Advent: It’s encouraging to see such large numbers now attending weekday Mass for Advent.  The Parish Community Reconciliation Service is on Sunday 18th at 3 pm but  individual confessions are also heard every Saturday between 10.30—11.00 am. Our increasingly popular Carol Service with the Medway Brass Ensemble is on Saturday 17th at 6 pm followed by mulled wine and mince pies.  My Christmas Card  to you all, outlining the times of all the Christmas Masses will be available next Sunday. Should you be visiting relatives on Christmas day, you probably will be able to find out the times of the Masses in that parish through Google, as most parishes now have their own website.

Second Collection:   Second Collection today towards the cost of flowers and decorations for the church  this Christmas. Help with the decorating  itself required after Mass on Friday 16th please. If you can help with floral decorations please let Evelyn Kelly know 349260.

Posada:    The Posada is a lovely way to welcome Mary & Joseph into our homes, and is also a nice opportunity to meet with other members of the parish. The forms for this year's Posada are now in the porch. If you would like be involved please choose an available  date to host the figures of Mary and Joseph and enter your details. This tradition can be enjoyed by adults and children alike, and has been welcomed into our homes for the last 2 years. The Posada started on Thursday 1st December  but there is still time to add your name. The figures are returned to Church in time for Mass on Christmas Eve, at 6 pm hopefully having made a rich and varied journey throughout the community in between!

Nativity on Christmas Eve:     The Youth Choir will be singing the Nativity on Christmas Eve, the exact time will be confirmed nearer the date (it will be about 6/6.30). There will be a rehearsal after the 10:30am mass 11th Dec 2011 for anyone who wishes to be involved in the Christmas Eve children's mass. We are looking for adult volunteers, readers Yr 5/6, angels yr3/4, soloists and harmonies year 7 upwards.  All other children can arrive at 6pm on Christmas Eve and join us on the sanctuary dressed as angels or shepherds

New Years Lunch 2012:   The New Year lunch is being held on Saturday 14th January in the Centenary Hall.  If you intend going to this lunch, you must let Cathy know as soon as possible as she has to gauge numbers for catering purposes.  01883 343581. This lunch is for  the  senior members of our parish only.   If you would like to volunteer to help in any way—to serve or cook, even for an hour or two, let Cathy know.

Christmas Eve  9 pm Mass Choir:  Rehearsal for this following the 10.30 am Mass on Sundays. Once again we appeal for some men to help with this as it is impossible to produce  4 part harmony without the addition of tenors and bass.

Toddler Group:  There is no get -together this Tuesday.

Driver:  Driver urgently required for 10.30 am Mass to pick up a passenger on a rota once a month. Ring Geoff Orton 01883 346650.

Carol Service:  St Mary’s yearly Carol Service is on Tuesday 13th December at 8 pm at  the church of St Lawrence.

East Surrey Choral:  Music to celebrate this festive season at the United Reformed Church, Harestone Hill, on Saturday 10th December at 7.30 pm. Part 1 includes works by Handel. Part 2 is popular Carols for Choir and Audience. Adults £10; Children £8 (including programme and refreshments).

Children's Christmas Party: - Sunday 18th December - Centenary Hall after the 10.30 Mass. Free entry. Come and celebrate with music, dancing and games! Santa's Grotto. Food and bar available. For further details contact Mel Flaherty on 07736 070455 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it There is also another party  on January 8th (Epiphany Party—£2) following the 10.30 am Mass.  See poster in the porch.

Social Committee Meeting:  The next Parish Social committee meeting is on  Monday December 12th at 7.30 pm in the Parish Office. Top of the agenda is a repeat of the Hispanic Night for Spring  2012. All welcome.

Feast:  Thursday is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of our Blessed Lady. Mass at 8 pm.

For rent:  A nice  3-bedroomed  home owned by a family from the parish is now available for rent in Whyteleafe. Please contact  Jean Douglas 07988 021897.

R.I.P.  Please remember in your prayers the soul of Kathleen Watts, a parishioner here for over 60 years who died recently.

Fayre:  Sincere thanks to all who helped and supported this year’s Fayre. There is a list of the results of winners from various draws in the porch

Giving Tree:   Please see the Giving Tree in the church. You can buy gifts to help people in the poorest communities in the world or provide simple gifts for young men detained at Gatwick. They are asylum seekers and have no belongings.

Items for next weeks newsletter to reach the parish office before 6 pm on Thursdays