| Sunday
13th December 2009
Third
Sunday of Advent.
The people asked
John: ‘What must
we do?’ This
question was in the context of John’s
proclaiming the Good News of the
coming of Christ. As we prepare
for Christmas this year what a good
question that is for all of us.
‘What must we do?’ If
you are a parent, give time to your
children rather than just giving
them all the costly presents that
you are planning. If you are married,
give your wife/husband the gift
of your attention and affection
rather than spending all that time
apart at Christmas parties. If you
are young, give some of your time
and energy to those in need rather
than just looking for what you can
get. If you are at odds with someone,
make it up. If you are in bad form,
change for the sake of those close
to you. And for all of us, what
we must do is put Christ at the
heart of Christmas and have a wonderful
time.
Fr. Johnny
Doherty, C.Ss.R.
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Sing
and shout for joy for great
n your midst is the Holy One
of Israel.
|
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Sunday, 13th
December, 2009
Third Sunday
of Advent
(Gaudete Sunday)
First Reading
Zephaniah 3: 14-18
Jerusalem is urged to rejoice because
God stands in her midst. We too can
take heart from this message of hope.
Second Reading
Philippians 4: 4-7
Paul urges us to rejoice in the Lord
and to let go of anxiety by living
in a spirit of prayer and thanksgiving.
Gospel Luke
3: 10-18
John the Baptist tells the people
what they must do to prepare for the
Lord’s coming and to escape
his searching judgement.
MASS
TIMES
Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday &
Saturday, 10 am.
Saturday Vigil: 8 pm;
Sunday: 8.30 am
& 11 am.
Confessions
Saturday - 7.15 pm—7.45 pm
This Week’s Anniversary
Mass:
Saturday Vigil 8 pm: Neil Ruddy,
Dunross
8.30 am: John Jason
Grant, Claggan
Next Week
Sunday 11 am: Mary Harkin, Ballyharry
Next Week’s Anniversary
Mass:
Saturday Vigil, 8 pm: Mary &
Seamus McLaughlin [Pat] Ballyharry.
Sympathy
Annie Long, died
very peacefully in Letterkenny Hospital,
having fought her illness
with typical courage. Our deepest
sympathy to her husband, Robert, her
son, Robert and daughters, Ann, May,
Gretta, Rosaleen, Bernie and Elizabeth;
her sisters; grandchildren and the
wider family circle. May her gentle
soul rest in peace and may the God
of all consolation come to those she
has left behind.
May their souls rest in
Christ’s peace.
Weekly
Offering: €1,500; Retired Priests
Collection, €700
. Thank
you for your generosity.
St Vincent
de Paul
Annual Christmas Collection taken
up after all Masses this weekend.
N.B. €1,500 given to Flood Relief
Appeal.
St Vincent
de Paul - Anyone needing
help at this time can contact members
at these numbers: 0864041219; 9367000;
0868174439; 9367218, in complete confidence.
Bocan Defibrillator
A meeting will take place in Bocan
Hall on 17th December at 9 pm. It
is imperative that all members attend.
If you are unable to attend then contact
087 2709077 and let the secretary
know.
Whist
1st John Doherty, Malin Head
2nd: Terese McEleney, Culdaff
3rd: Gerard Doherty, Ourt
Tickets
James McConalogue, Gerard Doherty,
Eamon Donaghy, Teresa McEleney.
Other Winners
Darragh McLaughlin, Patsy Doherty,
Mary B McLaughlin, Carrie McLaughlin.
Whist Every Friday at 8.45 pm
Snowball - €60 for 187 or better
The
Cairn Christmas Programme
The Story of the First Christmas
told through life-size figures, voiceover
and lighting and sound effects. Open
Daily 4-6pm
Christmas Concert celebrating
The Cairns 10th anniversary with Music,
Song and Irish Dance on Friday 18th
Dec Commencing 8pm
Children's Disco on Sunday
20th from 6-8pm
Carrowmenagh
Community Centre are holding
and Arts and Crafts Fair on Sunday
6th December from 2-6pm
To book a table telephone 074 93 67251.
Santa is coming
to Gleneely school today,
Sunday at 2.30 pm. Come along and
see him before he gets very busy!
The Women's
Interdenominational Bible
study meeting will be held in Serenity
House, Moville on Monday 14 December
at 10.30am. All women are very welcome.
The Big Christmas
Cake Sale will be held in
Moville Community College (in the
GP room, lower building) on Tuesday
15 December 2009. All kinds of home
baking, gifts, raffles. Everyone welcome.
Proceeds in aid of School Funds.
There will be Christmas Concert
in St Eugene’s Hall Moville,
Featuring Local Band Slipstream, members
of the Gospel choir and Moville Community
College on Saturday 19 December at
8pm tickets 5 euro available from
local shops or phone Maxine on 9382086.
Buncrana GAA
Monster Bingo
Thursday 17th December
at 9pm in the Inishowen Gateway Hotel€6,000
in prizes to be paid out on the night
and lots of side prizes to be won.
Single Book €20 Double Book €30
A big thank
you to the Organising Committee
of the recent Memorial Concert for
Patrick McLaughlin, Gleneely. The
night was a rousing success and €4,500
was raised for the Alzheimer’s
Unit and East Inishowen Special School.
Thanks to all who helped in anyway.
Carmelite
Retreat Centre, Termonbacca, Derry
- Three Advent evening retreats
in preparation for Christmas on Mon.14th,
Tues.15th, Wed.16th. December ( 7.30
p.m. -10.00 p.m.) of Reconciliation
and celebrate Mass. All are welcome
to attend.
Youth
Club Rota Friday, 18th December:
Eilish Bell, Carmel
McLaughlin,
Gina Crossan, Tina
Crumlish.
The
Deep End – Pitch Battles
Fr Tom Cahill SVD
Had there been footballers in the
day of John the Baptist what would
he say to them if they came to him
for advice, as those in today’s
Gospel do? [Luke 3:10-18’ ‘Play
the man and keep your courage high’?
Or, ‘Leave your knives at home’?
Maybe not then, but today he might
have to if a recent newspaper report
is true.
Footballer’s in France’s
amateur leagues are being encouraged
to leave their knives, scissors and
even pistols at home because of a
riot of on-pitch violence . Of the
700,000 matches played in 2007-2008
season 12,000 had serious incidents
of physical or verbal abuse. Hot-headed
players, aka warm-hearted sportsmen,
were responsible for 90% of the violence,
involving kicking [not the ball],
punching and brawling.
Being a sportsman isn’t easy,
it seems. Being a thug comes easier.
Doing what a Christian does isn’t
easy either: sharing food with those
who have none, acting honestly in
dealing with others, respecting them
and never bullying or being greedy.
John the Baptist makes no extraordinary
demands. Unburdened by degrees in
theology, philosophy or psychology,
or by diplomas from courses in spirituality,
dream analysis or tree hugging he
knows, instinctively – as most
of us do – what’s needed:
generosity, honesty and gentleness.
These bring peace.
Christmas may ooze platitudinous peace.
The real thing does not come cheap.
Tinsel and mistletoe can never replace
the word of God. That word brought
Jesus to his death and resurrection.
As we celebrate Advent let’s
ask: Where is it bringing me?
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