O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Christmas Masses

Christmas Eve: 6.00 pm and 10.00 pm

Christmas Day: 10.00 am and 12 Noon

A blessed and joyful Christmas to all parishioners and guests at our Masses this week. May the coming of God among us deepen our appreciation of his presence in our lives every minute of every day.

Christmas Collection

The collections at the Christmas Masses are part of the priests’ income. All the weekend collections, apart from Christmas and Easter, are for the running of the parish. Sincere thanks for all who support in so many ways.

Christmas Mass Cards

Shared Mass Cards are available from this weekend at the office inside the main entrance to the Church.

Poinsettia As is customary, you are welcome to present poinsettia plants for display in the sanctuary for Christmas

Thanks to all who prepared our church for a fitting celebration of Christmas this year and all those involved in ministry and service in Christ the King parish.

The Meaning of Christmas

            Christmas touches the smallest child and the oldest person. Christmas is for everyone: it is for children; it is for old people and for everyone in between. The only people whom Christmas doesn’t touch are those who cut themselves off from the spirit of generosity and openness that marks these days. They are the Scrooges of our time; those who cut themselves off from other people and, as a result, are cut off from God. They have no joy themselves and they sneer at those who do find joy in Christmas.

            Christmas is the time when people become important again. Christmas brings out the best in people. And this all happens because the Son of God came to show us the face of God and, in doing so, to show us the dignity of the human being. He did so in the most unusual of ways, by choosing a setting for Jesus’ birth that was truly shocking.

Recent Deaths:

Michael Smithers, Ballinlough, and late of Connolly Road; Kathleen Buckley, Deerpark Mews. May they rest in peace. We sympathise with their grieving families.

I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
my hand will save.
I, who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
 

Here I am, Lord.  Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my words to them.
Whom shall I send?

            Here I am, Lord. ……