Fourth Sunday of Advent

Sat 19^th                  6:00 pm Eugene Henry (M)

Sun 20^th                 10:00 am              Eleanor & Patrick O’Brien (M)

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

10:00 am        Dan & Celia Coleman, Cashel North (M)

Tues 22^nd               10:00 am              Una Brennan & dec’d. of family (M)

Wed 23^rd               St John of Kanty (priest)

10:00 am        Paddy Tresnan & dec’d. of family (M)

Thurs 24^th             10:00 am              No Mass (M)

The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ

Thurs 24^th             6:00 pm Christmas Vigil Mass (M)

                                                8:00 pm                 Christmas Vigil Mass (M)

Fri          25^th         8:30 am Christmas Day Mass (M)

                    10:00 am          Christmas Day Mass (A)

                                                11:30 am              Christmas Day Mass (M)

Sat 26^th                  St Stephen (first martyr)

10:00 am        Peadar Gorman & dec’d. Gorman family (M)

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph

Sat 26^th                  6:00 pm Bea Ann & Michael Brennan Chaffpool (M)

Sun 27^th                 10:00 am              Francis & Agnes Henry (M)

READERS OF THE WORD
The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ

Christmas Eve Vigil 24^th 6 pm & 8 pm (M)

1^st Reading Is 62:1-5. Psalm Ps 88.

2^nd Reading Acts 13:16-17, 22-25. Gospel Mt 1:1-25.

Christmas Day 25^th 10:00 am (A)

Christmas Day 25^th 8:30 am & 11:30 am (M)

1^st Reading Is 52:7-10. Psalm Ps 97.

2^nd Reading Heb 1:1-6. Gospel Jn 1:1-18.    

Readers of the Word

Saturday 26^th Dec 6pm …. (M)

Sunday 27^th Dec 10am: …… (M)

1^st Reading Gen 15:1-6, 21:1-3. Psalm Ps 104.

2^nd Reading Heb 18:11-12, 17-19. Gospel Lk 2:22-40.

4^th Sunday of Advent 20^th Dec: Focus: The Lord dwells among us. – David worries that the ark of God dwells in a tent; Mary doesn’t hesitate to allow the ark of God to dwell within her. God is not bound by human constraints, & yet he asks us to participate with him, & co-operate with his grace, that the Ark of the Covenant - & the arc of salvation history – may be made available to all.  

Christmas Night: Jesus’ birth brings abundant joy & great rejoicing. – What we have awaited for so long is finally here as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. At the time of his birth 2,000 years ago, the world had been waiting in hope for a Messiah. Jesus, the Son of God, came in the dead of night to redeem us & show us the reason for hope: God’s love.  

Fourth Sunday of Advent – December 20

“Be it done unto me according to your word.” Obedience to the Lord’s will is the fruit of humble prayer. If you think God is inviting you to a deeper consecration as a priest or religious, speak to your Diocesan Vocation’s Director, or email the Vocations Office on info@vocations.ie

Christmas — December 25

“The Word became flesh and lived among us.”Vocations to the priesthood & consecrated life are living in our midst. Is this the day He has called you? 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  

Religious Services Guidance

Special concession for Places of Worship to reopen for religious services at Level 3, 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.

If you are an older person and would like someone to talk to, particularly since Covid-19, consider phoning SeniorLine.​ We are Ireland's national confidential service for older people. We are open every day 10am-10pm.​ We are older people too, trained to listen & support.​ We would love to hear from you.​ Freefone 1800 80 45 91

COVID-19 Support Line for Older People: ALONE manage a national support line & additional supports for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to COVID-19. Professional staff are available to answer queries & give advice & reassurance where necessary. The support line is open seven days a week, 8am - 8pm, by calling 0818 222 024.

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.

Evening classes in North Connaught College starting in January: Care Skills - Monday 7-9, Level 5. Intellectual Disability - Monday 7-9, Level 5. Palliative Care - Tuesday 7-9, Level 5. Child Psychology - Tuesday 7-9, Level 6

Other classes on offer (subject to numbers): Computers – Intermediate. Photography & Digital Media. Beauty Therapy basics. Conversational Irish. Please phone 071 9185035 or email nccollege@msletb.ie to book a place.

Covid 19: The number of deaths worldwide is now over 1,690,000 & Republic of Ireland deaths at 2,149. That’s 80,000 deaths this week.

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

I wish you & yours lots of blessings & peace this Christmas in these challenging times. Stay safe & well over the Christmas period. God bless you.