| St Matthew's Parish Notes |
Second
Sunday after Christmas
Sunday, 5th January, 2003
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Prayer
for Our Country
The leaders of the four Churches in Ireland (Russell I Birney,
Sean Brady, Winston Graham and Robin Eames) are calling together
for prayer this weekend (5th January 2003) to focus upon Ireland
and all its peoples, north, south, east and west.
In a recent joint statement they said: "To pray is to humble
ourselves before God, to become aware again of his awesome power
and to be filled afresh with his passionate love for all the
people of this land. This is a major part of the unique contribution,
which we as Christians are called to make to the shaping of
our future. There is no better time than the turning of the
year to commit ourselves to it once again."
They suggest the Prayer for Our Country below.
Prayer for Our Country
Faithful God, we thank you for your presence with us during
our years of suffering. We acknowledge that without your grace
we cannot achieve a stable and just peace for all. Forgive us
that we have not loved you with all our hearts nor have we loved
our neighbours as ourselves. At the beginning of this New Year
we ask that your justice and mercy will flow in this land. May
your Holy Spirit empower, lead and guide us as in Jesus' name
we pray.
Amen.
 The
Epiphany of the Lord - 6th Jan
A Holy Day of Obligation
Mass Times: (Sun)- 6.30pm
(Mon): 9.00; 10.30; 11.30 & 6.30pm.
St. Louise's School Hall: 9.30.
The Mass on Sunday evening from an obligation point of view
suffices for either the Sunday or the holyday but not both.
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. |
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. |
Children's
Mass
Practices resume this Thursday afternoon at 3.30
with choir and arts etc. All primary school children especially
are welcome to attend the practice. |
Meditation
Because of the holy day on the 6th - No Meditation.
It will resume next Monday evening (13th). |
Planning
to Get Married
The Church requires 3 months notice from couples
planning to get married. The state also requires 3 months
notice. For more details contact your area priest. |
£IR
- Punts
Do you have any "Old Irish Coins/Notes"
sitting around at home? You can leave them in the box
(under the clock) between the main entrances of the Church.
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Website
of the Week :
www.theology.ie
Useful references for anyone interested in theology.
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Altar
servers:
No meeting this Tuesday. |
Schools
Reopen
The Epiphany (6th January) marks the end of the Christmas
period. Christ is to be made known to the whole world.
For us it's back to normal once more. Schools reopen,
extra traffic in the morning etc. How about leaving the
car at home a couple of days during the week? |
Road
Safety - Continuing theme for January
Wise men (and women) don't drink and drive! For God's
sake… for your own sake … for your family's
sake! |
Please
pray for those recently deceased
Michael Coakley, Clifden Rd
Elizabeth Noone, Moycullen Rd
(Removal Mon 5pm/ Mass Tue 10am)
Mass Intentions This Week
 Sun:
(Sat 6.30: John O Connor)
9.00 People of the parish
10.30 Thomas Conroy
11.30 Pat & Sophia Keane
12.30 Mary Mahony
6.30 Michael Henvey
Mon: 9am Geraldine & Patrick Finlay
10.30 Trimble & McNama Family
11.30 Margaret Eccles & William Griffiths
6.30 Agnes McLoughlin & Bridie Merriman
Tue: Funeral/ Christine, Simon & Patrick Daly
Wed: Marie Stokes/ Mary Mahony
Thurs: Patrick & Sheila Barnes/ Tom Ritchie
Fri: William White/ George Murphy
Sat: Pauline & Sean Bayley/ Maureen Brunell
Next Sun: (12th)
9.00Pat Fitzpatrick; 10.30 People of the parish; 11.30 John
McEvoy; 12.30 Joe Fox; 6.30 William Darcy
May they rest in peace.
Questions
people ask
Q.
What is the significance of the gifts of gold, frankincense
and myrrh in the story of the Magi?
A. Gold is to recognise Jesus as king. Frankincense represents
his divinity. The aromatic smoke ascending from burning incense
is a symbol of our prayers rising to God. 'My prayers rise like
incense', wrote the psalmist.
Myrrh is a precious balsam or ointment used for wedding perfumes,
consecration oil and embalming the dead. Offered to Jesus it
can represent the wedding of heaven and earth, or Jesus the
Anointed One (messiah), or his saving death.
Fr Silvester O'Flynn OFM Cap
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