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St
Mary’s Church Bocan 2nd
December 2007—No 1
First
Sunday in Advent
Microscope, telescope, horoscope
In his book, God is not Great, Christopher
Hitchens with near messianic fervour
puts mankind on notice : keep to the
straight and narrow of scientific
exactitude when accepting anything
as fact. Otherwise, God forbid [Oops,
sorry!], you might end up thinking
that there is more to life than science.
And that, most certainly, would damage
your health.
Really? Just what does science have
to offer when it comes to understanding
life? I don’t mean the nature
of living things or inanimate objects.
I mean the why of it all. But then,
why is not a scientific question.
Does that mean we shouldn’t
ask it, or if we do that we shouldn’t
expect a worthwhile answer? I hope
not.
So let’s ask it: why is there
anything at all? Science, where art
thou? Okay, let’s change tack.
How about the question? How will the
universe end? Here science can indicate
a distant, if frightening feasible
scenario: a frozen lifeless waste.
Give me instead the follow-up to what
today’s gospel [Mt 24:29-44]
describes. After the Second Coming,
the New Heaven and New Earth.
Even were it sheer fantasy, let me
die aglow with its promise rather
than be numbed lifeless by the eternal
emptiness of scientific scenarios.
Fr Tom Cahill SVD
Responsorial
Psalm
I rejoiced when I heard them say:
’Let us go to God’s house.’
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Come, fulfill
Your promise
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Today’s
Readings
First Reading
Isaiah 2: 1- 5
God will gather the nations together
in peace.
Second Reading Romans 13:
11 - 14
We are called out of darkness into
the light of salvation.
Gospel Matthew 24: 37 - 44
We must always be ready for God’s
call.
Money
Matters:
Priests Collection, €1,510;
Development Collection €900.
Thank you for your generosity.
Confessions
Friday, 7.15 pm – 7.45 pm &
Saturday, 7.15 pm – 7.45 pm.
NEW BEGINNINGS
This Sunday is the beginning of a
new 3-Year cycle in the life of the
Church. We begin Year A once again
and the Gospel of St. Matthew features
specially this year. May it be a year
of growing in our Faith and reaching
out to others.
St Vincent de Paul Annual
Christmas Appeal next weekend,
8th/9th December.
Please support generously.
Don’t forget
the car boot -sale/auction & bazaar
in Bocan Hall today from 2 pm –
6 pm.
Culdaff Care of the Aged
Christmas Party – Saturday,
8th December from 2.30 pm –
6.30 pm in McGrory’s Hotel.
All Senior Citizens welcome to an
afternoon of good food and entertainment.
Hope to see you there.
Care of the Aged Meeting
In the Old School on Tuesday night
at 8.30 pm. All members please attend.
PONY CLUB
Anyone interested in forming a Pony
Club in Inishowen should come along
to a meeting in McClure’s Bar,
Bridge Street Carndonagh on Monday,
3rd December at 7.30 pm
Whist Winners
1st Carrie McLaughlin, Culdaff;
2nd Neil McCallion, Kindroyhead;
3rd Margaret McGilloway,
Cashel.
Lowest Score: Maureen McCarron,
Ballyharry; Highest Score, Carmel
McLaughlin, Cashel.
Draw Winners: [1st] Carrie
McLaughlin Culdaff; [2nd] Margaret
McGilloway, Cashel [3rd] Paddy McLaughlin,
Gleneely.
The Whist is on every Friday night
at 8.45 pm in Bocan Hall.
Snowball this week: €85 for a
score of 179 or better.
Knock
There will be a bus travelling to
Knock on 7th December for the all
night Vigil for the Feast of the Immaculate
Conception. It will leave Moville
at 4 pm. Fare is €30 including
evening meal. Phone 9382442 for more
details.
Memory Tree of Lights for
those Bereaved by Suicide
This event takes place on Sunday,
9th December at Foyle Search &
Rescue Headquarters, Victoria Road,
Derry. It is an event to remember
loved ones lost to suicide and to
support family and friends during
the holiday season.
Bocan Youth Club
Rota. Friday, 7th December –
Martina Fitzpatrick, Linda Doherty,
Breedge Folan, Suzanne McLaughlin.
Carmelite Retreat Centre
Monthly Devotions in Honour of Our
Lady take place in the Carmelite Retreat
Centre on Tuesday night beginning
at 7.30 pm. All are welcome to attend.
Bedtime
Prayers
As my head rests on
my pillow
Let my soul rest in your mercy.
As my limbs relax
n my mattress,
Let my soul relax in your peace.
As my body finds warmth
beneath the blankets,
Let my soul find warmth in your love.
As my mind is filled
with dreams,
Let my soul be filled with visions
of heaven.
Johann Freylinghausen
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