Confirmation Preparation starts this weekend for young people in Year 8 and above who would like receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this summer, or just want a chance to have real and open conversations about life, faith and purpose. Sessions are weekly and include food, fun, a short film and discussion in small groups.

We start with Alpha Youth: Watch the first episode at Alpha.org.uk/alphayouthseries. This year we have the opportunity to join other Guernsey Churches for a big Alpha Youth at St Martin’s Community Centre on Sunday evenings for 7 weeks starting this Sunday 1st February from 6:30pm-8:30pm.

We will then continue with our own follow-up sessions after Easter. If you miss the first week it’s fine to come along in week 2 – sign up at orbitalyouth.com and contact Tom – Tel: 07781 129310 / E-mail: youth@catholic.org.gg

Blessing of Candles – The Feast of Candelaria

Every year on the 02nd February the faithful gather to Honor Our Lady of Candelaria on the feast of her namesake.

We will be blessing the candles at OLSS at 12:00pm Mass.

The Holy Spirit Prayer Group will be meeting on Monday 02nd February from 7:30pm-8:30pm in St Josephs Parish Room.

Tea/Coffee available from 7:00pm.

Everyone is welcome! For more information contact Frank on 07781 108394.

With great joy, I invite all young people and all parishioners of our parish to join us for a Special Mass for our Young People, with a special invitation extended to our Confirmation candidates, First Holy Communion children, and their families. This joyful celebration is a wonderful opportunity for our parish community to gather in prayer, celebrate our faith and encourage our young people as they continue to grow in the life of the Church.

Following the Holy Mass, everyone is warmly invited to continue the celebration with refreshments and soft drinks in the school hall. Parishioners who would like to bring contributions are welcome to drop them off at the parish office or bring them along on the day. As you know, our young people especially enjoy cakes, biscuits, chocolates and soft drinks. Thank you for your generosity, encouragement, and continued prayers for our young people and our parish community.

Father Inna

Filipino Mass on Sunday 8th February at 10:30am mass in St Josephs.

We warmly welcome ‘The Filipino Choir’ who will sing for us.

Lent 2026 Bible studies starts on Tuesday 17th February online with Catholic speaker Mauro Lannicelli.

Please visit comeandsee.org/lent2026 for more information.

The Parish will be running Stations of the Cross during Lent starting Friday 20th February.

St Josephs – Fridays – 6:00pm

Notre Dame – Sundays – 5:30pm (Replaces the Rosary during the season of Lent)

OLSS – Mondays – 11:30am (Instead of the Rosary)

Our parish is seeking new volunteers to help with the Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW). CLOW is an important ministry within the Mass, enabling our children to hear and reflect on the Word of God in a way that is appropriate to their age. It helps them to deepen their relationship with Jesus and to feel welcomed and valued within our parish community. CLOW takes place after the opening prayer and returns before the offertory. You do not need teaching experience to become involved. What matters most is a willingness to serve, a love for the faith and a desire to help pass on the Gospel to our young people. Training, resources and ongoing support are provided and new volunteers are always supported by experienced leaders.

All volunteers are required to have a DBS check, in accordance with safeguarding guidelines. The parish will provide help and guidance throughout the process, and we aim to make this as straight forward as possible. This is a wonderful way to serve the parish and support families in passing on the faith, whether you are able to help regularly or occasionally, your support would be greatly appreciated and would make a real difference. Please pray about whether this ministry might be right for you. If you would like more information or are interested in joining the team, please contact Marie – E-mail: mariebanton22@gmail.com or the Parish Office – Tel: 720196.

“Let the little children come to me” (Mathew 19:14)

Rosary for the beatification of Edel Quinn (Legion of Mary) will take place on Sunday 25th January at 2:00pm in St Joseph’s Parish Room.

The Holy Spirit Prayer Group will be having an evening of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Monday 26th January from 7:30pm-8:30pm in St Joseph’s Parish Room.

Tea/Coffee is available from 7:00pm.

