Parish of Castlebar

Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar; St Aloysius's, Breaffy; St. Patrick's, Ballyheane

Sunday Newsletter

1^st Sunday of Advent

30^th November 2003

'Thought for Sunday'

Notices

Mass Intentions

Altar Society

Eucharistic Ministers

Rest in Peace

Lay Readers

Previous Newsletters

The Visit of God

Christmas comes commercially earlier and earlier each year.  In a devotional sense it only comes onto our horizon with the beginning of Advent.  It’s a belated preparation for the visit of God perhaps.  Indeed visiting family, friends and neighbours is probably a less practiced art in today’s ‘we-surf-the-world-wide-web-but-don’t-know-who-lives-next-door’ type of world.  Still for any expected visit, there is preparation.  A quick wipe, vacuum and clean and all is ready.

It seems a bit strange that we begin preparing for Christ’s birth and a new church year by meeting the adult Christ reminding us of the second coming at the end of time.  In terms of a ‘positive Gospel’ today’s Gospel is not the happiest.  And yet, the message to be alert is relevant.

After all, leaders of any groups will admit that waiting is the biggest enemy in keeping a group of people focused and alert for the impending task.  With the best will, attention and standards will fall.

Over the coming weeks, we carry out time-honoured traditions.  Customs that link us with our past and our future and reinforces our family’s personality.  Many are the voices, not least of children, which will remind that we haven’t done something yet.  Today we listen to the divine voice telling us not to lose sight of what’s ultimately important.  It’s an Advent attitude.

Fr. Tom Cox, Intercom.

Email the Presbytery

Priest on Call:

Fr. Ml. Murphy

Tel. (094) 9021844

NOTICES

First Friday

Next Friday the priests will visit the sick at the usual times.  There will be Mass at 7.30p.m. in the Parish Church, Ballyheane Church and Breaffy Church.

Carol Service

The Parish Christmas Carol Service will take place in the Parish Church on Wednesday 10^th December at 8p.m. 

All are welcome.

Parish Pastoral Council

A new Pastoral Council is being formed at the moment.  It includes some members from the former Council including those from the priests areas.  The main areas outlined by the previous council as needing attention are: liturgy and music, youth, communication, justice and visitation.  Anyone interested in these areas should contact a member of the Council or any of the priests.

Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament

1^st - 6^th December

Mon.    -           J. Fallon

Tues.    -           K. Shaw

Wed.    -           M. Finnegan

Thurs.   -          B. Harney

Fri.       -           T. O’Shea

Sat.      -           M. Mongan

Guided Prayer in the Monastery on Thurs. 4^th Dec. at 8p.m.

Creation Spirituality

Final talk in the present series will be held in the Welcome Inn on Mon. 1^st Dec. at 8p.m.  Presenter: Sr. Monica O’Sullivan.  All are welcome.

Apostolic Work

Apostolic Work are holding their cake and craft sale on Dec. 7^th after 10a.m., 11.15a.m. & 12.30p.m. Mass in St. Gerald’s Parish Centre.

Snugboro Dev. Assoc. car boot sale today Sun. from 10a.m. - 3p.m. in Main Street car park.

Bingo in An Sportlann every Tues. at 8.45p.m. Books €8.

Devotions at 5p.m. today Sunday in the Parish Church.

Castlebar Fair Trade town project meeting will be held in the Parish Centre on Thurs. 4^th Dec. at 8p.m.  All are welcome.

25 Drive

Derrywash N.S. Parents Association are holding their annual 25 Drive in the Welcome Inn on Mon. Dec. 1^st at 9p.m. sharp.

Service for the sick and the housebound

Starting shortly we will be broadcasting daily Mass from the Parish Church for the sick and housebound on FM radio.  Details will be given next week.

R.C.I.A. Programme (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)

A number of people from the diocese including three from this parish, have been trained in this programme.  It is for adults who are interested in becoming part of the Catholic community here, or for Catholics who have lost touch with the Church. For more information tel. 9028473.

Narcotics Anonymous meetings are held every Sunday at 2p.m. in the Social Service Centre.

MASS INTENTIONS

PARISH CHURCH

Monday, 1^st December:

  8        -           Maria & Pat Finnerty, Thomas Street.

10        -           Patrick Carey, Springfield.

Tuesday, 2^nd December:

  8        -           Anthony & Gretta McHale & dec. members of                         family, Ellison Street.

10        -           Peter Philbin, Springfield & dec. members of family.

Wednesday, 3^rd December:

  8        -           Dan Doyle & dec. musicians, Castlebar.

10        -           Pake & Ellie Philbin, Conloon & dec. members                         of family.

Thursday, 4^th December:

  8        -           Chas, Katie & Patrick Heraty, St. Bridget’s                         Crescent.

10        -           William & Nora Kenny & Anthony Murray,                         Newport Road.

Friday, 5^th December:

  8        -           Jack Flannery & dec. members of family, Sion                         Hill.

10        -           Nora & Michael O’Sullivan, The Orchard.

Saturday, 6^th December:

  8        -           Willie Loftus & dec. members of Loftus &                         Murray families.

9.30      -           Sheila Whelan nee McHale, Kilboyne & Dublin.             (1^st Ann.)

10        -           Michael Armstrong, Newtown.

10.30    -           John & Margaret Gibbons, Mountgordon.

BALLYHEANE CHURCH

Friday,  5^th December:             

7.30p.m.-          O’Malley & Londra families.

Saturday, 6^th December:

8.00p.m.-          Tom & Bridget Deasy, Errew.                           

Sunday, 7^th December:  

10.30a.m.-        Frank Heneghan, Derrew.

ALTAR SOCIETY: 6^th December        

Mary Dunne             Peggy Lee

Noreen Groonell     Julie Prendergast 

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS:

Sun. 7^th -  1^st Sun.

REST IN PEACE  We commend into your hands Lord, the souls of

Carmel Cawley, Achill;

Peter Nee, Leenane, uncle of Michael Keane, Tullycommons.

John McHale, London, late of Parke, brother of Norah Devaney, Spencer Park;

Mai Fahey, Davitt’s Terrace;

Gerard Gillespie, Knockmore & Huddersfield, uncle of Mary Loftus, Hawthorn Avenue;

John Corrigan, Manchester, brother of Breege Halligan, 7 McHale Road.

LAY READERS:  2^nd Sunday of Advent  Year III

Parish Church:

11.15: Teresa Carney

12.30: Padraig Flynn

Breaffy:

10.00: Kathy Duffy, Pauline Jordan

11.30: Mary Grealis

St. Mary’s:

11.30: Mary Finnegan

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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