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)

Mon 6^th                  St Nicholas (bishop)

10:00 am        Joseph & Mary Armstrong (M)

Tues 7^th                 St Ambrose (bishop)

10:00 am        Special Intention (M)

The Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M.

Holyday of Obligation

Tues 7^th 6:00 pm                 Frank & Celia Healy, & Sally Bissett (A)

Wed 8^th                  10:00 am              Private Intention (M)

Thurs 9^th               St Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin

10:00 am        Frank & Bridget Gannon (M)

Fri          10^th         Our Lady of Loreto

10:00 am        Imelda Phelan (A)

Sat 11^th                  St Damasus I (pope)

10:00 am        No Mass (M)

                                                12:00 pm              Patsy & Gerry Murray, Glenree (M)

Third Sunday of Advent

Sat 11^th                  6:00 pm Mary Henry & her niece Mairéad (A)

Sun 12^th                 10:00 am                      Winnie & Mick Duffy & dec’d of

McDonnell & Duffy families (M)

Readers of the Word

Saturday 11^th Dec 6pm: .….. (A)

Sunday 12^th Dec 10am: …… (M)

1^st Reading Zeph 3:14-18. Psalm Ps 12.

2^nd Reading Phil 4:4-7. Gospel Lk 3:10-18.

"A world at prayer is a world at peace"

2^nd Sunday of Advent 5^th Dec: Focus: Make straight a path unto the Lord! – Today we hear that John the Baptist proclaims a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. While repentance is a sobering act of admission of guilt, being forgiven of sin is a hope-filled relief that lifts the soul. Let us seek to prepare a straight path unto the Lord by pondering the lofty mountains we may have in our lives that need to be made low; & the age-old depths & gorges in our own character or soul that must be filled to level ground.

SYMPATHY: We remember in our prayers at this time: Pat Haran, Curry, (brother-in-law of Val & Edmund Doddy, Achonry), Imelda Phelan, nee Doherty, USA & Charlestown, (relative of Hosey & Benson families), Padraig Mullarkey, Moyrush.

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  

Online Advent Retreat: Lectio Divina reflections on the Advent & Christmas Gospels. The Priory Institute is delighted to offer a Free of Charge online retreat. Visit prioryinstitute.com to register/find out more.

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.

Achonry Farmers Market: Every Saturday from 10am to 1pm in Nace O'Dowd Park. Christmas markets are in full swing at Achonry farmers market on 4^th, 11^th, 18^th 10am – 1pm, & Wed 22^nd 6:30-9pm. The market is the ideal place to come for Christmas shopping with a large selection of food and crafts. Handmade Christmas wreaths will be available for sale at the market. All proceeds from the wreaths will be invested back into the market. We really appreciate your ongoing support.

St Vincent de Paul Annual Collection 11/12^th Dec. Due to present circumstances, it is not feasible to have the usual church door collection. Donation envelopes are available at the church exits & it would be much appreciated if you would place the envelopes with your contribution in the church offertory box for collection. 

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. 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 well ventilated, hand sanitiser 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 5,262,760. 47,738 deaths in the past week. Republic of Ireland deaths 5,707. That’s 55 deaths in Ireland last week. The number of positive cases in Ireland is now 588,472, so 1 in every 8.6 has tested positive.

7% of our population are not abiding by Covid guidelines & thereby are hiding behind the 93% who are. That 7% are responsible for the high incidence of Covid at this time & are holding the rest of the Country to ransom.

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.

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 & work will begin in late February for a new roof on Mullinabreena church costing €214,000. Your support would be much appreciated for this major refurbishment.  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.

Safeguarding - Diocese of Achonry

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

“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.

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.