Again, we hear about the coming “Day of Christ”, and meet the character of John the Baptist. Just as once before he “prepared the way” for the coming of Christ, so today he does the same for us. Our hearts should be open to his voice, as he calls us to repentance, and asks us to make the way straight for the coming of our Lord. The imagery of this Sunday is particularly rich: the dominant image is of a vast population moving together – the return from exile in the first reading, the going and coming of the sowers in the psalm, the community of the Church preparing together in Paul’s letter. We prepare for the coming of the Lord as His people – a community who cooperate to make the “processional way” of the Holy One – flattening the hills of opposition and ridicule, filling in the valleys of doubt and despair, so that “all mankind shall see the salvation of God.”
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2025
Application forms are now available for the First Holy Communion Programme for 2025. Sessions will take place at St John’s Parish Centre on Thursday evenings from mid-January onwards. The programme is open to anyone in Year 3 or above. Please return completed application forms to Fr Richard by Christmas. More details of the programme will be provided soon.
First Holy Communion Application Form First Holy Communion Application Form PDF
46 Day Marian Consecration
We would like to invite you to join our Mary’s Mantle prayer community. Starting on 28th October we will individually pray a daily rosary until 12th December when we will consecrate ourselves to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Please see the parish website for further details. We will be united in our shared intentions and through our WhatsApp group.
October : Month of The Holy Rosary
On Sunday 6th October you are invited to join the Children’s Rosary group in St John’s Church from 9.45am-10.15am where the children will lead us in praying the rosary. If you would like to join us in the Parish Centre for the rest of October you would be so welcome. Everyone is welcome to join us on Mondays and/or Wednesdays to pray the Healing Rosary for Families at 9am.
Flower Arrangers – St John’s
Would you be able to help out with the flower arranging at St John’s? More volunteers are needed, either to go on to the flower arranging rota or just to help with watering during the week. If anyone is interested, please contact Joan Boorer on 07815 753542.
Confirmation
Bishop Bosco will be coming to Saint John’s to celebrate this year’s Confirmation Mass on Tuesday 19th November. Application forms are now available, and a programme of preparation will begin in September. Copies of the form are available in all of the churches and have been sent out with the newsletter. Anyone who will be in Year 9 (current
Year 8) or above can apply for the programme. Please return completed application forms to the presbytery,
or email to richard.elson@cliftondiocese.com
The form is also available to download Confirmation Application Form 2024
APPEAL FOR CATECHISTS
I will need some help from catechists with running this year’s Confirmation programme, and with next year’s First Holy Communion programme. Many thanks for those who have already replied; if anyone else feels that they may be able to help out, please let me know.
Fr Richard.
Calling Musicians
If you can play a musical instrument and would like to be part of the Music group within the Parish, then PLEASE make yourself known. Come along and say Hello after the 10.30 Sunday Mass at St. John’s.
Music worship within the Parish has always been a central part of the services, we do not ask for lots of commitment just that you would like to thank and Praise God though the talents that you have and come along and join in and play when you are available. You may be new to the parish and have musical ideas to share which would be very welcome. We look forward to meeting you whoever you are.
Trowbridge Food Bank
As always, a massive thankyou to all who have contributed to the Trowbridge Foodbank Collection each month. Many people rely on your generosity. Collections are on the last weekend of the month. Please leave you donated goods in the Church Porch at St. John’s and St. Bernadette’s.
300 Club
If you wish to join the 300 Club, please ask Fr. Richard or Mike Heather for an application form. They are also available on this website.
Live Streaming from St John’s
