31st December 2023

Feast of the Holy Family

PARISH PHONE NOS.
Fr. Liam O h-Icí: House: 4871180
Emergency No.: 087 0956190
Parish Centre / Sacristy: 4289768
Ring for bookings : Baptisms & Marriages etc.

WEEKEND MASSES 6TH/7TH JANUARY
The Vigil Mass will be in Ovens Church on Saturday next 6th January at 7pm.

Farran: 9.30am.
Ovens: 11.30am.
WEEKDAY MASSES
Ovens:
10.00am: Mon Weds & Fri (1st Friday).
Confessions before 10am Mass.

Farran:
10.00am: Tuesday & Thursday.

First Friday Holy Communion visits will be made to the sick and housebound at the usual times.

FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY
On Saturday next, 6th January we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, 12 days after Christmas.
It is the day on which the Magi from the East came to worship the baby Jesus and they brought gifts of Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh.
The 3 gifts had a Spiritual Meaning:
Gold: A symbol of Kingship.
Frankincense: A symbol of Deity and
Myrrh (an embalming oil): A symbol of Death.
Mass Times:
Ovens Vigil 7pm: Friday 5th January.

Feast Day:
Farran: 9.30am. Ovens: 11.30am.

FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
On Sunday next, 7th January we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord by St. John the Baptist in the River Jordan.
On that Sunday we will have the Annual Prayer Service in Ovens Church at 3pm for the 63 children Baptised in the Parish of Ovens/Farran during 2023.
A letter of invitation to the Prayer Service has been sent to the families of all the children Baptised in the past year.
Afterwards, light refreshments will be served in the parish centre and we invite the families to stay on for that.
Since 2011 this Ceremony has been very well attended and, hopefully, this year it will be no different.
The Baptism Preparation Teams, Dan, Mary, Margo, Cáit and Geraldine look forward to meeting all the families on Sunday next.

ANNIVERSARIES 6TH/7TH JANUARY
Ovens:
7pm: Seán Desmond, Kilcrea (1st Anniversary).
11.30am: Tom & Mary Jolley, Lower Ballygroman.
Farran:
9.30am: John & Brigid Healy, Currahaly & their granddaughter,
Callie McCarthy.
May they Rest in Peace.

Parish Calendar 2024
The Parish Calendar for 2024 now available in the porches of both Churches.
Please take one home.

SUNDAY MISSAL 2024
Ministers of the Word, Farran & Ovens, may collect their Sunday Missal 2024 in the sacristy of both Churches.

ÁR DTEANGA FHÉIN, I DTOSACH NA BLIANA
Tosach Maith Leath na hOibre

A good start is half the work. Well begun is half done! A New Year brings resolutions, new beginnings. Making a start is all-important. Even though another seanfhocal says, Bíonn gach tosach lag (Every beginning is weak), at least it is a start. Make that effort!
Bain Triail As:
Táim réidh chun oibre. I am ready for work.

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION AT THE BEGINNING OF A NEW YEAR
Go Forward
There are many things in life that we have no control over, especially things in the past.
Acknowledging these areas in life will enable us to move forward and create new pathways for the future.
For Further Reflection: Isaiah 38:17. Philippians 3:13.

A PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR
Dear Lord, please give me..
A few friends who understand me and remain my friends.
A work to do which has real value, without which the world would be the poorer.
A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed.
An understanding heart.
A sense of humour.
Time for quiet, silent meditation.
A feeling of the presence of God.
The patience to wait for the coming of these things, with the wisdom to recognise them when they come.
Author Unknown.

We wish all Parishioners a Peaceful, Happy & Healthy New Year
Fr. Liam, Monsignor Kevin and the Parish Assembly.