13th December 2009

PARISH OF DRUMCREE
Mission Statement: Our Parish is a Christ-centred community. In Baptism we are challenged by the Spirit to live and share the Gospel message. Through proclaiming the Gospel message to all, Growth in Faith, Liturgy, Justice Issues and
Ecumenism we extend our love and care to all people providing support in renewing and deepening our faith. We value the gifts and talents of each of our Parishioners and invite them to use these in responding to Christ's invitation to all of us to follow Him and spread the Good News to the whole world.
www.drumcreeparish.com

St. John the Baptist Church, Garvaghy Road, (1777) - 1977
St. Patrick's Church, William Street - 1835

13th December 2009
Third Sunday of Advent
(Gaudete Sunday)


Mass Times:
St. John the Baptist
Saturday   7 p.m.
Sunday      8.30 & 11.30 a.m.
St. Patrick's
Sunday    10 a.m.

Weekday Masses:
St. John the Baptist
Tuesday - Friday 7p.m.
St. Patrick's
Monday - Saturday  10 a.m.
Monday 7p.m. (Novena -
Miraculous Medal)

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Thursdays in St. John the Baptist Church beginning at 6 p.m.

Devotions 1st and 2nd Sunday

Confessions:
St. Patrick's
Saturday - 12.30 - 1.15 p.m.
St. John the Baptist
Saturday - 6.15 - 6.45 p.m.

Baptisms:
Every Saturday, 5 p.m.
Registration for Baptism must be  made in St. John the Baptist Church, after Friday evening Mass, two weeks prior to date.

Marriage:
At least three months notice must be given to the Priests of the Parish.

Phone Numbers:  
Fr. O'Dwyer 38350610
Fr. White 38332218
Parish Mobile - Emergency No. 07841101850

Adoration of The Blessed Sacrament in St. John the Baptist Church today 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. concluding with Benediction.

Ministers of the Eucharist
St. John the Baptist, week beginning 14th December Eddie McVeigh.

Ministry of The Word
Week beginning  14th December 10 a.m. Denis McCourt. 7 p.m. Aidan McCormack.

ADVENT IS A TIME OF PREPARATION FOR
CHRISTMAS.  THE CHURCH IN HER LITURGY MARKS THIS AT MASS WITH PURPLE VESTMENTS AND NO GLORIA AND NO FLOWERS IN THE
SANCTUARY.  HOW ARE YOU PREPARING
SPIRITUALLY FOR CHRISTMAS?

Confessions during Advent - as well as the usual times - Sunday 13th after 11.30 a.m. Mass in St. John the Baptist.
Penitential Service on Wednesday 16th December at 7.30 p.m.
Saturday 19th: not midday due to
weddings; St. John the Baptist Church 6.15-6.45pm and after 11.30am Mass Sunday 20th.

Christmas Mass: Christmas Eve both Churches at 9pm; Christmas Day: St. John the Baptist 8.30am & 11.30am; St. Patrick's Church 10am.

Recent Baptisms: Brooke McGeown, Aoibheann Sarah McCann, Sarah Frances O'Neill, Ava Paige Bradley, Oisin Sean McGurgan

Parish Pastoral Council meeting on Thursday 17th December at 7.30pm

TAIZE MASS preparing to receive Christ into our hearts next Saturday, 19th December, at 7pm.

Is there someone missing from your Christmas Table this year?  Is there someone missing from Christ's Altar today?  To include those missing from the Altar/table  paper figures are available in the Churches - take one and write the Christian name only on it of whoever is missing and return to the Church.  During the Christmas Season the figures will be placed around the Church.

St. Vincent de Paul - Christmas Appeal -
7th - 13th December.
This year we are asking you to give a donation via
envelope to help others this Christmas.  Please post donations in the Post Boxes provided in the Churches near the Advent Tree before or after Masses.  Your generosity will bring some joy and happiness to those in need and bring a blessing on yourself.

John Paul II Awards:  anyone doing this through their school should contact Fr. White.

Knights of St. Columbanus meeting on Tuesday 15th December.

Next Sundays Bulletin (20th December) will be the last until Sunday 3rd January- notices for Christmas
season and anniversaries should be left in either Parochial House (Moy Road) before Wednesday 16th December.

Come Back to Mass weekend 9th/10th January 2010

Offertory Collection - Sunday 6th
£2574-21
Thanks to all who contributed
+++++++++++++++
Walk with Me - a journey of prayer for
Advent and Christmastime available at £1.

Requiescant In Pace

Lately deceased:  Lily Gribbon, Christy Harrison, James Kelly, Katryna Nowak, Bill McConville, Sr. Kieran McGirr, Eamon Tennyson,  Veronica Furphy, John Reid, Samuel Flack, Patrick Byrne, Noel McAlinden, Sr. Paula McDermott
At This Time:  James Creaney, Anthony Foy, Dympna Fearnon
Sunday 13th:Vera Williams(1st Anniversary), Karl Bugner Mercer(1st Anniversary), Paddy Lappin(1st Anniversary), Kitty Tennyson, Edward Fearnon, Mary Quinn, Mary Jordan, Bridget Toal, Martin Toal, Patrick Hughes, Thomas Metcalfe  
Monday 14th: Noel Benson, George Killops, Geraldine Knox, Felix Donnelly, John McClean, Eugene Douglas   Tuesday 15th: Molly Williamson(1st Anniversary), Daniel Fearon, Rose Marie McParland, Thomas & Kitty McCourt, Jim Brennan
Wednesday 16th: M.M. Teresa White, Nora McDonald, Michael Davidson, Sharon Byrne, Patrick McGarrity, Sarah McCann, Brian McDonald, Felix Devine   
Thursday 17th:  Laurence Crozier, George Walker, Ailish Black, John Kelly, Margaret Fox, Joe Bailey  
Friday 18th: Francie Fay, Gavin Duffy, Patrick Joseph Kelly, Sharon Berry, James McCullagh, Patrick Kelly Saturday 19th: Bridget Metcalfe, Kathleen Kerr, Annie Millsopp, Elizabeth Lavery, Brian Judge, Iris Berry, Ellen Catherine McCann, Vera Madden, William Kevin Doran, William Keegan, James Henry McCooe, Frank Hamill, Mary Gorman

Anniversaries late for bulletin should be left in the Sacristy for inclusion on the proper day.
 
