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  • News for Christmas Week

    Ye Lord we greet thee, 

    born this happy morning.

    Peace has arrived. Not just in our homes as the rushing & preparing for Christmas subsides and we rest with feet up – full of turkey and stuffing! But with the arrival of the baby Jesus in us. 

    I’ve talked a great deal about the arrival of Jesus IN US rather than outside us over this Advent and this year I think it’s more important than ever to consider what that means in practice. 

    We will sit this week and say goodbye to 2021. In some cases with great joy… I think we are all praying for a better 2022… but in other ways with sadness – Anthony leaving us is incredibly sad for us, but is the right thing for him (and for his future patients!)

    We must use this time to reflect on the past year and what the arrival of Jesus in us causes to be different in the coming year.

    What practical changes will you make in your life to more closely follow Jesus?

    What practical changes will you make in the pattern of daily living to more closely follow Jesus?

    What practical changes will you make in the way you think about people, Hayes and the world that will help you more closely follow Jesus. 

    These are challenging questions, there are no easy answers. But, as you approach them know you have a home from which to pursue them – St. Anselm.

    Fr. Matthew

    Downloads

    Bulletin for the Christmas OctaveDownload
    The Message & Readings for The Nativity of The LordDownload
    Complete Readings for Midnight Mass & Christmas-DayDownload
    Midnight Mass HymnsDownload
    The Message & Readings for Sunday 26th DecemberDownload
    Christmas-Day-Mass-HymnsDownload
    Children’s Look Sheet for Sunday 26th DecemberDownload
    26th December HymnsDownload
    Mass CardDownload

    Other News

    A very quiet week in the Octave of Christmas as Fr. Matthew spends some time with his family in Wales. Do note a high mass for the solemnity of Mary Mother of God on the 1st January and that the Foodbank is open as usual.

    Sunday 26th December is Anthony’s last day with us, do make a special effort to come and say goodbye to him after mass where we will share some drinks and nibbles.

    Some of you may be aware I was planning drinks & nibbles at the vicarage after the carol service on Christmas Eve – I have decided to postpone this until the new year when we pray things may be a little better and we may relax a little more about mixing in small spaces. 

    Church remains open, clean and daily sanitised with all possible precautions in place. We will never close, we will never abandon those in need, we will always be here praying for and serving the people of Hayes. 

  • News for 19th December

    A very nearly… 

    Happy Christmas.

    This last week of Advent can often feel a little odd, a little silly. This year especially so given where Christmas Day falls. 

    We get nearly a whole week of children off school and crazy Christmas shopping and online ordering. People dashing too and fro and on top of all of this the underlying doom of what COVID may deliver next.

    It’s not exactly the state of peaceful calm and expectation that we’re encouraged to discover before Christ is born in us is it?

    It takes an act of will to set aside the world and to look inward to the coming of Jesus. I say look inward because that is what is going to happen – if you allow it – on Christmas morning. 

    Jesus will once again be born in you. In your heart and in your mind. He once again has an opportunity to come to you afresh. 

    I was reading some of Evelyn Underhill’s Prayer Book this week and discovered this absolutely gem of a prayer that I think very simply brings us to the right place this week:

    “Grant, oh lord, that the birth of Christ in us may be such that Christ’s very spirit may come and take possession of our souls, all our faculties and powers, and be wholly united with us forever – not fleetingly, but abidingly and with a settled peace (in like manner as the soul reposes in the body). Thus let us come to Bethlehem and ask the child Jesus to make His abode in us forever more.”

    Luis de Leon

    I shall be praying this each day this week as we draw closer to the birth of Jesus in each one of us (again) on Saturday.

    Fr. Matthew

    Downloads

    Bulletin for 19th DecemberDownload
    Sunday Message and Readings for 19th DecemberDownload
    Children’s Look Sheet for 19th DecemberDownload
    12th December HymnsDownload

    Other news

    The new giving envelopes are now ready for collection, they’ll be available at the back of church on Sunday for all those who have registered. Thank you so much for your continued giving. 

    Don’t forget we’re singing for the Christmas shoppers this Saturday between 1pm & 3pm. We’re also going to offer a small bric-a-brac stall and offer mince pies and leaflets for our Christmas services – do pop along and join in even if it’s only for a short time. 

