Venite adoremus . . .

The church was a hive of activity yesterday. As soon as the morning Mass was over, there was an influx of an army of volunteers; cleaners wielding dusters, up ladders and on hands and knees, searching into every nook and cranny to make sure St Ann's is looking at her best for the Feast of Christmas.

They were accompanied by a bevy of florists and here you can see some of the results of their labour:

It's a marvellous feeling to be in church as I was yesterday morning to hear Confessions, and to see the great spirit of community in the parish. So many people help in so many different ways and without them, I don't know how we would manage.

Our crib in in place and there is an air of expectancy. Our eyes are drawn towards the empty manger.

In just a few hours time, we will celebrate the Vigil Mass of Christmas and the church will be full with lively children barely able to contain their excitement; tired but contented parents; grandparents, aunts, uncles and family friends; parishioners and visitors; all joining together to welcome the birth of our Saviour.

In the wonder of the incarnation

your eternal Word has brought to the eyes of faith

a new and radiant vision of your glory.

In him we see our God made visible

and so are caught up in love of the God we cannot see.

(Taken from the first Preface of Christmas)

Marriage Preparation . . .

Saturdays are usually fairly busy days in most parishes and today was no exception for us here in Banstead.

Couples began arriving early, some before the morning Mass, for our Marriage Preparation Day led by Diocesan catechists, Liz and Neil, and our own catechists, Louise and Brian.

Of course it is an impossible task to try and cover every aspect of marriage in a day's course but they did manage to include discussion on very important topics such as communication, dealing with problems and naturally to talk about the Church's teaching on marriage and the rite of marriage.

I was delighted to welcome eleven couples from various parishes in our deanery who have decided to be married in the Catholic Church. Other similar preparation days will be taking place over the coming year in other parishes in our deanery.

Please keep all these young couples in your prayers as they continue their preparations for their 'big day' and for the rest of their lives together.

Here is a prayer for our young couples to pray themselves:

We thank you, O God, for the Love You have implanted in our hearts.

May it always inspire us to be kind in our words, considerate of feeling,

and concerned for each other's needs and wishes.

Help us to be understanding and forgiving of human weaknesses and failings.

Increase our faith and trust in You and may Your prudence guide our life and love.

Bless our Marriage O God, with Peace and Happiness,

and make our love fruitful for Your glory and our Joy both here and in eternity.

A lovely day for a wedding . . .

Congratulations to Julian and Natalie who were married at St Ann's today. We wish them every happiness and success for the future.

It is lovely when couples decide to get married in church.

If any of you are considering getting married soon, please remember that as well as all the preparations that you will be making such as that 'all-important dress' and where to hold the reception; there are also preparations to be made with the church.

Our diocese requires at least 6 months' notice in order to complete all the necessary paperwork. You will also be asked to attend a Marriage Preparation Course, usually held on a Saturday.

Please have a word with me after Mass or contact the parish office for further information.

Great Preparation ....

Our church is looking magnificent - beautifully decorated and spotlessly clean thanks to an army of volunteers who turned up this morning. There was a great response to the appeal for extra 'hands' to make 'light work' of the cleaning, polishing etc.

Great preparations have been made for the great event of

Our salvation, when heaven came down to earth.

A very Happy Christmas to all who follow our parish blog.