Sunday 2nd December 2007

First Sunday of Advent

Reflection

Jesus said to his disciples: "You too must stand ready because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect". This week we begin our spiritual preparations for Christmas. We know exactly when that will be - the date is well established - and we know pretty well what we will be doing. The above message from Christ would seem to be superfluous. But of course it is not. We can easily be so concentrated on preparing for Christmas, the coming of Christ, that we can miss Him when He comes. Over the next four weeks Christ will come into our homes when we take time to talk to each other, be kind to each other, enjoy our family life with one another. We can be so busy that we don't let that happen, so we miss Him. Christ will come among us in our parish when we take care of one another as neighbours, as friends, as fellow parishioners. We can easily miss Him here. If we do we will also miss Him, Christ, on Christmas Day.
Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

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Sunday 2nd December 2007 (first sunday of advent)
During the coming Week:
MASSES:
Monday - Friday 9.30 am
Saturday 10.00am: Holy Day of Obligation - Feast of the Immaculate Conception

BAPTISMS: Sundays at 1200 noon unless by special arrangement. Please contact the Parochial House

CONFESSIONS: Saturdays after the 10.00am and 6.00pm Vigil Masses

Weekly Bulletin on line from 4th November. More to follow!

Ministers of the Word for Sunday 9th December
Vigil Mass: Don Anderson
9.00 am: Rita Murphy
11.00 am: Maureen Boyle

Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist for December
Vigil Mass: George Brolly & Angela Brolly
9.00 am Joe McColgan
11.00 am Charlie McDaid & Celine McDaid

ANNIVERSARIES
Our prayers are asked for Constantine Douglas, James Kelly, Eileen O’Kane and Martin Peoples whose anniversaries occur at this time.

Collection Details -Sunday 25th November
Parish Collection: £1371
Retired Priests’ Collection: £1183
Bazaar/Rickety Wheel Profit: £2815
THANKS to all who contribute

Events Today Saturday/Sunday
Taize - Saturdays of Advent after Vigil Mass. A special invite is extended to all in the 18-35 age group. The Taize prayer is meditative using singing, scripture, silence, intercessions, icons, the cross and candlelight.

SUNDAY 4pm: CHILD PROTECTION MEETING IN THE PASTORAL CENTRE. All Parish members overseeing altar severs or attached to the Choir, Eucharistic Ministers, Folk Group, Nazareth, Young Pioneers, are invited to attend the above Meeting

SUNDAY 6pm: ADVENT EUCHARISTIC HEALING SERVICE IN OUR CHURCH

SUNDAY 8pm-11.00pm: CEILI MOR in the Pastoral Centre

NEXT SUNDAY - CAKE & MARMALADE SALE - 2pm on Sunday 9 December to help defray the construction costs of our Pastoral Centre. Count down time to getting the baking tins out for all parishioners willing to bake or to donate cakes, pastries, biscuits, bread, marmalade, jams, etc. Also great time to buy Christmas treats!

Parish Meetings - Pastoral Centre
TUESDAY 4th: 8pm Church Folk Group Practice SATURDAY 8th TAIZE after Vigil Mass and every Saturday during Advent

Events – Pastoral Centre
TUESDAY 4th: 6.30pm - 7.30pm PILATES WED.5th: 8pm CEILI THURS.6th: 6.30pm - 7.30pm Slimming World

*WANTED* ARDMORE PART-TIME PARISH SECRETARY
We are currently inviting applications for the post of Part-Time Parish Secretary (12 Hrs. per week) to provide a secretarial and administrative support in our Parish Office. Areas of responsibility include: Reception Duties, Typing, Filing, Printing, including the weekly Parish Bulletin, Mailings, Diary including the Pastoral Centre. For further particulars and an application form please contact our Parochial House on Tel. 71349490 or email: ardmoreparish@btconnect.com.
Please note that completed application forms must be returned to Ardmore Parochial House by: 4pm on Wednesday 12 December 2007.

Advent Novena of St. Andrew in preparation for Christmas (to be said 15 times each day) Hail and Blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary at Midnight in Bethlehem in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, O my God, to hear my prayers and grant my desires through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ and of His Blessed Mother. Amen

The monthly devotions, in honour of Our Lady, will take place in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry on Tuesday next 4th December starting with confessions at 7.30 p.m. followed by Rosary and Mass, finishing around 10.00 p.m.

The NW Bereaved by Suicide Support Group are organising a Memory Tree of Lights event on Sunday 9th December 2007 at 5.30pm at the Foyle Search & Rescue Headquarters, Victoria Road, L'Derry.For further information contact: WH&SCT Communications Office: 7161 1188 / 7161 1429

PRAYER FOCUS
Increase our strength of will for doing good

Question
What are the things that make it difficult for you to keep going? Pray about these.