There will be some hymns followed by silent ‘Adoration’. Prayer ministry will also be available. If you need prayer for anything at all, this is an opportunity to come and receive prayer.

Everyone is welcome, either for the whole evening or for part of the time.

Coffee Morning:

Coffee Morning on Wednesday 28th January in St Josephs Parish Room and on every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month.

Drop in any time between 9:30am-11:30am. Everyone is welcome.

Let It Be:

A 5 session video series about Mary – Session 2 is on Wednesday 28th January. This Catholic faith exploration (CaFE) course on how Mary helps us to be filled with God will be shown in the St Yves Room at St Joseph’s from 11:00am-12:00am on the coffee morning days (2nd and 4th Wednesdays). Come and have a cup of tea/coffee first at the coffee morning or just come along at 11:00am for the video sessions. Everyone is welcome!

The Parish Befrienders and Blanchelande College are hosting a Candlemas Tea Party on Saturday 31st January from 2:30pm – 4:00pm in the Blanchelande College Hall.

This is for the Less able, Housebound & Elderly Parishioners who would enjoy a chance to catch up with old friends.

The students are providing & serving delicious refreshments. If you would like to come or know someone who would please contact Angela – 07781 112221 or Meg – 01481 252401.

Lifts can also be arranged.

The College seeks to appoint an enthusiastic Catering Assistant to join our catering team helping to serve students from our food truck.

Closing Date – Friday 30th January 2026

If you have any further questions or need any clarification, please contact the Principal’s P.A. Mrs Tracy Feehan – Tel: 01481 237200 / E-mail: feehant@blanchelande.sch.gg

The new readers rota for St Joseph’s for the period 8th February to 29th March 2026 will be available in the sacristy, please collect after Mass.

The Holy Spirit Prayer Group will be meeting on Monday 19th January from 7:30pm-8:30pm in St Joseph Parish Room.

Tea/Coffee available from 7:00pm.

Everyone is welcome! For more information contact Frank on 07781 108394.

We are very pleased to be able to offer an additional Sunday Morning First Holy Communion class, taking place after the 9:15am Mass at Our Lady Star of the Sea.

This new session will run alongside the existing classes:

• Saturday – 5:15pm – Our Lady Star of the Sea

• Sunday – 9:45am – St Joseph’s Parish Rooms

The new Sunday morning class will begin on Sunday 25th January. All other First Holy Communion classes are now running as planned.

Our sincere thanks to all the catechists for their support and generosity in making this possible.

Confirmation Preparation starts soon for young people in Year 8 and above who would like receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this summer, or just want a chance to have real and open conversations about life, faith and purpose. Sessions are weekly and include food, fun, a short film and discussion in small groups. We start with Alpha Youth, a series which explores life, faith and meaning. Each episode looks at a different question around faith and is designed to create conversation. It’s for anyone who has questions. There’s no pressure and no commitment so come along to one of the first few sessions see what it’s all about. Watch the first episode at Alpha.org.uk/alphayouthseries.

This year we have the opportunity to join other Guernsey Churches for a big Alpha Youth at St Martin’s Community Centre on Sunday evenings for 7 weeks starting 1st February, 6:30pm–8:30pm. To sign up visit orbitalyouth.com and also contact Tom to let him know you’ve done so (details below). We will then continue with our own follow-up sessions after Easter. We can also put on sessions on Tuesday evenings (at Delancey), Wednesday evenings (at St Joseph’s), or a lunchtime or after school session at Blanchelande for anyone who can’t do Sunday evenings or would prefer a quieter environment. Contact Tom if you’re interested in this – Tel: 07781 129310 / E-mail: youth@catholic.org.gg

It seems that no sooner do we leave Christmas behind us then lent looms up in front of us. To once again help us on our journey St Josephs will be hosting a series of Lenten Talks. An inspiring list of speakers have been lined up with more details to follow.

Meanwhile please make a note of the dates – February 26th, March 11th & March 26th. All talks will commence at 7:00pm and finish at 8:00pm.

