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Download this week’s Newsletter here: Newsletter – First Sunday of Advent Sunday 1st December 2019 Year A
My Dear Friends, Brothers & Sisters in Christ
Preparation:
As we begin this time of quiet prayer, I invite you to find a comfortable place to sit with your back straight and your legs planted on the ground. Allow yourself to notice your breathing as you breathe normally. Breathe in. Breathe out. Take a few moments and close your eyes, preparing yourself to listen to what God may be saying to you during this prayer. As you sit with your eyes closed, use these or similar words: “Here I am, Lord. Here I am.” When you are ready, open your eyes and pray.
The Mountain of the Lord’s House
Imagine you are climbing up the mountain of the Lord. As you start the path is wide with beautiful trees and flowers along the way. You fill your lungs with the cool, clean air. As you continue you notice the path is becoming narrow and steep. There seem to be more rocks sticking up from the ground. You find yourself a little out of breath as the air becomes thinner the higher you climb. You decide to rest on a large rock to catch your breath. You look up the path to see how much more you need to climb. You see someone in the distance. He’s looking at you. It looks like his hand is waving for you to come. Though you are alone, you are not afraid. In fact, you feel a pull, a desire to go this person. You are standing in front of him. He is dressed in long robes that are moving gently in the mountain air. He smiles at you and asks, “What are you seeking on this path?” What do you say to him? What are you seeking?
“I am the prophet Isaiah. This is the mountain of the Lord. It is rich with life and dreams. What dreams do you bring to this place?” What are the dreams you bring to this mountain? What are your dreams that you want to share with the Lord? Isaiah looks at you with eyes that know how to dream. “My dreams beat swords into ploughshares. They are dreams of peace, of life, of hope.” What are the swords in your heart that need to be changed? What are the swords that wound you and hold you back from dreaming and from climbing the mountain of the Lord? Give those swords to Isaiah, the prophet, the dreamer. Ask him to help you change them into something life-giving.
“I will change your swords into ploughshares so you can till the soil of your soul and know that God is with you. Are you ready for this dream to be real?” You look into the eyes of this dreamer, Isaiah, and you say, Yes. Yes, I am ready. Isaiah smiles at you and takes your hand in his. He looks at you with eyes filled deep with hope and life. He understands you. “Come,” he says, “let us walk in the light of the Lord!”
Concluding Prayer: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
with Blessings Father Marcin Drabik
Summary of What’s on in Our Parish This Week


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The month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

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St Swithun’s Catholic Primary School, Southsea – This S48 Validation: Good

St Swithun’s Catholic Primary School, Southsea Taswell Road, Southsea, Hants PO5 2RG
This is a good school.
• St Swithun’s School is an outstanding example of a Catholic school community, where the mission statement and Christian ethos have a very positive impact. Excellent relationships between adults and pupils lead to a loving and trusting environment, where all are encouraged to live out their mission statement of ‘Love one another as I have loved you’. • The personal faith, leadership …
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Fr. Mike Schmitz – Advent More than a Chocolate Calendar
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Hymn for Today – Stay Awake Put Christ into Christmas
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Heads Up: Scott Hahn Reflects on the First Sunday of Advent
In a Dark Hour: Scott Hahn Reflects on the First Sunday in Advent
Jesus exaggerates in today’s Gospel when He claims not to know the day or the hour when He will come again. He occasionally makes such overstatements to drive home a point we might otherwise miss (see Matthew 5:34; 23:9; Luke 14:26). His point here is that the exact “hour” is not important. What is crucial is that we not postpone our repentance, that we be ready for Him—spiritually and morally—when He comes. For He will surely come, He tells us—like a thief in the night, like the flood in the time of Noah.
Children – Read today’s Holy Readings here again 01-12-2019
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Thoughts on Today’s Gospel and Readings for the Week – 01-12-2019
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Our Lord reminds us of the need to always be prepared for His coming, whether it is our own personal exit from this life or the worlds. And just like a master of the house who does not know the hour when the thief will come … we too are unaware of the hour and so should always be spiritually ready as if it will be today.

