Fourth 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.
MASSES THIS WEEK
Ovens:
9.30am: Monday Wednesday & Friday.
Farran:
9.30am: Tuesday & Thursday.
RECONCILIATION SERVICE FOR CHRISTMAS
This Sunday, 18th December at 6.00pm in Ovens Church.
Fr. Ronan Sheehan will introduce the Reflection. Priests from the Family of Parishes will be present.
CONFESSIONS FOR CHRISTMAS
Christmas Eve:
Ovens: 11am to 11.45am.
Farran: 12noon to 12.30pm.
CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES
Christmas Eve:
Ovens: 6pm & 9pm.
Farran: 7.30pm.
CHRISTMAS DAY:
Ovens: 8.30am & 11.30am.
Farran: 9.30am.
Weekday Masses (26th to 29th December)
Ovens:
10.30am: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Farran:
10.30am: Tuesday & Thursday.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION FOR THE WEEK
THE REASON FOR THE SEASON
“Joy to the world, The Lord has Come”.
This favourite carol reflects the true reason why we can have joy today.
For Further Reflection
Matthew 1:21
MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST (OVENS)
A new Rota for the Ministers of the Eucharist
(11.30am Mass only) now available in the Sacristy.
AUTUMN DUES
Sincere thanks to all who have returned their Autumn Dues.
It is very much appreciated.
OFFERTORY COLLECTION BOXES 2023
Tax-Back system: Participants are asked to please collect their named 2023 boxes in the Sacristies or Parish Office.
New members (Tax Payers) are most welcome to join the system.
Contact Fr. Liam.
Offertory Collection Boxes for 2023 are available in the Church porches.
CONFIRMATION 2023
The Gift of Right Judgement
This week we meditate on the Gift of Right Judgement. Pope Francis explains that through it we learn to be obedient to the Lord rather than attached to our own ideas.
Right Judgement is the gift with which the Holy Spirit helps us to make decisions in our concrete lives, following the logic of Jesus & His Gospel. Through it, God enlightens our hearts & directs our thoughts, words & actions in accordance with his saving will.
This gift of the Holy Spirit allows us to judge rightly what we should do in a particular circumstance. It builds on both Wisdom, Understanding & Knowledge and enlightens a person as to what to do.
Offering thanks for the Gift of Right Judgement, Pope Francis prayed that all might “Seek to support one another along the path of faith, as we seek to be ever more attentive to the working of the Holy Spirit in our hearts”
RECENT DEATHS
Ted Lynch, Lower Farran
Catherine Healy, late of Glanmire & Wexford
May they Rest in Peace.
BINGO
Bingo continues every Tuesday
night during Christmas at 8pm in
the Éire Óg Pavilion.
€2,500 in prizes.
THANK YOU
St. Mary’s Conference, St. Vincent de Paul wish to thank you sincerely for our Church door collection last weekend which amounted to €3,460. Though slightly lower than last year, this was a very generous donation, taking into account one less Church door collection & weather conditions. Parishioners who were affected by these events & still wish to contribute, may do so via the SVP envelopes at all Church doors or can be given to your local SVP volunteers. Again, thank you from St. Mary’s & the families who benefit from your generosity.
ÁR DTEANGA FÉIN
Nollaig Faoi Shéan Is Faoi Mhaise Duit
A happy and successful Christmas to you. A common Christmas greeting. And the reply?
BAIN TRIAIL AS
Gurab amhlaidh duit féin. And the same to you.
RECENT BAPTISMS
Saoirse Helen McKenna, Farnanes
Shay McElligott-Guest, Classis Lake
We congratulate them and their parents & we welcome them to the Parish Family.
BAPTISM PREPARATION MEETINGS
After a break of almost 3 years we can now resume our monthly Baptism Preparation Meetings.
The meetings are held in the Parish Centre on Saturdays at 11am. The parents & children attend. Details for the Baptism Ceremony are attended to, such as the filling out of the Registration Forms, Readings etc.
After the meeting the families are invited to stay for a cup of tea and a chat.
The Preparation Meetings have been very well received since they commenced in 2012.
When booking a Baptism, please give at least 4 weeks notice.
THE FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT
On the Fourth Week of Advent, we light the final purple candle to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait for the Birth of Our Saviour.
This final candle, the “Angel’s Candle”, symbolises peace. It reminds us of the message of the Angels: “Peace on Earth, good Will Toward Men”.
During the final week of Advent we focus on the people important to the Christmas story. This week eight symbols are hung from the tree.
The Shell: Symbolises John the Baptist.
The White Rose: Symbolises Our Lady.
Mother & Child: Symbolises Elizabeth, Mary’s Cousin.
The Pencil: Symbolises Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist.
Carpenter’s Tools: Symbolises Joseph.
The Star: The Three Wise Men’s journey to Bethlehem.
The Manger: The Birth of Jesus.
The Chi-Rho Symbol: Two Greek Letters Chi and Rho form the symbol for Jesus Christ.