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)

Mon 13^th               St Lucy (martyr)

10:00 am        Dominic & Josephine Gilmartin, their

son Eddie, & dr-in-law Catherine (M)

Tues 14^th               St John of the Cross (priest)

10:00 am        Private Intention (M)

Wed 15^th               10:00 am              Special Intention (A)

Thurs 16^th             10:00 am              Mary Henry, Carrowmore (M)

Fri          17^th         10:00 am              Special Intention (A)

Sat 18^th                  St Flannan (bishop)

10:00 am        Private Intention (M)

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Sat 18^th                  6:00 pm Eugene Henry (A)

Sun 19^th                 10:00 am                      Eleanor & Patrick O’Brien (M)

Readers of the Word

Saturday 18^th Dec 6pm: .….. (A)

Sunday 19^th Dec 10am: …… (M)

1^st Reading Mic 5:1-4. Psalm Ps 79.

2^nd Reading Heb 10:5-10. Gospel Lk 1:39-44.

3^rd Sunday of Advent 12^th Dec: Focus: Rejoice in the Lord always. – As we celebrate the 3^rd Sunday of Advent, our Liturgy of the Word emphasizes our call to rejoice. We rejoice because the Messiah is coming. We rejoice because God has fulfilled his promises. We rejoice because there is no more need for fear or anxiety. In Christ, we are fulfilled. Rejoice! One mightier is coming!

"A world at prayer is a world at 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.

News from the Hub: “Following a Trojan Community effort the Café at the Hub is now complete. We intend to open the Café on a pop up basis run by volunteers commencing Sunday 12^th December after 10am Mass. Fr Peter will bless the Café & we invite you all to pop in for complimentary light refreshments to celebrate.”

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 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.

Latest Guidelines Re. Covid Restrictions: "For clarity following recent updated Covid guidance, Religious Services in Places of Worship are unchanged regarding capacity, with all other protective measures in place to ensure the safety of the congregation. Likewise, there are no changes to attendance at wedding services or funeral services however any gatherings after these services must comply with hospitality rules. With regard to wakes in private homes, general advice on household mixing is 3 other households (4 in total) applies." We will wait to see how the situation develops over the coming days to work out how Christmas will be managed. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be facilitated in the approach up to Christmas. WE will use the same format as at Easter & last Christmas to facilitate penitents safely.  

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.

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. 

Covid 19: The number of deaths worldwide is now at 5,318, 375. 55,615 deaths in the past week. Republic of Ireland deaths 5,788. That’s 81 deaths in Ireland last week. The number of positive cases in Ireland is now 588,472, so 1 in every 8.3 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. From that 7% comes two thirds of ICU Covid patients whereas one third comes from the 93%.

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.

Christmas Carol Service 2021

Three Maynooth College & University choirs will gather for the annual carol service: the College Chapel Choir, directed by Dr John O'Keeffe; the Schola Gregoriana, led by Dr Darina McCarthy; & Maynooth University Chamber Choir, under the direction of Dr Michael Dawson. Following public health guidance, a much-reduced congregation will attend this year's carol service, which will be livestreamed on Wednesday 15 December at 7:30pm at St Patrick’s Pontifical University. The service will be led by the President of St Patrick's College, Maynooth, Rev Prof Michael Mullaney.

Heritage Funding information: €8m in funding for built heritage projects. It is expected the schemes will support hundreds of projects while also creating over 44,000 days of employment.
Owners are invited to make an application through their Local Authority, which must in turn be submitted to the Department by 11^th Feb 2022. Partnership projects by state-funded organizations should submit applications directly to the Department. Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) Grants of between €2,500 & €15,000. Historic Structures Fund (HSF) Grants of €15,000 to €50,000 are available under Stream 1, & €50,000 to €200,000 under Stream 2.
For further information please contact: Planning Section, Sligo Co. Co. conservation@sligococo.ie  or 9114443 / 9114440

Details of the schemes & how to apply https://www.sligococo.ie/ Grants/FundingforConservationofHeritageBuildings/