Sunday 16th December 2007

Third Sunday of Advent

Reflection

The gospel for this weekend finds John the Baptist in his prison cell wondering about the authenticity of Jesus. Doubts had begun to enter his mind and so he instructs his followers to go to Jesus and ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or have we got to wait for someone else?’ Jesus for his part points to the evidence of his miracles – the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the dead are raised to life and so he adds: ‘Happy the man who does not lose faith in me.’

With us all there can be times when faith wavers and we like John feel unsure. Doubts can cloud our hearts and deprive us of a clear understanding in relation to our faith. We can be impatient, like John, for things to be revealed and the work of God to be accomplished. What John had to understand as indeed what we all will have to come to terms with is that we must give God the freedom to act in his own time and in his own way. God works in simple, hidden and humble ways. This demands patience and trust on our part.

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Sunday 16th December 2007 (third sunday of advent)
During the coming Week:
Mass
Monday - Wednesday 9.30 am
Thursday: 7.30 p.m 1st Anniversary Mass for Martha Doherty
Friday: 7.30pm & Saturday 10.00am

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions at St Mary’s Ardmore this Thursday and Friday from 6pm - 7.15pm. Also Saturday 22nd December: 10.30am - 12.00 mid-day and 5.00pm - 5.45pm

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!

Anniversaries
Our prayers are asked for Martha Doherty, Margaret Gallagher, Jim Heaney, Josephine Magee and Mary Monteith whose anniversaries occur at this time.

CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE TODAY IN ST. MARY’S CHURCH AT 6PM

Christmas Mass Times:
Christmas Eve 24th Dec: First Vigil Mass for Youth at 6pm
Christmas Eve Second Vigil Mass at 9pm
Christmas Morning 25th Dec: Masses at 9.00am and 11.00am

Special Mass for the Phillipino community in St. Mary’s Church next Sunday 23rd December at 4pm

A Christmas Penitential Service will be held in the Immaculate Conception Church, Trench Road, on Wednesday next 19th December, at 7.30pm

Ministers of the Word for Sunday 23rd December
Vigil Mass: Nora Mullan
9.00 am: Lean Chambers
11.00 am: Joan Lafferty

Collection Details -Sunday 9th December Parish Collection: £1276.63

Fundraising from Cake & Marmalade/Jam Sale £725
A SPECIAL THANKS to all who made the cakes, pastries, bread, marmalade and to all who supported the Sale in aid of our Pastoral Centre building costs.

SATURDAY 22nd TAIZE after Vigil Mass and every Saturday during Advent

MON. 17th: 7.30pm GAA Meeting
TUES. 18th: 6.30pm - 7.30pm PILATES
THURS.20th: 6.30pm - 7.30pm Slimming World

TAIZE after Vigil Mass today Saturday 15th December in St. Mary’s Ardmore

Special Christmas St.Vincent de Paul Collection after Mass today also you may leave gift at Christmas Tree towards the Society’s annual gift giving

Trocaire Global Gift Aid available at Church Porch during Advent

PARISH DRAW NEXT SUNDAY 23rd December.
We still need more promoters and members. Your assistance is thanked and welcomed. Promoter names: Aidan Boyle,John Boyle,George Carlin, Dermot & Nana Chambers,Kathleen Chambers, Maureen Cooke,Tony Crilly,Peggy Deehan,Anne Doherty,Jim Doherty,Maureen Donnelly,Fr.Neil Farren,Lily Gallagher,Breege Hetherington, Elizabeth Magee, Mrs.Maguire, Maureen Molloy,Marie Moore, Gerry Murray, John McCarron, Anne McElhinney,Nellie McGinley,Jennifer McGlynn,Teresa McGrotty, Richard McKenna, Bridget O’Kane,Joan O’Neill, Sr.Teresa,Alice Storey,Hlda Walker, Dermot Ward, Teresa Ward.

Third Sunday of Advent PRAYER FOCUS May we experience the joy of Salvation Question What could prevent you from joy today?


"Happy is the one who does not lose faith in me." Over the past few years many people have lost faith in Christ and in His Church. There have been very good reasons for this, particularly the sins of others that have shocked and rocked us all. However this Christmas is another call to us to renew our faith in Christ, and our loyalty to His Church. We are brought again to the simple crib where God shows us the gentleness of His love. We can let go of the past in this simple place. We can let ourselves be healed from anger or bitterness by this Lord who is among us as a helpless baby. His only desire is that we would be people of compassion for one another and gentleness with one another. We practice this faith firstly in our homes as we grow in love for each member of our family. And we practice it in our community where we can make such a difference in making sure that every person is cared for at this special time.
Fr. Johnny Doherty C.Ss.R