Sunday 14th December 2008

3rd Sunday of Advent

Our Joy in Christ

"He (John the Baptist) was not the light, only a witness to speak for the light." We live in a world where we take light for granted - until there is a breakdown in the electricity service! Then we can feel lost and fearful and angry. We also live in a world that we take for granted is in good shape and yet there is so much pain and distress in the lives of people all around us. We don't have to save the world we live in. Our task is to make it possible for Christ to save our world. We do this by being the witness for the light through the quality of our love radiating out to all we meet. This is done in all kinds of ways through the gentleness of the intimate relationships of marriage and family life. But, as we approach Christmas, we can make a special effort to reach out to those who are in need or living in isolation, especially in our parish community.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R

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SUNDAY MASS TIMES

Vigil Saturday: 6pm Sunday 9am and 11am

WEEKDAY MASS;
Monday -9.30am - Friday 9.30am Mass Saturday 10am Mass

Deaths
Kathleen McLaughlin of Plumbridge, sister of Rosemary Dooher.

Anniversaries
Mary Monteith, Hugh Donnelly

 

Offertory Collection
Sunday 7th December £1191 Building Fund £655 Our thanks for your continued generosity

 

Readers for Sunday 21st December 2008
6pm Vigil.Nicole Carlin 9am: Rita Murphy 11am Maureen Boyle

Eucharistic Ministers for December
Vigil- Angela Brolly and George Brolly 9.00 am -Donna Hartop 11.00am- Celine McDaid, Charlie Mc Daid and Maureen O’Kane

Altar Society
All rota groups will meet this Thursday after morning mass.

 

St Mary’s Church- New Closing Times.
St Mary’s Church will close during the winter months each weekday at 5pm.

Advent Twilight Service 6pm today in Pastoral Centre.

An evening of spiritual preparation in this Advent Season for approaching the Feast of the Nativity, accompanied by classical guitar music

 

Penitential Service will be held in St Mary’s Ardmore on Tuesday 23rd December at 7.30pm. A number of priests will be in attendance to assist.

Annual Collection will take place on Sunday 21st December. Gifts can be left under the tree.

 

Umbra Collection supporting Education in Kitui, Kenya.

Next collection, Saturday 20th December at?St Mary’s Car Park from 9am- 12noon. Used clothing, textiles, shoes etc. When you bring your collection bags leave them at the collection point.

Carol Service Sunday 21st December, 6pm

Carol service will take place in St Mary’s Church, Ardmore on Sunday 21st?December at 6pm. Light refreshments and Parish raffle will take place afterwards in the Parish Hall.

Cake Sale will take place after Mass in the Pastoral Centre on Sunday 21st December. Anyone who wishes to donate cakes, pastries, buns, scones, jams etc for the cake sale can do so. All are welcome.

Sharing Fair Christmas Sale: December 13th & 14th
The Good Shepherd Sisters of Dungiven Road, Derry are holding a Christmas Sale at St Mary’s Pastoral Centre following Masses today. They will be selling a range of top quality household items, toys and Christmas gifts. These crafts are made by girls and women in self help projects in Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Asia. We hope to count on your support and generosity.

Ardmore GAA Lotto Results.

Week 48Jackpot £1000 were 4. 8. 19 No winner this week. £50 won by Terry O Neill. Next weeks Jackpot. £1100

Thornhill College presents its annual Carol Service in St Eugene’s Cathedral on Tuesday 16th December at 8.15pm. Features orchestra, choirs, soloists and the newly formed ‘staff choir’. All are welcome, bring family friends and join in the carols.

Accord Derry Marriage Preparation Workshop
Will take place on Friday 30th January from 7pm to 10pm and Saturday 31st January from 10am to 4pm at Thornhill Centre, Culmore Road,Derry. Booking forms are available from the Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street, Derry Tel: (028)71362475

St Joseph’s Young Priest Society

Next meeting Wednesday 17th December at 8pm in room above the Sacristy.

The documentary ‘The Priests’ will be shown on UTV on Sunday 14th December at 11.15pm and on TV3 on Christmas Eve at 8pm

‘The Priests in Concert at Armagh Cathederal’ will be shown on RTE1 on Sunday 21st December at 12.35pm.

'O Lord, how manifold are your works. In your wisdom have you made them all.'

In today's media we are bombarded with reports and warnings about the fragile state of the planet. We have all become familiar with terms like, 'Global warming', 'carbon footprints' and 'energy efficiency'. We are rightly told to use less and reuse more as the very world that we enjoy is in danger.

So, do we, as Christians, have a duty to be 'Green' ?

We are bound by our faith to appreciate and care for all of the gifts God has given to us. Human life is of course the most important gift we are given. We have been given every resource we need to survive and thrive in this world. Yet the unfair distribution of the world's bounty has left the majority of the people in poverty and hunger. In caring for human life we must use all God's gifts with responsibility and prudence. The saying 'To live simply, so that others may simply live' has never been more true than in our present times. What we use and what we waste affects the whole world and all who dwell on it. So with respect for the Creator and with love for our neighbour, we do, as Christians, have a duty to be green.

 

Ardmore Parish Draw

Nov 2008 - Oct 2009

The December Paris Draw will take place a week earlier this month due to Christmas. Parish Draw will take place on Sunday 21st?December.

1st Prize. £1000. 2nd Prize. £300. 3rd Prize. £200.

Fee will remain the same £5 at per month.

As well as existing promoters we need more promoters in all areas of the parish especially in the new developments of the Cresent Link area.Contact Parish Draw Promoters Tel 71349490.