When submitting notices for the bulletin please include a contact name and telephone number.
Notices and anniversaries should be left in by the Wednesday prior to publication.

WHY NOT COME TO ALPHA AND SEE WHY OVER 3 MILLION PEOPLE IN IRELAND AND THE UK HAVE FOUND THE COURSE TO BE A WORTHWHILE EXPERIENCE
Contact Martin Barlow 07765405902

St. Vincent De Paul Society
Clothes shop, tel. 38393898 or  Furniture shop tel. 38394219,  in Mayfair Business Centre, Garvaghy Road.  Opening hours Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.  Saturday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.  
URGENTLY REQUIRED! - CURTAINS

NEW SELF HELP LINE - 38339639.  Response within 48 hours.

Feasts:Monday 14th St. John of The Cross;  Friday 18th St. Flannan.

Climate Change Conference:  Copenhagen 7 - 18  December.
"The earth is the Lords, and all that is in it" - Psalm 24.  Keep the conference in your prayers that world leaders may hear the cry of the earth.  And ask yourself as an individual or a family - How environmentally green am I / are we?

Church Time Burglaries:  some basic advice - lock all exterior doors and windows;   secure all sheds and garages; make your home look occupied even when you're not at home (use timer switches on lamps / radios).  Leaflets in Church.  Stay safe - stay secure.

Drumcree College - Basketball - P7 - 1st & 2nd years every Wednesday from 3.30 p.m. - 5 p.m. Adult fitness classes Wednesdays 7.30 p.m. - 8.30 p.m.  For more information contact the school 38334725.

Drumcree Community Centre:  Young Parent's Group, Tuesday 8th December, 11 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.
Drumcree House of Health:  Carer's Support Group Tuesday 15th December 10 a.m. - 12 noon.   Women's Drop-in Night Tuesday 6.30 p.m. - 8.30 p.m.  Men's Health Evening Thursday 10th December 6.30 p.m. - 8.30 p.m.  Therapies and Health information. Young Peoples Health Drop-in Monday 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.  This confidential service on all aspects of health  24th December.  (male or female) under 25 yrs.
Phone Jennifer or Linda on 38334522 for more details.

Bannside Development Centre:  A Holistic approach to Health - a series of talks  Thursday 10 a.m. - 12 noon.
Homework Club Monday and Tuesday 3.15 - 4.30 p.m.  £1 per day.
Bannside Scribblers - Mondays 7 - 9 p.m.  English Classes   Thursday 10 a.m. also I.C.T. for beginners.  For more information contact Carol on 38339916.

St. John's Accordion Band: classes in music on Thursdays 7pm in St. John the Baptist School. Anyone wishing to join contact a
committee member at the school on the evening.

Tir Na nOg GFC:  U10 Training in Drumcree College Tuesdays 6.30 p.m.  Bingo  - Tuesday 8.15 p.m.

Naiscoil Na Banna:  A.G.M. Sunday 17th January, 3 p.m. in the Naiscoil.

Cumann Gaelach - Christmas Ceili Saturday 19th December in Ashgrove Community Centre, 9.30 p.m. - 12.30 a.m.
Irish Class every Thursday in Ashgrove Community Centre, 8 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Christmas Craft Sale at McArts `n' Crafts - Wednesday 16th December 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Unit J, Mayfair Business Centre, Garvaghy Road.  Proceeds in aid of Mencap the Charity for the voice of learning disability.

Pride of Eireann F.B. - Football winners.  Wk 1 S. McKenna, 9 Garvaghy Pk.,   Wk 2 P. Lambert, Churchill Pk., Wk. 3 M. Hughes, 49 Ashgrove Manor.

Global Gift - Trocaire:  Change someones world this Christmas - available in Church porch.

Found:  Gold Pioneer Pin - contact Francis in the sacristy.

A MINUTE IN EVERY HOUR!  AN HOUR IN EVERY DAY!  
A DAY IN EVERY WEEK!
 
Reflection
 
The Good News

In the gospel of Jesus
there is the good news
that we are children of God
and that we are called together
into the love of God.

We are called to a
faith that is personal
and connected to the faith of others,
so that we have a care for the poor,
and for all in their times of need.

We are to give what we have,
to those who have not enough.
Those who have two tunics
give to those who have none.

And in giving to those who are needy,
we are giving to the needy Christ.
 
He is cold in those who are unclothed,
hungry in those who are starving,
lonely in those who are alone,
victimised in those who are bullied and abused.

He rejoices with us in good times,
and sympathises with us in our sorrow.

The Lord Jesus
was born among us
poor, rejected by many
and loved by Mary and Joseph.

He himself, before he can speak,
is good news.
He is the Son of God and one of us -
we await his birth this year
so that we can be reborn ourselves,
and each of us
can be the good news of God,
reborn in our conviction that
all men and women are brothers and sisters,
that all are children of God
and that all will share the joy of God,
when Jesus comes again in glory.