First Sunday of Advent
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
Vigil Masses on Saturday will alternate between Ovens & Farran at 7pm.
Ovens:
1st, 3rd & 5th Saturdays (when it occurs)
Farran:
2nd & 4th Saturdays.
(On next weekend, 3rd/4th December the Vigil Mass will be in Ovens at 7pm.)
MASSES THIS WEEK
Ovens:
9.30am: Mon Weds & Fri (1st Friday)
Confessions before 9.30am Mass.
Farran:
9.30am: Tues & Thurs.
Anniversaries next Weekend 3rd/4th December
Ovens:
7pm: Flor Crowley, Currabeg, 1st Anniversary.
11.30am: Sheila Dineen, Garryhesta.
Farran:
9.30am:
May they Rest in Peace.
ADVENT RETREAT
Church of St. Mary & St. John, Ballincollig
This Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday, 28th/29th/30th November.
Mass: 7.30pm.
Evening Prayers, Liturgy & Homily.
TRIDUUM OF ROSARIES
The Holy Rosary will be recited in Ovens Church at 2.30pm daily from Tuesday 6th to Thursday 8th December in honour of the Feast of Our Lady’s Immaculate Conception.
All Welcome.
RECENT BAPTISMS
Emily Elizabeth Barrett, Farnanes
Dylan Matthew Crowe, Ballincollig
We congratulate them and their parents and we welcome them to the Parish Family.
ADVENT
This weekend we begin the Season of Advent & the beginning of the Church Liturgical calendar.
The meaning of the word “Advent” is “coming”. It is a time of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas and also of preparation for the Second Coming of Christ.
The traditional liturgical colour for Advent is purple. The Priest will wear purple vestments for Masses, except on Feast Days.
ADVENT WREATH
The use of the wreath and candles during Advent are a longstanding Catholic tradition that was originally adopted by Christians in in the Middle Ages as part of their spiritual preparation for Christmas.
The wreath is made of various evergreens, which signifies continuous life. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolises the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul and the everlasting life we find in Christ.
The candles also have their own special significance. The candles represent the four weeks of Advent & the fifth candle is for Christmas itself. The first candle to be lit this weekend will be the purple one, which symbolises hope. It is sometimes called the “Prophecy Candle”.
Jesse Tree
The Jesse Tree represents the genealogy of Christ, beginning with Jesse, the father of David. The image of the tree was taken from Isaiah, “a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from its roots a bud shall blossom”.
Each week this tree will be decorated with symbols that represent stories from the Old Testament beginning with the story of Creation & ending with the birth of Jesus.
The tree is used to emphasise the true meaning of Advent & Christmas.
The Symbols being placed on the tree for the 1st Week of Advent: The Dove, the Apple, the Rainbow, Field of Stars, the Bundle of Wood & Jacob’s Ladder.
CONFIRMATION 2023
ENROLMENT CEREMONIES
Scoil Mhuire Farran:
This Tuesday, 29th November at 7pm in the Church of The Immaculate Conception, Farran.
Scoil na nUamhanna Ovens
This Wednesday, 30th November at 7pm in the Church of St. John the Baptist, Ovens.
CONFIRMATION PREPARATION
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
This week we reflect on the Gift of Understanding:
The Gift of Understanding is closely related to faith. When the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts and enlightens our minds, it makes us grow day by day in the understanding of what the Lord has said and done. Jesus himself said to his disciples: “I will send the Holy Spirit and he will make you understand all that I have taught you”.
We receive the gift of Understanding in Confirmation so that we can understand the teachings of Jesus, to understand His Word and to understand the Gospel.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION FOR THE WEEK
Think Positive
We can think of only one thought at any given time. Invariably one kind of thought is driven out by another. You can learn to dispel negative thoughts by simply replacing them with positive ones.
For further Reflection:
Philippians 2:6
OFFERTORY COLLECTION BOXES
Offertory Collection Boxes for 2023 are now available in the main porches of both Churches for those who wish to use them. Donations are, of course, welcome & appreciated in any form. The advantage of using the envelopes is if you attend Mass outside the parish, the envelope is returned to this parish.
The envelope is also necessary to take part in the Tax Back System. Easy payments, Direct Debits may also be arranged. Please contact Fr. Liam for details.
Tax Back System: Participants are asked to please collect their named 2023 boxes in the Sacristies or Parish Office. Members who wish to verify if their subscriptions to date are in line to reach the minimum €250 by the end of December can contact Fr. Liam.
Refund from Revenue this year to the end of Oct. is almost €6000. New members (tax payers) are most welcome to join the system. Sincere thanks to all who contribute in whatever way you do.
ÁR DTEANGA FÉIN
Lig Liomsa is Ligfidh Mé Leatsa.
Don’t bother me and I won’t bother you. To each his own.
Bain Triail As:
Lig isteach mé. Let me in.
OVENS/FARRAN PARISH ASSEMBLY ANNUAL TOY COLLECTION IN AID OF EDEL HOUSE
New toys are very much appreciated as are new pyjamas for children or ladies.
Toys etc can be left at the Parish Centre on Friday next, 2nd December from 1.30pm to 3.00pm. Or after the 7pm & 11.30am Ovens Masses on Sat/Sunday 3rd/4th December.
This toy collection will also take place in Farran Church next weekend at the 9.30am Mass. Toys may be left at the Church before or after the Mass.
Please support.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The AGM of Éire Óg GAA will take place in the Éire Óg pavilion on Wednesday, 7th December at 7.30pm.
All welcome to attend.