    Don’t forget to book a time to make your Advent confession. Fr. Matthew hears confessions after Evening Prayer on Tuesdays or by appointment. 

  • News for 12th December

    Gaudete Sunday. 

    Joy.

    The third Sunday in Advent is called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete simply means ‘rejoice’.

    It’s taken from the latin introit for the day’s Mass:

    ‘Gaudete in Domino semper’

    Or in English:

    ‘Rejoice in the Lord always’

    And so today we look at what we have to rejoice about. We have spent the last two weeks examining ourselves ahead of the coming of Jesus Christ. 

    We have received difficult news about COVID restrictions. We have peered into the dark ahead of the coming of The Light – so today – we lift our heads and remind ourselves that the coming of Jesus Christ is something that we rejoice about.

    The introit for the Mass continues:

    ‘Let your forbearance be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand; have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God’ 

    Today we try to take our anxiety and we hand it over to God and in doing so we find a peace that only He can give us. 

    In that peace we discover the joy of loving God and in that joy – that gift – we should rejoice!

    Sometimes it’s hard to find that peace and when it is difficult we must give God everything in prayer – and in opening ourselves to God in prayer we are changed. 

    That is the power of prayer, not that God changes the world for us, but that we are changed to be more like God.

    Fr. Matthew

    Downloads

    Bulletin for 12th DecemberDownload
    Hymns for 12th DecemberDownload
    The Message & Readings for 12th DecemberDownload
    Look Sheet for Children – 12th DecemberDownload

    Other news

    This is your last chance to re-register for Gift Envelopes – even if you already have one. Sign up on the sheet at the back of church or contact David Couling (number on the front of the pew sheet).

    We’re singing carols for the Christmas shoppers on Saturday 18th December outside church (and inside there will be mince pies & mulled wine). We hope to encourage people to come to church over Christmas through our welcome and love.

    Don’t forget to book a time to make your Advent confession. Fr. Matthew hears confessions after Evening Prayer on Tuesdays or by appointment. 

  • News for 5th December

    The Bethlehem Candle. 

    On our way.

    In the second week of Advent we light our second candle… the Bethlehem Candle. In lighting it we pray that we may join Mary and Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem. 

    Our journey this week is about preparation. 

    Mary and Joseph were preparing for the birth of their son. I imagine they were like any parents… planning and dreaming about their future as a family. Worrying if they’ve got everything ready. 

    I can picture them sat with family – smiling at the pictures in their minds as they dreamt of the future. I can see them as they wonder if they’ve got everything, talking with each other and figuring out if everything is ready for the birth. 

    It’s easy to picture because I’ve been there – as a father to Edmund – sat in the living room with Catheirne planning and worrying about nappies, about cots, about car seats and about hundreds of other things.

    It’s a picture of Christmas in so many ways. We run from A to B worried that we’ve missed something or some one. Worried about having enough food. Worried about COVID. Worried about money. 

    The journey is fraught with worry… but we shouldn’t loose sight of the fact that the journey is also rich with dreams of the future.

    Mary and Joseph were brining Jesus into the world. Our Saviour. It was not the birth they planned, but it was awesome none the less. 

    Perhaps in their journey we can see a path to peace in our own journey.

    Fr. Matthew 

    Downloads

    Bulletin for 5th DecemberDownload
    Hymns for 5th DecemberDownload
    The Message & Readings for 5th DecemberDownload
    Children’s Look Sheet for 5th DecemberDownload

    Other news

    Don’t forget to re-register for Gift Envelopes – even if you already have one. Sign up on the sheet at the back of church or contact David Couling (number on the front of the pew sheet).

    Don’t miss the Advent & Christmas Concert on Sunday afternoon at 3pm with Mince Pies & Mulled Wine!

    High Mass for The Immaculate Conception of the BVM on Wednesday at 10am. No Evening Prayer on Tuesday.

  • St. Anselm welcomes new Bishop of Willesden

    The Rev’d Canon Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy, Fr. Matthew Cashmore, Bishop Jonathan Baker, The Rev’d Preb’ Sandra McCalla

    Following the announcement that the next Bishop of Willesden will be the Revd Canon Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy, St. Anselm was delighted to welcome him as he visited churches in the Willesden Area.

