Second Sunday of Advent

There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 3.00 to 4.00 p.m. to-day followed by Evening Prayer and Benediction.

TREE LIGHTING AND SANTA VISIT

Santa will be making time in his hectic schedule to visit Howth this afternoon!!  He will light up our Christmas Tree outside the Church and there will be the usual singing of Christmas carols and good fun.  Gather outside St. Columbanus Hall and around the tree from 4.00 p.m. onwards and lets light up the Christmas spirit together!

Holy Day – Thursday 8^th December

Thursday is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and a Holy Day of Obligation.  Masses for the feast  -  Vigil Mass on Wednesday evening at 7 o’clock.  Note Thursday morning at 8.00 a.m. (on a working Holy Day), 10.30 a.m. and 12 noon.  Evening Mass at 7 o’clock.

POST-CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME

All young people in the parish who were Confirmed in 2010 or 2011 are invited to the second meeting of this group in St. Columbanus Hall on Monday 5^th December from 7.30-8.30 pm.  We look forward to seeing many of these young people and the session will have a Christmas theme.  Information; Kay Burke 087-9749005 or Barbara, Parish Office 839 7398

SAINT VINCENT de PAUL ANNUAL CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

The Annual Christmas Collection for the Saint Vincent de Paul Society will take place next Sunday - 11^th December.  This collection will replace the SHARE Collection.

CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE

There will be a “Festival of Carols” Celebration in the Church of the Resurrection, Bayside on Wednesday, 14^th December at 7.30 p.m.  This is the culmination of a project involving the Parishes of Howth, Sutton, Baldoyle and Bayside working together.  Choirs and musicians from all the Parishes join with the THIRD DAY CHORALE to present this evening of music in preparation for Christmas.

OUR DEAD

Please remember in your prayers, THOMAS (Tom) EVANS, who died suddenly during the week. Reception of Remains on Wednesday evening, 7^th December at 5.30 p.m.  Funeral Mass on Thursday, 8^th December, at 12 o’clock noon.  We offer our sympathy to his family.  May he rest in peace.

MASS INTENTIONS 4^th - 11^th December

Sunday 4^th December

Vigil (7.00 p.m. Sat. 3^rd December)  Irene O’Connor   (7^th Anniv.)

 8.30 a.m.                                Pádraig Doyle

10.30 a.m.                               Brendan McLoughlin

12.00 noon                             The Malone Family

 7.00 p.m.                                Paul Morrissey

Monday 5^th December

 8.00 a.m.                                Patrick Thunder

Tuesday 6^th December

 8.00 a.m.                                A Special Intention

Thursday 8^th December

Vigil (7.00 p.m. Weds. 7^th December)  Mary  McKenna

 8.00 a.m.                                Mary Doyle

10.30 a.m.                               Dan O’Shea

12.00 noon                             Funeral – Thomas Evans

 7.00 p.m.                                Seán Breslin

Friday 9^th December

10.00 a.m.                               Dr. John Tierney  (Month’s Mind)

Saturday 10^th December

10.00 a.m.                               Kathleen Coughlan  (3^rd  Anniv.)

11.00 a.m.                               Lily Hand

Sunday 11^th December

Vigil (7.00 p.m. Sat. 10^th December)  Deceased  Ministers of the Eucharist

 8.30 a.m.                                James White

10.30 a.m.                               May Courtney (1^st Anniv.)

12.00 noon                             Tom Collins

 7.00 p.m.                                The Magee Family

The Howth Community Drama Group presents 'The Wizard of Oz' from Tuesday 3^rd to Friday 6^th January at 8.30 p.m. with a Matinee on Saturday 7^th at 3.00p.m. in the School Hall, Howth Primary School.  Tickets €8 adult, €5 senior citizens and children, from Lua (Tel. 839 1538).  Please come, enjoy a great show and support your local community!

Scripture Readings for the Second Week of Advent

Monday 5^th December

Is 35:1-10. Ps 84:9-14,R/ Is 35:4. Lk 5: 17-26

Tuesday 6^th December

Is 40:1-11. Ps 95: 1-3,10-13,R/cf. Is 40:9-10. Mt 18: 12-14

Wednesday 7^th December

Saint Ambrose                Memorial

Is 40:25-31. Ps 102: 1-4,8, 10,R/v 1.  Mt 11: 28-30

Thursday 8^th December

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary    Solemnity

Gen 3:9-15, 20. Ps 97: 1-4,R/ v1. Eph 1: 3-6, 11-12. Lk 1: 26-38

Friday 9^th December

Is 48:17-19. Ps 1: 1-4, 6, R/ cf. Jn 8: 12. Mt 11: 16-19

Saturday 10^th December

Eccles (Sir) 48:1-4,9-11. Ps 79:2-3, 15-16, 18-19, R/ v4. Mt 17: 10-13

Sunday 11^th December

Is 61:1-2,10-11. Ps Lk 1: 46-50, 53-54, R/ Is 61: 10. 1Thess 5: 16-24. Jn 1: 6-8, 19-28

Parish Reform and Renewal Group

The Parish Reform and Renewal Group will meet tomorrow evening, Monday 5^th December at 8.00p.m. in Saint Columbanus Hall when Kevin Egan (All Hallows) will speak about his book 'Remaining a Catholic after the Murphy Report'.  ALL WELCOME

Stella Maris Retreat Centre, Baily, Howth

Mindfulness Course continues every Tuesday at 11 a.m. with Joe Clarke.

A REFLECTIVE ENERGISING DAY

Weds. 7^th December 10.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.

Presenter: Sr. Sally Hyland S.J.G.

The day includes prayer, input, Eucharist, personal space, 3 course lunch and tea breaks.  Cost €40.  Contact 087-6226620 to reserve your place.

REFLECTIVE ADVENT RETREAT

14^th – 17^th December  

Theme: "We Wish to See Jesus"

With Marie-Therese Porter, R.S.C.   Fr. Jim Kenny will celebrate the Eucharist each day

CHRISTMAS PARTY

HOWTH SENIOR CITIZENS

The Senior Citizens’ Christmas party will be held in the ABBEY TAVERN on Sunday, 18^th December at 1.00 p.m.  Individual invitations are not being sent out but ALL SENIOR CITIZENS IN HOWTH PARISH ARE WELCOME.  It is asked that only Senior Citizens resident in Howth attend.  Those who require transport are asked to leave their names in the Sacristy.

Tel. 839 7398