Mass for Arthur Tobin who left us a £10.000 legacy
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CAFOD’s Advent Resources and Appeal
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Caritas “Open Church” Night Shelter Project
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“PUT the CHRIST into CHRISTMAS” – WHAT DOES ADVENT MEAN?
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The History of Advent
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CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY 14th DECEMBER 2019 from 4pm
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Year of the Word: Workshops for Readers – St John’s Cathedral
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Keep up with what’s Happening in our Parish over this coming Year
Scroll through to see all the events happening from the 1st December 2019 till the 31st December 2019
Or Go to our Parish Events Diary and search a specific date or event here https://stswithuns.org.uk/events/

The St Vincent de Paul Society Conference News – Monday 2nd December
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Ascent Group – Events Nov to Dec 2019
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Sunday School after 10:15am Mass for all Children and Parents
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St Swithun’s Parents and Toddlers Group 2019
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Worship Together Programme – Healing and Prayer Ministry
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Parish Youth Group & Confirmation Candidates Announcement – Important Dates
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Eucharistic Adoration – New Start Time from 9:00am every Morning
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Hear God’s Voice Tuesdays in the Presbytery – St Swithun’s Church
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You can watch our next film, “My Life” with Michael Keaton and Nicole Kidman., for discussion on Friday 6th December 8.10pm to 9.30pm in the Church Hall.
Film | Title |
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Click on this link to go to the event on our website
A glimpse of grace as two individuals restore each other’s souls with gifts of trust and love. It seems that Bob Jones (Michael Keaton) has everything a man could want, namely a fulfilling job and a beautiful, pregnant wife, Gail (Nicole Kidman). But Bob’s life is turned upside-down when he is diagnosed with cancer and given four months to live — not even enough time to see his first child’s birth. To cleanse himself of demons in his remaining days, Bob makes a video diary, hoping to pass along some wisdom to his future child. Along the way, he discovers a lot about himself. |
JOIN US IN ANOTHER WAY OF THE NEW EVAGELIZATION IN OUR PARISH
A VERY GOOD WAY FOR THE ADVENT’s RETREAT
Full English audio version of the film has been released in 800 cinemas across the US on the 28th of October. Finished on the 2nd place on American box office. On the 18th November was shown on 131 screens across the UK and Ireland hitting 5th place in box office chart leaving many cinemas without empty seats.
Returning to cinemas by popular demand – on the December 10th in the UK Original locations + 50 new cinemas
“Love and Mercy: Faustina”, a docudrama on Divine Mercy and the mission of Sr. Faustina Kowalska, reveals previously unknown facts and recently disclosed documents that shed new light on the truth of the Divine Mercy message. As many know, the Divine Mercy is a devotion to Jesus Christ associated with the apparitions of Jesus to Sr. Faustina in Poland in the 1930s. Jesus urged Sr. Faustina to paint an image according to the pattern that she had seen, and requested to have the image venerated, first in the sisters’ chapel, and then throughout the world. The venerated image under this Christological title refers to what Sr. Faustina’s diary describes as “God’s loving mercy” towards all people, especially for sinners. Scientific analysis included in the film indicates that Sr. Faustina indeed saw the Lord Jesus. Cooperating with the Kondrat-Media team, a group of experts found letters of Fr. Michal Sopocko (Sr. Faustina’s confessor), and, while browsing forgotten archives, they found additional previously unknown documents. To a large extent, “Love and Mercy: Faustina” can contribute to fulfilling Jesus’ promise that “the spark that will prepare the world for My final coming” will come from Poland (Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, 1732).
JOIN US IN ANOTHER WAY OF THE NEW EVAGELIZATION IN OUR PARISH

