Parish of Castlebar Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar; St Aloysius's, Breaffy; St. Patrick's, Ballyheane Sunday Newsletter 3^rd Sunday of Advent 15^th December 2002
'Thought for Sunday' Notices Mass Intentions Altar Society Eucharistic Ministers Rest in Peace Lay Readers Previous Newsletters	When the night never stops Life in the northern latitudes is dominated by light. Beyond the Arctic Circle, the sun does not set for about 10 weeks, producing the white nights of summer. During the dark winter period, the sun remains below the horizon for about seven weeks, creating the polar night known in Finnish as Kaamos. This perpetual darkness takes its toll on the physical and emotional health of the people: tension, fear and crime rises. People long for the light and hate to be alone, even installing neon lights around their windows, while some governments sponsor artificial sunlight rooms. That’s what physical darkness can do, but what about the darkness in people’s lives? This can differ from one person to the next. It can take the form of poverty or war, struggling with illness or the indignities that old age or failing abilities can cast upon you. Or the darkness can mean looking to the day when a loved one is lost through death. The Baptist said that Jesus is the real light, the genuine light who changes things. He is forgiveness. He is hope, encouragement, a word of love, strength. He is what you need to lighten your personal darkness when there are more questions than answers. That little child in the manger will meet you at your point of darkness, whatever that darkness is for you. In this light, we find the strength to carry on. (Fr. Tom Cox, Intercom)	Email the Presbytery Priest on Call: Fr. J. Buggy Tel. (094) 21844
	NOTICES Revenue Commissioners The parish has received a cheque for €11,230.64 in tax relief for donations over the past year. We are very grateful to the 92 people who returned the completed forms. Forms are still available at the back of the Church and can be forwarded to Fr. Curran at any time. Christmas Communion to the sick The priests will visit the sick in their areas on Friday 20^th December. This replaces the January First Friday calls. Confessions - Friday 20^th December: Breaffy Church: 8p.m. Ballyheane Church: 8p.m. - 9p.m. Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament 16^th - 21^st December Mon. - Sheila Brennan Tues. - Eileen O’Boyle Wed. - Ger Munnelly Thurs. - Mary Geraghty Fri. - Donie Murphy Sat. - Mary Dunne Drug awareness evening will be held at the I.S.P.C.C. Steps Centre in Castlebar on Tuesday 17^th, 4p.m. to 6p.m. All young people under 18 are invited to attend. Tel. Marianne 25254 for more information. Castlebar Lions Club food and toy appeal: Toy appeal: Good quality toys (not junk) to be left into local Primary Schools by Mon. 16^th Dec. Food appeal: Please donate non-perishable food and/or buy tickets in local supermarkets and shops. In aid of St. Vincent DePaul. Christmas Mini Concerts at Mayo General Hospital 17^th & 19^th Dec., 4p.m.: Traditional music with John Kilkenny & Co. 18^th Dec., 11a.m.: St. Louis Sec. School Choir. 6p.m.: Gospel Choir. 22^ndDec., 2p.m.: Castlebar Concert band. Prayer Group Christmas Mass on Wed. 18^th Dec. at 8p.m. in the Social Service Centre. Celebrant: Fr. Ml. Nohilly. All are welcome. Ecumenical, bi-lingual Carol Service in Ballintubber Abbey with Mayo County Choir, Cantoraí Umhaill and the Castlebar College Handbell Choir today Sun. Dec. 15^th at 5p.m. Davitt College Class of 1981 - 1987 reunion will be held in Breaffy House on Fri. 27^th Dec. Admission to the reunion will be by ticket only which will not be available on the night at the door. For more information and for tickets contact Peter Jordan, Chamber of Commerce Office, Spencer St., tel. 087 996 1422. Monster Christmas Bingo in the Travellers Friend Hotel on Tues. 17^th Dec. at 8.45p.m. Hampers and spot prizes to be won! The children’s liturgy are having their annual Christmas story and carols on Sun. 22^nd Dec. at 6p.m. in the Parish Church. All children are invited to come dressed as kings, shepherds or angels. Everyone is welcome. Carra Choral Group Christmas recital in Belcarra Church on Mon. 16^th Dec. at 8p.m.
	MASS INTENTIONS PARISH CHURCH Monday, 16^th December: 8 - Helena, Patrick & Tony Flynn & Phil Murphy, Lisnacurley, Ballyheane. 10 - Tom Courell, Rathbawn Road. 7.30 - Phylis Murray, Newtown & Station Road. (M.M.) Tuesday, 17^th December: 8 - Pat & Sarah King & Kathleen Cannon, Cloonfert. 10 - Vincent Moran, Boradruma & grandparents James & Cecelia Moran. Wednesday, 18^th December: 8 - Delia Neary, 4 NewAntrim Street. 9.30 - May Morris, Dublin & Curry. (M.M.) 10 - Martin Walsh, 24 St. Bridget’s Crescent. Thursday, 19^th December: 8 - Patrick & Mary Grimes, Ringeraun. 10 - John & Teresa King, Riverdale Court. Friday, 20^th December: 8 - Michael Brophy & dec. members of family, St. Bridget’s Crescent. 10 - Philip & Catherine Derrig, Tourmakeady. Saturday, 21^st December: 8 - Tony Lavelle, Tullycommons. 9.30 - Brendan Forkan, Patrician Park. (1^st Ann.) 10 - Agnes & John Roche, Breaffy Road. BALLYHEANE CHURCH: Saturday, 21^st December: 8.00p.m.- Thomas Timlin & dec. family, Castlebar. Sunday, 22^nd December: 10.30a.m.: Peter Sweeney, Ballycroy.
	ALTAR SOCIETY: 21^st December Mary Campbell Mary Keane Bernie Downes Judy Mitchell
	EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS: Sun. 22^nd - 4^th Sun.
	REST IN PEACE We commend into your hands Lord, the souls of Fr. Dudley Filan, Swinford, brother of Alo Filan, Ballynew; Brother Thomas Whelan, Westland Row, Dublin, brother of Agnes Tuffy, Knight’s Park; Sally Healy, Manchester, sister of Mary King, Lucan Street; Patricia Moran, Dublin, sister of Johnny Mee, St. Bridget’s Crescent & Madge Moran; Joan Murray, New Antrim Street; Ita McLean nee McGuinness, Ilford, Essex & late of Milebush, sister of Gerry McGuinness, Milebush.
	LAY READERS: 4^th Sun. of Advent Parish Church 7.30: Ml. Treacy 10.00: Teresa Carney 11.15: Eanya Egan 12.30: John Bourke Breaffy 10.00: Martin Carney, Mary Canavan 11.30: Grace Jackson St. Mary’s 11.30: Regina McGarrigle DAILY READERS Mon. - Paul Murphy Tues. - Bríd Concannon Wed. - Mary Foy Thurs. - Teresa O’Shea Fri. - Kathleen Brady Sat. - Delia Gavin
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