First Sunday of Advent

Sat 28^th                  6:00 pm Francie Henry (M)

Sun 29^th                 10:00 am              Kathleen & John Joe Benson,

Their sons Francis & Christopher, &

dec’d Hosey & Benson families (M)

Sun 29^th                 11:30 am              Mary Johnston’s Funeral Mass

Mon 30^th               St Andrew (apostle)

10:00 am        Dec’d. members of Julian’s Ceili Dancers (M)

Tues 1^st                  10:00 am              Caroline Richardson, England (M)

Wed 2^nd                 10:00 am              Josie, Seamus & Geraldine Conway, &

extended Conway family. (see over) (M)

Thurs 3^rd               St Francis Xavier (priest)

10:00 am        Private Intention (M)

Fri          4^th           St John Damascene (priest & doctor of the Church)

10:00 am        Private Intention (M)

Sat 5^th                     12 Noon Walter Kivlehan & his parents

Peter & Loretta, &

John & Mary Brennan, M.breens Sth (M)

Second Sunday of Advent

Sat 5^th                    6:00 pm Owen & Mary Lee (M)

Sun 6^th                   10:00 am              Bridgie Connolly & of the

Connolly family (M) 

Readers of the Word

Saturday 5^th Dec 6pm …. (M)

Sunday 6^th Dec 10am: …… (M)

1^st Reading Is 40:1-5, 9-11. Psalm Ps 84.

2^nd Reading 2 Pet 3:8-14. Gospel Mk 1:1-8.

The Rosary will be live on Facebook from Achonry & Courtabbey Cemeteries during the month of November.

SYMPATHY: We remember in our prayers at this time: Mary Johnston nee Gannon, Carntavy, (beside the Church), Caroline Richardson, England & Derrinacarta, (niece of Sr Mary, Tubbercurry). Mass on Wednesday for Josie, Seamus & Geraldine Conway, the extended Conway & Coleman families, especially those who died recently, Margaret, Micheál, Beetie & Teecie.

May the Souls of the faithful departed rest in peace

1^st Sunday of Advent 29^th Nov: Focus: Let us be ever watchful for our God, who comes to us in ordinary circumstances. – Perhaps, like Isaiah, we long for God to perform a breathtaking miracle that would make us sit up & take notice. Yet, as people of faith, we are called to see God in the ordinary. Advent gives us the opportunity to take time to pray – to sharpen our vision of God’s presence in our daily lives.

First Sunday of Advent – November 29: “O LORD, you are our father…we are all the work of your hands…” How is God trying to mould you? Is it to be of service to Him as a priest or in the consecrated life? Speak to your Diocesan Vocation’s Director, or email the National Vocations Office on info@vocations.ie

Priesthood in Achonry Diocese – It is worth saying “yes” to God

6 residential weekends in Mullaghmore over the coming months for men who are exploring a call to priesthood. For more info contact Vocations Director, Fr Paul Kivlehan, Ballaghaderreen. 094-9860011, or 087- 3683535, E-mail pkivlehan@achonrydiocese.org  

Achonry Mullinabreena Community Enhancement Group

In this very strange year that is 2020 it’s great to have some good news. On behalf of all our community I congratulate our AMCEG on their recent achievements: In the IPB Pride of Place they were Runners-Up in the Creativity category, also recently they purchased the Knocknashee Inn, opened a Right-of-way on Knocknashee, & next Friday at 7pm they turn on their new Christmas Lights at Achonry Church Carpark & on Saturday at 7pm the Christmas Lights around the Church Carpark at Lavagh. Well done to all involved.

Religious Services Guidance

Special concession for Places of Worship to reopen for religious services at Level 3, from 1 December, in light of the upcoming Christmas period, to be reviewed in January. This will allow for up to 50 worshippers to attend Services with the Covid 19 protocol being followed. Wearing of face coverings. Separate entrance & exit points clearly marked. No congregation by people outside the premises before & after any service. Stewards on site to assist in this regard. Additional measures to be put in place to address overcrowding, to include scheduling additional Services, increased stewarding where necessary. Our churches are not large enough to have sub-divisions. We will abide by the same rules that were in place during the August/September opening. Choirs (as part of the Service), chanting & congregational singing is allowed.

Covid 19: The number of deaths worldwide is now over 1,457,000 & Republic of Ireland deaths at 2,043. That’s 71,000 deaths this week.

Trócaire Christmas Gifts: We want you to know that now more than ever your support is invaluable to us at Trócaire & the work we do with the world’s most vulnerable people. We could not do the life changing work we do without the hard work & dedication of our parish supporters. For that we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
As you know Christmas is a busy time for Trócaire & we have recently launched our Christmas Gifts of Love which allows people to buy vital gifts for the people we support.  We have 17 gifts in total this year ranging from a 6 months supply of Soap for a family to our new Quarantine Care Kit which gives a family everything they will need for 16 days of quarantine. This year we are asking for your help to promote our Gifts of Love by donating for one of these gifts & asking others to do likewise. Thank you.

Comfort My People: The First Readings of Advent. With Fr Noel Rooney at  https://www.galilee.ie/online-programmes/   

In Advent the Church selects readings to draw us more deeply into the mystery of the season. In these four short videos Fr Noel introduces each of the first readings, its context & characters, & helps us to connect it with our own Advent journey. The Work of your Hands. Comfort my People. Good News to the Poor. Promises to Keep.

Fr Noel Rooney is a priest of the Diocese of Elphin, currently serving in St Joseph's parish in Sligo town. Fr Noel studied Scripture in the Biblical Institute in Rome and graduated with a licence in Sacred Scripture (LSS).

Advent Invitations for COVID Times. Online Advent Retreat with Sr Finola Cunnane. Amid the challenges of COVID & 2020 can we hear the words of Isaiah, "See, I am doing a new thing?" Can we hear God's invitation to listen, hope, uncover & discover the hidden treasures within our being?  In this two-part retreat we will pay attention to how we are & open our hearts to Christ's life-giving invitations for Christmas & beyond.

Part 1 recording available https://www.galilee.ie/online-programmes/  from Nov 30^th.  Part 2 – Sat, 5^th Dec 10.30am-1pm 'live' via Zoom. 

Cost €25 Details and booking: info@galilee.ie . 

Dr. Finola Cunnane, SSL is a St. Louis Sister with wide experience in retreats and education. She has lectured in scripture, theology and spirituality in Ireland and internationally. 

Free Living Well Programme - : Thurs 7^th, Tues 12^th, Mon 18^th January. If you are living with a long term heath condition you may be interested in doing the “Living Well” formally known as the ‘Self Care to Wellness Programme’.  This is a six week programme delivered in 2.5 hour weekly sessions online where you will learn new skills to manage your health condition on a day to day basis. You must register in advance as places are limited to 10/12 participants. Please note you do not have to disclose your health condition on the programme. Please contact Olga on 086 6078950 or email: olga.maguire@mayocil.ie