First Sunday of Advent

Sat 2^nd                    6:00 pm                 Winnie & Mick Duffy & dec’d of

Duffy & McDonnell families (A)

Sun 3^rd                   10:00 am              Frank & Celia Healy & Sally Bissett (M)

Mon 4^th                  St John Damascene (priest & doctor of the Church)

10:00 am        Private Intention (M)

Tues 5^th                 10:00 am              Harry & Bridget McCarrick (M)

Wed 6^th                  St Nicholas (bishop)

10:00 am        Private Intention (A)

Thurs 7^th               St Ambrose (bishop & doctor of the Church)

10:00 am        Joe, Molly, Mary Kate & Bridgie Armstrong (M)  

The Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M.

Thurs 7^th               7:00 pm                 Bridgie, Brendan & dec’d Connolly family(A)

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

Sat 9^th                    10:00 am              Minnie & Tommy O’Donnell & dec’d of

      O’Donnell & Finnegan families (M)

                                                11:00 am              Owen & Mary Lee (M)

First Sunday of Advent

Sat 9^th                    6:00 pm                 Mary Henry & her niece Mairead (A)

Sun 10^th                 10:00 am              Will Crosbie. (Confirmation enrolment) (M)

Readers of the Word

Saturdays Dec 6pm: Tara Hosey (A)

Sundays Dec 10am: Pat O’Donnell (M)

READINGS for Second Sunday of Advent

1^st Reading Is 63:16-17, 64:1-8. Psalm Ps 79.

2^nd Reading 1 Cor 1:3-9. Gospel Mk 13:33-37.

Ministers of the Eucharist

Saturdays Dec 6pm: Maeve Fallon (A)

Sundays Dec 10am: Majella O’Donnell Spriggs (M)

First Sunday of Advent 3^rd Dec: Focus: We must be active in our hope for Christ’s return. – Hope is a theological virtue: “We desire the kingdom of heaven & eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises & relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit”. Hope is an active state of being, not passive. During this Advent season we must be fully alive & fully engaged. We must be committed in our pursuit of the Lord; we must be people of hope!

SYMPATHY: We remember in our prayers at this time: Bernie Tansey, England, (son of the late Bridget & Pat Tansey & brother to the late Rita, & late Frances Tansey Henry), Lloyd Wilkinson, Month’s Mind Mass will be offered later.

May the Souls of the faithful departed rest in peace

Saturday evening Mass at 6pm until the end of March

Sacramental Preparation:

Confirmation Meeting for Parents Dec 6^th 8pm in Parochial House.

Confirmation Enrolment & Ceremony of Light on December 10^th in Mullinabreena Church at 10am Mass.

Christmas Carol Service: In conjunction with the C. of I. will take place in Achonry Church on 19^th December at 8pm. Please come along, enjoy the Christmas Carols & get into the Christmas spirit. (Refreshments after).

Adoration in Achonry Church 4-7pm on Tuesdays for the month of December.

Altar Society: More volunteers are required. Could you spare an hour or two? The Mullinabreena Church Altar Society are looking for a few more people from the community to help with the upkeep of their Parish Church. If you feel that you could help please contact Roisin Healy 0879807416. Sincere thanks to those who are already involved in the Altar Society. The more volunteers, the less each one will have to do.

ACCORD, Ballaghaderreen offers marriage & relationship counselling in a secure setting, facilitating couples & individuals to explore, reflect upon & work to resolve difficulties that arise in their relationship. Please contact 094-9022214 or email accordcastlebar@gmail.com

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

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

The Phoenix Players present Peter Pan in St Brigid’s Hall on 8^th, 9^th, 13^th, 14^th, 15^th & 16^th Dec at 7.30pm. Matinee on Sunday 10^th at 4pm. Tickets from Gillespie’s & Doohan’s Daybreak & Coen’s Daybreak. Don't miss this pantomime. 

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.

The Lough Talt Branch of the INHFA will be holding their AGM on Tuesday 5^th Dec in the Ox Mountain Centre (beside Joe Dan's) at 8pm. Topics will include ACRES & Nature Restoration along with  other important information. Members & non-members welcome, attendance is important. Leanne INHFA 085 858 6065

Childrens Christmas Party: The Christmas Party due to take place on 10^th Dec is now postponed to a later date due to tragic circumstances.  

