9th December 2018 – 2nd Sunday Advent (C)

0Joyful Hope
St Paul is filled with joy at the faith and faithfulness of the Philippians.  They may not be perfect, but he can rejoice in their goodness and he assures them that God who began a good work in you will see that it is finished, a promise for Christians of every age.  His comments are addressed to the whole people, not just the leadership or to an elite. He stresses the necessity of love for one another which will deepen knowledge and perception of the faith.  A unity of love has no exclusions, no putting a special group or brotherhood above the love of God for his little ones.  “The Lord hears the cry of the poor.”  God’s heart is for all his little ones.

Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament: after 10.00 am Mass to 11.00 am on the Wednesdays of Advent.

Morning Prayer on Fridays of AdventMorning Prayer of the Church (Lauds) after 10.00 am Mass on each Friday of Advent. This takes less than ten minutes, leaflets for everyone.

Memorial Acclamation (response to “The Mystery of Faith”). For the coming year the response will be: My Lord and my God.

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

Advent Mini Retreat: Our Parish Evening of Prayer & Reflection to prepare for Christmas will be held in St. Finbarr’s Hospital Chapel on Tuesday 11th December from 7.30 – 9.30 pm for all parishioners and especially for those all who serve and help in our Parish. The sermon will be preached by Fr Michael Burgess OFM Cap. Refreshments served after Mass, everybody welcome.

Christmas gifts with a difference. Trocaire Gifts and Gift Cards will be available at the back of the Church from members of the Parish Assembly during the Sundays of Advent.

Ministers of the Word may collect their Rota from the Sacristy.

Autumn Dues: A few remaining envelopes are ready for collection by the Area Collectors in the Sacristy. Many thanks.

Congregational Singing. We continue to select Entrance and Recessional hymns suitable for congregational singing, and would encourage (with the emphasis on courage!) everybody to join in.

Frankfield Gospel Choir presents “JOY” an evening of festive favourites for all the family, Sunday 16th December at 5.00pm, Church of the Incarnation, Frankfield (donations at the door in aid of St. Vincent De Paul).

Walk With Me: Copies of an excellent booklet: Walk with Me will be available from this week after Masses at the back of the Church (Cost €1.30). A journey of prayer for Advent & Christmastide 2018.

Society of St Vincent de Paul: this weekend on Saturday and Sunday, 8th and 9th December the second collection at all Masses will be the Christmas Collection for the Society of St Vincent de Paul, giving us all an opportunity to contribute financially to the support of those in need in our parish this Christmas. The Society thanks you for your continuing generosity and wishes a happy and holy Christmas to all.

GIVING SUNDAY NEXT WEEKEND: gifts may be placed at our Santa’s Giving Christmas Tree in the Sanctuary.  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). Members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society will collect them after the Masses.

Bambinelli Sunday: next Sunday is also Infant Jesus Sunday when families are invited to bring their crib figure of the Infant Jesus to Mass for blessing.   After the blessing you are asked to take the figure home and gift wrap it so that on Christmas morning it may be the first gift opened and then placed in your family crib.

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.

Deaths:  We pray for Sean O’Flynn, Capwell Avenue, Jimmy Crowley, Mayfield and late of Friars Road and Jim O’Hea, Victoria Avenue who died recently.  We extend our sympathy to their families.

Cork Alzheimer’s Café a safe place for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, their carers, family and friends along with social and health professionals to meet.  Our Christmas Cafe will be held on Friday 14th December at 1.30 – 3.30 pm in St Finbarr’s Hospital. Light refreshments provided free of charge. All welcome.

Deerpark Christian Brothers School are holding “Reindeer Park” a Christmas market and Santa’s grotto Sunday 16th December 3 – 6pm. Free event, open to the public. Sale stands at €25 each are available to interested vendors. For more information call (021) 4962025 or email a.wolfe@deerparkcbs.ie

OLA Sisters Mission yesterday and today exhibition – an exhibition of artefacts collected over 140 years service in Africa will take place at their convent in Ardfoyle, Ballintemple on December 8th and 9th from noon to 7pm.

Trocaire’s Christmas Appeal
‘Do not let the downtrodden retreat in confusion, give the poor and needy cause to praise your name.’ Psalms 74:21.
Millions of people have had to flee conflict in South Sudan and Yemen.   In one area alone in northern Uganda, 33,000 mainly women and children from South Sudan have arrived traumatised and broken.  Trocaire’s Christmas Appeal will help these people and many others rebuild their lives. Visit www.trocaire.org <http://www.trocaire.org> http://www.trocaire.org/ to find out more.