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.

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

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