Advent at St Ann’s – Parish News and Updates

“Rise, Shine, for Your Light Has Come” (Isaiah 60:1)

As we begin the beautiful season of Advent – a season of hope, a place of solace – we warmly welcome you to journey with us at St Ann’s Catholic Church, Kingston Hill. Advent invites us to slow down, prepare our hearts, and await the coming of our Lord with faith and expectation.

Gratitude for Your Support – Double Glazing Completion

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all parishioners for your generous support towards the double-glazing project at the priest’s house. Most of the work has now been completed, and Fr James expresses his deep gratitude for your kindness and care.

After the 10.30 am Mass on Sunday, 30 November, you are warmly invited for a short blessing in front of the priest’s house as a small gesture of thanks.

Christmas Lights Switching-On Ceremony – Sunday, 7 December 2025

Please join us for our Christmas Lights Switching-On Ceremony on Sunday, 7 December at 5.00 pm.
This will be a joyful moment of light, music, and community – a mini-Christmas celebration, especially for those travelling early. We warmly invite you to bring family, friends, and neighbours.

Condolences – Phil King

We share with sadness the passing of Phil King, a valued member of our Finance Committee and a truly generous soul. His funeral will take place on 12 December at 11.30 am.
As one parish family, let us keep him and his loved ones in our prayers.

Nativity Play – Sign-Up

Our Nativity Play will take place during the Children’s Mass on Christmas Eve at 5.00 pm, where the Gospel will be enacted by our children.
Sign-up forms are available in the porch, and we will hold two rehearsals. All children are welcome to take part.

Christmas Invitations

Printed Christmas invitations are now available in the church porch for you, your family, and friends.
If you wish to send an invitation by post, envelopes are provided for your convenience.

Barry – Congratulations on Beekeeping Awards

We congratulate Barry, one of our committed parish gardeners, on receiving multiple prizes at both the Surrey County Honey Show and the National Honey Show.
For more information, you can visit his website: www.valebees.com

Christmas & New Year Schedule

• 7 December 2025, 5.00 pm – Mass & Christmas Lights
• 20 December 2025, 5.15 pm – Advent Reconciliation (Candlelight Adoration)
• 24 December
  • 5.00 pm – Children’s Mass with Nativity Play
  • 7.30 pm – Christmas Vigil Mass (Carols at 7.00 pm)
• 25 December, 10.30 am – Christmas Day Mass & Blessing of Toys
• 31 December 2025, 5.00 pm – New Year Vigil Mass
  • (4.15 pm – Thanksgiving Candlelight Adoration)
• 1 January 2026, 10.00 am – New Year Mass

Stay Connected

For parish updates, weekly homilies, and upcoming events, visit: www.stannskingstonhill.org.uk

HOMILY – 1st SUNDAY OF ADVENT

My dear brothers and sisters,

Today we begin a new liturgical year – a new spiritual journey. Advent comes gently, like a dawn that slowly spreads its light across a quiet morning. It tells us: “Wake up. Prepare. The Lord is near.” The Gospel calls us again: “Stay awake” (Mark 13:33).

Every beginning needs preparation. For school, we prepare. For work, we prepare. For a long journey, we prepare. Even before Mass, we prepare our hearts to meet the Lord.

Advent is exactly that – a holy preparation. Preparing our inner room, preparing our home, preparing the heart where Christ wants to dwell.

This year, in our liturgical cycle, we focus mainly on the Gospel of Mark – a Gospel of urgency, clarity, movement. Jesus speaks directly. He heals decisively. He calls immediately.
Mark invites us to be active disciples, not passive spectators.
And at moments, the Gospel of John will come in like a bright lamp, illuminating deeper mysteries.

Last week in the parish something simple happened, yet it became a reflection for Advent.
Barry – one of our volunteer gardeners and a national award-winning beekeeper – came to trim the grass. The battery died quickly (my fault – I didn’t charge it!), so we paused and talked. And he shared the story of the bees.

And my dear friends, it opened a beautiful spiritual window.

THE JOURNEY OF A BEE – A LESSON FOR THE SOUL

In a hive, a bee is never born ready for its final mission. The bee grows through stages, each one important:

1. Cleaner Bee – For the first few days, the young bee cleans the hive. A humble beginning.  Even in spiritual life, we begin by cleaning our interior – our habits, our thoughts.
2. Nurse Bee – Then it cares for the larvae, feeding and protecting them.
   We learn to care, to love, to be gentle – gifts of the Holy Spirit.
3. Builder Bee (Wax Production) – A few days later, it builds the honeycomb, strengthens the hive structure. Spiritually, we begin building virtues – patience, forgiveness, prayer.
4. Forager Bee (Collector of Nectar) – Only near the end of its life does the bee fly out seeking nectar. Only after spiritual growth do we taste the sweet things of God – wisdom, clarity, peace.
5. Guard Bee (Soldier) – Some finally guard the hive from danger.
   In mature faith, we stand firm, defend truth, protect the weak, and live courageously.

A bee is not born finished. It grows by stages.
And so do we.

Faith is not instant.
Holiness is not instant.
Wisdom is not instant.

We grow…
step by step,
stage by stage,
season by season.

Every Sunday reading, every Gospel, every small prayer, every act of charity is one more stage of growth. And Advent reminds us: start again. Start fresh. Start clean.

Advent is the starting line of the marathon of 2026. It is the invitation to begin the journey again – from cleaning, to caring, to building, to seeking the sweetness of God, to guarding our soul.

So let this Advent awaken us.
Let it deepen us.
Let it help us grow, spiritually and humanly.
And may our parish become a catalyst for peace, joy, and hope – a place of solace.

Amen.