PLEASE NOTE – FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2020 (See below for rest of programme from December)
Here’s the next session: 8th December 2019 SUNDAY 10.15am – the session for the First Communion children and their Parents – Sunday Mass Receiving The Miraculous Medals of Our Lady St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
For our First Communion Preparation this year, we have 34 children, who would like to start their journey of faith. Please keep them and their Dear Parents in your prayers. At the same time our First Communion Children from THE LAST YEAR are very welcome to come and encourage the new children with their presence, and also to receive their special gifts from Fr Marcin, which he will bring from Assisi, from the place where Carlo Acutis is buried, their special friend from the last year’s preparation.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2020: The new programme is published below – You will need to book an appointment with Father Marcin as well as fill in a form which will appear on line shortly or can be got from the parish office.
Date | Time | Programme | Location |
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8th December 2019 SUNDAY | 10.15am – Sunday Mass | Receiving The Miraculous Medals of Our Lady | St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea |
16th December 2019 MONDAY | 5.30pm to 7.00pm | Session VIII- “SACRAMENT of BAPTISM” | St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea |
13th January 2020 MONDAY | 5.30pm to 7.00pm | Session IX- “SACRAMENT of CONFESSION” | St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea |
27th January 2020 MONDAY | 5.30pm to 7.00pm | Session X- “SACRAMENT of CONFESSION – practical guide” & “FIVE necessary conditions for a good Confession” | St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea |
10th February 2020 MONDAY | 5.30pm to 7.00pm | Session XI – “SACRED HEART DEVOTION – 9 First Fridays of the Month” “Behaving in the confessional”, “ways of confessing sins” | St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea |
24th February 2020 MONDAY | 5.30pm to 7.00pm | Session XII- “INSIDE THE SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST part 1 – (Measuring children for First Communion robes) | St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea |
9th March 2020 MONDAY | 5.30pm to 7.00pm | Session XIII- “INSIDE THE SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST part 2” | St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea |
23rd March 2020 MONDAY | 5.30pm to 7.00pm | Session XIV-“Structure and the meaning of the particular parts of the Holy Mass” Receiving and getting familiar with the Mass & Prayer Books which children receive during the session. |
St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea |
27th March 2020 FRIDAY | 6.15pm | STATIONS OF THE CROSS IN THE CHURCH | St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea |
27th April 2020 MONDAY | 5.30pm to 7.00pm | Session XV – “The Holy Body & Precious Blood of Christ” | St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea |
11th May 2020 MONDAY | 5.30pm to 7.00pm | Session only for parents/carers – Theology of the Body | St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea |
31st May 2020 Sunday | after 10:15am Mass | Rehearsals of the First Confession & The First Holy Communion Celebration | St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea |
7th June 2020 Sunday | after 10:15am Mass | Rehearsals of the First Confession & The First Holy Communion Celebration | St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea |
12TH June 2020 FRIDAY | 5.30pm to 7.00pm | Final Rehearsal Followed by the Holy Mass, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Benediction | St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea |
13TH June 2020 Saturday | 11.30am | FIRST SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION FOR CHILDREN | St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea |
14TH JUNE 2020 Sunday | 11:45am | FIRST HOLY COMMUNION MASS | St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea |
21ST June 2020 SUNDAY | 10:15am Mass | Receiving the Certificates of the Holy Communion | St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea |
22ND June 2020 MONDAY | 5.00pm to 6.30pm | Session XVI – Following Jesus Christ & the ways to be involved | St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea |
28TH June 2020 SUNDAY | 10:15am Mass | Thanksgiving Mass together with the previous year First Communion Children | St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea |
27TH September 2020 SUNDAY | 10:15am Mass | Inaugaration of the new Preparation for the First Communion. Thanksgiving Mass and receive a special gift from Fr Marcin | St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea |
SHORT REMINDER FOR THE PARENTS OF THE FIRST COMMUNION CHILDREN – Please, attend the sessions with your children, because they are organised on the way to make your life a little bit easier do not create another, separated sessions just with the Parents. All the Parents should stay for the sessions with the children, please, please.
The next Baptismal Preparation Sessions for 2020 will appear here soon
Please, notice that it is expected from the Parents & God -Parents to practice their faith, which also means to attend Sunday Mass regularly.
Download The Baptism Registration form here:
RCIA – (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults):
if You are and adult and think to be baptised in the Catholic Church, or You are baptised in another Christian denominations, but would like to become Catholic, or You wish to be confirmed, please contact Fr Marcin for more details.
Prayer of the Month – December 2019
Father of Goodness, the birth of your Son Jesus opens a new time to the world, a time of hope and peace. We pray for children and adolescents, especially those who live discouraged by their difficulties and sufferings, who do not find opportunities to develop, feel enthusiasm for the future, nor the support they need to have a decent life. Help us to give them a bright future, embracing with love the children and adolescents of today, so they can transform the world that you have created in a space of life and fraternity among all. Our Father…

