Third Sunday of Advent

Sat 16^th                  8:00 pm Bridget & Walter Burke

& dec’d family (A)

Sun 17^th                 10:00 am              Eugene Henry, Uristeen (A)

                                                        11:30 am              People of the Parish (M)

Mon 18^th               St Flannan (bishop)

10:00 am        Una Brennan & dec’d family (M)

Tues 19^th               10:00 am              Special Intention (M)

Wed 20^th               St Fachanan (bishop)

10:00 am        Michael & Margaret Doddy (A)

Thurs 21^st             St Peter Canisius (priest & doctor of the Church)

10:00 am        Dan & Celia Coleman (M)

Fri          22^nd         10:00 am              Margaret Mooney (A)

Sat 23^rd                  St John of Kanty (priest)

10:00 am        Private Intention (M)

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Sat 23^rd                  8:00 pm Peter & Ellen Murtagh (A)

Sun 24^th                 10:00 am              Eleanor & Patrick O’Brien (A)

                                                        11:30 am              People of the Parish (M)

Christmas Night Masses

Sun 24^th                 8:00 pm                 Christmas Vigil Mass (M)

Sun 24^th                 12:00 am              Midnight Mass (A)

Readers of the Word

Saturday 23^rd 8pm Anthony Benson (A)

Sunday 24^th 10am Sinead Johnston (A)

Sunday 24^th 11:30am Ella Finan (M)

1^st Reading 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8-12. Psalm Ps 88.

2^nd Reading 2 Rm 16:25-27. Gospel Lk 1:26-38.

Readers of Universal Prayer

Sunday 24^th 11:30am Clara Gallagher (M)

Readers of the Word; Christmas Masses

Sunday 24^th 8pm Karen Henry (M)

Sunday 24^th 12am Anthony Benson (A) Midnight Mass

Mon 25^th 10am Tara Hosey & Sinead O’Brien (A) Christmas Day

Monday 25^th 11:30am Megan Finan (M) Christmas Day

Readers of Universal Prayer; Christmas Masses

Sunday 24^th 8pm Conor Marren (M) Vigil Mass

Monday 25^th 11:30am Aoife Seevers (M) Christmas Day

World Meeting of Families; Presentation to the following:

December 17^th 10am (A) Kerins family, Gortnadrass

December 24^th 10 am (A) Lee Family, Carniara

December 31^st 10 am (A) McGowan family, Gortnadrass

Third Sunday of Advent 17^th Dec: Focus: Rejoice in your God, the God of hope & light. – The world literally grows darker each day this time of the year. But as dark as the world grows, the darkness will not overcome the light. Jesus is the light of the world. He illumines our darkness with his love & truth. We are able to sit in the darkness with confidence that the Lord is with us.

SYMPATHY: We remember in our prayers at this time: Aaron Johnston, England (son of Mick, formerly of Carrowrile, nephew of Tom Johnston & Teresa Hamilton).  

May the Souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.

Sacrament of Reconciliation: Confessions in Mullinabreena Church this Sunday 17^th December at 6:30pm. Confessions in Tubbercurry Church Sunday 17^th December at 7:30pm

MASS SERVERS

Achonry Sat 8pm 23^rd Dec: ST. ATTRACTA

Achonry Sun 10am 24^th Dec: ST. BRIGID  

Mullinabreena Sun 11:30am 24^th Dec: ST. DECLAN

Mullinabreena Sun 8pm 24^th Dec: ST. ELIZABETH + others

Achonry Sun Midnight 24^th Dec:  ST. COLUMBA + others

Achonry Mon 10am 25^th Dec: ST. DAVNET + others

Mullinabreena Mon 11:30am 25^th Dec ST. FRANCIS + others

“Do This in Memory” programme for First Holy Communion in Achonry at 10am Mass on Sunday 24^th December.

Choir Practice: In Mullinabreena Church this Sunday 17^th Dec at 7:15 & next Friday 22^nd at 7:15 in preparation for Christmas Masses

Choir Practice: In Achonry Church at 7pm on Sunday 17^th Dec in preparation for Christmas Masses.

Tractor Run in aid of Curry/Moylough Playground on Tuesday 26^th De at 1pm, registration at St. Mary's Community Centre from 12noon. There will be a Children’s' Mini Tractor Run, at 12.30pm.

Ceili in St Nathy's Hall on Thursday 21^st Dec from 8.30-11.30pm. Music by the Laighnaigh Ceili Band. All welcome

Coolaney / Mullinabreena GAA Club - This year's Christmas Concert will take place on Saturday 23^rd Dec at 8.30pm, in St. Nathy's Hall. It promises to be a great night of Music, Song, Dance & Comedy.

