Sunday, 20th December 2009

Fourth Sunday of Advent.

Elizabeth said: 'Blessed is she who believed that the promises made to her by the Lord would be fulfilled'. This week we celebrate the wonderful feast of Christmas. Mary is by far the best person to teach us what it is about, as she was very central to the first Christmas. The first thing she teaches us is that Christmas is primarily about Christ. How obvious that should be and yet it is about so many other things for so many people today. The second thing Mary teaches us about Christmas is that it is about God's extreme love for us as we are. Each one of us is so precious in God's eyes that Christmas would have happened even if we were the only person ever to live. It is a time to let go to that love. And the third thing is that it is about family - our love for one another in our homes and being a family together in our parish community.

F r. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

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?

Masses

PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF MASS TIMES

on Monday & Wednesday 10.00 am

MASSES: Monday - Thursday 10.00 am (Christmas Eve)
Christmas Masses : Vigil : Christmas Eve - 10.00 pm
Christmas Morning : 9.00 am and 11.00 am
Stephen’s Day : No morning Mass
Usual Masses : Sunday : Vigil : 7.00 pm, 9.00 am and 11.00 am

Confessions:

Monday after 10.00 am Mass & 5.30 pm - 6.30 pm
Monday : Penitential Service in St Patrick’s Church Aghyaran at 7.00 pm
Tuesday : After 10.00 am Mass
Wednesday : After 10.00 am Mass and Penitential Service at 7 pm
Thursday : After 10.00 am Mass - 10.30 - 12 noon

Sunday Collection:

£ 1,416.00 and € 93

Thank you for your generosity

Legion of Mary meets every Monday at 6.30 pm in the meeting room in church. New members welcome

Eucharistic Ministers for December
24/12/09 & 25/12/09
Vigil : Margaret Ann Gormley, Pat O’Loughlin, Seamus Duffy, Patricia McGlynn
9.00: Annette McAleer, Maureen Lynch
11.00: Pat McLaughlin, Marie McSorley, Margaret Cassidy, Kathleen Duggan

27/12/09
Vigil : Pat McLaughlin, Marie McSorley, Anthony Harkin, Marie Devenney
9.00 Margaret Ann Gormley, Pat O’Loughlin
11.00 Annette McAleer, Maureen Lynch, Kathleen Lynch, Bridget Barrett

Offertory Procession for December
Vigil: Eamon and Mary Coyle
9.00: Hilary and Kathleen Lynch
11.00: Vincent and Kathleen Duggan

Readers for December : Vigil: 11.00: Philomena Doherty

CHURCH CLEANERS THIS WEEK - Mary McAnea, Denise Gallagher, Bernie Breen, Annie Quinn, Vera Harvey, Geraldine McHale

ALTAR SERVERS – Group 4 –Roisin Devlin, Ciara Porter

CHOIR PRACTICE FOR CHRISTMAS - Monday 21st December 2009 at 8.00 pm after Mass

FR DONNELLY AND FR O’DOHERTY - would like to thank everyone for their good wishes and support. Many thanks to St Eugene’s HS and Colette Rush for their help with the crib and Margaret Cassidy for organising the Christmas Tree. Many thanks to all who work tirelessly within the Churches all year round and for their continued support. We would like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year

CONFIRMATION DAY - The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated in this Parish by Bishop Lagan on Sunday 7th March 2010 at 11.00 am

DERRY DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE - led by Bishop Hegarty DD in 16th -21st July 2010 Fare £629 inclusive. Booking forms available in all parishes and from the Pilgrimage Secretary - Tel 028 71260293. Why not give someone an opportunity of going on the Lourdes Pilgrimage as your Christmas Gift - Gift Vouchers £25 - £100 are now available from Pilgrimage Office

BINGO AND WHIST - will resume first week in January 2010

ST VINCENT DE PAUL - HELPLINE NUMBER : 028 71384488

ST VINCENT DE PAUL ANNUAL CHRISTMAS COLLECTION - Would like to thank everyone for their continued generosity for the Annual Collection of £1,205.64. They wish everyone a Peaceful and Happy Christmas

THORNHILL CENTRE, DERRY - Foundations in Liturgy : A 12 week Liturgy course to be held in Sion Mills Parish Centre beginning Tuesday 19th January from 7.30 - 9.30 pm. Course : cost £10 contact 71351233

WHAT MIGHT I DO TO GET MORE OUT OF ADVENT? What a pity that Advent has been devoured by the commercial side of Christmas. Advent develops hope in the time of waiting, and hope is a virtue most needed to sustain our faith in the wilderness of scandals and recession. Try to let Christmas wait until Christmas. Let Advent be a time for more reflection and prayer. Get in tough with those areas of life where we struggle, where we experience our incompleteness, where we come to recognise our need of God. Christmas will be properly celebrated by those who know their need of God. Come, Lord Jesus, come

BUS RUN TO VISIT THE MOVING CRIB - in St Martin’s Dublin - On Tuesday 29th December leaving from the Chapel carpark at 9 am - Fare £15 - To Book : contact Lynch’s 81671344

CHILDREN IN CROSSFIRE - ADVENT CAMPAIGN FOR 2009 - Advent packs containing their unique two-in-one Advent calendar/collection box are available in the church porch - They will be collected over the weekends 8th/9th January

THE ALL IRELAND TALENT SHOW - Sunday 7th February - RTE 1 at 6.30 pm - Congratulations to Chloe Coyle (Student at St Eugene’s H S) who has qualified for the above competition and is now in the last 8 for the North. We all wish her good luck - please give Chloe your support & vote

ST PATRICK’S P.S. - PRIMARY 1 ENROLMENT FORMS - available from the School Office - Children born between 2/7/05 - 1/7/06 - All forms to be returned by 12 noon on 20th January 2010

BARROWFIELD F.C. - LOTTO - 4, 7, 12, 16 - No winners - Joe McHugh wins £30

“YOU ARE PRECIOUS IN MY SIGHT” - If you are concerned about someone with suicidal feeling phone the Samaritans or consult your GP - Samaritans 0845 9090 90

CAISLEAN NA DEIRGE G.A.C.

G.A.A. Lotto: 15/12/09 ( 2,3,4,5,) 6,1,7 - Mary R Byrne wins £100 - Next week Jackpot £600

LOTTO XTRA - Christmas Draw - 1st £400 - Lucia Svanias, 2nd £200 - Packie Collins, 3rd £150 Marietta Bradley, 4th £150 - Kevin Lynch, 5th £100 - Roisin Devlin, 6th £100 - Therese McHugh, 7th £100 - Kiernan McDaid,
8th £80 - Damien Leonard

Scor na nOg - Ulster Final on 16th January in Galbally Community Centre. We are thinking about running a bus to this event - anyone interested contact : Teresa Corry 81670963 or Berlinda Logue 81679369
The 1st round of Senior Scor takes place 22-24 January 2010. Anyone interested in taking part contact: Teresa or Berlinda as soon as possible

Merchandise : Ideal Christmas Gifts - Jerseys, Hoodies, Tracksuits, Shorts/Socks, Bags - Contact: Jo Lynch