Entrance Hymn: O Come, all ye faithful

Preparing for the Feast of the Epiphany

Epiphany : This Christian festival held on January 6 is in commemoration of the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, i.e. to the non-Jews. They contrast so graphically with the shepherds who were the first human witnesses to the birth of Jesus. They were local people who were told by an angel that Jesus had been born in a stable in Bethlehem. The Magi, on the other hand, are unknown people from some faraway place, possibly Persia. They come to the stable with exotic presents: gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold is offered to a king and Christ is a king; frankincense is offered to God; myrrh is symbolic of death, so from the beginning the infant Jesus is destined to suffer death.

Literal meaning of epiphany: It owes its origin to  the Greek term ἐπιφάνεια, epiphanea, meaning “manifestation, striking appearance”. Technically it is an experience of a sudden and striking realization. Generally the term is used to describe a scientific breakthrough or a religious or philosophical discovery, but it can apply in any situation in which an enlightening realization allows a problem or situation to be understood from a new and deeper perspective. 

We should visit Christ while there is opportunity, take care of him and feed him. We should clothe Christ and welcome him. We should honour him, not only at our table, like some; not only with ointments, like Mary; not only with a sepulchre, like Joseph of Arimathea; nor with things which have to do with his burial, like Nicodemus, who loved Christ only by half; nor finally with gold, incense and myrrh, like the Magi, who came before all those whom we have mentioned. St Gregory Nazianzen (329-390) Archbishop of Constantinople.

Tuesday, 6^th January Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.

Holy Day of Obligation. Mass here at 10.00 am

Coffee Morning Tuesday 6^th January after the 10.00 am Mass. All welcome.

First Wednesday Prayer service led by the Legion of Mary at 10.00.

Second Collection next weekend for Diocesan Needs.

Parish Assembly meets on Monday 12^th January, at 8.00 pm.

Recent Deaths: The deaths have occurred of Joan Lyons, formerly of Doyle Road; Dan Dorgan, O’Connell Ave; Mary Mortell, late of Turner’s Cross.  May they rest in peace. We sympathise with their families, neighbours and friends.

2.          Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the new-born king!

Christ, the everlasting Lord,

Late in time behold him come,

Offspring of the virgin’s womb;

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;

Hail the incarnate deity,

Pleased as man with man to dwell,

Jesus, our Emmanuel.