Sunday 20th December 2009

Fourth Sunday of Advent.

Sunday 20th December 2009

4th Sunday of Advent

First Reading Micah 5: 1-4
Out of you will be born the one who is to rule over Israel.

Second Reading Hebrews 10: 5-10
Here I am! I am coming to obey your will.

Gospel Luke 1: 39-44
Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord?

 

BUSY DAYS OF LOVE

We’re all busy these days, for me its because I am settling in - card board boxes everywhere - for most of you it could be last minute shopping, fitting in the child’s nativity play or simply opening post, only to find another unexpected card and postal deadlines gone! These are indeed busy days, busy days of love.

We thank the many people who made our parish Carol Service such a rich experience especially the children who brought gifts for the poor. We recalled the story of Christmas in word, song and action. It was a warm and moving ceremony. Tomorrow night (Monday) we will seek reconciliation at our Parish Penitential Service.

Today all four candles are lit. The four weeks of Advent are over. Over the next five days the last minute preparations will be made, such as buying last minute presents, food for the Christmas dinner and cleaning the house for returning family members. Soon it will be time to wind down. We will celebrate the coming of the Lord and welcome him with an abundance of praise and goodwill on Christmas eve and Christmas day.

May the joy of Christmas give you hope and encouragement for Jesus who is born into our world is Emmanuel: God is with us.

 

SPELLING OUT THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

C stand for Christ
If we leave him out of Christmas it is like celebrating a wedding without the groom .

H stands for the hope that he gives us -
Hope of a life without end.

R stands for the Revolution he began; turning hate into love, war to peace, and everyone into everyone’s neighbour

I stands for Israel, the land where he was born. But it also stands for me, for Christ could be born a thousand times in Bethlehem, but it would all have been in vain unless he is born in me.

S stands for the Salvation he brought;
Those who lived in darkness saw a great light.

T stands for Thanks - Thanks to the Father for the gift of his Son. The best way to say Thanks is to make room for him in our hearts.

M stands for Mary who brought him to birth. She will help to bring him to birth in us also.

A stands for the Angels who at his birth sang: ‘Glory to God in the Highest and peace to his people on earth’ It was the sweetest music ever heard.

S stands for the Star that led the wise men to Bethlehem. Now Christ is the star we follow. His light will guide us through the night until the sun of eternal day dawns upon us.

 

BAPTISM

Our Parish Family welcomes:
Farrah Louise O’Doherty
42 Corrib Court

 

PENITENTIAL SERVICE tomorrow Monday 21st December
7.30pm Holy Family Priests from St. Eugene’s, Long Tower, and Creggan will join our Holy Family Priests to hear Confessions in preparation for Christmas. This celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation concludes our Parish Novena through the intercession of Our Lady of Perpetual Help The opportunity to experience the forgiveness of Christ is an essential part of our Advent preparation for the Christmas celebration of the coming of the Saviour, Immanuel ‘God - with -us’

PENITENTIAL SERVICES
Sunday 20th December.
6.00pm. Long Tower

Tuesday 22nd December
7.30pm. St. Mary’s Creggan

Thursday 24th December. Christmas Eve 11am-6.00pm.
St. Eugene’s Cathedral

CONFESSIONS for Christmas in Holy Family Church
Monday 7.30pm Penitential Service
Tuesday 7.00pm-7.25pm
Wednesday - 7.00-7.25pm
Thursday : Christmas Eve
Confessions 10.30am - 12.30pm,
Mass 10.00am

CHRISTMAS MASSES

Thursday - Christmas Eve
Vigil Masses 6.00pm and 9.00pm.
Friday 25th (Christmas Day) 9.30am, 11.15am and 12.30pm.

MASSES DURING THE WEEK
NO 10.00am Mass on Saturday St. Stephen’s Day
Saturday Vigil Mass: 6.00pm.

ORATORY

The Oratory will be closed from Friday and will reopen on Monday when Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will begin again at 2.00pm.

 

SUNDAY COLLECTION

13th Dec amounted to £1925.42 and €139.46 Thank you.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY

thank you sincerely for the collection taken up last weekend.

 

 

 

ST CECILIA’S SCHOOL
Will be holding their Christmas Carol Service on Monday 21st December at 11.00 a.m. at St Columba’s Long Tower Everyone welcome.

 

LASCO LOTTO . numbers drawn 30th November 4, 12, 13, 14 1 x £10 winners No Jackpot winner Next weeks jackpot £1600 Anyone wishing to join please contact LASCO 71374443

 

GOAL MILE CHARITY WALK ST STEPHEN’S DAY

The annual GOAL Mile charity walk will take place at 12 Noon on St Stephen’s Day, leaving from the car park at Sainsburys Supermarket, Strand Road and going to Craigavon Bridge. There is no sponsorship involved, just donations from the walkers on the day. It’s an opportunity to get some exercise and help those less fortunate in the Developing World. GOAL is currently working in 10 countries in the Developing World. We hope to see you there on the day.

 

CHILDREN IN CROSSFIRE would like to thank all those who took an Advent calendar at the end of November. Donations can be returned to the church over the weekend of 2nd/3rd January. Collection bins will be positioned at the entrances to the church for donations to be placed into on the way into Mass.”

 

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

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

 

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

 

PRIMARY AND NURSERY SCHOOL

Application Forms for entry to P1 and Nursery school in September 2010 are now available from the schools. Closing date for receipt of applications is Wednesday 20th January. Applications should be submitted as soon as possible as in previous years over subscription resulted in some pupils not gaining places.

 

SEAN DAVIS Christmas 3 day indoor ‘Fun’ Soccer will take place at the Sports Complex on Monday 28th December to Wednesday 30th December for boys and girls aged 5 -17. Tel. 71263044 for details.