33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

READINGS
First reading  Proverbs 31:10-13,19-20,30-31  Pondering the relationship between husband and wife.

Second reading  1 Thessalonians 5:1-6  Christians belong to the light, not to darkness, and await the coming of the Lord.

Gospel  Matthew 25:14-30  Jesus tells that parable of the talents: how we use what we are given by God.

MUSIC

Opening Hymn: Gather us in  475
Penitential Rite Belmont Mass
Gloria  Belmont Mass

Psalm said
Creed said
Gospel Acclamation Belmont
Preparation of the Gifts Gifts of bread and wine  643
Sanctus  Belmont Mass
Memorial Acclamation Belmont Mass
Agnus Dei Belmont Mass
Holy Communion  Abba Father  932
Recessional  Christ be our Light  883

Prayer of the Faithful Praying especially for:
Saturday: Paul Kouba RIP.
Sunday: Deceased members of the Hughes and Power families. RIP.

Fr Ed

Classes for First Holy Communion children begin this Sunday, 9th November, at 11:00. Registration forms can be found here. Please note, if you are not a regular attender at St Alphonse, you must register personally with Fr Ed, whether or not you complete the online form. This is important, so please take note now to avoid confusion later.

If your child was baptised in the Paroisse Européenne (ie. in Hollerich or St Alphonse) a certificate of Baptism is not necessary: just note the date and place of Baptism, and this can be checked by us in our registers.

Attendance at classes is mandatory for all children wishing to make their First Holy Communion. We wish the best for our children in terms of their preparation for this important event in their life of faith.

Thank you,

Fr Ed

Today, 9th November, is the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica. Only the most important feasts of the Church are celebrated when they fall on a Sunday (normally the Sunday liturgy takes precedence). Why does the feast of the dedication of a Roman church have such importance? The Lateran basilica (the Basilica of St John, Lateran) is the Pope’s cathedral; his first title is Bishop of Rome, and his episcopal seat (or cathedra) is St John. Thus this church symbolises the position of the Bishop of Rome ‘presiding in charity’ over the universal Church. Today we both celebrate and pray for the unity of Christ’s church.

READINGS
First reading  Ezekiel 4:1-2, 8-9, 12  Ezekiel prophesies that the Temple of the Lord will be the source of life and growth for God’s people

Second reading  1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17  The people of God, with Christ as the foundation, is the living temple of God

Gospel  John 2:13-22  Jesus purifies the Temple, and prophesies his own resurrection

MUSIC
This week we will be continuing with the Belmont Mass setting. We will shortly be introducing other Mass settings: the Heritage Mass will be introduced by the choir, and the Mass of a Joyful Heart by the Music Group. Our aim is to have several Mass settings that we know well, and with which we can join in together, led by the choir and the music group. Whereas it is difficult to have a large repertoire of hymns that we all know (each country having its own tradition), a repertoire of Mass settings will enable us to sing together in praise of God.

Opening Hymn: The Church’s One Foundation  830
Penitential Rite Belmont Mass
Gloria  Belmont Mass
Psalm said
Creed said
Gospel Acclamation Belmont
Preparation of the Gifts  organ; followed by: Blest are you Lord  603
Sanctus  Belmont Mass
Memorial Acclamation Belmont Mass
Agnus Dei Belmont Mass
Holy Communion  organ; O Bread of Heaven  662
Recessional  Immaculate Mary  365 (vss. 1-4, 8)

Prayer of the Faithful Praying especially for:
Saturday: Ignatius Alva (Month’s mind) RIP.
Sunday: Elaine Hambly, RIP.

Fr Ed

The final count is in: 160 shoe boxes, packed with essential items and small luxuries for children who would otherwise have very little at Christmas. Many thanks for your generosity — you can see what it looks like in the picture below. Many thanks to everyone who contributed so generously — you totally wiped out last year’s total of 110 boxes, which itself was a great achievement. Please remember in your prayers all those who will benefit from this year’s appeal. Thank you also to the volunteers who collected the boxes, organised the sale of contents, sorted out the boxes and are seeing to their delivery.

Fr Ed

An invitation from Colin Buckland:
‘Dear friends, The attached flyer gives details of concerts sung by the Ensemble Vocal du Luxembourg (with whom I sing).  It includes the deservedly popular “Gloria” by Vivaldi, and some other less well-known items.’

Please pass it on to your music-loving friends. Colin.