Please do join on the following days –

Saturday – 10:30am – St. Josephs

Sunday – 5:30pm – Notre Dame

Monday – 11:30am – OLSS

Wednesday – 7:00pm – St. Josephs

Fridays – 7:30pm – Centre for Peace

The prayer can slow us down, calm our hearts and enable us to rest in God’s presence.

We are looking for a parishioner who could kindly give up some time to help with the Missio Red boxes.

If you could help then please do contact the Parish Office for more information at office@catholic.org.gg.

Thank you so much.

Thank you to all parishioners for your generous support for CAFOD and for your donation of £1,140.00 which we received on the 23rd December 2025.

Thank you so much for being there for our global family.

The Holy Spirit Prayer Group will be meeting on Monday 12th January from 7:30pm-9:00pm in St Josephs Parish Room.

Tea/Coffee available from 7:00pm.

Everyone is welcome! For more information contact Frank on 07781 108394.

The UCM will be meeting on Tuesday 13th January at 7:00pm in St Josephs Parish Room.

It will be a Knit and a Natter. There will also be a raffle. New members are most welcome.

Coffee Morning:

Coffee Morning on Wednesday 14th January in St Josephs Parish Room and on every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month.

Drop in any time between 9:30am-11:30am. Everyone is welcome.

Let It Be:

A 5 session video series about Mary starting on Wednesday 14th January. This Catholic faith exploration (CaFE) course on how Mary helps us to be filled with God will be shown in the St Yves Room at St Joseph’s from 11:00am-12:00am on the coffee morning days (2nd and 4th Wednesdays). Come and have a cup of tea/coffee first at the coffee morning or just come along at 11:00am for the video sessions. Everyone is welcome!

The Guernsey Godly Play Network will meet on Thursday 15th January at 7:30pm-9:00pm at Our Lady Star of the Sea. We will be sharing a story called The Circle of the Church Year, and also exploring the resources in the new Godly Play room. All very welcome, whether you’re new to Godly Play or already use it. We’ll have a full session to explore the story and then a chance to have a chat to ask questions, hear what people have been trying etc.

To all church volunteers changes have been made to the Disclosure and Barring Services Update Service (DBS), to which many volunteers already subscribe. To keep DBS Certificates up to date the Update Service are sending e-mails to volunteers 30 days before their certificates are due for renewal, dates are based on your joining date. This e-mail will ask volunteers to access their Update Service Account and confirm. In preparation for this change DBS advises volunteers to check that the e-mail address attached to their subscription is the correct e-mail address. For those who confirm, this request will be repeated annually. If no confirmation is made, their volunteer subscription will automatically be cancelled. Volunteers who do not renew their subscription will not be able to keep their DBS certificate(s) up to date and organisations will not be able to check them. They will need to reapply for a DBS as per a new applicant if they need one in the future. It is the policy of the Catholic Church to renew DBS checks every 3 years, this is a separate requirement to that of the DBS in renewing the Update Service subscription on an annual basis. Please do check your e-mails as they may automatically go into your Junk or Scam mailbox, your DBS Certificate is personal to you, so if you have a query you can ring the DBS on 0300 020 0190 or enquires to www.gov.uk. Click for Update Service. Thank you.

The 10:30am Mass at St. Josephs is seeking new welcomers if you do have any spare time and would like to help please contact Frank & Margaret Cusack on 07781 423548.

Tony and Marian Falla and Linda Fermont wish to thank all the amazing parishioners who bought jams, jellies or chutneys from one of the 5 jam sales this year.

Your generosity has raised a staggering £930.20 for the Wayaya charity. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!

Have you got something you would like to share with the parish community? If so let us share the good news on our weekly newsletter.

All entries to be in by Thursday Lunchtime. Pop into the Parish Office or email on us office@catholic.org.gg.

CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS

Fr Inna, Father Benedict and Deacon Mark along with Canon Hetherington wish you all a Happy and Holy Christmas and very prosperous New Year.

