THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Gaudete Sunday 
We light the third (pink) candle of the Advent Wreath on the third Sunday of Advent. This Sunday is called Gaudete, the Latin for “Rejoice,” after the first word of the Entrance Antiphon for today: “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice.”
Bishop’s Christmas Pastoral Message
Bishop Fintan will preach his Christmas Pastoral Message during the Diocesan Carol Service on this Sunday 13th December at 7.30pm which will be streamed from the Cathedral. The pastoral message will be available in the Parish Church and on the Parish Website from Monday, and will be distributed with the Bulletin next weekend.
Diocesan Christmas Carol Service 2020
The Carol Service will be streamed from the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne on this Sunday 13th December at 7.30pm. Ten choirs (with six members each) will participate from parishes throughout the Diocese via their webcams. We are invited to join in via the Cathedral webcam https://www.corkcathedral.ie/live-stream/. The words of the carols and full order of service can be downloaded from the Diocesan website www.corkandross.org beforehand to enable us and especially our choir members to Join in from their homes.
Parish Christmas & Triduum Cards will be available in the church after Masses from now until 23rd December. The Triduum of Masses will be offered on December 23rd, 24th and 25th.
GIVING SUNDAY
This is “Giving Sunday” and gifts may be placed at our Giving Christmas Tree in the Sanctuary. We request non-perishable foods to help struggling families. Any of the following items – tea, coffee, sugar, Tayto, chocolates, selection boxes, biscuits, soup, (no toys). The gifts will be collected by members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society for distribution to families in need.
St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Collection
The St. Vincent de Paul Society Christmas collection will be taken up at all Masses this weekend.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
There will be Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament after 10.00 am Mass to 11.00 am on Wednesdays of Advent.
Morning Prayer on Fridays of Advent
Morning Prayer of the Church (Lauds) will be recited after 10.00 am Mass on the Fridays of Advent.
Live-streamed Advent Devotions
Christmas Preparation Prayer at 7.30 pm on each Wednesday evening up to 23rd December. Rosary, gospel reading and homily concluding with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 8.15 pm.
Advent and Christmas Prayers at Home
The Office of Mission and Ministry of the diocese has provided prayers for all of us to use at home including a prayer when decorating the Christmas Tree and a prayer at the Christmas Crib, which can be downloaded from the Diocesan Website.
“Walk with Me,”
A journey of prayer for Advent & Christmastide 2020. This excellent booklet is available at the back of the Church (Cost €1.30).
Confessions: each morning this week after the 10.00 am Mass.
Altar Decoration for Christmas.
Red Poinsettia plants would be much appreciated.
CHRISTMAS MASSES
Because of Covid-19 restrictions it will not be possible to accommodate the usual numbers at our Christmas Masses this year. Tickets will be necessary for admission. Applications for tickets must specify the number of seats requested and the names of those attending (including children). Please indicate a preferred Mass time and also a second preference. Seats will be numbered and only reserved seats will be available. Applications for tickets should be made in writing to the Parish Priest from Wednesday next 16th December. We ask for your understanding and support.
Mass times are as follows:
Christmas Eve: 10.00 am, 3.00 pm, 5.00 pm, 7.00 pm and 10.00 pm
Christmas Day: 8.00 am, 10.00 am and 12.00 noon.
DUTY TO GO TO MASS
Catholics are dispensed from attending Sunday and Holy Day Masses. Those over 70 years and those with underlying health conditions should remain at home where appropriate. Anyone who has symptoms of any sickness (even mild symptoms) should not attend the public celebration of Mass
First Holy Communion and Confirmation
Congratulations to the Girls and Boys from Bun Scoil Chríost Rí 2020 First Communion and Confirmation classes who received their deferred First Holy Communion on Saturday, 12th December, and deferred Sacrament of Confirmation on Wednesday 9th December.
Live-streaming of Parish Masses
Our website is www.turnerscross.com. All Masses are livestreamed via our new Church Services TV webcam which can be accessed by clicking on the movie camera pictogram in the home page of our website,
Our Masses are also available from Church Services TV at www.churchservices.tv by entering Turner’s Cross on the Find a Church button; alternatively log on to https://www.churchservices.tv/turnerscross
REFLECTION
from Fr Donal Neary SJ
Advent is a time of joy – joy in the waiting and this Sunday we wear the joyful rose-coloured vestment. The messenger in the first reading is the ‘joyful messenger’, and his joy is that God is near and God is coming. This would be the message of Jesus –that he was the joyful messenger of his Father’s love. He would be the shepherd – the one who cares, knows and actively looks after the sheep in good times and in difficult times as we are having now. . John the Baptist is the voice of joy and energy, preaching the new message. Voices of Advent to bring God near – The central message within all the voices of Christmas. God’s Christmas voice is I love you, you are all brothers and sisters, and nothing except love is final. Not just a voice…but actively loving in word and deed.
One way of touching that love is in the Mass. Jesus is not really love from the sky, but food of the Eucharist, that nourishes us and makes a difference. We bring our ordinary concerns to Mass, and let God lighten them and transform them, and enlighten us with his word. The voice of God makes sense of and brings light into the ordinariness of life. God is present in his word, and in his body – we wait in joy for the Word to be made flesh.
Remember this week what makes you joyful about the coming feast of Christmas and be grateful.
Lord I believe your word was made flesh and appeared among us.