| St Matthew's Parish Notes |
FourthSunday
of Advent
Sunday, 22nd December, 2002
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Christmas
cards and schedule
Are available at all exits from the church. Next years calendars
are also available. To be collected only if you do not have
a collector for your church envelope.
Christmas Week Mass Times
Dec 24th Christmas Eve (Tuesday) Night Mass 9.00
p.m. (St. Louise's: Night Mass 9.00 p.m.)
Dec. 25th Christmas Day (Wednesday)
Masses at 9.00; 10.30; 11.30 & 12.30
(St. Louise's: 9.30.) No evening Mass
Dec 26th & 27th: Mass at 10.00. No evening Mass.
Dec 28th Mass at 10.00 & 6.30
Questions
People Ask
Q
Are the Christmas stories true or just pious fiction?
A. The central events have to be taken as historically
true: Jesus Christ came as Saviour of the world, was born of
Mary and she conceived the child as a virgin by the power of
the Holy Spirit.
Some of the incidental details are true in the sense that they
link the story with past figures and events. For instance, while
Bethlehem may in fact have been the place of birth its real
importance is that it connects up with David, the shepherd who
became king. Jesus was the king who became shepherd.
Fr Silvester O'Flynn OFM Cap
Advent Meditations - How to actually
meditate
Tomorrow the last Monday during Advent from 8.15
- 9.15 in the Council Room with Fr. Roy. Using music,
relaxation, stillness and John Main approach. All are
welcome. |
Morning Prayer
If you go to daily Mass perhaps you'd like to be
in the Church before 9.50 and join in the Morning Prayer.
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Carol Singing
Will take place ½ an hour before the night
masses on Christmas Eve. |
Reconciliation (Confession)
Christmas Eve Confessions available at the following
times: 10.30 - 12.00; 2 - 3pm & 6 - 8pm |
Website of the week
www.biblegateway.com
Search the Scriptures online |
Children's Mass
No practices until the schools return. i.e. Thursday
9th January. New children are welcome to join then. |
Altar servers:
Meeting in the Church Christmas Eve at 8.15pm. We
hope all servers can be present for the Christmas Eve
mass as well as their usual masses on Christmas morning.
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Christmas Dues
Thanks to you all for your generosity over the Christmas
time. In particular we wish to thank you who contributed
so generously through the Christmas Dues. (This goes towards
the paying of the priests of St. Matthew's as well as
all the other priests of the diocese). |
Please
pray for those recently deceased
 Malachy
Martin, Oranmore Rd
Stephen O Mahony, Cappamore (Brother-in-law of Fr Seamus Ryan).
John Delaney, Oranmore Rd (Removal Mon: 5.30; Funeral Mass Tue
10am)
Mass Intentions This Week
Sun: (Sat 6.30: Mary & Hugh Brennan)
9.00 People of the parish
10.30 Paddy Jones
11.30 Byrne & Lynch Family
12.30 Jane Kiernan
6.30 Marie Ellis
Mon: Byrne & Lynch Family/ Free
Tue: Vivien Dunne/ Xmas Eve
Wed: On Christmas morning all mass intentions are for
the people of the parish, their families and relatives.
Thurs: Marie McLoughlin/ no evening mass
Fri: Dermot Kavanagh/ no evening mass
Sat: Ann Higgins/ Moriarty Family
Next Sun: (29th)
9.00 People of the parish; 10.30 William Darcy; 11.30 Michael
Birch; 12.30 Paddy Ryan; 6.30 Byrne & Lynch families.
May they rest in peace.
Feast
days
Mon
23 - St John of Kanty. He was born near Kanty in Poland
and taught Scripture in Cracow: a patron of Poland.
Tues 24 - The Fourth Week of Advent ends this afternoon.
For centuries this was a fast day: people abstained from meat
out of respect for the animals in the crib.
Wed 25 - The Nativity of the Lord: Christmas Day. 'Christmas'
means 'the feast of Christ' - who became human so that could
become divine (St Augustine).
Thurs 26 - St Stephen, first martyr, is honoured on this,
the first of the Twelve Days of Christmas: 'Let us adore the
newborn Christ; today he has crowned Saint Stephen.'
Fri 27 - St John the apostle is honoured today: his words
sum up the Christmas mystery: 'The Word was made flesh'.
Sat 28 - The Holy Innocents: babies of Bethlehem killed
at Herod's orders. 'Let us adore the new-born Christ; today
he gave the Holy Innocents the martyrs' crown.' |
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