Advent
We begin our second week of Advent with a call from John the Baptist to prepare. It is time with a deep spiritual significance which could go unnoticed. Its starting point is always darkness and despair. This is a place where many people live today. From time to time all of us have been there, this past week has been difficult. From darkness and despair there is a call to hope and light. Its what makes Advent and these coming weeks before Christmas significant. We bring our darkness, hurts, despair and frustration to God and we simply ask for guidance, direction, light, hope and blessings. In these difficult times, with the Dublin Report and the coming Budget the season of Advent will help all of us prioritise whats really important. What is really important to me at this time?.
As we light the Second Candle of the Advent Wreath
Lord God, you chose John the Baptist to prepare your people for the
coming of the Saviour. He greeted Jesus, the Lamb of God, and showed
the world its Redeemer. As we prepare for Christmas help us to
straighten out our lives. With your grace may we renew our hearts,
overcome our sins and give greater welcome to Jesus who is among us.
We make this prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Feast of the Immaculate Conception Dec. 8th Holy Day of Obligation.
Mass Times: Mon.7th.- Vigil 6pm Tues. 8th. – 10 am, 12 noon & 6 pm
Traditionally this was the first day of the official countdown to Christmas. Each year Christmas seems to be starting earlier which means, Dec 8th has lost some of its appeal. But it is an important feast day as we remember Mary. As the Mother of God she is often put up on a pedestal, given fancy names and yet she is a woman of the people. She has left a deep imprint in our Gospel accounts. She was a woman of character, courage, bravery, patience and always hopeful. Her feast day is a day of celebration of good news that's often hidden and obscure. We ask her blessings on all of us.
Advent Giving Tree – 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 this Sat. Dec. 6th. Next weekend He has asked us to have our Christmas Tree in place, and call it the Santas Giving Tree. If you could bring any of the following items – Tea, coffee, sugar, tayto, selection boxes, minerals, biscuits, soup, jam, baked beans, peas, cornflakes, gloves, socks, pyjamas, custard, crackers, shampoo, tinned fruit and place them at the tree. We will give them to the members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society who are so good in helping those in need. That will be next weekend 13th/14th Dec.
Thank You
The members of Christ the King conference of St Vincent de Paul would like to thank sincerely all those who contributed so generously to their church gate collections in Christ the King during the past year, 13,500 was collected. The amount spent in our Parish was 18,784 the balance coming from central funds. This money is used for family relief in the parish including food vouchers, fuel and help with bill payments, education etc. The Vincent de Paul Christmas Church Gate Collection will be next weekend 12th/13th Dec. We ask for your continued support. A member will speak at the end of Mass today
Christmas gifts with a difference.
There has been a good response to the Gift with a difference. Are searching for a Christmas gift idea? You can purchase one of the gifts listed below and get the card to sent or give to a friend instead of a gift. They are available at the back of the Church. Christmas Gift Range :School Lunch (for a year) 10, The Gift of Chickens 15, Gift of a Vegetable Garden 25. The Gift of Life-Saving Food 35. Gift of a Goat 45. Gift of Education 70. This Christmas change someone's world for the better with a Trócaire Gift. Taking a moment to think of others is what Christmas is all about and this is your chance to change someone's world with a gift they truly need.
Carol Concert – Prepare a way for the Lord
The Parish Choir, Choirs from Scoil Chríost Rí & Christ King Girls NS and pupils from the Secondary and Primary Schools of the Parish will be part of a Carol Concert in Christ the King Church on Tues. 15th Dec. at 7.30pm. The Call of John The Baptist to prepare, The Annunciation, The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, The Birth of Jesus, and the coming of the Kings will be dramatised.
Parenting Course: Will begin on Tuesday 12th Jan. at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre. Parents who have been part of the three previous courses in the parish have found them very helpful and informative. Three places available, give your name to The Sacristy on members of the Parish Assembly or phone Parish Mobile: 087-2610276
Turners Cross Credit Union:
The annual General Meeting of Comhar Creidmheasa Chríost Rí Teoranta will be held in Scoil Chríost Rí (Boys Primary School, Evergreen Rd.) on this Mon. 7th Dec. at 8pm. The election of 1 Director, 1 Supervisor and an Auditor will take place. Please bring your passbook for identification.
Do this in Memory
Meeting of the Co-ordinating parents Group in Fr. Kerrys house on this Mon. evening 7th Nov. @ 7.30pm. Mass for First Holy Communion Children at 10.30am next Sunday Giving Sunday.
St Josephs Young Priests Society
Monthly meeting on Tues. 8th Dec. after the 10am Mass in the Parish Centre. (note change of time)
Ordination
Next Tuesday the feast of the Immaculate Conception will be a day of joy when Tom Treacy will be ordained a priest for our Diocese by Bishop Buckley in Ss. Peter and Paul's Church, at a ceremony beginning at 2.30pm. Our prayers and good wishes to Tom as he prepares for this special day.
Are you struggling with the pain of loss and grief?
You are invited to a public meeting on loss and grief in the Turner's Cross Parish Centre on Mon. the 7th of Dec., at 8pm. A speaker with many years experience in this area will deal with the pain of loss and show how beneficial a support group can be in a time of bereavement. We look forward to seeing you at this meeting. The Turner's Cross Parish Bereavement Support Group.
Parish Christmas & Triduum Cards
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.
Death:
We remember in our prayers Claire Gould, Curragh Rd. who died during the week. We extend our sympathy to her family. May she rest in peace.
Santa is Coming to Turners Cross Community Centre! On Sat. 12th Dec. Santa will be coming to visit the children of Turners Cross 11 A.M. at Turners Cross Community Centre. Small gifts for all boys and girls! All welcome!
Alzheimer Society: meeting of the Saturday Club, from 2pm until 4pm on Saturday 12th Dec. at Bessboro Day Care Centre. Christmas Carols with Members of the Cork Operatic Society Light refreshments provided. Free Admission. All Welcome, information contact 4972504
Christmas Carol Concert
with Turners Cross Choir and Guests in aid of Preslink (Presentation Brothers Projects) in Sacred Heart Church, Western Rd. on Sun. 20th Dec. at 7.30pm
Next Sundays Readings 13th December
1st Reading: Zeph 3:14-18 2nd Reading: Phil. 4:4-7
Gospel Lk 3:10 -18
Consider reading in preparation for Sunday next.