Fourth Sunday of Advent

Sat 17^th                  6:00 pm Eugene Henry (A)    

Sun 18^th                 10:00 am              Patrick & Eleanor O’Brien (M)

Mon 19^th               10:00 am              Paddy Tresnan & dec’d. family (M)

Tues 20^th               St Fachanan (bishop)

10:00 am        John & Bridget & dec’d Reid family (M)

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

10:00 am        Private Intention (A)  

Thurs 22^nd            10:00 am              Private Intention (M)

Fri          23^rd         St John of Canty (priest)

10:00 am        Agnes & Francis Henry (A)

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

Christmas Day

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

                                                12:00 am              Christmas Midnight Mass (A)

Sun 25^th                 10:00 am              Christmas Day Mass (A)

                                                11:30 am              Christmas Day Mass (M)

Mon 26^th               St Stephen (first martyr)

10:00 am        Michael Brennan, Chaffpool (M)

Tues 27^th               St John (apostle & evangelist)

10:00 am        Patrick & Mary Kate O’Donnell

& dec’d family members (M)

Wed 28^th               The Holy Innocents (martyrs)

10:00 am        Private Intention (A)  

Thurs 29^th             St Thomas Becket (bishop & martyr)

10:00 am        Michael Henry, Carrowmore (M)

Fri          30^th         The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph

10:00 am        Private Intention (A) Padre Pio Devotions

Sat 31^st                  St Sylvester (pope)

10:00 am        Mary, Jim & Maureen Clarke (M)

Mary the Holy Mother of God – New Year’s Day

Sat 31^st                  6:00 pm Private Intention (A)    

Sun 1^st                    10:00 am              People of the Community (M)

The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ

READERS OF THE WORD

Christmas Eve Vigil 24^th 6 pm James McCarrick (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 Night Midnight Martina Brennan (A)

1^st Reading Is 9:1-7. Psalm Ps 95.

2^nd Reading Ti 2:11-14. Gospel Lk: 2:1-14.

Christmas Day 25^th 10:00 am Eugene Henry (A)

Christmas Day 25^th 11:30 am Mary Keane (M)

1^st Reading Is 52:7-10. Psalm Ps 97.

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

4^th Sunday of Advent 18^th Dec: Focus: God keeps his promises. – Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord reaffirms the promise of a saviour for his people, a saviour born under unusual circumstances who would clearly be God’s chosen one. After many years had passed since the promise – years in which the Lord continued to guide & prepare his people – we hear of its fulfilment in Matthew’s Gospel. In this final week of Advent, let us rejoice & praise God for he is faithful & keeps his promises.  

Christmas Day 25^th Dec: Focus: Christ lights the way to freedom & salvation. – In a world of darkness, we wander blindly, getting ever more lost. John’s Gospel brings hope to a dreary world. The word light appears five times in the space of five verses. Christ, the true light, has come to save us. Turn to Jesus, the Word made flesh; let him fan your flickering candle into a steady glow to light the path to salvation. God waits with open arms.

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

SYMPATHY: We remember in our prayers at this time: Margaret Walsh, Mayo Abbey, (mother of Myra O’Dowd), Kathleen Gaynor, Thurles, (nee Gannon, Cloonaraher).

May the Souls of the faithful departed rest in peace

Parish Pastoral Councils: The work of putting Parish Pastoral Councils (PPC) in place in parishes is continuing over these weeks. The PPC will work as a team, together with the Parish Priest, to improve the faith life of the parish. It will work to build up a stronger faith community in the parish. The Second Vatican Council, which began just over 60 years ago, encouraged every baptised person to take a more active responsibility for the work of proclaiming the Gospel. That vision is now being constantly reiterated by Pope Francis. The changing profile of clergy & religious is making this an even more urgent task now for all of us. In ten years’ time, we will have only about twelve priests under 75 in the diocese of Achonry. Responsibility for the Church will have to be more broadly shared by all members of our parishes. The PPC will play a vital role in this context.

Adoration in Achonry Church 4-7pm on Tuesdays for the month of December. (Cancelled for 27^th Dec).

First Holy Communion Programme

Grow in Love: Sunday 8^th Jan Achonry, Sunday 19^th Feb M/breena, Sunday 19^th March Achonry, Sunday 23^rd April M/breena. All Masses 10am. First Holy Communion will be in Mullinabreena Church on Saturday 13^th May at 11am. First Confessions to be arranged.

Achonry Farmers Market & Café at the Hub: We would like to encourage people to support both our Community Café & our Local Farmers Market. These amenities offer ideal opportunities for people to get together & are instrumental in creating a dynamic & cohesive Community for us all to live in. Café is open Saturday & Sunday 10am-2pm, with Market on Saturday 10am-1pm. 

Traditional music classes in The FRC Tubbercurry on Mondays. Beginner classes start at 6.15pm, intermediate & advanced classes at 7pm for tin whistle flute & fiddle. Contact Michael Hurley 086 6036243

25 Drive: In Cloonacool Community Centre on Mondays at 8.30pm.

Traditional Irish Music Classes: Banjo, Tin Whistle, Fiddle, Flute, in the Knocknashee Community Hub Tuesdays 3:30 to 5:30 Beginners & intermediate classes available. Contact Theresa O’Grady 0876299774.

25 Drive: In St Nathy’s Hall every Friday at 8:30pm.

Banada National School: ASD Class now enrolling for September 2023, email banadans@outlook.com or phone 0719181219

Pilgrimage to Medjugorge. Group Leader: Tom Moran, accompanied by Spiritual Director. 2^nd Aug 2023 for 7 days €849 pp sharing (€100 discount if paid in full by 5^th Dec.). For info contact Tom Moran 0860815635 or Carol Early 0879581495

Online Advent Retreat: The Priory Institute is offering an online retreat WORD BECOMES FLESH: AN ADVENT RETREAT "Oh that you would tear apart the heavens and come down!" (Isaiah 64:1) Visit website prioryinstitute.com or visit this link https://bit.ly/3DWrTkx to register/find out more.

Covid 19: The number of deaths worldwide is now at 6,668,096. Republic of Ireland deaths 8,170. The number of positive cases in Ireland is 1,680,940.

Meals on Wheels: Banada Meals on Wheels Service, offer applicants aged over 65 or those returning home from hospital, a daily delivery of a hot dinner & desert. Monday to Friday in the areas of South Sligo & border towns in East Mayo. Call 07191 81562 for particulars 9.30am. -1pm Monday to Friday.

Radio Maria Ireland can be listened to by downloading the Radio Maria Ireland app, saorview channel 210 or listen live at (01)4373277

“A world at prayer is a world at peace”

“The Family that Prays together stays together”

The Blessings of Christmas on you & yours