THANK YOU

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart, for your generous gifts, kind cards, and heartfelt wishes and above all for everything you are to our parish. Words are truly not enough to express how grateful I am for all that you do. Without your constant help and support, we could not move forward as a community. Our churches are beautiful and we are blessed with meaningful, prayerful liturgies because of your dedication. So many of you serve quietly behind the scenes, offering your time and effort without seeking recognition. Our parish simply would not be what it is without your generous hearts. You give your time, your talents and your love so freely to our parish and this is a true blessing for all of us. I am deeply thankful for your dedication, your sacrifices and your unwavering love for our church community. May God bless you and your families abundantly and reward you for every act of kindness and love you have shared with our parish. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Canon Hetherington for his availability to listen to our confessions. His continued support, guidance and pastoral care are deeply appreciated. With heartfelt thanks and prayers for you all – Father Inna

THE MESSENGER

Please take home the messenger as it covers two weekends 27/28th December and 3rd/4th January 2026.

PARISH OFFICE HOLIDAY

The Parish Office will be closed until Monday 5th January 2026. All urgent calls will be answered so please leave a message.

Christmas Mass collections are for the personal use of our Priests and form a substantial part of their income. Please remember our priests and if you can give your usual offerings for them this will be most gratefully appreciated.

You may do so by –

• Christmas Offering Envelopes (In churches this weekend)
• By Cheque payee CDP GUERNSEY (mark reverse ‘Christmas Offering’) .
• Online Banking please ensure that for this particular payment only, it is reference PRIESTS.
• Dona Machines in all three Churches Crib Collections during Christmastide for Christian Families Struggling in The Holy Land via The Friends of The Holy land. Please visit www.friendso heholyland.org.uk/christmas to donate.

Thank you for your continued generosity!

The Holy Spirit Prayer Group will be having an evening of ‘ADORATION’ of the ‘BLESSED SACRAMENT’ on Monday 29th December from 7:30pm-9:00pm and then on the following last Monday of every month in St Joseph’s Parish Room.

There will be some hymns followed by silent ‘Adoration’. Prayer ministry will be available for anyone who would like individual prayer.

Tea/Coffee will be available from 7:00pm. Everyone is welcome, either for the whole evening or for part of the time.

~oOo~

The Holy Spirit Prayer Group will be meeting on Monday 5th January from 7:30pm-9:00pm in St Josephs Parish Room.

Tea/Coffee available from 7:00pm.

Everyone is welcome! For more information contact Frank on 07781 108394.

A huge thank you to all who support the Food Bank with such generosity. It is much needed and greatly appreciated.

There will be no collections now until the 4th January 2026.

Deacon Mark

Pastoral Letter – The Holy Year Closes

Bishop Philip’s letter will be read out at all Masses this weekend.

Copies will be available in the Church Porch and on the Website.

CHRISTMAS CONFESSIONS

Saturday 20th December – 10:00am Mass – St Joseph’s (Followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and individual confessions)

THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD

Wednesday 24th December

5:00pm – St Joseph (Christmas Vigil Mass)

6:00pm – St Anne & St Mary Magdalen (Christmas Vigil Mass)

6:30pm – OLSS (Christmas Carols)

7:00pm – OLSS (Mass during the Night)

8:40pm – St Joseph (Christmas Carols)

9:00pm – St Joseph (Mass during the Night)

11:15pm – St Anne & St Mary Magdalen (Christmas Carols/Midnight Mass)

THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD 

Thursday 25th December

8:00am – Notre Dame (Mass at Dawn)

10:00am – OLSS (Mass during the Day)

10:00am – St Anne & St Mary Magdalen (Mass during the Day)

10:30am – St Joseph (Mass during the Day)

(No Evening Mass)

ST STEPHEN

Friday 26th December

10:00am – St Joseph (Mass for all Altar Servers)

ST JOHN

Saturday 27th December 

10:00am – St Joseph (Closing mass of The Jubilee year)

Please note for the 5:00pm Mass on Christmas Eve there will be strictly NO parking at Queens Road Medical Practice as they are open until 6:00pm.

There is overflow parking at Vauvert School by kind permission of the Headteacher.

