at St Peters).

This week in brief... w/c 21st Oct 2018

10/22/2018

Sundays Best - A Pick of the Readings
First Reading: Isaiah 53:10-11
A reading from the prophet Isaiah.
The Lord has been pleased to crush his servant with suffering. If he offers his life in atonement, he shall see his heirs, he shall have a long life and through him what the Lord wishes will be done. His soul’s anguish over he shall see the light and be content. By his sufferings shall my servant justify many, taking their faults on himself.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 32
The word of the Lord is faithful
and all his works to be trusted.
The Lord loves justice and right
and fills the earth with his love.
Response: May your love be upon us, O Lord,
as we place all our hope in you.
The Lord looks on those who revere him,
on those who hope in his love,
to rescue their souls from death,
to keep them alive in famine.
Response: May your love be upon us, O Lord,
as we place all our hope in you.
Our soul is waiting for the Lord.
The Lord is our help and our shield.
May your love be upon us, O Lord,
as we place all our hope in you.
Response: May your love be upon us, O Lord,
as we place all our hope in you.

Second Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16
A reading from the letter to the Hebrews.
Since in Jesus, the Son of God, we have the supreme high priest who has gone through to the highest heaven, we must never let go of the faith that we have professed. For it is not as if we had a high priest who was incapable of feeling our weaknesses with us; but we have one who has been tempted in every way that we are, though he is without sin. Let us be confident, then, in approaching the throne of grace, that we shall have mercy from him and find grace when we are in need of help.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Weekly Calendar
Coffee Morning Tues 23rd Oct from 10.00am.
Communion (Feria) Thurs 25th Oct 9.30am
Autumn Fayre Sat 27th Oct (see poster below)
Parish Mass Sun 28th Oct 9.30am.
Advance Notices
PCC meeting Mon 29th Oct 7.00pm
Joint Service 4th November to remember WW1

This week in brief.... w/c 3rd Sept

9/3/2018

Sundays Best - A Pick of the Readings
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 14
Lord, who shall dwell on your holy mountain?
He who walks without fault;
he who acts with justice
and speaks the truth from his heart.
Response:The just will live in the presence of the Lord.
He who does no wrong to his brother,
who casts no slur on his neighbour,
who holds the godless in disdain,
but honours those who fear the Lord.
Response:The just will live in the presence of the Lord.
He who keeps his pledge, come what may;
who takes no interest on a loan
and accepts no bribes against the innocent.
Such a man will stand firm for ever.
Response:The just will live in the presence of the Lord.

Second Reading: James 1:17-18. 21-22. 27
A reading from the letter of St James.
It is all that is good, everything that is perfect, which is given us from above; it comes down from the Father of all light; with him there is no such thing as alteration, no shadow of a change. By his own choice he made us his children by the message of the truth so that we should be a sort of first-fruits of all that he had created. Accept and submit to the word which has been planted in you and can save your souls....
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Weekly Calendar
Parish Mass Sunday 9.30am.
Coffee Morning Tuesday from 10.00am.
Communion (Feria) Thursday 9.30am .
Advance Notices
PCC meeting 10th Sept 7.00pm
Common Fund Roadshow 11th Sept 7.00pm at Tankersley Manor (both Bishops present).

This Week in perspective 22/07/18

7/22/2018

Sundays Best - A Pick of the Readings
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 22
The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me,
to revive my drooping spirit.
Response: The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me along the right path;
he is true to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness
no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff;
with these you give me comfort.
Response: The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
You have prepared a banquet for me
in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
my cup is overflowing.
Response: The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.

Second Reading: Ephesians 2:13-18
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Ephesians.
In Christ Jesus, you that used to be so far apart from us have been brought very close, by the blood of Christ. For he is the peace between us, and has made the two into one and broken down the barrier which used to keep them apart, actually destroying in his own person the hostility caused by the rules and decrees of the Law. This was to create one single New Man in himself out of the two of them and by restoring peace through the cross, to unite them both in a single Body and reconcile them with God. In his own person he killed the hostility. Later he came to bring the good news of peace, peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near at hand. Through him, both of us have in the one Spirit our way to come to the Father.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Calendar
Coffee Morning Tuesday from 10.00am
Said Mass Thursday 9.15am (SS Joachim & Anne)

The Year so far

7/21/2018

View the slideshow below to catch up with our various projects and events to support and maintain the church.

