Sunday 13th December 2015

Third Sunday of Advent  (49/15)

ADORATION FOR ADVENT

A reminder that on the Sunday afternoons of Advent (December 13th and 20th) there will be a Holy Hour of silent Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament exposed on the Sacred Heart Altar from 3 pm to 4 pm followed by Evening Prayer and Benediction to conclude: by 4:30 pm.  Whether you can come for the full period or only for a short time, you will be warmly welcome.

SAINT VINCENT de PAUL ANNUAL CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

The Annual Christmas Collection for the Howth Conference of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society will take place to-day.  This collection will replace the usual SHARE Collection.

CROSSCARE FOOD BANK –APPEAL (12th/13th DECEMBER)

Last year Crosscare distributed over 750 tonnes of food directly to individuals and families in need.  This year the demand has doubled and they expect to give out almost 1,200 tonnes of food.  In response to this growing need Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has asked that we appeal once again to your generosity in asking you to bring non-perishable food items, personal hygiene products and household cleaning products, to your Parish Church this weekend.  All donations will be collected by Crosscare.  Types of food urgently needed include pasta/rice, fruit juice, tea/coffee, soup, sugar, powdered milk, tinned meat/fish, packaged dessert, biscuits and hygiene products.  Please do what you can to support those in need in our community at this difficult time for so many.

CHRISTMAS PARTY  -  HOWTH SENIOR CITIZENS

The Senior Citizens’ Christmas party will be held in the ABBEY TAVERN on Sunday 20th December at 1.00pm.  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.  Any donation towards expenses will be gratefully accepted.

PENANCE SERVICES FOR CHRISTMAS

Tuesday 15th December: Penance Service in Church of the Resurrection, Bayside at 7.30pm

Tuesday 22nd December: Penance Service in Church of the Assumption, Howth at 8.00pm.

Wednesday 23rd December: Penance Service in St. Fintan’s Church, Sutton at 8.00pm

CONFESSIONS IN HOWTH PARISH

Saturday 19th Dec. 10.30 to 11.00am   Thurs. 24th Dec. 10.30am to 1.00pm

HOWTH PARISH CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE

The Parish Christmas Carol Service will take place in the church on Monday 21st December at 7.30pm.  This is a wonderful evening for all to come together and sing together in the true spirit of Christmas.

NATIVITY PAGEANT

The Children’s Nativity Pageant will be presented here in the Church of the Assumption by the children of Howth Primary School at 7.00 pm on Christmas Eve , December 24th 2015

OUR DEAD

Please remember in your prayers, EILEEN COOKE who died during the week.  We offer our sympathy to her family.  We also pray for PAULINE JONES who died recently.  Reception of Remains Sunday 13th Dec. at 5.30pm.  Funeral Mass 10.00am Monday 14th Dec.  We offer our sympathy to her family.  May they rest in peace.

Scripture Readings – Third Week of Advent

Monday 14th Dec

St John of the Cross

Num 24:2-7,15-17. Ps 24:4-9, R/ v4. Mt 21:23-27

Tuesday 15th Dec

Zeph 3:1-2,9-13. Ps 33:2-3,6-7,18-19,23, R/ v7. Mt 21:28-32

Wednesday 16th Dec

Is 45:6-8,18,21-26. Ps 84:9-14, R/ cf.Is 45:8. Lk 7:19-23

Thursday 17th Dec

Gn 49:2,8-10. Ps 71:1-4,7-8, 17, R/ cf.v7. Mt 1:1 - 17

Friday 18th Dec

Jer 23:5-8. Ps 71:1-2,12-13,18-19, R/ cf v7 Mt 1: 18-24

Saturday 19th Dec

Jg 13:2-7,24-25. Ps 70:3-6,16-17, R/ cf v8 Lk 1:5-25

Sunday 20th Dec

Mic 5:1-4. Ps 79:2-3,15-16,18-19 R/ v4. Heb 10:5-10. Lk 1:39-44

A MESSAGE FROM THE PARISH GROUP

BRIDGING THE GAP

Our Group aims to Foster Community Spirit through Care and Friendship.  We are fellow members in your community in Howth.  If you would like someone to call, to chat or share a simple game of cards, or perhaps to just listen, please telephone the Parish Office and leave a message with Barbara 01-839 7398  Mon, Tues, Weds & Fri 9.30am  -  1.30pm.

