Fourth Sunday of Advent

Sat 23^rd                  6:00 pm                 Liam, Stephen, & Michael Doddy (A)

Sun 24^th                 10:00 am              Special Intention (M)

Christmas Masses

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

Mon 25^th               12:00 am              Christmas Midnight Mass (A)

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

Mon 25^th               11:30 am              Christmas Day Mass (M)

Tues 26^th     St Stephen (first martyr)

11:00 am        Riyad Munir, Month’s Mind (M)

Wed 27^th               St John (apostle & evangelist)

10:00 am        Michael Brennan, Chaffpool (A)

Thurs 28^th   The Holy Innocents (martyrs)

10:00 am        Patrick & Mary Kate O’Donnell & dec’d (M)

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

10:00 am        Bridgie & Owen McGuinness (A)

Sat 30^th                  10:00 am              Michael Henry & dec’d Carrowmore (M)

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph

Sat 30^th                  6:00 pm                 Martin McIntyre & Maura Dibley (A)

Sun 31^st                 10:00 am              Mary & dec’d Clarke family (M)

Readers of the Word

Saturdays Dec 6pm: Tara Hosey (A)

Sundays Dec 10am: Pat O’Donnell (M)

READINGS for Feast of Holy Family

1^st Reading Gn 15:1-6, 21:1-3. Psalm Ps 104.

2^nd Reading Col 3:12-21. Gospel Lk 2:22-40.

Ministers of the Eucharist

Saturdays Dec 6pm: Maeve Fallon (A)

Sundays Dec 10am: Majella O’Donnell Spriggs (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 Tara Hosey (A)

Christmas Day 25^th 11:30 am Pat O’Donnell (M)

1^st Reading Is 52:7-10. Psalm Ps 97.

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

Fourth Sunday of Advent 24^th Dec: Focus: God is the font of all blessings & salvation. – Today’s readings make evident the goodness of the Lord, & that he is the source of all blessings. The Lord promises to build a house for David – one that will last forever. And from the lineage of David comes Jesus, God himself, to dwell among us. He is our shelter, our bodies are his temple, & his kingdom endures forever. We will soon celebrate the feast of his Incarnation & Nativity, while awaiting still, with joyful hope, the time when he will come again.

Christmas Day: A saviour has been born for you who is Christ & Lord. – To follow Jesus means both to rejoice in his coming at his Nativity, & to continue to wait in joy & hope for the coming fullness of his reign. In the midst of familiar rituals surrounding this holy day, the words of the angel still stand out: the God of all Creation cares enough for me, to come to earth for me? Indeed, a Saviour has been born for us. God has come to dwell with us. He has saved us; he is Christ & Lord

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

Adoration in Achonry Church 4-7pm on Tuesdays for the month of December. (Cancelled for St Stephen’s Day & 2^nd Jan.)

Mission Sunday Collection: Greetings from the Missio Ireland office. Many thanks for the amount of €22,714 for the Mission Sunday collection from the Diocese of Achonry.

Wishing you a happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

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

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.

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.

 Medjugorje Group Pilgrimage 2024. Direct flights from Knock to Mostar. 9^th-16^th October 2024 €805. Price increases to €855 after Feb 2^nd 2024. Full religious programme operated by Marian Pilgrimages. Spiritual Director will accompany Group. To book a place call Tom Moran on 086-0815635.

Have you ever dreamed of walking the Camino de Santiago?  Breakthrough Cancer Research are taking on the Camino Finisterre Way from the 13^th - 20^th May 2024.  Enjoy this amazing adventure with our experienced guide & help us Make More Survivors. For more info contact eoghan@breakcancer.ie  or call 021 422 66 55.

PTAA: Pioneers around the world are invited to attend Mass Wednesday 27 Dec & to prayerfully mark the 125^th anniversary of the foundation of the Association in 1898. Mass & prayers will be live-streamed at 10am (Irish time) around the world via www.pioneerassociation.org.

"What deeds of power are being done by his hands!" —Mark 6:2

In His Hands

The Hands that made the world & gave the sun & moon their light
are the tiny Hands of a baby born one cold December night...
The Hands that stilled the wind & tamed the fury of the sea
are the calloused Hands of a carpenter who lived in poverty...
The Hands that held the power to break the binding chains of sin
are the gentle Hands that washed the feet of tired & dusty men...
The Hands that cleansed the leper, healed the blind & raised the dead
are the praying Hands of one who cried, "Not My will, but Thine instead..."
The Hands that shaped the universe & flung the stars in space
are the nail-pierced Hands of a dying man who suffered in our place...
The Hands of our Creator, Lord & King of Heaven above,
are the Saviour's Hands, forever reaching out to us with love.

—B. J. Hoff

                 This Christmas,

                       may His 'Hands

                       touch your heart with healing

                       and your life with blessing,

                       as they cradle you in love

                       all the days of the new year.