Advent
As a circle begins and ends a the same point the liturgical year begins and ends at the final judgement. God is at the beginning and the end, Alpha and Omega. All time belongs to him and all the ages. The Advent Wreath represents the circle of lifes journey from God as creator to God as final destiny. Evergreen leaves express the hope based on Gods everlasting love.
Three times we hear that the Son of Man is coming. Advent will focus on three stages of his coming. We look back to his historical coming at the first Christmas. We look forward to his final coming at the end of our earthly journey. We are called to be vigilant in prayer to the many ways that God communicates with us each day. Prayer is not so much talking to God as learning how to listen to God before talking. Be vigilant, on the watch, attentive to God. The prayer book Walk with Me on sale at the back of the Church will be a help to make this Advent special.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Friday next 8th Dec. Holy Day of Obligation.
Mass Times: Vigil Thursday 6 pm.
Friday: 10 am, 12 noon & 6 pm.
Parish Christmas Card
There has been a big demand for the Parish Christmas Card and Christmas Triduum Mass Card available in the Parish Office after Mass today and during the week.
The Triduum of Masses will be offered on 23, 24, 25 Dec.
Santa to help St. Vincent de Paul Society
Santa, whose real name is St. Nicholas, is probably the best loved saint of children. His feast day is Dec. 6th. Next weekend he will be here with a basket of letters. In his letter he will tell us to prepare well for the Birthday of Jesus and will ask us to bring a specific item the following weekend 16/17 Dec. and place it in his basket. Santa will deliver your gifts to members of St. Vincent de Paul who are always helping those in need. In preference to toys, donations of food items (non perishable), chocs, biscuits and small items of clothing will be appreciated. Dont forget to collect your letter. We thank you for your continuing support.
Important Date
16th/17th Dec. Penitential Rites at all the Masses.
Turners Cross Parish Senior Citizens Christmas Party
in the new Nemo Rangers Complex Trabeg on Friday next 8th Dec.. at 7.30 pm. Please hand in names to Parish Office or members of the Committee.
LArch Christmas Craft Fair
Sun. 10th Dec. 10am5pm LArch Community Centre, Togher (next to Parish Church). All welcome: adm. free. Lots of beautiful hand-crafted gifts for all the family.
Deaths
We remember in our prayers Seán McMahon, Tory Top Rd., Rosie Coombs, Frankfield Terrace, and Mary Cotter, South Douglas Rd., who died recently. We extend our sympathy to their families.
Ministers of the Word & Eucharist
can collect their Missals/Rotas in the Sacristy after Mass today.
Gods Word for 2nd Sunday of Advent 10th Dec.
Ist Reading: Prophet Baruch 5:1-9, Psalm 125, 2nd Reading: Paul Philippians 1:3-6.8-11. Gospel: Luke 3:1-6.
St. Vincent de Paul Society
would like to thank our parishioners for their support.
Income (monthly Church gate collections) 13,053.
Expenditure for the year: 18,976. We wish all of you a Happy and Peaceful Christmas.
Walk With Me
Next Sunday we begin our Advent journey Are we attentive to the Coming of the Lord?
An excellent little book: I Am Here is available after Mass this weekend (Cost 1). An Advent journey of prayer.
Christmas Raffle
Thanks to the generosity of many, a Monster Hamper has been put together in aid of the Church Grounds Fund. Tickets are on sale after Mass today and during the coming days. One line 2, 3 lines 5.
Turners Cross Credit Union
The annual General Meeting of Comhar Creidmheasa Chríost Rí Teoranta will be held in Scoil Chríost Rí (Boys Primary School) on this Mon. 4th Dec. at 8pm. Each member in earnestly requested to attend.
The election of 3 Directors, 1 Supervisor and an Auditor will take place. Please bring your passbook for identification.
Hearing Loop the whole Church is served by a hearing loop. Users hearing aid to setting marked T.
History of Our Church (continued)
Work began in March 1929 with foundations for the Church being blessed on 21st July of the same year by Bishop Cohalan. Initial problems were mostly in relation to the foundation. The soft marsh-like terrain of the site was no match for the heavy foundation. Before any walls could be erected, the building contractor, John Buckley, had to sink foundations some fifteen feet to reach a solid base, well above the 4 – 6 feet estimations of the architect Barry Byrne. Other issues included a strong opposition from the Society of Stone Cutters and Marble Masons. Their anger related to the selection of concrete as a base material, and instructed that the foundation stone . . . shall not be worked as the building of the said Church is detrimental to our trade.
A general building trade strike took place the following year from May to August causing significant delays in the project. The Church did however open on time on the Feast of Christ the King 1931. However, a hasty completion is evident: some of the photographs (the one on display at the back of the Church) indicate missing terrazzo panels on the altar reredos. The Stations of the Cross were also unfurnished and an external fence was not erected for some time.
To make up for no Foundation Stone a plaque in bronze is being prepared and will be located inside the porch of the Church between the two main doors, hopefully before Christmas.
One of the earliest letters from Barry Byrne to Bishop Coholan. (Click to enlarge)