First Sunday of Advent

Sat 27^th                  6:00 pm John Gallagher (M)

Sun 28^th                 10:00 am                      Kathleen Benson & dec’d Benson &

Hosey families, & Anna & Eddie Mosen (A)

                                                11:30 am              Rosary in Courtabbey

Mon 29^th               10:00 am              Special Intention (M)

Tues 30^th               St Andrew (apostle)

10:00 am        Special Intention (M)

Wed 1^st                  10:00 am              Tony Campbell (A)

Thurs 2^nd               10:00 am              Tommy McIntyre, Kildare (M)

Fri          3^rd           10:00 am              Special Intention (A)

Sat 4^th                     St Fergal (bishop & missionary)

10:00 am        Harry McCarrick (M)

                                                12:00 pm              Billy Donohoe, Months Mind (M)

Second Sunday of Advent

Sat 4^th                    6:00 pm Bridgie & Brendan Connolly

& dec’d. family (A)

Sun 5^th                   10:00 am                      Mary Johnston, Carntavy (M)

Readers of the Word

Saturday 4^th Dec 6pm: .….. (A)

Sunday 5^th Dec 10am: …… (M)

1^st Reading Bar 5:1-9. Psalm Ps 125.

2^nd Reading Phil 1:3-11. Gospel Lk 3:1-6.

1^st Sunday of Advent 28^th Nov: Focus: In this graced Advent time, prepare for Jesus' coming. - Advent is a season of preparation. It is easy to lose Advent in the swirl of Christmas lights & decorations. In this time of anticipation as we consider Christ's incarnation - his coming in the flesh - we also await his return in glory. Be ready: stand erect & raise your heads. Prepare your hearts to receive him. Don't miss the grace of Advent.

SYMPATHY: We remember in our prayers at this time: Molly Lang, nee Forde, Masshill, (mother of Mary Kennedy, Achonry), Johnny Carr, England & Masshill, (brother of Henry Carr, Castleoye), Tommy McIntyre, Kildare & Cloonacool, (brother of Bridget McCarrick, Cloonbaniff).

May the Souls of the faithful departed rest in peace

Priesthood in Achonry Diocese – It is worth saying “yes” to God: For more information contact Achonry Diocesan Vocations Director, Fr Paul Kivlehan 094-9860011, or 087- 3683535, E-mail pkivlehan@achonrydiocese.org  

ADVENT TALK: Fr Eugene Duffy will present “The Gospel Truth about Christmas” on Wed 1^st Dec at 8pm. The Zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89396823099?pwd=M25vRVBGaFJyWWtqVXdvTGxDUG43dz09

The Phoenix Players presents The Plaza Suite by Neil Simon in St Brigid’s Hall Tubbercurry on Thursday Dec 2^nd at 8pm. Come along & wish them well before they compete in the All Ireland finals in Ennis. This is an hilarious comedy not to be missed from an award winning group. Karen McKim will also perform a medley of songs. Covid certs are required for entry to the hall. Thank you.

Lough Derg online shop offers unique Christmas Cards, featuring scenes of the Island from across the centuries & bespoke Gifts including a limited edition Lough Derg Christmas Candle.  Christmas Mass Bouquet Cards are also available – Fr La, Prior, will offer a triduum of Masses beginning on Christmas Eve for all those who are enrolled. Visit www.loughderg.live/shop Call 071 9861518 Delivery nationwide & Click & Collect Service available.

9 Day Rosary Novena for Ireland: Beginning Tuesday 30^th Nov & ending on Wednesday 8^th Dec. People all over Ireland will pray the Rosary together each evening at 9pm. On the final evening at 9pm on Radio Maria the Primate of All Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin will lead the live. If you are gathering to pray in groups please gather safely adhering to Covid 19 regulations. 

The refurbishment of the Community Hub is now underway & promises to be a great facility for young & old. Volunteers have been busy cleaning & painting the outside. We have now moved inside to clean & begin creating a pop up Community Café, Function Room & Social Club. We are looking for help so if you have any time to spare & want to lend a hand please contact Noel on 087 2502471. If you see the door open come in & have a look around this great Community asset.

Online Advent Retreat: Lectio Divina reflections on the Advent & Christmas Gospels. The Priory Institute is delighted to offer a Free of Charge online retreat which is a repeat of the popular Advent Retreat we ran in 2018.  Visit our website prioryinstitute.com or click on this link https://bit.ly/3DWrTkx to register/find out more.

