Sunday 6th December 2015

Second Sunday of Advent  (48/15)

ADORATION FOR ADVENT

A reminder that on the Sunday afternoons of Advent (December 6th, 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.

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.

HOLY DAY – TUESDAY 8th DECEMBER

Tuesday 8th December 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 Mon. 7th Dec. at 7.00pm.  Tues. 8th Dec. 8.00am, 10.00am and 7 o’clock in the evening.

DUBLIN DIOCESAN FOOD APPEAL – 12th/13th DECEMBER

Hundreds of people in our communities are in urgent need of help.  You will remember last year the diocese launched a programme to replenish the stock of the Crosscare Food Banks.  These Food Banks give food directly to individuals and families in need through local community food banks and also to over 70 other charities in Dublin who are working with those most in need.  As we come towards Christmas, the Crosscare Food Banks have once again been struggling to keep up with demand for food from people, especially families with children, in need around the Archdiocese.  In response to this growing need, Crosscare is asking you to bring non-perishable food items to your parish church on the weekend of 12th/13th December.  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.

The Three Tenors Ireland – December 11th 2015

The Group known as The Three Tenors Ireland - Ray O’Hare, Dominic McGorian and Alan Kelly - will present a Concert in the Church of the Assumption, Howth next Friday evening, 11th December at 8.00pm.  The programme will include spiritual and popular favourites including numbers such as Panis Angelicus, Ave Maria, The Prayer, Pie Jesu, I Believe, I'll Walk with God and Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah, Sinatra's My Way, and Pavarotti's Nessun Dorma.  Christmas Favourites will include 'When a Child is Born' 'Silent Night' 'O Holy Night'. Tickets - €25 available in The Parish Office Tel. 839 7398 or the Country Market Tel. 832 2033.  Special Guests – Howth Scoil Mhuire Primary School Choir.

A visit from Santa

To-day - Sunday, 6th December, Santa is coming to Howth to light our community Christmas Tree!  We will have music from the Gospel Choir and a Carol Sing-a-Long to welcome Santa.  The Howth Pipe Band have been chatting to Santa and they will make sure he arrives safely.  Be sure to come along and join the fun from 4.30pm to-day. (Singers and musicians to help lead the carols, please come along to St. Columbanus Hall at 4pm for hot chocolate and a quick rehearsal!)

Scripture Readings – Second Week of Advent

Monday 7th Dec

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

Tuesday 8th Dec

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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

Wednesday 9th Dec

Is 40:25-31. Ps 102:1-4,8,10, R/ v1. Mt 11:28-30

Thursday 10th Dec

Is 41:13-20. Ps 144:1,9-13, R/ v8. Mt 11:11-15

Friday 11th Dec

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

Saturday 12th Dec

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

Sunday 13th Dec

Zeph 3:14-18. Ps Is 12:2-6, R/v6. Phil 4: 4-7.Lk 3:10-18

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   The Acts of the Apostles

Howth Parish Bible Study Group continues on Friday 11th Dec. 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.

Church Readers – Weekday Masses   The following are listed to read at 8.00am Masses 7th – 11th Dec

Monday J. Morton

Tuesday K. Nolan

Wednesday J. Morton

Thursday B. Milton

Friday K. Burke

Mon 7th Dec 7.00pm  P. Cummings

Tues 8th Dec 7.00pm  B. Lynch

The following are listed to read at 10.00am Masses 7th -12th Dec

Monday T. Boyle

Tuesday U. Kane

Wednesday J. Stewart

Thursday M. Connaughton

Friday J. Clarke

Saturday J. Towers

WEEKEND MASSES Sat/Sun 12 & 13 Dec

Saturday 7.00pm N. McCann

Sunday 8.30am D O Cathasaigh/ U. Kane

Sunday 10.30am Family Mass Reader

Sunday 12 noon A. O’Halloran

CHURCH COLLECTIONS

Sunday 29th Nov. First Collection  €710. SHARE Collection €640

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 next weekend  (12th/13th December).  This collection will replace the usual SHARE Collection.

MASS INTENTIONS 6th – 13th Dec

Sunday 6th Dec

Vigil (7.00pm Sat. 5th Dec)   Willie Sherry

8.30am Jimmy Coughlan

10.30am Dan O’Shea (12th Anv) & May O’Shea

12 noon Brendan McLoughlin (39th Anv)

Mon 7th Dec

8.00am Michael Barry

10.00am Nano Blake

Tues 8th Dec

Vigil (7.00pm Mon 7th Dec)   Christy & Lena Magee

8.00am Eamon Milton

10.00am A Special Intention

7.00pm  Christy, Brian, Lena & Christy (Snr) Magee

Weds 9th Dec

10.00am Robert Power (4th Anv)

Thurs 10th Dec

10.00am Gretta & Tom McRedmond

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)

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.

HOWTH PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL

The next meeting of the Parish Pastoral Council is at 7.30pm on Thursday 10th Dec. in Stella Maris Convent.

Mindfulness Meditation with Joe Clarke

Meditation continues in St. Columbanus Hall on Monday evening 7th Dec. at 7.30pm.

Meditation will also take place on Tuesday morning 8th Dec. from 11.00am in St. Columbanus Hall.

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION

Christian Meditation will take place in the Parish Hall -  St. Columbanus  - on Thursday 10th Dec. at 11.00am.  Cost:  None - and all are very welcome to attend.  For more information contact Matt McDonagh Tel. 806 3406

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT - Taking place in Pobalscoil Neasáin, Baldoyle/Bayside on Thursday 10th December 2015 at 7.30 p.m. Come and join us celebrate the spirit of this special season in music, reflection, with craft and Christmas cheer.  All are welcome.