Fourth 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.

CHRISTMAS PARTY  HOWTH SENIOR CITIZENS

The Senior Citizens’ Christmas party will be held in the ABBEY TAVERN TO-DAY - Sunday, at 1.00 p.m.  ALL SENIOR CITIZENS IN HOWTH PARISH ARE WELCOME. 

SAINT VINCENT de PAUL ANNUAL CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

We thank you for your generous response to this collection which was held at all the Masses last Sunday.  The total collection to date is €11,145-00  The members of the Howth Conference of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society thank you for your generosity.  The local Conference are available at

Tel. 087-163 7060.  They can be contacted in confidence if anyone would like to talk or needs help.

CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE

The Parish Christmas Carol Service will take place in the Church tomorrow evening – Monday, 19^th December at 7.30 p.m.  This is a wonderful night for all to come together and sing together in the true spirit of Christmas.  Refreshments will be served afterwards.

All singers and musicians who would like to take part in the choir are asked to gather at 6.30 p.m. in the Church for a rehearsal.

PENANCE SERVICES FOR CHRISTMAS

TUESDAY 20^th December: Communal Penance Service in preparation for Christmas in Howth Church at 8.00 p.m.  There will be a number of visiting confessors and the Service will be conducted by Reverend Paddy Carberry, S.J.

WEDNESDAY 21^st December: Penance Service in Saint Fintan’s Church, Sutton at 8.00 p.m.

CONFESSIONS IN HOWTH PARISH

Friday 23^rd Dec. 10.30 to 11.00 a.m. and 7.30 to 9.00 p.m.

Saturday 24^th Dec. 10.30 to 11.00 a.m., 11.30 a.m. to1.00 p.m. and 3.30 to 5.00 p.m.

HOLY COMMUNION FOR THE HOUSEBOUND ON CHRISTMAS MORNING

Our Special Ministers of the Eucharist will be bringing Holy Communion to those who are ill on Christmas morning after the 10.30 Family Mass.  Anybody with a relative or friend staying with them for Christmas and if that person cannot get to the Church, please let us know by contacting the Church Sacristy/Parish Office.  (Tel. 839 7398)  A Minister of the Eucharist will be happy to bring Holy Communion to the sick person.

MASS INTENTIONS 18^th December 2011 – 1^st January 2012

Sunday 18^th December

Vigil (7.00 p.m. Sat. 17^th December)  Tony Johnston     (31^st Anniv.)

 8.30 a.m.                                           Joseph Rourke

10.30 a.m.                                          Bill McCormick   (7^th Anniv.)

12.00 noon                                        Patrick Collins

 7.00 p.m.                                           Brendan Cantwell  (10^th Anniv.)

Thursday 22^nd December

 8.00 a.m.                                           Dermot and Peggy Leahy  and Mary O’Connell

Saturday 24^th December

10.00 a.m.                                          Willie and JohnJoe Kelly

11.00 a.m.                                          John Maxwell (22^nd Anniv.)

Monday 26^th December

11.00 a.m.                                          Pat Moore (4^th Anniv.)

Tuesday 27^th December

11.00 a.m.                                          Brigid McHugh

Thursday 29^th December

11.00 a.m.                                         Elizabeth Connolly

Sunday 1^st January 2012

Vigil (7.00 p.m. Sat. 31^st December 2011)  Brigid and  Cormac O’Kelly

 8.30 a.m.                                          Jim West

10.30 a.m.                                         Cora Lynch and the  Moore and Lynch families

12.00 noon                                       Patrick and Beatrice Mahony

 7.00 p.m.                                          Una Farren

Nativity Pageant

The children of the Parish will present a Nativity Pageant on Christmas Eve in the Church.  The Pageant, under the direction of Pat Guinan and the Family Mass Group, will be presented during the 7.00 p.m. Mass on Saturday 24^th December.

CHRISTMAS MASSES

Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve with Children’s Nativity Pageant at 7.00 p.m.

Midnight Mass at 12 o’clock

Masses on Christmas morning at 8.30, 10.30 (Family Mass), and 12.00 noon

No evening Mass on Christmas Day

Monday 26^th to Saturday 31^st December  One Mass in the Church at 11.00 a.m.

THE FAT-TURKEY WALK

The Annual walk in aid of Suttonians R.F.C and the I.R.F.U Charitable Trust for seriously injured 

players takes place on Wednesday 28th December (11.00 a.m.) from Suttonians R.F.C around 

the Hill of Howth.  

Scripture Readings for the Fourth Week of Advent

Monday 19^th December

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

Tuesday 20^th December

Is 7:10-14. Ps 23: 1-6, R/ v7, 10.  Lk 1: 26-38

Wednesday 21^st December

Song 2:8-14. or Zeph 3: 14-18. Ps 32: 2-3, 11-12, 20-21, R/vv 1, 3. Lk 1: 39-45

Thursday 22^nd December

1 Sam 1:24-28. Ps 1 Sam 2: 1, 4-8, R/ v1. Lk 1: 46-56

Friday 23^rd December

Mal 3:1-4, 23-24. Ps 24: 4-5, 8-9, 10, 14, R/ Lk 21: 28. Lk 1: 57-66

Saturday 24^th December

2 Sam 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16. Ps 88: 2-5, 27,29, R/ cf. v2.  Lk 1: 67-79

Sunday 25^th December

Is 52:7-10. Ps 97: 1-6, R/ v3. Heb 1: 1-6. Jn 1: 1-18.

Stella Maris Retreat Centre, Baily Howth   Tel. 832 22 28

WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION

A Celebration of Light out of Darkness Wednesday 21^st December at 8.00 p.m.

All are Welcome

A NEW YEAR’S EVE SERVICE of Remembrance and Thanksgiving will take place in the 

Church on New Year’s Eve (Saturday 31st December) at 4 o’clock in the afternoon.  

All welcome.

The Howth Community Drama Group presents 'The Wizard of Oz' from Tuesday 3^rd to Friday 6^th January at 8.00 p.m. with a Matinee on Saturday 7^th at 3.00 p.m. in the School Hall, Howth Primary School.  Tickets €8 adult, €5 senior citizens and children, from Lua Clarke Tel. 839 1538.  Please come, enjoy a great show and support your local community!