4th December 2011 – 2nd Sunday of Advent


Lighting the 2nd Candle of 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

For whom the Bell Tolls; Historically bells have been more than symbols in Religious Ceremonies.  In fact, bells have always been associated with rallying people  The imaging of bells, understandably, was transferred to places of worship and its significance was key in ringing the bell on special occasions calling people to their place of worship..  But more importantly in the Christian context, a reminder to us of our duty to pray.  So also  was the practise of the Angelus introduced and has ever been part of our tradition. More recently we had the Eucharistic BELL itinerated throughout the Country, announcing the Eucharistic Congress to be held in June 2012.  It is an appropriate symbol of calling the people of Ireland to reflect, pray and respond to our Christian calling.  Our present situation calls for an enormous challenge in both Church and State and is an appropriate moment for all of us to renew our faith in God, Church and Community.

 
The Eucharistic Congress Bell is traveling throughout our Diocese and will be in Turner’s Cross on this coming Friday 9th Dec.  At 6.45pm.  The BELL will arrive at Congress Rd. to be carried by the residents of the area via Congress Rd – Derrynane Rd – O’Connell Ave – Evergreen Rd  arriving at the Church at 7.30pm.  People and Priests from the Churches of our Pastoral area will be joining us for a Prayer Service. Come and join us on Friday.
[The Bell  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRIoz5hHcpA&feature=player_embedded]
 
Feast of the Immaculate Conception: Thursday Dec. 8th  Holy Day of Obligation.
Mass Times: Wed. 7th.- Vigil 6pm  Thurs. 8th.  10 am, 12 noon & 6 pm

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 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 Tues. Dec. 6th. Next weekend He has asked us to have our Christmas Tree in place, and call it the Santa’s Giving Tree. If you could bring any of the following items – tea, coffee, sugar, tayto, chocolates, selection boxes, biscuits, soup, jam, gloves, socks, pyjamas, childrens underware, shampoo, hats, scarves and gloves, and place them at the tree (no toys) next weekend.  We will give them to the members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society  who are so good in helping those in need.


Carol Concert / Nativity Play “Prepare a way for the Lord”. The Parish and School Choirs and pupils from the Parish Schools will be part of a Carol Concert in Christ the King Church on Tues. 6th 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. Come and join us.

‘Do this in Memory’
Meeting of the Coordinating Parents Group will take place in Fr. Charlie’s house on this Mon. evening 5th Dec. at  7.30pm.  to prepare for next Sunday’s Giving Mass at 10.30am

St Vincent de Paul The members of Christ the King conference would like to thank sincerely all those who contributed so generously to their church gate collections during the past year,  This money is used for family relief in the parish including food vouchers, fuel and help with bill payments, education etc.the demands are greater than ever.  The Vincent de Paul  Christmas Church Gate Collection will be next weekend 10th /11th Dec the Dec.  We ask for your continued support.

Give yourself a gift of Peace this Advent
On the Wednesdays of Advent there will be Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament after the 10am Mass until 11am.

Pariah Calendars: This weekend we would appreciate if the area collectors would collect the 2012 Calendars to distribute to their area.

Deaths: We remember in our prayers  Sean O’Halloran, Palacanne Lawn and Donal Kelly, Doyle Rd who died recently we extend our sympathy to their families.

Christmas gifts with a difference.

Last year there was a very good response to the Gift with a difference. Are you searching for a Christmas gift idea?    You can purchase one of the Trocaire gifts  and get the card to sent or give to a friend. They are available at the back of the Church from members of the Parish Assembly.  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.

Mass times:
  Throughout our Diocese in every Parish there will be a reduction of weekend Masses beginning on the weekend of the 1st January.  Here in Christ the King Church our Mass times will be Saturday Vigil 6pm. Sunday 10am and 12noon.  Working Holydays Vigil 6pm, Day 10am & 6pm 

Christmas at The Lough

St Finbarr’s National Hurling and Football Club Presents Christmas at The Lough Church of the Immaculate Conception Sunday 11th Dec @ 7pm Cork
See notice board at back of Church