For all the other Christmas Masses the parking at Queens Road Medical Practice can be used as per Sunday masses.

Father Inna invites all Altar servers in the parish to the Mass on 26th December 2025 (St. Stephens day) at 10:00am in St. Josephs.

This mass is especially offered for Altar Servers and medals are presented to those due to receive them.

Notre Dame and Delancey Servers are asked to bring along their ALBS from their respective Churches.

PARISH OFFICE

The Parish Office will be closed from 1:30pm on Tuesday 23rd December until Monday 5th January 2026.

We wish you all a very Happy Christmas & New Year. Love and prayers to you all at this time.

NEWSLETTER

The Messenger will be a double newsletter issue next weekend to cover (27th/28th Dec & 3rd/4th January 2026).

Wednesday 24th December Le Platon will be holding a Vigil Mass at 4:00pm in The Chapel for residents, staff & their families.

Please note – there will be NO Coffee Morning on the 24th December (Christmas Eve).

The next Coffee Morning will be on Wednesday 14th January.

The First Holy Communion course starts in January. For those children who don’t attend one of the Catholic Schools, forms are available from the Parish Office.

The Delancey (OLSS) cleaning rota is losing some of its longest serving cleaners. Thanks to them for their years of service. More people are required desperately to join the rota.

Please contact Anne on 07781 423146 if you can help.

Dear Teachers, Children and Families,

As we come to the end of this busy and joy-filled season, I want to wish each one of you a very happy holiday and a well-deserved break. Over these past weeks, I have had the pleasure of attending your Christmas carol singing, nativity plays, and festive celebrations. They have been nothing short of outstanding, beautifully prepared, deeply moving, and presented with such professionalism.

To our wonderful teachers:

Thank you for your tireless work, your patience, and your unwavering dedication. Your efforts are evident in everything you do. Your support, guidance, and encouragement make all the difference, and we are truly grateful.

Dear children:

You were absolutely amazing. Your readings were clear, your performances full of joy and confidence and your singing truly top-class. You looked adorable, beautiful and so smart in your costumes. You have brought so much happiness to all of us this Christmas season.

To our loving families:

Thank you for being present, for supporting the children and for sharing in these special moments. Your love and encouragement mean more than words can express. Your presence is always precious and valued.

May this Christmas bring you peace, joy, warmth, and the blessings of togetherness. May you celebrate surrounded by your loved ones, carrying the true spirit of Christmas in your hearts. Wishing you all a blessed Christmas and a joyful New Year. With Many Thanks Fr. Inna

Bishop Philip is inviting any man in our Diocese, aged 17 or older, who is not married and who would like to know more about being a diocesan priest, to contact him and to come to a short meeting at the Cathedral on Sunday 4th January at 3:00pm (finishes at 5 pm).

Please scan the QR code to register.

The Delancey (OLSS) cleaning rota is losing some of its longest serving cleaners. Thanks to them for their years of service. More people are required desperately to join the rota.

Please contact Anne on 07781 423146 if you can help.

The rota for the period 28th December to 15th February 2026 will be available in the sacristy, please collect after Mass.

It will also be on the website next week.

Confirmation preparation starts in January for young people in Year 8 and above who would like to be confirmed this summer, or don’t necessarily want to be confirmed but just want to explore more about their faith.

Contact Tom – Tel: 07781 129310 / E-mail: youth@catholic.org.gg

Exposition of the Bless Sacrament & Adoration – A time of reflecting and spending time with the Lord.

Tuesdays & Thursdays – 10:00am-10:30am – St Josephs

Wednesdays (Holy Hour) – 7:00pm – St Josephs

A Mass Intention is a specific offering of a mass in honour of or in memory of someone by name at a specific mass time on a specific date. A Mass Intention is traditionally offered as a gift to someone who is grieving a recent loss or celebrating a milestone. Please do email us at office@catholic.org.gg or pop into the parish office if you would like to offer a mass for someone. Mass cards are also available to send to the family or person you are offering the mass for.