13th December 2015 – 3rd Sunday Advent (C)

The-Baptist-e1447689305499

“Prepare the way of the Lord”

PREPARATION FOR CHRISTMAS                                                                                    As we prepare for Christmas, John the Baptist reminds us to: “prepare the way of the Lord.”  God is coming to save us, to rescue us from sin, fear, unhappiness and death.  And the Baptist tells us: “be content;” an attitude of contentment may not be in tune with our consumerist society, but it does bring happiness and the freedom to enjoy what we have. Jesus tells us that life is more than food and clothes, more than material goods. Christmas is a time of giving, giving presents to those we love, giving gifts to those in need, a time of sharing, giving of our surplus to ensure others have food and clothes, have the basic necessities of life. Religious observance without generous giving is worthless, and of course it is more blessed to give than to receive.  We wish each other “Happy Christmas,” and St Paul says to us today that God wants us to be happy.  “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice.”  As we pray for joy and peace this Christmas, we pray also that the peace of God will renew our attitudes and guard our hearts throughout this Jubilee Year of Mercy.

Pope Francis at Confession

Pope Francis at Confession

.Christmas Penitential Services    Next weekend 19th & 20th  December after 6pm vigil, 10am & 12 noon Masses. A number of priests will be available for Confessions.  We have an opportunity of preparing for the birthday of Jesus. We come together in faith as a community to celebrate God’s forgiveness. None of us is without sin. We are all in need of forgiveness. God knows that deep down in our hearts we want to turn back to him.  God offers us this most wonderful gift, that is the assurance that no matter how we have failed his forgiveness is there for us all.  Pope Francis said recently “Mercy is the Lords most powerful message

REPRO FREE 12.12.2015 Bishop John Buckley, Cork and Ross Diocese opening the Door of Mercy at St. Francis Church, Liberty St., Cork to mark the opening of the Jubilee of Mercy which was inaugurated by Pope Francis last week. Picture: Mike English.

Bishop Buckley open Jubilee Door

 The Jubilee Year of Mercy was proclaimed by Pope Francis  on Tuesday last, 8th December the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, when He opened the Holy Door in St. Peter’s in Rome.   Bishop Buckley opened the Holy Door in our Diocese on Saturday evening 13th December  in St. Francis Church, Liberty St.   The Jubilee Year of Mercy continues until the Feast of Christ the King –  20th November. 2016.

 

                                                       Christmas  Masses:  Christmas Eve: 6pm & 10pm.  Christmas Day: 9am, 10am  12noon (note extra Mass at 9am)

Deaths.  We remember in our prayers Fr. Eddie Keohan,  Mary O’Grady,  Ina Dwyer  & Jim Royal who died recently and we extend our sympathy to their families.

Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament on the Wednesdays of Advent after the 10am Mass until 11am

Parish Christmas & Triduum Cards are available after Masses   in the Parish Office.  The Triduum of Masses will be offered  on the 23/24/25 Dec

Altar Decoration for Christmas:  If you would like to give a Red Poinsettia plant to decorate the Altar for Christmas it would be much appreciated.

Kindness – Giving

Traditionally this 3rd Sunday of Advent  is  “Giving Sunday” – when Santa will help our local St. Vincent de Paul Society.  Our Santa’s Giving Tree is in place.  This year instead of toys, we request non-perishable foods to help struggling families.  Any of the following items – tea, coffee, sugar, Tayto, chocolates, selection boxes, biscuits, soup, may be placed at the Santa Tree in the Church (no toys). The members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society will collect them after the Masses.

Our Parish 2016 Calendar is ready. It would be great if the area collectors would help to distribute them.  They are in the Sacristy.   Many thanks.

Trocaire

The gift of water

Christmas gifts with a difference: You can purchase a Trocaire gift  and get a card to send or give to a friend, available at the back of the Church from Parish Assembly members after Mass.  This Christmas change someone’s world for the better with a Trócaire Gift

Messiah: At the Church of Ss. Peter & Paul  on 19th Dec.  A performance of Handle’s Messiah by Cor Cois Abhann with full orchestra and soloists. For information notice at back of Church

Advent: Public Morning Prayer  (Lauds) on Tuesdays in Advent in the church after 10.00 am Mass. Evening Prayer (Vespers) in the Parish Centre at 7.30 pm.

Minister of Eucharist & Word can collect their Rota in the Sacristy and their Missal for 2016

Christ King Girls Secondary School, 50 Years in Education, 50th Anniversary Mass, at Christ the King Church. Congratulations to Christ King Girls Secondary School on celebrating 50 Years in Education. The 50th Anniversary Mass was celebrated at Christ the King Church on the 8th December 2015