Sacristy Carpentry

The end of the year is a busy time in the parish. On Sunday 24th November, it is envisaged that the young people of the parish will take lead roles in the 11am Mass, it being the feast of Christ the King and a traditional day for celebrating with the youth. On Sunday 1st December, the First Sunday of Advent, we will begin to use readings from the new translation of the Lectionary. Also, on that day, there are plans for wreath making sessions after the 9am and 11am Masses. On Wednesday 4th December we are planning a Day of Recollection taking place before and after the noon Mass, to include lunch. The day will be led by Fr Luke Beckett OSB of Ampleforth Abbey. The Childrens' Choir will take a lead in the singing at the 11am Mass on Sunday 8th December and the children will then hold their annual service of Carols on Monday 9th December, at 4.30pm. More details to follow. On Wednesday 18th December, there will

Please find on the link below a letter from Fr Simon and Miss Collins, headteacher of St Robert's School, outlining information for parents who are considering signing their children up for First Sacraments in St Robert's parish. Details of dates for the First Reconciliation and First Communion courses will be announced in due course. You will find further down and on the parish bulletin details of the Confirmation programme.

Along with parishes across the country, St Robert's will begin using the newly published Lectionary which uses the English Standard Version of the scriptures. The readings will be reflected on the Sunday Mass sheet and in any apps you might use eg. Universalis. Thank you to those parishioners who have offered funds to cover the cost of purchase - relevant names will be commemorated in each of the books.

Advent will soon be here and we have arranged for an Advent Day of Recollection to take place on Wednesday 4th December in the Parish Centre between 1030am and 2.30pm. Fr Luke Beckett OSB from Ampleforth Abbey will lead the day. After a welcoming coffee, Fr Luke will give a talk before we repair to the church for silent adoration before Mass at 12 noon. After Mass, there will be a lunch together and this will be followed by a further talk from Fr Luke before a closing prayer and departures. There is a requested donation of £5 to cover lunch and this is payable on the day by cash or card. Please do make a note in your diary for what should be a prayerful and enjoyable day, a good way to start the Advent season. A sign up sheet will be available in the Narthex very shortly.

Please find, at the link below, Bishop Marcus' Pastoral Letter on Assisted Suicide which was shared with parishioners recently. A Eucharistic Holy Hour of prayer to promote the dignity of every human person and the culture of life in our countries in the face of the assisted suicide legislation before the UK Parliament was held here on Wednesday 13th November.

The Sacrament of Confirmation will be conferred upon young people from the parishes of St Robert, St Joseph, St Aelred and St Mary, Knaresborough, at a Service in St Robert's church beginning at 7pm on Tuesday 4th February 2025. The sacrament will be administered by Bishop Marcus. Each parish will hold their own preparation sessions with St Robert's being on two Sunday afternoons in early 2025 - Sunday 19th January and Sunday 2nd February. Our young people will, by the time they receive the sacrament, have spent time in prayer, scripture reading and preparation to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. All children who are regularly attending Mass at St Robert's are invited to take an application form for the sacrament from the Narthex, complete it with their parents and then return it to the parish office. Last date for registration will be 22nd December 2024.

Many thanks to Linda OCarroll for her work researching the biography of an illustrious parish priest of St Robert's (1889-1905) which can be accessed at the link here on Wikipedia. Canon Pope is especially remembered here for a distinctive and precious chalice which we use at special Masses and for commissioning the beautiful stations of the cross and having the organ installed by William Hill. His journey through life is particularly interesting as he was one of the converts who became a Catholic in the wake of St John Henry Newman's conversion.

There are currently seven young people attending the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) Course and we keep them in our prayers as they continue to discover where the Lord is leading them. If you have felt called to discover more about the Catholic faith, do speak with Fr Simon after Mass to discuss how the parish can accompany you on your own spiritual journey.

We are looking to recruit more altar servers for the 5pm Vigil, 9am and 11am Masses at St Robert's. Those eligible to apply are aged up to 18, having made their first reconciliation. It is important that the parents of new recruits are prepared to make sure their regular attendance each week, ideally at the same Mass, to ensure that all services are covered. If you would like to be an altar server, please register your interest with Fr Simon or with Mr Paul Parker, who leads the servers at the 11am Mass or Mr Dave Baker, who leads the servers at the 9am Mass.