    Canon Lusa was shown around the church, including the newly refurbished church hall and the restored sanctuary. He was shown the work we do with the most vulnerable in society – including our Church Larder, Foodbank and one stop help shop for assistance with benefits, housing and other issues.

    Fr. Matthew shown Canon Lusa the Church Larder

    The day finished with prayers for Canon Lusa, his family and their upcoming move to the area.

    Fr. Matthew Cashmore said:

    It is vital that our churches work together to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In meeting Canon Lusa and his family today it is clear that the Willesden Area is going to have a dynamic, engaging and loving bishop to guide and care for us as we step into the world post-Covid.

    I am encouraged by his love for Christ, his dedication to working together in partnership and his pastor’s heart.

  • 1st Sunday of Advent

    The Advent Candles. 

    Growing light.

    This Sunday we will light the first candle of five on our Advent Wreath. Our children will be making a mini-version of the candle wreath to take home and light with their families. But why do we do this?

    Whilst lighting candles to represent the light of God in the world is a very old Christian tradition, the idea of an Advent Candle Wreath is a relatively modern one. 

    In fact it only goes back to the early 1800s and – no big surprise here – comes from Germany (as indeed most of our modern Christmas traditions).

    In 1839 Johann Hinrich Wichern, a pastor in Germany, built a wreath out of an old cartwheel to help the children in his mission school count the days until Christmas.

    He added small candles to be lit every weekday and Saturday during Advent, and on Sundays, a large white candle was lit.

    There is evidence of this practice going on much earlier in Germany – right the way back to the 16th century, but it wasn’t until the 1800s that we saw what we may recognise as the modern wreath.

    In many ways this was the precursor to both the Advent Calendar (no chocolate then!) and the Advent Candle Wreath that we light each Sunday. 

    We light the first candle for the Prophets which represent the Hope of the world. The second candle is for Faith, the third for Joy and the fourth – Peace. The central white candle is lit at Midnight Mass on Christmas Day.

    Each week I’ll explain a little more about the candles and what they represent at the start of mass as one of the children light it.

    I’m looking forward to travelling with you this Advent and preparing to meet Jesus on Christmas Day.

    Fr. Matthew

    Downloads

    Bulletin for 28th November, Advent 1Download
    Sunday Message & Readings for 28th NovemberDownload
    Look Sheet for Children for 28th NovemberDownload
    28th November HymnsDownload

    Other news

    Don’t forget to re-register for Gift Envelopes – even if you already have one. Sign up on the sheet at the back of church or contact David Couling (number on the front of the pew sheet).

    Choir rehearsal today, 28th November  (and last one next week) for our Advent & Christmas Carol concert (NEXT SUNDAY!)

    We have an Advent craft for the children this Sunday (28th November) – we will be making mini Advent Wreaths for them to take home – they can make several for friends and family, so get your order in now.

    Fr. Matthew has two days training this week in central London so there are some changes to timings – especially on Wednesday and Thursday so please do check carefully.

  • News for Christ the King

    Christ The King. 

    Jesus enthroned.

    When we think of Jesus as King I often wonder if we are missing a great deal of His teaching. 

    Jesus told us time and time again that He wasn’t the King that the Jewish people were expecting – coming with horses and chariots to free them from the rule of the Romans.

    He entered Jerusalem in triumph on Palm Sunday not with horses and chariots – but on the back of a donkey. 

    So why then do we enthrone Him on this very special Sunday? Why do we show him upon a throne, decked out in regal attire and ruling over us as an earthly King?

    The point of this elevation is to highlight Jesus as ‘Christ’ which in itself is a royal title meaning ‘King’ – although of course not in the way that the secular world understands (even Pilate misunderstands it when he called Jesus ‘King of the Jews’).

    It is a way of understanding Jesus as King of Heaven and the world to come. He sits enthroned on David’s throne (Lk 1:30-32) as promised by the Angel Gabriel. 

    The feast today marks the end of Ordinary Time, next Sunday we begin Advent and the start of another liturgical year.

