Sunday 20th December 2015

Fourth Sunday of Advent   (50/15)

HOWTH PARISH CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE

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

ADORATION FOR ADVENT

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 to-day 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.

CHRISTMAS PARTY  -  HOWTH SENIOR CITIZENS

The Senior Citizens’ Christmas party will be held in the ABBEY TAVERN to-day - Sunday 20th December at 1.00pm.  All Senior Citizens in Howth Parish are welcome.

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.

PENANCE SERVICE FOR CHRISTMAS

The Annual Penance Service in preparation for Christmas will take place on Tuesday 22nd December at 8.00pm. in the church

CONFESSIONS ON CHRISTMAS EVE

Thurs 24th Dec.  -  10.30am to 1.00pm

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

CHRISTMAS MASSES

Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve with Children’s Nativity Pageant at 7.00pm

Midnight Mass at 12 o’clock

Masses on Christmas morning at 8.30. 10.30 (Family Mass), and 12 noon

No evening Mass on Christmas Day

OUR DEAD

Please remember in your prayers, PATRICK DOWD who died recently.  We offer our sympathy to his wife Brid and all the family.  We also pray for CLAIRE McKENNA who died during the week.  We offer our sympathy to her husband John and all the family.  We also pray for DESMOND TOOMEY who has died.  We offer our sympathy to his wife Pat and all the family.  May they rest in peace.

Scripture Readings

Monday 21st Dec

Song 2:8-14 or Zeph 3:14-18. Ps 32:2-3,11-12,20-21, R/ v1, 3. Lk 1:39-45

Tuesday 22nd Dec

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

Wednesday 23rd Dec

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

Thursday 24th Dec

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

Friday 25th Dec

The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ

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

Saturday 26th Dec

St Stephen Feast

Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59. Ps 30:3-4,6,8,16-17, R V6 Mt 10:17-22

Sunday 27th Dec

The Holy Family Feast

1 Sm 1:20-22,24-28. Ps 83:2-3,5-6,9-10, R v5 1 Jn 3: 1-2,21-24. Lk 2:41-52

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.

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 21st – 24th Dec

Monday J. Morton

Tuesday K. Burke

Wednesday K. Nolan

Thursday B. Milton

The following are listed to read at 10.00am Masses 21st -24th Dec

Monday T. Boyle

Tuesday U. Kane

Wednesday J. Stewart

Thursday M. Connaughton

Sat 26th Dec 11am J. Towers

Christmas Day

Thurs 24th Dec Vigil Mass 7.00pm S. Ni Mhaoldomhnaigh

Mid-night 12.00 E & J Stewart

Fri 25th Dec 8.30am D O Cathasaigh/ Aine

10.30am Family Mass Reader

12 noon F. Walsh & D. Gilroy

WEEKEND MASSES Sat/Sun 26 & 27 Dec

Saturday 7.00pm B. Farrell

Sunday 8.30am D O Cathasaigh/ P. Loftus

Sunday 10.30am Family Mass Reader

Sunday 12 noon P. Van dePol

The Priests of the Parish wish you Peace and Joy this Christmas and every Blessing in the New Year

MASS INTENTIONS 20th - 27th Dec

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

Mon 21st Dec

8.00am James White

10.00am Maeve O’Grady (3rd Anv)

Tues 22nd Dec

10.00am Jim Lawless (12th Anv)

Thurs 24th Dec

10.00am John Tracey (4th Anv)

Sunday 27th Dec

Vigil (7.00pm Sat. 26th Dec)  Brigid, Cormac & Kathleen O’Kelly

8.30am May & Nick Moore, Deirdre & Donal Moore

10.30am Brigid McHugh

12 noon Margaret Timon (2nd Anv)

SERVICE OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS

A service of 'Nine Lessons and Carols' will be held in St. Mary's Church of Ireland, Deerpark, Howth, this evening, (Sunday 20th Dec.) at 7.00pm.  No entrance fee but a donation in aid of Medicines Sans Frontiers and St. Francis Hospice, Raheny, will be much appreciated. Everyone welcome!

Mindfulness Meditation with Joe Clarke

Meditation resumes in St. Columbanus Hall on Monday evening 18th January at 7.30pm.

Meditation will also take place on Tuesday morning 19th January from 11.00am in St. Columbanus Hall.  No booking required – all 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 €6,495 The members of the Howth Conference of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society thank you for your generosity.

CHURCH COLLECTIONS

Sunday 13th Dec – First Collection  €545 and the collection for the St. Vincent de Paul Society - €6,495

Tues 8th Dec. Holy Day – First Collection €365 and the SHARE Collection €265