PARISH NEWSLETTER

08/09 December 2018

2nd Sunday of Advent

Our Prayer Intention for the Day to Pray Together 

We pray for peace, especially in countries ravaged by war; that nation will not lift sword against nation and the weapons of war may be replaced by instruments of peace.

We ask this through Christ, Our Lord.  Amen

We look forward to welcoming the 2nd Class Children from Ballybrown and Patrickswell Schools to our Masses next weekend as they prepare for their First Holy Communion 2019.

Notices

Society of St. Vincent De Paul: The last boxes for the Annual Food Appeal for the Society of St. Vincent De Paul  will be collected this Sunday 9th December.  The St. Vincent De Paul are very grateful for past contributions and once again are appealing for your help.  Boxes for donations are available in the church and Resource Centre.

Christmas at the Dominicans – St. Saviour’s Dominican Church – Christmas Concert on Friday, December 14th beginning at 7:30pm. Featuring: The Adare Choir, St. Saviour’s Choir and other performers.

Christmas Fair – Patrickswell: Patrickswell Community Council will host a Christmas Fair on Sunday 9th December from 11.30am in the Cu Chulainn Lounge. Tables are €10 each, book early as there is limited space available.  For further details contact 061 320303 or email: patrickswellcrc@gmail.com.

Patrickswell Church Choir will meet for Christmas rehearsals on Tuesday evening the 11th of December at 7.30pm.  This is an open invitation to all who would like to join our rehearsals.

Wednesday 12th December, Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadeloupe: Eucharistic Adoration from 7.00 pm to 12.00 midnight will take place in Patrickswell Church Meeting Room for the protection of life and in preparation for Christmas.

Please see below from Bishop Brendan the Pro-Life section from the statement of the Winter General Meeting of the Bishops’ Conference.  Copies located at the back of the church.

Ballybrown Christmas Fair in the Ballybrown/Clarina Community Resource Centre on Sunday 16th December after 10.00am Mass. Complimentary teas and coffees along with Cake Sale, Flower Arrangements, Firewood, Raffle, Art Competition Prize giving and lots more.

Advent Sundays at Glenstal Abbey  December 9th and 16th at 4.30pm; why not come and join us in exploring the great themes of Advent and our lives therein – ‘Tuning into Real Time’ from the Advent Gospels of St Luke. www.glenstal.org  Tel. 061 621005

Christmas Eve Family Mass will be celebrated in Ballybrown Church at 5.00 pm on Monday 24th December.  Practice date for this Mass has yet to be decided, all children are welcome to participate in the practice or just come along on Christmas Eve.  Further details will be forwarded via School Text or contact Susan McNamara on 087 2257625.

MILFORD LIGHTS: “Light Up A Memory Tree” at Milford Hospice ceremony on Sunday December 9th at 6.00pm. Lights can be sponsored for €5.00 from now until Christmas and will shine throughout the festive season.  Orders at  www.milfordcarecentre.ie  or by calling the Fundraising Department on 061 485859 or 061 485860.

Lourdes Invalid Fund/Cliona’s Foundation Fundraiser: Tea/coffee will be served after Masses on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th December.  All monies raised at this fundraiser are in aid of the above charities.  Your support is greatly appreciated.

Mass Intentions

Ballybrown:

Sat 8th John and Maureen Sheehan.  1st Anniversary – Jean O’Gorman McNamara.

Sun 9th Colm and Teresa Coughlan.  Month’s Mind Mass – Frank Hanley.

Mon 10th Anastasia and Michael Keane.

Sun 16th John, Cissie and Paul Coughlan.

Patrickswell:

Sat 8th Elizabeth and Denis Ryan and his mother Mary;  Michael O’Brien.

Sun 9th Dr Noel Collins; Michael O’Kelly; John Quain.

Wed 12th John and Margaret O’Riordan.

Sun 16th Maudie Carmody; Deceased Members of Patrickswell GAA.

MAY THEY REST IN PEACE

Parish Masses This Week

Patrickswell:  9.30am – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Saturday Vigil Mass  6.30pm.

Sunday    11.30am.

Adoration:  Thursday from 7.00pm  to 9.00pm and on Saturday from 8.00am to 12 Noon.

Baptisms: 2nd and 4th weekends of the month on Saturday at 5.00pm and Sunday at 12.30pm.

Next Baptismal Gathering Tuesday 11th December in Church Meeting Room at 7.30pm.

Ballybrown9.30am – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Wednesday: Adoration from 7.00pm to 8.00pm followed by Mass at 8.00pm.

Saturday Vigil Mass 8.00pm.

Sunday 10.00am

Baptisms: 1st and 3rd weekends of the month on Saturday at 5.00pm and Sunday at 12.30pm.

Next Baptismal Gathering is Monday 17th December at 7.30pm in the Church.

Baptisms to be booked one month in advance with Parish Office.

Collection Last Week:      €1,555.00.              Thank you.

Fr Mike: 061 353711  Mobile: 087 1279015

Parish Office:  061 353454   

Email: pwbbparishoffice@gmail.com

Website: pwbbparish.com

 —

Abortion Cannot Be Supported

Reflecting on the current Dáil debate on the abortion bill, the Irish Bishops said, “We are dismayed that, for the most part, the voices of those who voted against abortion in May’s referendum have been ignored.  Even what many people would have deemed to have been very reasonable legislative amendments seeking to provide women with information and to prohibit abortion on the grounds of sex, race or disability, have been rejected.

“As we stated after our Autumn Meeting, Irish society must have respect for the right of conscientious objection for all healthcare professionals and pharmacists.  They cannot be forced either to participate in abortion or to refer patients to others for abortion.

“Every one of us has a right to life.  It is not given to us by the Constitution of Ireland or by any law.  We have it ‘as of right’, whether we are wealthy or poor, healthy or sick.  All human beings have it.  The direct and intentional taking of human life at any stage is gravely wrong and can never be justified.

“Women’s lives, and the lives of their unborn children, are precious, valued and always deserving of protection.  Any law which suggests otherwise would have no moral force.  In good conscience it cannot be supported and would have to be resisted.

“We offer our prayerful solidarity with everyone dedicated to the sanctity and protection of human life at all stages.  We ask everyone of goodwill – whether at home, in parish, in school or at work – to continue to choose and to celebrate the preciousness of life.”

During their meeting a delegation of Irish bishops met with individuals representing various Pro-Life groups from across Ireland, north and south.  The aim of the gathering was to acknowledge their ongoing commitment to upholding the dignity of unborn human life and to consult on the setting up of a new Council for Life under the aegis of the Bishops’ Conference which will operate from March 2019.