Third 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 23RD/24THDECEMBER
The Vigil Mass will be in Farran Church on Saturday next 23rd December at 7pm.
Farran: 9.30am.
Ovens: 11.30am.
WEEKDAY MASSES
Ovens:
9.30am: Mon Weds & Fri.
Farran:
9.30am: Tuesday & Thursday.
ANNIVERSARIES 23RD/24TH DECEMBER
Ovens:
11.30am: Patrick McCarthy, Grange (26th Anniversary).
Farran:
7pm: Elma Twomey, Lower Farran, who died in September last.
9.30am: Jack O’Connor, Knockshanavee (1st Anniversary)
RECENTLY DECEASED:
Rory Fahy Callanan, late of Kilcrohane & Ovens.
May they Rest in Peace.
CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES
Christmas Eve:
Ovens: 6pm & 9pm.
Farran: 7.30pm.
Christmas Day:
Ovens: 8.30am & 11.30am.
Farran: 9.45am. (Please note change of time, just for Christmas morning).
Ovens Church Choir will sing at the 9pm Mass on Christmas Eve and the 11.30am Mass on Christmas Day.
The choir will commence singing at 8.45pm and 11.15am, so come along and join in the singing of the Christmas Carols.
RECONCILIATION SERVICE
St. John the Baptist, the Patron Saint of Ovens Church, prepared the way for the coming of Jesus. He did so by asking people to look into their lives and to see and identify what change needed to take place and how to go about it.
As we prepare for the coming of the same Jesus and as we remember His Birthday, our Reconciliation Service on Sunday evening, in the Church of the same John the Baptist, helps us to do that.
As Advent draws to a close please give the Reconciliation Service on this Sunday evening some thought and commitment of time, in preparation for Jesus coming to us.
RECONCILIATION SERVICE FOR CHRISTMAS
This Sunday, 17th December.
Church of St. John the Baptist, Ovens.
At 6pm.
CONFESSIONS FOR CHRISTMAS
Ovens:
Saturday 23rd Dec: 11am.
Farran:
Saturday 23rd Dec: 12noon.
GAUDETE SUNDAY
This Sunday the Third Sunday of Advent is Gaudete Sunday. The day takes its common name from the Latin word “Gaudete” meaning “Rejoice”.
Gaudete Sunday provides a break about midway through a season which is otherwise of a penitential nature and signifies the nearness of the Lord’s coming.
In his 2014 Gaudete Sunday homily, Pope Francis said that Gaudete Sunday is known as the “Sunday of Joy” and that instead of fretting about “all they still haven’t” done to prepare for Christmas, people should “think of all the good things life has given you”.
This Sunday the Priest will wear rose-coloured vestments at Mass.
On the Advent Wreath the pink candle will be lit and it is called the “Joy” candle.
JESSE TREE (WEEK 3)
As we enter the third week of Advent we see God revealing himself to His Chosen People through their kings and prophets.
Seven more symbols are hung from the Jesse Tree:
The Shepherd’s Crook, the Stone Altar, the Empty Tent, Fire Tongs with Hot Coals, Tears, Stone Watchtower and The City Wall.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION FOR THE WEEK
The Hope of the World
“Life with Christ is an endless hope, without him a hopeless end”
Anonymous
For Further Reflection
Philippians 1:20-21.
ADVENT TALKS
Advent Talks continue on this Tuesday at 7pm in Saints Peter and Paul’s Church, Cork.
December 19th: Fr. Shinu Angadiyil.
The talk will be followed by 30 mins of silent adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament exposed on the altar. All Welcome.
PARISH ASSEMBLY MEETING
The December Meeting of the Ovens/Farran Parish Assembly on this Monday at 8pm in the Parish Centre.
TRÓCAIRE GIFTS OF CHANGE
Trócaire Christmas Gifts of Change bring real hope & opportunity to families and communities living in poverty across our world, and a chance to create lasting and positive change.
There are gifts for everyone starting at €5 for the gift of Soap.
You can support the gifts by buying them online at trocaire.org/gifts, by phone 1800 408 408/021 4275622, by post or in person to Trócaire, 9, Cook Street, Cork. T12 F583.
RECENT BAPTISMS
Erin Martina Hutchinson, Ovens
Tim David Dennehy, Aglish
Welcome them to the Parish Family.
RECENT WEDDINGS
Fintan Brennan & Joan Healy
Gary McSweeney & Sarah Hogan
Married in Ovens Church
Donal Cronin & Danielle Lynch
Married in Farran Church.
Congratulations.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL
St. Mary’s Conference of St. Vincent de Paul had a very successful Church door collection last weekend which amounted to €4,698. This was an extremely generous donation, taking into account the weather conditions.
On behalf of St. Mary’s and the families who benefit from your generosity, we thank you sincerely.
We wish you a very happy and Holy Christmas and a bright & prosperous New Year.
ÁR DTEANGA FHÉIN
IS MÓR É BUÍOCHAS BEAGÁIN AGAT
You give much thanks for the little you receive. A reminder that Christmas is a time for gratitude.
Bain Triail As:
Buíochas le Dia. Thanks be to God.
OFFERTORY COLLECTION ENVELOPES
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) please collect their envelopes in the sacristy.
CHRISTMAS OFFERING ENVELOPES
Christmas Offering Envelopes now available in the porches of both Churches.