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Questions
people ask
Q. Do we have any evidence that Jesus was born on 25
December?
A. We have no idea which day of the year was his birthday.
The early Christians did not celebrate his birthday at all.
At this time of year, just after the shortest day of the year,
there used to be a pagan festival to honour the return of
the unconquered sun. In the fourth century, when Christianity
became the religion of the Roman Empire, this festival was
taken over to celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ, the light
of the world.
Fr
Silvester O'Flynn OFM Cap
Christmas
Week Mass Times
Dec 24th Christmas Eve (Wednesday) Night Mass 9.00 p.m.
(St. Louise's: Night Mass 9.00 p.m.)
Dec.
25th Christmas Day (Thursday)
Masses at 9.00; 10.30; 11.30 & 12.30
(St. Louise's: 9.30.) No evening Mass
Dec
26th: Mass at 10.00. No evening Mass.
Dec 27th Mass at 10.00 & 6.30
Reconciliation (Confession)
Penance Service
In St Matthew's on Tuesday 23rd @ 7.30. (Assumption and
St Philomena's Monday 22nd @ 7.30pm.)
Christmas Eve Confessions available at the following times:
10.30 - 12.00; 2 - 4pm & 6 - 8pm
Carol Singing
Will take place ½ an hour before the night masses
on Christmas Eve.
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Children's
Books For Sale etc
Various items for sale in Church Shop. As well
as the usual shop items there are some great Christmas
ideas in the shop. Open after most morning masses.
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Exposition
of Blessed Sacrament
Will not be on this Friday as it's St Stephen's Day
and there is no evening Mass. |
Children's
Mass
The children's choir will take part in the 10.30
Mass on Christmas morning. |
Altar
servers:
Meeting in the Church (Tuesday 6.30) for a practice
for Christmas Eve Mass. We hope all servers can be present
for the Christmas Eve Mass. |
Advent
Meditations - How to actually meditate
On Monday from 8.15 - 9.15 in the Council Room with Fr.
Roy using music, relaxation, stillness and John Main approach.
All are welcome. |
Feast
days
Thur 25 - The Nativity of the Lord: (Holy Day of
Obligation) Christmas Day. 'Christmas' means 'the feast
of Christ' - who became human so that could become divine
(St Augustine).
Fri 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.'
Sat 27 - St John the apostle is honoured today: his words
sum up the Christmas mystery: 'The Word was made flesh'.
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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). |
St.
Vincent De Paul - Special Collection
Well done to the supporters of the special collection.
Almost €7000 was raised. Thanks to those who donated
toys. Well done. |
Website
of the Week
www.cards.crossdaily.com
Send someone an 'e-card' for Christmas |
Christmas
schedule & 2004 Calendars
Are available on the tables to be taken away! They
are at all exits from the church. To be collected only
if you do not have a collector for your church envelope.
(Please
note a small change. The last mass on Christmas morning
(12.30) will begin at 12.45. This will give the extra
crowds a bit more time to get in to the Church. Those
who go to that mass will appreciate this as traffic
can be quite heavy at that time.)
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Please
pray for those who have died
Danny Murphy, Spiddal Rd
Thomas Arbuthnot, Gurteen Pk
Mary Rodgers, Cherry Orchard
Jack Rollo, Claddagh Rd
Mass Intentions This Week
 Sun: (Sat
6.30:) Noreen Gray
9.00 For the People
10.30 Jim Sunderland
11.30 Marie Ellis & Reg McGrath
12.30 Terry & Florence O Riordan
6.30 Richard Kiely
Mon: Nicholas Carroll/ Joseph Howlett
Tue: Mary & Philip Ryan/ No Mass
Wed: Marie McLoughlin/ Christmas Eve
Thurs: For the People of the Parish
Fri: Dermot Kavanagh
Sat: Annie & Dermot Doyle / Jeremiah & Esther
Byrne
Next Sun: (28th)
9.00 Tony, Statia & Michael Fanning; 10.30 Byrne & Lynch
Families; 11.30 Michael Birch; 12.30 Paddy Ryan; 6.30 Pro Populo.
May they rest in peace.
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