25 Drive in St Nathy’s Hall on Fridays at 8:30pm. Fri 15^th; Winners: M. Raffle:

Card Game in Cloonacool C. C. at 8.30 pm every Monday.

25 Drive in Moylough Community Centre 8.30pm every Wednesday

The Parents Association of Achonry N.S. Annual CLOTHES COLLECTION on Friday 12^th & Saturday 13^th Jan 2018 times TBC. There will be a collection on Wed 20^th December from 7-8pm in St Nathy’s Hall to accommodate those who have clothes gathered & need them collected before Christmas. Keep Packing! Please inform Family, Neighbours & Friends. For more info ring 087 6312980.

Towards Peace: Christmas & New Year is often a time when we are reminded of our deeper selves & deepest hopes, & deepest pain. The vision of Towards Peace is to provide a safe supportive space for people who have been affected by abuse in a Church context, & who are seeking to explore the spiritual impact of the abuse. If you have been abused & would like a space to reflect on the impact of the trauma of abuse on your own relationship with God & spirituality, Towards Peace is here for you: www.towardspeace.ie / 01 505 3028.

Coleman Centre: "Cherish the Ladies" on Saturday Jan 6^th at 8.30pm. This concert is now sold out. Due to popular demand we have added another show on Sun Jan 7^th at 8.00pm. Last year was an outstanding sell out show, by these exceptionally talented musicians & we are looking forward to welcoming them back this year. Booking & enquiries on 071 9182599 or www.colemanirishmusic.com.

South Sligo AC 5K fun run on St. Stephen's Day in aid of SHOUT. Registration in St. Brigid's hall at 11:30am, all donations go to SHOUT, & the run will commence at midday. Walkers, joggers & runners welcome to this family friendly event. Christmas jumpers encouraged!!! Refreshments in St. Brigid's hall. Look forward to seeing you all there. 

Offertory Boxes: are available at the church door. If your name is not on one & you require same please contact Fr Peter. Sincere thanks for your contributions over the past year.

Silent Retreat- Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius at the Alexian Brothers Monastery, Knock, for women aged 18 years & up. From Dec 28^thto Jan 1^st.  Places are limited. For more info contact 085-8235525. 

Special Olympics Connaught is calling on Sligo to get 'Freezin' for a Reason' this December & raise funds for local athletes with intellectual disabilities. First ever Polar Plunge that will take place at Rosses Point on Dec 9^th at 11am. If you are interested sign up on www.specialolympics.ie& click on Freezin for a Reason go to the Rosses Point event & register there. All monies raised go to supporting athletes with intellectual disabilities in sport & competitions. Plungers who raise more than €70 will also receive a complimentary Polar Plunge T-Shirt. There will be prizes for Fancy dress & best fundraiser also hot food, music & fun. Please contact Maura Kerins on Maura.kerins@specialolympics.ie also 071-9118320

Consider becoming a volunteer for WMOF2018

Why not consider volunteering for WMOF2018, either as an individual or as part of a group? No previous volunteering experience is necessary & we have roles for everyone, from logistics to liturgical, from translations to transport, among others. We need a diverse mix of people with various skills & experiences to ensure the success of WMOF2018 – & we need thousands of you! Whatever your reasons or your focus, we know that your abilities & experience can help us & we would welcome your support in helping us create a successful, historic & joyous event. Apply to volunteer at www.worldmeeting2018.ie/Volunteer

Bishop’s House, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon 094-9860021;

E-mail: bishop@achonrydiocese.org A Word of Thanks for the Diocesan Launch of the Preparation towards the World Meeting of Families 2018.

Sunday, 12^th Nov was a memorable day for our Diocese. The Diocesan Launch for WMOF2018 which took place in the Charlestown /Bellaghy Sports Complex was a marvellous celebration of ‘Family’ and all that that means to every individual. On behalf of the Diocesan Committee for the World Meeting of Families 2018, we would like to say a very sincere word of gratitude to every person who attended on Sunday last. To all the parishes across the diocese who took part and promoted the event to their very best - that was clearly evident, and it is greatly appreciated. To the many people who had an active part in the celebration – they were wonderful! And to the several individuals on the Diocesan Committee who organised the planning, as well as the many helpers who assisted to ensure that the whole event would become the success it was, we extend our thanks. We are very grateful to Mr. Tommy Marren of Mid-West Radio for his personal assistance and his availability to attend and act as MC for the occasion. May this event bring the abundance of God’s blessings on us at this time. And may the Holy Family of Nazareth remain the model and inspiration for us all throughout the ‘Family’ of our Diocese of Achonry.

With renewed thanks.  

Go gcumhdaí Dia sibh i gcónaí,

Fr Gerard Davey, Chairman

Bishop Brendan Kelly.