Easter Message

3/30/2018

As I write this, we are already in that point of the Church’s year which is known as “Holy Week”. Although Christmas tends to be a bigger event in our country, for Christians this week is right at the heart of our faith. The main days are: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. On the Thursday we remember the way in which Jesus gives us the example of loving service in the washing of his disciples’ feet. Even the Son of God did not consider himself too high and mighty to attend to people’s needs in a caring way. He also gave his disciples a “New Commandment” by which Christians promise to live by putting love at the centre of everything they do. Good Friday recalls the sacrifice Jesus made for the sake of truth and justice in the face of all opposition. If it were not for Easter and its message of new life, this Friday would be the bleakest of days.The first Easter began with an empty tomb and some very perplexed disciples. It was only later that they began to experience that Jesus was alive and that this was no mere figment of imagination. God is the giver of life and our human story does not end in death. Many who were sceptical about the message of the Resurrection came to believe as they experienced for themselves the life which could not be contained in a tomb. The stone was rolled away from the tomb not just for them but for us also. If we are open to the Easter message then it becomes a new beginning for us too; a source of hope and joy. So Happy Easter! Father Richard.

Newsletter w/c 25th February 2018

2/27/2018

NOTICES:
The next meeting of the PCC will be held on Monday 12th March 2018.
Our coffee mornings continue to be held each Tuesday from 10.00am in the meeting area at the back of church. All are welcome to attend. Come along to meet your friends or make new ones.

SERVICES:
Thursday 1st March 9.15am - Stations of the Cross & Feria
Sunday 4th March 9.30am - Parish Mass

LATEST READINGS:
First Reading: Genesis 22:1-2. 9-13.15-18
A reading from the book of Genesis.
God put Abraham to the test. “Abraham, Abraham” he called. “Here I am” he replied. “Take your son,” God said “your only child Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah....
Second Reading: Romans 8:31-34
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans.
With God on our side who can be against us? Since God did not spare his own Son, but gave him up to benefit us all, we may be certain, after such a gift, that he will not refuse anything he can give. Could anyone accuse those that God has chosen....
Gospel: Mark 9:2-10
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured: his clothes became dazzlingly white, whiter than any earthly bleacher could make them. Elijah appeared to them with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter spoke to Jesus....

Newsletter 18th February 2018

2/19/2018

NOTICES:
Our weekly Coffee Morning will again take place in the meeting area at the back of church this coming Tuesday. Come along to have a chat with your friends or make new ones! If you just wish to sit in quiet reflection, the main body of the church will be open at the same time. Advance warning that the next PCC meeting will take place on Monday 12th March 2018.
SERVICES:
Thursday 22nd Feb 9.15am Stations of the Cross followed by Feria at 9.30am
Sunday 25th Feb 9.30am Parish Mass.
READINGS:
First Reading: Genesis 9:8-15
A reading from the book of Genesis.
God spoke to Noah and his sons, “See, I establish my Covenant with you, and with your descendants after you; also with every living creature to be found with you, birds, cattle and every wild beast with you: everything that came out of the ark....
Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:18-22
A reading from the first letter of St Peter.
Christ himself, innocent though he was, died once for sins, died for the guilty, to lead us to God. In the body he was put to death, in the spirit he was raised to life, and, in the spirit, he went to preach to the spirits in prison. Now it was long ago, when Noah was still building that ark which saved only a small group of eight people “by water”, and when God was still waiting patiently....
Gospel: Mark 1:12-15
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
The Spirit drove Jesus out into the wilderness and he remained there for forty days, and was tempted by Satan. He was with the wild beasts, and the angels looked after him......