Parish of Castlebar Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar; St Aloysius's, Breaffy; St. Patrick's, Ballyheane Sunday Newsletter 3^rd Sunday of Advent 16^th December 2001
'Thought for Sunday' Notices Mass Intentions Altar Society Eucharistic Ministers Rest in Peace Lay Readers Previous Newsletters	“Strengthen all weary hands, steady all trembling knees and say to all faint hearts, ‘Courage! Do not be afraid.’ ” (Isaiah, 1^st Reading). John the Baptist who had baptised Jesus at the Jordan and announced him as the Lamb of God is now doubtful. Suffering in prison, cut off from friends, facing death, he asks ‘are you the one who is to come or are we to wait for someone else?’ The reply of Jesus is to tell John all the great things that are happening and then He adds, ‘and blessed is the one who does not lose faith in me’. In today’s often crazy world, it is easy to be doubtful and questioning. The crime, the vandalism, the abuse of drink, lack of respect for human life etc. etc. - where is God in it all? The failures in the Church, the lack of vocation, the drop off in Mass attendance - it is easy to paint a bleak picture and to become discouraged. But Advent is a time of hope, a time of coming. God is always creating something new in the Church and in the world. Abraham Lincoln once said ‘if you look for the bad in humanity you will surely find it.’ We look for the signs of the Spirit’s work in our own lives, in the parish, in the world. And above all we have to trust and have hope in God, and in His Son Jesus, the light of the world. The Church, the people of God, with all its goodness and failures, ups and downs is still Christ’s Church. ‘And blessed is the one who does not lose faith in me.’	Email the Presbytery Priest on Call: Fr. P. Farragher Tel. (094) 21844
	NOTICES CHRISTMAS CONFESSIONS Mon. 17^th Dec.: 8p.m. Penitential Service, Breaffy Church. 8p.m. Penitential Service, Ballyheane Church. Fri. 21^st Dec.: 8p.m. Penitential Service, Parish Church. Mon. 24^th Dec.: 11a.m. - 7p.m. Parish Church. Children’s Liturgy Group invites you to join them on Sun. 23^rd Dec. at 6p.m. in the Parish Church, to celebrate the story of the birth of Jesus, with carol singing and family blessing. Children can come dressed as angels, shepherds or kings. All are welcome. See poster at the back of the Church for more details. Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament 17^thDecember - 22^ndDecember Mon. - Sheila Brennan Tues. - Eileen O’Boyle Wed. - Ger Munnelly Thurs. - Mary Geraghty Fri. - Donie Murphy Sat. - Mgt. McCormack FAMILY CENTRE - tel. 25900 Bereavement Care Would it help to speak privately about your loss and grief to a trained bereavement care worker? Skilled and confidential help is available at the Family Centre, Castlebar. Mass will be held for dec. members of Western Health Board Ambulance Service on Thurs. 20^th Dec. at 7p.m. in Breaffy Church. Scoil Raifteiri School fund - ‘Lord of the Rings’, special showing on Wed. Dec. 19^th. Tickets available at the school, tel. 24700. St. John’s N.S. Breaffy Parents Association festive cake sale today Sun. 16^th in Community Centre 9.30a.m. to 1p.m. Christmas Communion to the sick -The priests will visit the sick in their areas on Monday 17^th December. This replaces the January first Friday calls. Prayer Group Christmas Mass on Wed. 19^th Dec. at 8p.m. in the Social Service Centre. Celebrant: Fr. Michael Nohilly. All are welcome. Parish Visiting Teams Parish Calendars are available for collection at the Presbytery. Breaffy Community are holding their annual Senior Citizens party in Breaffy Community Centre, today Sunday 16^th Dec., starting with Mass at 5p.m. All are welcome. Apostolic Work Apostolic Work wants to thank all those who supported their Christmas cake & craft sale on Dec. 2^nd. It was a great success. Thank you all. Monster Christmas Bingo in the Welcome Inn Hotel on Tues. 18^th at 8.45p.m. Hampers and spot prizes to be won!
	MASS INTENTIONS PARISH CHURCH Monday, 17^th December: 8 - Andrew Neary & dec. members of family, Shanvalley. 10 - Vincent, James & Cecelia Moran, Borradruma. Tuesday, 18^th December: 8 - Patrick & Mary Grimes, Ringeraun. 10 - Willie & Brendan Deane, St. Bridget’s Crescent. Wednesday, 19^th December: 8 - John & Teresa King, Castlebar. 10 - John, Tony, Pake & Mary Alice Mugan, Cloonkeen. Thursday, 20^th December: 8 - Paddy & Kathleen Minogue, Charles Street. 9.30 - Mary McHale, Ballinacorriga. (M.M.) 10 - Philip & Catherine Derrig, Tourmakeady. Friday, 21^stDecember: 8 - Michael Brophy & dec. members of family, St. Bridget’s Crescent. 10 - Tom Courell, Rathbawn Road. Saturday, 22^nd December: 8 - Farrell & Mary Hopkins & parents, Dernadiva. 9.30 - Thomas Timlin, 63 McHale Road. (1^st Ann.) 10 - Agnes & John Roache, Breaffy Road.
	BALLYHEANE CHURCH Saturday, 22^nd December: 8.00p.m.- Thomas Timlin, McHale Road. (1^st Ann.) Sunday, 23^rd December: 10.30a.m.- Robert & Kathleen Maher, Clonmel. ALTAR SOCIETY: 22^nd December Bridie Harney Sally Hopkins Frances Horkan Marie Sweeney
	EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS: Sun. 23^rd - 4^th Sun.
	REST IN PEACE: We commend into your hands Lord, the souls of Sean Malone, Towerhill, Ballyglass; Margaret McHugh, Garryduff Court; Sean McEvilly, Slane, nephew of Michael McEvilly, Station Road; Jim Mitchell, father of Sr. Mary Mitchell; Laura Murray, Westport, niece of Eileen Gibbons, Rowan Drive.
	LAY READERS: 4^th Sunday of Advent Parish Church 7.30:Eanya Egan 10.00:Bernard Gallagher 11.15:Kay Campbell 12.30:Liam Waldron Breaffy 10.00: Kathy Duffy 11.30: Grace Jackson St. Mary’s 11.30: Tommy Butler DAILY READERS Mon. - Maureen Tobin Tues. - Peggy McAllister Wed. - Chris Millett Thurs. - Pauline Taylor Fri. - Ann Gallagher Sat. - Pat O’Dwyer
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