BIBLE STUDY GROUP

Howth Parish Bible Study Group will resume on Friday 8th January 2016 in St. Columbanus Hall at 10.45am.  All are welcome.

Sacristan Vacancy

St. Fintan’s Church, Sutton

The position of Sacristan at St. Fintan’s Parish, Sutton will shortly become vacant.  Applications for this waged position are now being sought and should be accompanied by a written description of personal suitability and interest to The Rev. Moderator, The Parish Office, St. Fintan’s Parish, Greenfield Road, Sutton, Dublin 13, to arrive on or before December 14th 2015.

ST. FINTAN'S PARISH PASTORAL CENTRE

The Management Committee of the St. Fintan's Parish Pastoral Centre invites proposals from Groups who are keen to use the fine facilities available.  Please contact Anne Boylan at Tel. 839 2001 to arrange a meeting.

Church Readers – Weekday Masses   The following are listed to read at 8.00am Masses 14th – 18th Dec

Monday J. Morton

Tuesday K. Burke

Wednesday K. Burke

Thursday B. Milton

Friday K. Nolan

The following are listed to read at 10.00am Masses 14th -19th Dec

Monday Jones Family

Tuesday J. Comiskey

Wednesday J. Stewart

Thursday M. Connaughton

Friday J. Clarke

Saturday J. Towers

WEEKEND MASSES Sat/Sun 19 & 20 Dec

Saturday 7.00pm B. Lynch

Sunday 8.30am D O Cathasaigh/ A. Burke

Sunday 10.30am Family Mass Reader

Sunday 12 noon F. Walsh

MASS INTENTIONS 13th – 20th Dec

Sunday 13th Dec

Vigil (7.00pm Sat. 12th Dec)  Joe Farren & Ruth Farren

8.30am Padraig Doyle

10.30am Joe Maxwell (3rd Anv)

12 noon Kathleen Coughlan (7th Anv)

Mon 14th Dec

8.00am Annie Towers (Recently Deceased)

10.00am Funeral – Pauline Jones

Tues 15th Dec

8.00am Joe Maxwell

10.00am Brian Kennedy (Recently Deceased)

Weds 16th Dec

10.00am Johnny Dixon (Birthday Remembrance)

Fri 18th Dec

10.00am Jim Lawless (12th Anv)

Sunday 20th Dec

Vigil (7.00pm Sat. 19th Dec)  Florie Nealon, Martin Nealon & Marty Nealon

8.30am Joseph Rourke

10.30am Norah Brennan

12 noon Tony Johnston

RECENT BAPTISMS

The Parish Community warmly welcomes Carley Mae Duffy and John Stephen Loughnane who were baptised recently in our Church.  Congratulations and every joy to their proud parents, Grandparents, God Parents and extended family.

CAPUCHIN DAY CENTRE FOR THE HOMELESS

Thanks to the local Ladies who organised the fund-raising Cake Sale and Raffle recently.  The amount raised was €5,440  Thank you so much to all who supported this most deserving cause.

MUDOAK

The story of a Howth Cottage by Bernie Nestor 1995

This is a nostalgic Memoir by Bernie Nestor of her life growing up in an isolated cottage overlooking Howth Golf Club on Howth Hill.  It is a social history covering several generations. It will appeal to a wide readership as well as to the people of Howth.  It would make a great gift, in particular a Christmas gift.  Published by the Howth Peninsula Heritage Society at €5.00 and sold in aid of St. Francis Hospice, Raheny.  Copies are still available in the Sacristy from Barbara at Tel. 839 7398

Mindfulness Meditation with Joe Clarke

Meditation continues in St. Columbanus Hall on Monday evening 14th Dec. at 7.30pm.

Meditation will also take place on Tuesday morning 15th Dec. from 11.00am in St. Columbanus Hall.

CHURCH COLLECTIONS

Sunday 7th Dec. First Collection  €885.

SHARE Collection €715