Achonry Farmers Market: Every Saturday from 10am to 1pm in Nace O'Dowd Park. Thank you to the large number of volunteers who make this happen. We are appealing to members of the community to support the market to ensure its continued success. Drop in for a cup of tea/coffee & meet the locals in this friendly environment. The market has a new & unused stall & if anyone has any items for the stall please drop them in to the market. Thank you.

Book Sale/Swap: AMCE are holding a book sale/swap at the Achonry Market every Saturday. Book sale/swap will also be held in Carrowmore School Eircode F56EF63 every Sunday from 2pm-4pm. If these times don't suit please contact Brid 0866081926 or Margaret 0872875458 to arrange a time.

Latest Guidelines Re. Covid Restrictions:

Unfortunately the situation re. Covid is escalating. Basically the Govt. is encouraging us to continue with the practices we have all been carrying out in our churches. In the run up to Christmas we will need to keep a close eye on the situation & see what further guidance may be issued. “Religious services can proceed without capacity limits but with all other protective measures remaining in place” Premises should be well ventilated, hand sanitiser should be provided & face masks should be worn. Congregations should spread out as much as possible when attending. Choirs or soloists should be limited in line with the capacity of the church & should adhere to 2 metre social distance from other singers, the choir master, the congregation & any other individuals in the setting (as they will not be wearing face masks during performances). Thank you.

Covid 19: The number of deaths worldwide is now at 5,215,022. 49,862 deaths in the past week. Republic of Ireland deaths 5,652. That’s 33 deaths in Ireland last week. The number of positive cases in Ireland is now 550,909, so 1 in every 9.5 has tested positive.

North West STOP offers a free counselling service with no waiting lists.  Please phone or text 086 777 2009 to arrange.

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.

Safeguarding - Diocese of Achonry

Bishop Paul’s Letter re: Safeguarding is available at the church door.

"A world at prayer is a world at peace"

“The Family that Prays together stays together”

RADIO MARIA IRELAND

Thank God & sincere thanks also to our many listeners & supporters as RADIO MARIA IRELAND continues to grow. As an Irish-run Catholic Talk-Radio Station we enjoy commercial free broadcasting - Prayer, Catechesis, Uplifting music, Talks, Interviews & Testimonies - do join our growing faith family! Here's how you can listen: Via Digital TV - Saorview Channel 210. Download our FREE App "RADIO MARIA IRELAND" Streaming on our WEBSITE - www.radiomaria.ie (Subscribe & Donate here also) Via our 'Listen Live Radio' link on our Facebook Page. Via PHONE - get live radio feed by calling +353 (0) 1 437 3277 (no extra charges apply). Why not drop a line to our Priest Director, Fr. Eamonn McCarthy, or come & pay us a visit at Radio Maria Ireland, St. Anthony's Business Park, Ballymount Road, Dublin 22.

Parish Offertory Envelopes 2022

The parish offertory boxes for 2022 are available at the church doors. Sincere thanks to all those who are using the envelopes, these contributions have ensured that the parish has not fallen into financial difficulty. Using the envelopes also facilitates the parish in availing of the Revenue tax-back, which is a great financial benefit for our parish. Your parish envelope contribution is our only source of funding for the running of our parish & the maintenance & upkeep of our two churches & our parish buildings. This income has reduced drastically since the start of Covid 19, & only a fraction of those who contributed could have figures submitted for the Revenue-return for 2020. The contract is now signed for a new roof for Mullinabreena church. If you require a box of envelopes, please let me know & I will add you to the parish database. Your support is very much appreciated. Thank you.

The HSE Living Well Programme: The HSE are running a health programme free of charge for people living with a long term health condition (mental & physical). It helps people develop the skills & confidence to live a healthy & happy life. The dates are Tuesday 19^th Oct, & Monday 1^st Nov. For more info contact Olga on 086 6078950, or email olga.maguire@mayocil.ie

Tubbercurry FRC Notes

Free & confidential support: If you are feeling isolated, lonely, dealing with a lot of stress, poor mental/physical health or a bereavement a new service is available to help at Tubbercurry Family Resource Centre.Social Prescribing can connect you with your community, hobbies & interests or find support/guidance based on your needs.  Contact Social Prescribing Coordinator Mary for more information on 0719186926 or 0864092724 or ask your GP or other health professional for a referral to the service.

Want2Walk walking group has restarted for Autumn on a Wednesday morning at various locations in South Sligo, walks are approx 7k & at a leisurely pace. New people are welcome to join.