5th December 2021

Second Sunday of Advent

WEEKEND MASSES
Ovens:
Vigil: 7.30pm.
Sunday: 11.30am.
Farran:
Vigil: 6pm. Sunday: 9.30am.
MASSES THIS WEEK
Ovens:
9.30am: Monday & Friday
Farran:
9.30am: Thursday. No Mass on Tuesday.

Confessions:
Ovens: Saturday: 11am to 11.30am.

Parish Phone Nos. (021) 4871180.
Emergency No: 087 0956190
Monsignor Kevin O’Callaghan: (021) 7336053
Parish Centre/Sacristy: (021) 4289768
Ring for bookings: Baptisms & Marriages etc

FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
This Wednesday, 8th December, we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is celebrated on December 8th, nine months before the feast of the Nativity of Mary, which is celebrated on the 8th of September. It is one of the most important Marian feasts in the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church and is celebrated worldwide.
Since 1953 the Pope visits the Column of the Immaculate Conception in the Piazza di Spagna to offer prayers commemorating the solemn event.
It is a Holy Day of Obligation.

MASSES FOR THE FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Vigil Mass:
Tues, 7th Dec in Ovens at 7.30pm.
Wednesday 8th:
Farran: 9.30am. Ovens: 11.30am.
TRIDUUM OF ROSARIES
Rosary will be recited in Ovens Church on this Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday at 2.30pm in honour of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. All welcome.

PRAYING THE PSALMS
Psalm 37
If you trust in the Lord and do good, then you will live in the land and be secure.
If you find your delight in the Lord, He will grant your heart’s desire.
Psalm 37: 3-4.
Waiting in faith, in silence we learn to believe in ourselves, in others,
transforming problems into possibilities.

ANNIVERSARIES FOR WEEKEND 11TH/12TH DEC.
Ovens: 7.30pm: Eily Foley, Black Cross (5th Anniversary)
11.30am: Jerome Daly, Beverly (1st Anniversary)
Farran: 6pm: John McCarthy, Lower Farran
9.30am: Olan Byrne, Aglish (1st Anniversary)

RECENT DEATHS
Marie Fahy, Kilcrea
Mary O’Connell, Kilnamartyra & Clondrohid
May they Rest in Peace.

MINISTERS OF THE WORD (OVENS)
The new Rota for the Ministers of the Word may be collected in the sacristy.

OFFERTORY COLLECTION BOXES
Offertory collection boxes for 2022 are now available in the main porches of both churches for those who wish to use them. Donations are, of course, welcome in any form, parish envelopes, plain envelopes, in the donation box after Mass, Easy payments, Direct debits or whatever is convenient.
Sincere thanks to all who contribute towards the parish expenses in any way.

TAX BACK SYSTEM
Due to Covid restrictions, Mass contributions have been radically interrupted again this year. Members who want to verify if their subscriptions to date are in line to reach the minimum annual amount €250 by the end of December, can do so by checking with Fr. Liam.
It is not too late yet for new members for 2021. Taxpayers who would like to join the system can do so by contacting Fr. Liam.
Participants can collect their 2022 envelopes at the sacristies or the parish centre. The refund from Revenue this year amounted to €5,792.42.
Again, grateful thanks to all.

SR. LOUISE HORGAN
In November 2020 Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland named Sr. Louise Horgan as a recipient of a 2020 Presidential Distinguished Service Award. The award ceremony could not take place last year due to Covid 19.
The ceremony took place on Thursday last, 2nd December at Áras an Uachtaráin & was followed by a reception in the Merrion Hotel, which was hosted by Minister Simon Coveney TD. Sr. Louise has worked in Thailand for many years with needy women, children and refugees. She is from Newcestown parish and is sister of the late Tommy Horgan and the late Mary Lehane and aunt of Anne Kelleher, Roovesmore, with whom she resides when home on vacation over the years.
This is the invitation received by Sr. Louise from the President:

President Michael D. Higgins & Sabina Higgins
request the pleasure of your company
at a Presentation Ceremony
to honour recipients of the
Presidential Distinguished Service Award
for the Irish Abroad
at Áras an Uachtaráin
on Thursday, 2nd December, 2021
at 5.15pm for 5.45pm.

ADVENT
This is the second week of Advent and we light the second purple candle on the Advent Wreath. This purple candle represents Faith and is called “Bethlehem’s Candle”.
This week we see seven more symbols hung from the Jesse Tree. These symbols represent stories from the Old Testament.
The Coat, The Burning Bush, The Lamb, the Stone Tablets, The Ram’s Horn Trumpet, The Clay Water Pitcher and the Crown.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL
The Annual Church Door collection for the local conference of St. Vincent de Paul will take place next weekend 11th/12th December in both Churches.
To facilitate weekday Mass goers you will find freepost envelopes, with our Conference name in both churches. We will also leave envelopes in some retail outlets locally. This will enable you to make a donation in the knowledge that it will be returned to our Conference. You may also donate at svp.ie or call 0818176176 and nominate St. Marys, Ovens/Kilmurry as the beneficiary.
We need your help this year more than ever before and thank you sincerely for supporting us year after year. On behalf of SVP & all the families we support we wish you a safe & happy Christmas & hopefully, an abatement in the pandemic in the New Year.

RECENT BAPTISMS
Kane Dominik O’Connor, Ballygroman
Tadhg Paddy Coffey, Classis Lake
Emmie Rose Nunan, Currahaly
Holly Kate Hegarty, Roovesmore
Liadh Rose Bradley, Currahaly
Charlie Michael Carey, Lisheen Woods
Welcome to the Parish Family.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The AGM of Éire Óg GAA will be held in the Éire Óg Pavilion on this Wednesday, 8th December at 7.30pm.
All Welcome.

ÉIRE ÓG CAMOGIE CLUB AGM
This Tuesday 7th December at 8.30pm in Farran Hall.

PARISH OFFICE OPENING HOURS
Tuesday: 6.30pm to 7.30pm.
Thursday: 9.30am to 10.30am.
Phone No. 021 4289768.