Advent
Today we began our journey through Advent. Its not a word that you will find in many shopping catalogues. Few will get excited about Advent and yet it a season full of meaning and symbolism. The word Advent is derived from the Latin Adventus, a name which means coming or arrival. The prayers of Advent touch in on each person walking in some darkness and yet awaiting and anticipating a great light. It is a time for us to hear those other quiet whispers in our lives of a God gently calling us from darkness into light. Advent is a reminder of how we need this light more than ever in our own lives.
The Advent Wreath
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. It is evergreen, recalling that our faith, our hope and our love are always alive when they spring from God and His Son. There are four candles on the wreath. They remind us of the four Sundays of Advent. Three are purple and one is pink.
The 1st Sunday Symbolizes HOPE with the Prophet's Candle Jesus is Coming
The 2nd Sunday Symbolizes FAITH with the Bethlehem Candle Mary & Joseph's journey to Bethlehem
The 3rd Sunday Symbolizes JOY with the Shepherd's Candle Joy at the coming birth of Jesus
The 4th Symbolizes PEACE with the Angel's Candle The Message of the Angels:
"Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men"
The White candle is the Christ Candle
Blessing of Advent Wreath
This First Sunday of Advent is the beginning of the Churchs Year of Grace. Once again we enter in the continuing encounter with Jesus of Nazareth, human, like us in all things but sin. Live this advent season of grace. Jesus came among us at the dawn of the Christian Era; Jesus comes among us now in Word and Sacrament; Jesus will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. As we bless our Advent Wreath at the beginning of this church year, may we be reminded of our first sharing in grace through baptism that we may give wit-ness to the light of Christ come into our world.
Welcome to Sr Karen Kent who will speak at all our Masses this weekend, Sr Karen is a member of the Cork and Ross Pastoral Development Team and she works closely with parishes throughout the diocese in developing Parish Assemblies, training them and supporting them. Sr Karen will help us understand the process and the role of the Assembly and its members in the parish, she was involved in the setting up of our 1st Parish Assembly three years ago. Over the past few weekends we here in Turners Cross have been talking about the formation of our 2nd Parish Assembly and we have asked you to pray and think about who you would like to see on the new assembly. You now have the opportunity to nominate someone. There are many gifted and talented people here in Turners Cross, perhaps you are one of them and maybe you might even consider nominating yourself. You will have received your Nomination Form as you came into Mass this weekend. Closing Date for all nominations is December 8th.
Walk With Me: As we begin our Advent journey this weekend an excellent little book: Walk with Me some copies are available after Mass at the back of the Church (Cost 1.30). A journey of prayer for Advent & Christmastide 2010
Handels Messiah
East Cork Choral Society are performing Handels Messiah on next Sat. 4th Dec. in Christ the King Church, Turners Cross at 8pm. Soloists: Edel Shannon, Bridget Knowles, Robert Craig & Gordon Garde. The choir will be joined by Seafield Singers from Dublin and the East Cork Orchestra conductor Colin Nicholls Tickets 15 are available from the Sacristy here at Christ the King, & Pro Musica. This musical masterpiece, is more than appropriate for the Advent and Christmas season.
Gramaphone Recital: will be held on next Tues. 30th Nov. at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre. Presenter: Billy Collins
Interview with the Pope The Irish Catholic offers a four-page special on Light of the World, a new book of interviews with Pope Benedict. Bishops issue Mass cards guidelines The Irish Bishops' Conference has issued a set of guidelines dealing with the Church's official stance on Mass offerings in a further step to raise awareness of the prevalence of bogus Mass cards.
All in The Irish Catholic this week (on sale at back of Church)
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.
Advent Prayers of the Faithful.
Our thanks to all the teenagers who have volunteered to read the prayers of the faithful during the Advent Season – well done.
First Friday: Fr. Kerry & Fr. Charlie will visit the sick and the housebound this coming Thursday & Friday at the usual times.
Confirmation Class 2011.
Our next group preparation Mass will be next Saturday at 6pm. All parents will receive letters and details at the beginning of the coming week.
Colaiste Chriost Ri.
Congratulations on the occasion of 50th Anniversary of the School and also on the occasion of the visit of the President Mrs. Mary McAleese to the school on last Friday.
Important December Dates:
Sat. 4th Dec. Confirmation Preparation Mass at 6pm
Sat. 4th Dec. Handels Messiah at 8pm
Sun. 12th Dec. Do this in Memory and Gift Giving Mass 10.30am
Tues. 14th Dec. Parish Carol Service, 7.30pm
Sat.18th & Sun.19th Dec. Penitential Rites.