The annual Intermedii Christmas concert of Christmas music and readings is tonight, 17th December, in St Alphonse, rue des Capucins at 20:00. Refreshments served afterwards.

Entry free — retiring collection for Les Enfants du Vietnam, Luxembourg http://www.edvl.lu

You can see the flyer here: intermedii flyer

See you there!

Fr Ed

The refugee service which operated from Gasperich with the aid of many volunteers from our parish community has now moved to the LuxExpo First Reception Centre, along with the services we have helped provide. There is now urgent need for volunteers to help, principally with the serving of meals. Volunteers are asked to sign up on a rota, to work with others at the Centre. With so many people leaving Luxembourg over the Christmas period, there are considerable gaps that need filling. There are other duties that need volunteers also.

The appeal is for you, and for people you know — it is one thing sympathising with the plight of those who have left desperate situations at home, and another to take practical action to help them in their need. Please, if you can, sign up to help. You can find further information and contact details on our parish refugee page, administered by the co-ordinator, John Coughlan of our community.

Thank you.

Fr Ed

Advent Blessings from Africa and Madagascar,

Welcome to our 2016 Christmas Solidarity Gifts Catalogue. This year, choose a gift that will make a lasting and positive change, supporting the communities we work with in Africa and Madagascar. The Redemptorist Solidarity Gifts are a wonderful way of creating bonds of support and friendship between you and the people of Africa and Madagascar.  The Gifts support communities where the Redemptorists work.  These Gifts deliver meaningful and practical help that enrich the lives of people thwarted by the pain of poverty.

Please invite your family and friends to choose from our Christmas Solidarity Gifts.

A positive way to reach out to others at Christmas, participating in the Redemptorist worldwide mission. Check out the Redemptorist Solidarity Gifts site for ideas and suggestions for making a difference to the lives of others this Christmas! I have personally visited the Redemptorist mission in Zimbabwe, and know Redemptorist confreres working in other African countries and can attest to the wonderful work being done with local communities, through their engagement with the Redemptorists.

Luxembourg can be part of that difference!

Fr Ed

On the 1st Sunday of Advent (27th November) we introduced an additional Sunday Mass at 17:00, the ‘Quiet Mass’, allowing a more reflective celebration. I was hoping for an initial attendance of between 6 & 12 people, which we could then build up over the months. Consequently, I asked the organisers of the rotas for Readers and Eucharistic Ministers not to include this new Mass on their lists until we could see there was sufficient attendance to justify organising in advance. This evening there were over 70 people at the Quiet Mass, so the need is immediate and clear, although the new rotas have already been published.

So if you are a Reader or Eucharistic Minister and you are willing to read at the 17:00 Mass, could you sign up when you arrive on any particular Sunday evening? 2 Ministers and 1 reader should be enough each week, for the time being. Servers have also been expressing their interest in attending from time to time: all will be welcome (but not all together!).

As already announced, the Quiet Mass is at 17:00 every Sunday evening (including Christmas & New Year’s Day) until Easter, and then between Easter and October at 19:00.

Thank you for your continued enthusiasm and participation,

Fr Ed