Sunday 7th December 2014

Second Sunday of Advent (48/14)

ADORATION FOR ADVENT

Advent is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the coming of the Christ Child at Christmas.  In this spirit of preparation, there will be on the Sunday afternoons of Advent (December 7th, 14th and 21st)  a holy hour of silent Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at the Sacred Heart Altar of the Church from 3 pm to 4 pm followed by evening prayer to conclude by 4:30 pm. It will be an opportunity to seek some time of prayerful peace and quiet reflection in the presence of Our Lord away from the hustle and bustle of the run up to Christmas.  Whether you can come for the full period or just for a short time you will be warmly welcome.  "Let us ask ourselves this evening, adoring the Christ truly present in the Eucharist: do I let myself be transformed by Him?”   [Pope Francis in a homily]

CROSSCARE FOOD BANK –APPEAL (6th & 7th Dec.)

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.

TREE LIGHTING AND SANTA VISIT

Santa will be making time in his hectic schedule to visit Howth to-day.  He will light up the Christmas Tree outside the church and there will be the usual singing with Howth Gospel Choir, Parish TYS Students and the Howth Pipe Band.  Gather in the village this afternoon (Sunday, 7th December) at 4.45pm and let’s light up the Christmas spirit together!

HOLY DAY – MONDAY 8th DECEMBER

Tomorrow - Monday (8th December) is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and a Holy Day of Obligation.  Masses for the feast – 8.00am, 10.00am and 7 o’clock in the evening.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED on SATURDAY 13th DECEMBER

In preparation for the coming of our Saviour, we will have the usual pre-Christmas ‘Clean-up’ of our beautiful church.  Please join us on Saturday 13th December between 9.00 and 10.00am or 10.30am to 12.30pm.  If you find you can’t make it on Sat. 13th you are more than welcome to give a half hour of your time any day between now and Christmas.  Contact Barbara, Parish Office Tel. 01-839 7398.

Christmas Choir Rehearsal

Singers needed for Christmas Masses -  7.00pm Nativity (24th Dec) and 10.30am Christmas Day.  Meet Sun. 14th Dec. in church at 1.00pm for first rehearsal.

CHRISTMAS PARTY  -  HOWTH SENIOR CITIZENS

The Senior Citizens’ Christmas party will be held in the ABBEY TAVERN on Sunday 21st 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.

OUR DEAD

Please remember in your prayers SYLVIA DAVITT (Howth Hill Lodge Nursing Home) who died during the week.  We offer our sympathy to her family.  May she rest in peace.

Scripture Readings – Second Week of Advent

Monday 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

Tuesday 9th Dec

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

Wednesday 10th Dec

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

Thursday 11th Dec

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

Friday 12th Dec

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

Saturday 13th Dec

St. Lucy Memorial

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

Sunday 14th Dec

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

BLESSING OF YOUR HOME CRIB

On Sunday 21st Dec. the fourth Sunday of Advent, we invite you to bring the baby Jesus statue from your home crib to the church for a special blessing.  This blessing will take place during the 10.30am Family Mass.

Mindfulness Meditation with Joe Clarke

Meditation continues in St. Columbanus Hall tomorrow evening Monday 8th Dec. at 7.30pm.

Meditation is also taking place on Tuesday mornings from 11.00am in St. Columbanus Hall.  No booking required – all are welcome.

CHRISTMAS CAROLS CONCERT

St Fintan’s Church, Sutton will host their Annual Carols Concert on Wednesday 10th December at 7.30pm.  The junior and senior choirs from Sutton will be joined this year by choirs from Baldoyle and Howth for a gala night with guests, Mary Callan Clarke and Christopher O'Shea (Palestrina Choir) and M.C. Ian Dempsey.  All are welcome.

Christmas Craft Fair

Christmas Craft Fair in Sutton Lawn Tennis Club on 11th December from 5.30pm onwards.  Local Art, Home Produce, Flower Arrangements, Gift ideas, Photographs, Toys etc.  Any monies raised will go towards SVP Senior Citizens Party run in the tennis club in January.  All are welcome

STELLA MARIS RETREAT CENTRE, Carrickbrack Road, Howth  Tel. 832 22 28

Take a day out to ponder the deeper meaning of Advent and Christmas.  Facilitator: Sally Hyland, S.J.G

Date: Wednesday 17th December   Time: 10.00 - 4.30 p.m.  Cost: € 50.00

The day includes prayer, input, Eucharist, confession, personal space, 3 course lunch and coffee breaks.  To book contact Sally – 087-622 6620

BIBLE STUDY GROUP   -   Saint John’s Gospel

Howth Parish Bible Study Group will meet on Friday 12th Dec. in St. Columbanus Hall at 10.45am.  All welcome.  

CHURCH COLLECTIONS

Sunday 30th Nov – First Collection  €1,010 and the Share collection   - €745

MASS INTENTIONS – 7th – 14th Dec

Sunday 7th Dec

Vigil (7.00pm Sat. 6th Dec) Kathleen Healy, Michael and Kieran Healy

8.30am Padraig Doyle

10.30am Brendan McLoughlin

12 noon Rita Hogg

Mon 8th Dec

8.00am Joseph Daly

10.00am William Gallagher

7.00pm Michael Barry

Tues 9th Dec

10.00am Jimmy Coughlan

Thurs 11th Dec

10.00am Eileen Scally  (Month’s Mind)

Fri 12th Dec

10.00am Tom Fitzpatrick (4th Anv) and his wife Mary Fitzpatrick

Sat. 13th Dec

10.00am Eileen O’Shea (Month’s Mind

Sunday 14th Dec

Vigil (7.00pm Sat. 13th Dec) Christy & Lena  Magee

8.30am Stephen, Katie, Eilish and Brigid Doyle

10.30am May O’Shea (Recently Deceased and Dan O’Shea (11th Anv)

12 noon Joe Maxwell (2nd Anv)

SAINT VINCENT de PAUL ANNUAL CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

The Annual Christmas Collection for the Saint Vincent de Paul Society will take place next weekend (13th/14th December).  This collection will replace the usual SHARE Collection.

10.30am SUNDAY MASS

As part of the new musical initiative at the 10:30am Sunday Mass, Cantors are needed to lead the congregation for the Gospel Acclamation and the Our Father.  Training will be given if required.  Please contact Anne – 087-632 2727 if interested.

JOURNEYS AT CHRISTMAS

The Baldoyle Parish Encounter Group invites you to join us on an Advent journey of preparation for Christmas.  Thurs. 17th Dec: We will pray and reflect on the Advent journeys of Zachariah and Elizabeth and Mary and Joseph through scripture and music.  Church of St. Laurence O’Toole, Grange Road, Baldoyle.  8pm to 9pm.

Church Readers – Weekday Masses

The following are listed to read at 8.00am Masses

8th – 12th Dec

Monday J. Morton

Tuesday K. Burke

Wednesday K. Nolan

Thursday B. Milton

Friday K. Nolan

The following are listed to read at 10.00am Masses 8th – 13th Dec

Monday T. Boyle

Tuesday J. Commiskey

Wednesday J. Stewart

Thursday M. Connaughton

Friday J. Clarke

Saturday L & V Duffy

7.00pm Mon 8th Dec. E. Cantwell

WEEKEND MASSES Sat/Sun 13/14 Dec

Saturday 7.00pm N. Vaughan

Sunday 8.30am D. O Cathasaigh /A. UiCathasaigh

Sunday 10.30am Family Mass Reader

Sunday 12noon N. Cronin