Sunday 13th December 2009

Third Sunday of Advent.

Sunday, 13th December, 2009

Third Sunday of Advent
(Gaudete Sunday)

First Reading Zephaniah 3: 14-18
Jerusalem is urged to rejoice because God stands in her midst.
We too can take heart from this message of hope.

Second Reading Philippians 4: 4-7
Paul urges us to rejoice in the Lord and to let go of anxiety by
living in a spirit of prayer and thanksgiving.

Gospel Luke 3: 10-18
John the Baptist tells the people what they must do to prepare
for the Lord’s coming and to escape his searching judgement.

 

Rev Patrick O'Kane P.P.

WELCOME BACK FR. PADDY

There is hardly any need to welcome Fr. Paddy O’ Kane, our new P.P. , who has been such a familiar figure in our parish for so many years. During that time Fr. Paddy had a pastorally enriching ministry to all the parishioners . That work will now resume again. It must have indeed come as a shock to him to find himself suddenly recalled to Holy Family Parish after just over two years and having felt that he had more than served his time in the city with a total of twenty six years service here, including the worst of ‘The Troubles’ at St. Eugene’s. However, as bishop Hegarty told him when he called him in last week, ’sometimes extraordinary circumstances require extraordinary solutions.’ The fact that he is returning to this parish where he was much loved and where he felt happy should go some way to ease the pain of having to up root from Moville where he had made his home, the week before Christmas.

In welcoming Fr. Paddy we are greeting an experienced and compassionate priest who has always had the good of Holy Family at heart. He can be reassured of our support, understanding and the knowledge that the people here will hold him in prayer before the Lord as he returns again to this ‘corner of His vineyard’.

 

JOY AND WOE

Today’s Readings tells us to Rejoice. Even Paul writing from his prison cell wants only happiness today. For all of John’s wilderness shouts and grim reality, there is a feeling of expectancy around. Someone’s coming. Does he live up to the expectation? Do we live up to his expectation. We’re approaching too the darkest time of the year. The suns gets up late like ourselves and goes to bed too early. It’s a time when we try to capture light and hold it in our streets and houses. We collect everything that will shine and sparkle, we make the most of reflected light, of glass and coloured baubles. We manufacture light, putting blossoms of light on trees and bring them indoors. We chase away the shadows with electric light and we soften them with candles and fires. We celebrate to keep our spirits up. We give each other gifts.

In all our lives, there is a time for darkness, as well as a time for light. There is a time to be happy, and a time also to be sad. Other people’s happy times may not coincide with others. It is good to be happy but it is sometimes necessary to be sad. So let us celebrate the darkness as well as light. Let us take grief on board as well as joy. Let us sing and be merry if we can and be merciful to those who can not.

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP will continue tomorrow at 7.30pm. Please bring your own Petition or pick up a petition card at the main door of the church and place it in the special petition box at Our Lady’s Altar.

CAROL SERVICE

Our Parish Carol Service will take place today Sunday 13th December at 6.00pm. All our church and school choirs will take part. We invite the children to bring gifts for the poor which will be distributed by St. Vincent De Paul Society.

Annual Collection for St.Vincent De Paul Society will be taken up after all Masses this weekend 12 & 13th Dec. Please give generously.

 

SUNDAY COLLECTION

6th Dec amounted to £2155.22 and €157.03 Thank you.

 

 

 

HOLY FAMILY PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP will hold their last monthly meeting of the year in the Church, on TUESDAY 15th December starting with 7.30 pm Mass. There will be two 1st class relics of St Pio at the meeting.

GROUP GUIDED PRAYER

Thursday 8.00pm - 9.00pm in the Upper Room. This group will meet each week to pray with regard to Sunday Scripture readings. All welcome

MASS IN HONOUR OF BLESSED ALEXANDRINA MARIA DE COSTA will be celebrated in Termonbacca today Sunday at 7.30pm. All welcome.

 

 

HOLY FAMILY PRIMARY SCHOOL NATIIVITY PLAY will take place in the Church on Thursday 17th December at 8.15pm

 

 

 

ADVENT RETREATS in preparation for Christmas on Mon.14th, Tues.15th, Wed.16th. December ( 7.30 p.m. -10.00 p.m.) in Termonbacca An opportunity to spend some time in quiet adoration, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and celebrate Mass. All are welcome to attend.

 

 

Pro-Life Devotions on Tuesday 15th December in St. Columb's Church
Waterside commencing with Rosary at 7pm. followed by Mass at 7.30pm. Everyone welcome.

 

 

 

Thornhill College will hold its Annual Carol Service in St. Eugene’s Cathedral on Thursday 17th December at 8.15 pm. We invite all our families and friends to attend.

 

 

 

LASCO LOTTO . numbers drawn 7th December 14, 21, 22, 24 No £10 winners No Jackpot winner Next weeks jackpot £1550 Anyone wishing to join please contact LASCO 71374443

 

IOSAS CENTRE AND CELTIC PRAYER GARDEN, Lenamore Road, Muff. Why not visit our gift shop? Christmas gifts, cards and handmade items on sale. Tea and Coffee Shop available also. Everyone welcome

 

GIFT VOUCHER FOR DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES Why not give someone an opportunity of going on Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2010 16-21st July. Gift Vouchers are available for(£25/£100) can be obtained from the Pilgrimage Office 164 Bishop Street Tues and Thurs 11am-2.00pm. Sat 11.am-1.00pm Tel. 71260293

 

CHRISTMAS YOUTH 2000 RETREAT for young people age 16-35 takes place at Newbridge College Co. Kildare from Friday 18th- Sunday 20th Dec. An opportunity not to be missed to experience the Catholic Faith and meet many new friends. No charge -donation only. Contact Youth 2000 for information 003531 6753690

 

FOYLE HOSPICE urgently requires volunteers for Christmas Bag Pack at Sainsbury’s. The bag pack will take place on Saturday 19th December 10am-6pm and Sunday 20th December 1pm-6pm. All help extremely appreciated. Tel Sharon or Rachel on 028 71359888.

 

Buncrnana GAA Monster Bingo
Thursday 17th December at 9pm in the Inishowen Gateway Hotel
€6,000 in prizes to be paid out on the night and lots of side prizes to be won. Single Book €20 Double Book €30

 

COLMCILLE PILGRIMAGES LOURDES PILGRIMAGE 21st-28th July 2009 Cost £659 For details tel. Margaret 07732468511

 

LittleHands Surestart Childrens Centre are Holding an Admission to Pre-School morning on Monday 14th December 2009 at the Parents Room Rosemount Primary School, From 10.30am - 12noon. Is your child 3 years old on or before the 1st of July 2010, if so then this information morning will support and advise you on the different settings within the community and will help you as a parent/Carer to decide which setting is the most suitable for your child. For More information contact Lisa Healy or Rose Mc Crossan on 02871 267524 or 02871 367524 or come along on the morning.