Pope Francis Prayer Intentions December 2019 -Universal – The Very Young
and for those in Our Own Parish…..
Please pray for those who are ill especially: Brian Girling, Shelia Langford; Catherine Morgan, Piam Brown Ward, for all the children suffering and their poor families with them Aidan Molloy, David Shields, Bob Guy, Ms Sini Chacko, Shirley Parker, Kathleen Jones, Heidi Badnell, Rosemary Devonald, Dominic, Carol Langsford, Patricia Ward, Pat Groom, Stan Whitnell, Patrick McCreesh, Eddie Coppani, Tony Denny, Betty Foster, Bobby, Eileen Stewart, Joan Smith, John Williams, Margaret Bager, Fred Vuksani, Tom & Lily, Greta Kemp, Magda K, Mary Wallis, Micheline Thompson, Pat Needham, Margaret Badger, Anne Sullivan, Jo Wheeler and Josephine Butler.
And all whose anniversaries occur at this time: 1st December 2019 : Rocislaw ‘Rudi’ Rudziak, Maurice Anderson, Mary Claffey, Isabella Butler, James Harrison, Eileen McEntee, Michael McMahon, Elizabeth Lindsay, J Michael Kane, Florence Read, Muriel Ryan, Alfred Kenneth Elliot, Norman Cyril Pickard, Jack Barter, Tadeusz Mikulski, Janet Mary Loud, Margaret Malloy, Nicole Sharkey aka Nee Brett, Lucy Osmonde, Gerald James Murphy, Evelyn Blanche Bushnell, Sean Gerard Lynn, Andrew O’Brien, Florence Alice Brennan, Edith Horn, Reuben Atkins, Norah Bailey, Maria Mallia, Rosemary Orme, Violet Faith Wardlaw, Sarah Stanford, Kathleen Dorothy Thomas, Anna Walsh, Ellen (Nellie) Elizabeth Budd, James George Cornelius Coughlin, Peter Jeffery, Louise Margaret Baxter, Humphrey Bremsking, Pamela Grace Gorsuch, Maria Valcic, Walter David Henry Clabburn, Gerald Kearney, Betty Sarah Tongh, Doris Edna Maisie Pooley,Lizzie and Patrick McSharry ,Gemma Litchfield and Jozef Michalczuk.
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the Mercy of God rest in peace. Amen
The Requiem Mass & Funeral of Mr Roscislaw Rudziak (Known As: Rudi) will be held on Monday 9TH December, at 10am Mass in St Swithun’s church
“CAN-DO CHRISTIANS” A MESSAGE FROM FATHER MARCIN
Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Dear Friends: I would like to share with You some things which are about our Parish and for our Parish. I’m absolutely sure, that You have noticed how many things already happen in our Parish to help in our spiritual grow to love God more and more in His Word to us, in His Sacraments for us (which is His real presence among us). We also go out to meet those who still searching for God, or who were not so lucky to have personal contact with Jesus Christ.

Morning Prayers by Text
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GOING INTO HOSPITAL?
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St Swithun’s Homeless Mission
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HELPING THE HOUSEBOUND and SICK AT HOME
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Children’s Liturgy & Sunday School from Sept 2019
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December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of Our Blessed Lady

December – Novena of the Immaculate Conception
December – History of the Dogma of The Immaculate Conception
Fr. Mike Schmitz The Immaculate Conception Explained

The month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception

SAFEGUARDING AND THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
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Our Parish Finances – we need your Help 01-12-2019
OFFERTORY:
Thank you for last Sunday’s Collection. The total amount was £1447, 46 (61, 5% gift aid). As always, your generosity is much appreciated. Your donations make the life and work of the Parish possible.
Thank all of You who make our church, our Parish so beautiful and alive!
This WEEKEND we start ADVENT, so please support us in the SECOND COLLECTIONS through whole Advent to be a part of Open Church Project for the homeless.
Download Newsletter PDF 01-12-2019
WE’RE SO EXCITED TO SHARE THIS NEWS WITH YOU AND DON’T FORGET USE THE CONTACT FORMS ON OUR WEBSITE ! Download this newsletter in printer-friendly PDF format to read later.
Download this week’s Newsletter here: Newsletter – First Sunday of Advent Sunday 1st December 2019 Year A
PARISH CONTACTS
- PARISH PRIEST: Father Marcin Drabik tel: 02392 828305 email: mdrabik@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
- Address: 105 Waverley Road, Southsea, PO5 2PL;
- Pastoral Assistant: Sr Marie Elise tel: 07747 728734;
- Safeguarding Representative: Mo Griffiths tel: 023 92 737559;
- Safeguarding Representative: Anne Worden tel: 023 92 817586;
- Parish Office Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 8.00am –12.30pm. tel: 02392 828 305
email: southseaparish@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
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FOLLOW us on Twitter: | @FrMarcinD @St_swithun |
A big THANK YOU to our sponsors who contribute to our Parish costs