    We end Ordinary Time on a high – with a Feast and a celebration of Jesus Kingship. 

    Fr. Matthew

    Downloads

    Bulletin for Christ The King 2021Download
    Look Sheet for Children on 21st NovemberDownload
    The Sunday Message & Readings for 21st NovemberDownload
    Hymns for 21st NovemberDOWNLOAD

    Other news

    This week you’ll find a sign up sheet at the back of church for Giving Envelopes. This is the most common way of giving here at St. Anselm and we are incredibly grateful for your weekly gifts. If you’d like Envelopes for 2022 please sign up on the sheet or see David (the new Envelopes even have our logo on them this time thanks to David!)

    A huge thank you to everyone who came to help with the Hayes Christmas Lights Turn On this Wednesday. The school choirs were absolutely brilliant and a great time was had by all. There’s a video & photos of the service on our website.

    Choir practice after mass today (28th), grab a coffee and come to sit around the piano quite quickly as it will be a short 45 min rehearsal so we can start PCC promptly at Midday.

    PCC at 12pm today.

    Christmas dates now available on leaflets at the door.

  • Christmas & Advent Dates

    It’s almost that time of year… so jot these dates down in your diary for an exciting Advent and Christmas at St. Anselm!

    • 27th November – Christmas Bric-a-brac sale (1-3pm)
    • 5th December – Advent & Christmas Carols (3pm)
    • 18th December – Christmas Shoppers Carols (3pm)
    • Christmas Eve – Carols & Crib Service (3pm), Midnight Mass (11pm)
    • Christmas Day – Parish Mass (10am)

    Remember, the best way to keep in touch and keep up to date about our events and services is to sign-up to our newsletter here.

  • Hayes Town Christmas Lights

    What an amazing afternoon in Hayes Town on Wednesday 17th! The Hayes Community Schools Choir offered a terrific selection of Christmas songs before His Worship the Mayor, Councillor Roy Chamdal, pushed the big plunger with the children to turn on the lights.

    If you missed the concert and big turn on, don’t worry! The whole thing was live-streamed is available to watch-again via the St. Anselm live streaming service.

    Thank you to everyone who took part and made it such a special time as we turn to look at Advent & Christmas. If you’d like to come to other events at St. Anselm over Advent & Christmas there’s a full set of dates and times over here.

  • News for Sunday 14th November

    War, 

    what is it good for?

    War is just about the worst thing that we humans practice on each other. The moment we declare war on each other the rules of decent human love go out the window. 

    We dress this up by saying there are rules of war, that you can do this – but you can’t do that. You can arrest a soldier but you mustn’t mistreat him.

    It’s of little comfort when the aim appears to be to kill as many men, women and children as you can of the ‘enemy’. 

    The reality is of course that we have only one enemy in this life and he lives somewhere rather warmer than earth.

    It is that fallen creature that drives us towards hatred and the normalising of killing each other, of aiming missiles and guns at each other.

    There is only one enemy that helps us somehow make war okay – because we have ‘rules’. 

    War is never okay. It is never okay because it requires us to cease to love our neighbour as ourselves – as Jesus loved us and as He continues to love us.

    War starts in the small acts of aggressions we show each other every day. War starts in the nastiness of our own hearts when they are not full of the love that Jesus gives us.

    Pray that your own heart is shed of any hatred and aggression, that it is instead filled with Jesus’ Love. Pray that the hearts of others are filled with that love. Pray that one day we will be able to say that War is a thing of the past. 

    Fr. Matthew

    Downloads

    Bulletin for 14th NovemberDownload
    Order of Service for Remembrance Sunday with Readings and HymnsDownload
    Children’s Look Sheet November 14thDownload

    Other news

    Choir rehearsal after mass today (Sunday 14th)!

    If you could stay after mass on the 14th November and help clean I’d really appreciate it, we want the church looking wonderful for the Christmas Lights turn on.

    17th November is the Hayes Christmas Lights turn on – hosted here at St. Anselm! The schools choir will sing for us at 4pm and the mayor will turn on the town lights at 4:30pm

    I’d really appreciate any volunteers for the 17th to help serve mince pies, tea & coffee and mulled wine. Please let Fr. Matthew know if you can help.