Advent
We begin our journey through Advent this weekend. It is time set aside to help us prepare for what's really important and essential this Christmas. Advent reminds us that the future holds hope because God is very much present in the here and now in the clutter and busyness of the coming few weeks. Many look for the perfect gift for Christmas and are looking for a perfect Christmas. There is no such thing as a perfect gift or a perfect Christmas. Advent keeps our feet firmly on the ground. It helps us to avoid the might be and puts us much more in touch with finding God in the here and now. But only if we let it!
Advent Symbols
As the season begins you see two symbols on the Altar
The Jesse Tree
What is a Jesse Tree? It is a, leafless tree decorated with symbols portraying Jesus spiritual heritage. Jesse was the father of King David. King David is one of Jesus ancestors. The Jesse Tree represents the 4000 years of salvation history when God prepared His people for the coming of Jesus. This is the theme of the 4 weeks of Advent. Different symbols will be added to the tree each week. From the creation of the world to the birth of Jesus.
Advent
The Advent Wreath is a circle with no beginning or end, showing the eternity of Gods creation and His never ending love and care for all of us. There are five candles on the wreath. They remind us of the four Sundays of Advent and Christmas Day. Three are purple and one is pink, one white.
The First Sunday Symbolizes HOPE with the Prophet's Candle- Jesus is Coming
The Second Sunday Symbolizes FAITH with the Bethlehem Candle – Mary & Joseph's journey to Bethlehem
The Third Sunday Symbolizes JOY with the Shepherd's Candle- Joy at the coming birth of Jesus
The Fourth Sunday Symbolizes PEACE with the Angel's Candle – The Message of the Angels: "Peace on Earth, Good will towards all.
Give yourself a gift of Peace this Advent
The month of December can often be a busy and trying time for people as we prepare for Christmas. On the Wednesdays of Advent there will be Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament after the 10am Mass until 11am, including our Mass we will have an hour with the Lord. Why not join us for an hour each week. Silence and prayer are the key to peace. Why not give yourself this gift?
Walk With Me
As we begin Advent our Journey. An excellent little book: Walk with Me is available after Mass this weekend (Cost 2) at the back of the Church. A journey of prayer for Advent & Christmastide 2008.
First Friday:
Fr. Charlie & Fr. Kerry will visit the sick and the housebound on Thurs. & Fri. at the usual times. There will be no exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass on Friday
Turners Cross Senior Citizens Christmas Party
in the Nemo Rangers Complex, Trabeg, on next Sunday 7th Dec. 3pm-6pm (note time.) Please hand in names to Sacristy or to Members of the Committee. Phone 4964902
Parish Christmas & Triduum Cards
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 after the 10am Mass. The Triduum of Masses will be offered on 23, 24, 25 Dec.
Important Date
20th/21st Dec. Penitential Rites at all the Masses. in preparation for Christmas
Holy Land
The Pilgrimage to the Holy Land is on. 5th Oct. 2009 for ten days. Flight direct from Cork to Tel Aviv. A limited number of places are left. See the diary of the last pilgrimage on the web http://turnerscross.com/smf/index.php?topic=442.0
Recovery
Recovery invites you to attend its weekly self-help meetings at the Capuchin Friary, Holy Trinity Church, Fr. Matthew Quay at 7.30pm on Wednesdays. Learn techniques for coping with depression, sleeplessness, anxiety, panic attacks, anger, fears and phobias. All are welcome.
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 Saturday next 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 13th/14th Dec. and place it in his basket. Our Do this in Memory Mass will be at 10.30am the same weekend. Santa will deliver your gifts to members of St. Vincent de Paul who are always helping those in need. The Vincent de Paul Christmas Church Gate Collection will be the weekend 13th/14th Dec
Ministers of the Word: Can collect their Rota and Missals with the readings for the coming year (Cycle B) in the Sacristy after Mass.
Ministers of the Eucharist: can collect their Rota in the Sacristy after Mass today.
Christmas Raffle
Thanks to the generosity of many, a Lovely Hamper has been put together in aid of the New Church Organ. Tickets are on sale after Mass today. One line 2 Three lines 5
Offertory Collection
Last weekend offertory collection came to 2,386 The Marriage Care Collection 1,443. Thank you for your generosity
Death
We remember in our prayers Paddy Meade, Congress Rd. who died recently. We extend our sympathy and prayers to his family.
Turners Cross Day Care Centre
Urgently requires voluntary drivers for approx. one hour per week. Contact Kathleen 4323435
Christmas gifts with a difference.
Are you searching for the perfect Christmas gift idea? Well, you just found it!
Why not give a gift that can help to change lives and will be appreciated for many Christmases to come. This Christmas, why not give a gift that can change someone's world for the better. A Trocaire Global Gift conveys the true meaning of Christmas and your friends and family are sure to appreciate the thought! Choose from nine life-changing gifts below and help change someone's world this Christmas.
Today after Mass you can purches one of the gifts listed below and get the card to sent to a friend instead of a gift.
Christmas Gift Range
School Lunch(for a year) 10, Olive Tree 20, Seeds & Tools 35, Goats 45 Mother & Child 60, Grandparent Support 80, Food 100, Water 150, Land 200
Details on the Web; https://www.trocaire.org/globalgift and on RTE
Family Mealtime
What are family mealtimes like in your home? Is it the time when various family members pop their individual meals into the microwave and retreat to their own corner of the house? Or is it the time when family members gather together to eat, talk and share their experiences of the day – research shows that mealtime is the most valuable way of keeping the family lines of communication open. Advent a good time to begin.