Knock Basilica: An Evening of Songs of Faith, Hope & Love on Friday, 1^st Dec, - a fundraiser night for Victim Assistance charity that supports victims of crime & trauma in Ireland. Taking part are Margo, Philomena Begley, Donna Taggart. John McNicholl, Marc Roberts, together with Una Nolan (musical director at Knock Shrine) & Schola Cantorum Basilicae. Tickets €30 available from Mary McNicholas, Victim Assistance Head Office, Aiden St., Kiltimagh. 094 9000 251/ 086 3938871.

PTAA: If anyone in the parish would like to receive their Silver or Gold Pioneer pin or become a member of the Achonry PTAA, please email achonrypioneers@gmail.com or contact Thomas at 087-2344338 before 31^st December 2023.

Totus Tuus Magazine is a Catholic magazine, full of articles from Irish priests and laity, which aims to highlight the beauty and joy of our faith. It is going into its 7^th year and is run by donations. If you haven't come across Totus Tuus Magazine and would like a free copy please contact Fiona Kiely on 086 8760058. 

THREE TENORS CONCERT at Friary Church Ballyhaunis on Sat 2^nd Dec at 8pm. Come & enjoy another great night of popular songs - from Dubliners to Andrea Bocelli & Christmas favourites. Also special Local Guests. Tickets at the Gem Costcutters Bridge St. Or by email at ballyhaunisabbeytrust@mail.com or on-line at eventsbrite.ie

Mary's Meals Christmas Gifts Campaign: With the cost of living crisis, times are that bit harder for us all. The Global School Feeding Movement Mary's Meals have launched our Christmas Gifts Campaign - giving gifts that have a real & tangible impact on those in need. From as little as €5.50, which will provide 50 meals for children in their place of education, we can play our part in changing the lives of those most in need. Visit marysmeals.ie to download a gift today or call 01-8535163/089-4339592.

“The Family that Prays together stays together”

You don’t have to be addicted to suffer from addiction! M-PACT supports the whole family, helping to improve relationships, understanding & communication. A FREE eight-week programme will begin on Tuesday 5^th Dec. If interested or would like further information. Please contact 071 9150578 / 085 875 9319 or email sligoleitrim@alcoholforum.com

The Poor Clares in Galway have just published an updated 10^th anniversary edition of their number 1 best-selling book Calm the Soul.
"In the ten years since the original edition was published we have received many letters & feedback from people who have found the book very helpful. In view of all that has happened on a global level during that time we believe that there is definitely an appetite for this revised & updated edition & we believe that it will resonate with many people, both young & old, & help them navigate through difficult times" said Mother Abbess, Sr. Colette.
The new material in the book includes reflections & prayers for those coping with anxiety as well as prayers for young people & for those challenged by aging, family conflict, bullying, Internet use & fear of missing out. A new section on accompanying the sick & dying is also among the topics.

Drawing on their experience of the issues people are approaching them to pray for, the sisters decided to use the opportunity of a 10^th anniversary edition, presented to them by publisher Hachette Ireland, to include these new prayers & reflections that speak to the times that we are living through.

"Often, the values we encounter in the digital world are a challenge to the Christian understanding of our inherent dignity & value as human beings. We believe that connecting with God through prayer is vital to counteracting the forces that rob us of our sense of worth" the Abbess continued.

"Our intention with this updated edition of Calm the Soul is the same as the original, namely to support those who wish to nourish their relationship with God or indeed reconnect with God through prayer. This relationship enhances our humanity & equips us with the confidence & conviction that we have something to offer our fellow human beings & that we can help to make the world a better place." The book is published by Hachette Ireland in hardback & is available in bookstores. For more information see www.poorclares.ie/calm-the-soul

Banada Abbey Hall Winter Classes in the Hilary Room. 7.15pm: Music lessons for all ages & abilities. Guitar, Singing Guitar, Keyboard, Whistle, etc. (Further Info: 085-1532109).

Bunninadden Community Bowls: Every Tuesday and Thursday from 2-4pm (except Christmas week). New members welcome, age 16 upwards, tuition given. Tea/coffee & biscuits at half time. Nice relaxed atmosphere & a good chance to socialise.