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 9TH/10THDECEMBER
The Vigil Mass will be in Farran Church on Saturday next 9th December at 7pm.
Farran: 9.30am.
Ovens: 11.30am.
WEEKDAY MASSES
Ovens:
9.30am: Mon Weds & Fri.
Farran:
9.30am: Tuesday.
ANNIVERSARIES 9TH/10TH DECEMBER
Ovens:
11.30am: Peter McCarthy, Windsor (7th Anniversary).
Farran:
7pm: Sheila & Séamus O’Reilly, Farran.
9.30am: Peg Cooper, Knockshanavee (1st Anniversary) Pray also for her husband Denis.
May they Rest in Peace.
FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Friday next, 8th December, we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
This Feast Day is one of the most important Marian feasts in the liturgical calendar and is celebrated worldwide. The feast was first solemnised as a Holy Day of Obligation in 1708 by Pope Clement X1.
Mass Times:
Ovens:
Vigil 7pm: Thursday 7th December.
Feast Day: 11.30am.
Farran:
Feast Day, 8th December: 9.30am.
REFLECTION AS WE APPROACH ADVENT
From Advent to Christmas to Lent to Easter to Pentecost and the time after, up through our remembrance of the dead in November when we meditate on those who have gone before us. We pray for them but we also look forward to the new Liturgical Year with the beginning of Advent.
This last week of the liturgical year encourages us to think about how this end of the year is our opportunity to look back at the previous year. We ask which way we are going, towards God or away from Him? We see the work God has done in us and ask God to continue to lead and protect us in the next year. It is in this way that we are brought closer to God.
Now is the time to thank God for how He has drawn us closer to Him and ask again for Him to help us draw closer still.
ADVENT 23
It is hard to believe that it is Advent time again. One hears expressions like “where has the year gone”. That too reminds us to put the emphasis on what is important in life and on what is important at this time. It reminds us that Advent is about preparing for Jesus’ Birthday. Nothing else must over shadow that. As we begin Advent this weekend may that be our goal, to prepare for Jesus’ birthday, simple as that!
ADVENT WREATH & JESSE TREE
The Advent Wreath and Jesse Tree are now in place. This weekend we light the first purple candle on the wreath and the Priest wears purple vestments at Mass.
The Jesse Tree represents the royal genealogy of Christ beginning with Jesse, the father of David. “a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from it’s 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. This week 6 symbols will be placed on the tree: The Dove, Apple, Rainbow, the Field of Stars, Bundle of Wood and Jacob’s Ladder.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL-ANNUAL CHURCH GATE COLLECTION REMINDER
Our Annual Church Gate Collection will take place at all Masses in the Mid Cork area next weekend, Saturday/Sunday 9th/10th December.
St. Vincent de Paul in the Ovens/Kilmurry area depend, very much, on your support next weekend as this is our only Church Gate collection each year. Your contribution, no matter how small, makes a great difference to the many families who come to us for help.
We thank you sincerely.
MASS COLLECTIONS
Sincere thanks to all parishioners who contribute so generously towards the Church expenses.
Offertory Collection:
The Offertory Collection is solely for the upkeep, maintenance, lighting, heating and related expenses of both Churches. Parishioners who wish to use the envelopes can now collect a box for 2024 at either Church door.
Members of the Tax-Back System (or those with allocated numbers), can collect their envelopes in the sacristy.
People attending Mass in Churches outside the parish can still contribute to parish expenses by using the envelopes, which are returned to the parish by those churches.
Confirmation 2024-Scoil na nUamhanna Ovens
Enrolment Ceremony on this Tues, 5th Dec. @ 7pm in St. John the Baptist Church, Ovens.
SCOIL MHUIRE FARRAN
There will be a short meeting of First Holy Communion Parents of Scoil Mhuire Farran (Rang 2) on this Monday, 4th December in the Parish Centre, Ovens at 7.30pm, regarding the “Do this in Memory” Masses of Preparation.
It will be for just one hour.
CHRISTMAS FAIR
The Farran National School Parents Association will host a Christmas Fair on this Sunday, 3rd December at 10am in Farran Hall.
9.30am to 10am is Autism Friendly and everyone is welcome from 10am.
Teas/coffees available. Home baking & crafts from the children of the school will be on sale.
MATER DEI ACADEMY STUDENTS PRESENT
A CHRISTMAS CONCERT.
Date & Time: This Wednesday, 6th Dec. Feast of St. Nicholas at 7pm.
Venue: Mater Dei Academy, Farranferris Education & Training Campus, Redemption Road, Cork T23YW62.
Mince Pies and Mulled Wine. Raffle at the Interval.
Tickets €15. Family ticket €35, available by calling 021 2021229 or at www.eventbrite.com/e/christmas-concert-tickets-756121087527. Proceeds to the Academy.
Cork Lions Club-Online Auction in aid of the Christmas Food Appeal.
Bidding opens on this Monday, 4th December & closes on 8th December at midnight. Thanks to the Cork Business Community who have donated items to date for the Auction.
Visit www.corklionsclub.ie for details.
OVENS/FARRAN ACTIVE CIRCLE
We meet this Monday, 4th December at 2.30pm in the Parish Centre.
At this week’s meeting we will have a Christmas Floral Demonstration from a member of the Aherla Flower and Garden Club.
We look forward to seeing all members present on Monday. New members always welcome.
Reminder
Annual toy Collection in Aid of Edel House this weekend. New toys and new pyjamas for children or ladies, may be left in the parish centre after 7pm & 11.30am Mass or in Farran sacristy before or after 9.30am Mass.
Annual General Meeting
Éire Óg Hurling & Football Club AGM on this Wednesday, 6th December in the Éire Óg Hall. All Welcome.