THIS SUNDAY is our HARVEST THANKSGIVING SUNDAY with special Children's Masses and CAFOD collections for the poorest peoples in the world. In our Mass we have Children's Readings, hymns, and Bidding Prayers. Holy Cross children's Church organises contributions for children at St Elizabeth's, and at Most Holy Redeemer food parcels for the elderly and housebound have been organised.

WEEKDAY MASSES take place at normal times this week at Holy Cross, Most Holy Redeemer, and St Elizabeth's.

NEXT SUNDAY is the 28th Sunday in ordinary time with the parable of the invitation to the wedding feast, the traditional biblical image of the kingdom of God.

THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE has requested parish priests to alert their congregations to plans to liberalise abortions further with amendments in the final stages of the Bill to be passed when Parliament resumes this week. More detailed briefing at www.catholicchurch.org.uk

HARVEST THANKSGIVING is a good occasion on which to thank congregations for their generous contributions to the Church. The Holy Cross treasurer has drawn my attention to the fact that £4,128.33 was contributed by its members through Gift Aid last year, and has asked that the average weekly standing order contribution of £227 be added to our published weekly totals. Thank you all! Most Holy Redeemer may wish to do likewise to re-establish their financial superiority!

THINKING CATHOLICS may be interested in obtaining the highly recommended September selection of the Catholic Book Club of America (the well-known Jesuit edited American Catholic magasine): 'Acedia And Me' by Kathleen Norris. It can be obtained online through Amazon.

'MAGNIFICAT' is a new breviary/Divine office prayer book designed for individual or family use to encourage a deeper prayer life and spirituality in the home. It has met with a rapid welcome throughout the world, and now has half a million subscribers. I have copies available after Mass for those who may be interested. I certainly strongly recommend it!

GREAT ST MARY'S vicar (Canon Robert Sibson) and Mothers' Union have very kindly invited Most Holy Redeemer children to join in their Nativity Play at 4 pm on Christmas Eve this year. All interested parents and children please see Sara Harvey-Craig after Mass or phone her on 01279 600884.

PLEASE NOTE that copies of Baptism and Confirmation certificates are now obtained from Connie (email: connie@rjmorris.com or phone 01279 759171).

CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES for 2009 are asked to contact me asap, preferably by phone (01279 842354) or email bstylessj@aol.com. This is now urgent! Candidates will again join those at St Joseph & English Martyrs for the Confirmation itself sometime next Spring.

PARENTS OF FIRST COMMUNION CANDIDATES for Sun 14th June (Corpus Christi) 2009 should contact me by phone or email for Application Forms. They should then contact in person either Gary Thaddeus for Most Holy Redeemer or Lesley Dowling for Holy Cross before the end of November. All candidates should have one Catholic parent known to me, and must know the Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Glory be by heart, and be able to make the sign of the cross unaided.