Sunday 30th November 2008

The 1st Sunday of Advent.

PRIESTS OF THE PARISH Larry Duffy P.P. 047-51048 John Kearns C.C. 047-51064 Owen Gorman C.C. 048 67751231

Priest on duty this week Fr Duffy

The Parable of the Birds

Once upon a time, there was a man who looked upon Christmas as a lot of humbug. He wasn’t a Scrooge. He was a very kind and decent person, generous to his family, upright in all his dealings with other men. But he didn’t believe all this stuff about God becoming man, which churches proclaim at Christmas. Why would God want to do anything like that? So when his family left to attend midnight services on Christmas Eve, he stayed at home.

Shortly after the family drove away snow began to fall. He went to the window and watched the flurries getting heavier and heavier. Sometime later, as he was reading his newspaper by the fire, he was startled by a thudding sound that was quickly followed by another. Then another. When he went to investigate, he found a flock of birds huddled miserably in the snow. They had been caught in the storm, and in a desperate search for shelter had tried to fly through the window. “I can’t let these poor creatures lie there and freeze” he thought. “But how can I help them?”

Then he remembered the barn. It would provide a warm shelter. He quickly put on his coat and boots and tramped through the deepening snow to the barn. He opened the doors wide and turned on the light.

But the birds didn’t come in. “Food will bring them in”, he thought. So he hurried back to the house for bread crumbs, which he sprinkled on the snow to make a trail into the barn. To his dismay, the birds ignored the breadcrumbs and continued to flop around helplessly in the snow. He tried shooing them into the barn by walking around and waving his arms. They scattered in every direction - everywhere except into the warm, lighted barn.

“They find me a strange and terrifying creature” he said to himself, “and I can’t seem to think of any way to let them know they can trust me” “If only I could be a bird for a few minutes, perhaps I could lead them to safety” Just at that moment the church bells began to ring. He stood silently for a while, listening to the bells pealing the glad tidings of Christmas. Then he thought of what he had just said about the birds, if only I could be one of them they might understand and trust me. He sank to his knees in the snow. “Now I understand you God”, he whispered. “Now I see why You had to do it”

“My Lord and my God” True God and True Man!”

Deaths

Please pray for the dead, especially:
Tommy Dawson, Roslea Tce
Bridgid Quigley, Dundalk,
Brian Dempsey, Kildare.

Baptisms: We welcome into God’s community: Lily Kate Murray
Dillon Leo Maguire, James Anthony Mulhall

Marriage: We wish God’s blessing to newly-weds: Nigel Breen & Ann Leonard

Divine Mercy Christmas Cards: Available at back of Church, €5 per pack.

Parish Finance & Property Committee Meeting: On Tues 2nd @ 8pm in P.P’s house.

Faith & Light: Christmas Fiesta on Sun 7th Dec. Looking forward to seeing all our friends there.

St Alphonsus Church, Connons has closed for renovations and will re-open in Spring 2009.

Connons Church Renovation: Work is proceeding at pace with the renovation of the roofing these days. Thanks to all who have supported the work. There is still time to make your contribution.

SACRED HEART CHURCH , CLONES

Weekend Masses: Sat 7 pm (Vigil) Sun 9.30 am and 11.30am.
Confessions: Sat 10.20am; Sat 6.30—6.50; 1st Fri. 9.40am
Baptisms: By arrangement with the priest on Baptisms for the month
Marriage: By arrangement. Three month’s notice is required
Anointing Sick: At any time.
Adoration : Wednesday 10.30am—10pm

Masses for the Week

Sat 7.00pm All for whom Anniversary Masses were celebrated during the week

Sun 9.30am Mass
11.30 People of the Parish

Mon 10.00 Pat & Bernadette McGrane & Dec. Members McGrane & Bogue Families

Tues 10.00 James & Gretta Breen, Brookeboro

Wed 10.00 Sheila McCabe, Clones/Slane
Adoration 10.30 — 10pm

Thurs 10.00 John Matthews, The Diamond

Fri 10.00 Purdy Family, Mullinamoy
Evening Mass in Aghadrumsee at 8pm

Sat 10.00 Nuala & Francis Farrell, Clonfad
7.00pm (Vigil) All for whom Anniversary Masses were celebrated during the week

Sun 9.30am Mass

Sun 11.30 People of the Parish

Altar Society: U Maguire, M Nicholl, A Connolly, M O’Neill, P Toye

ST. MACARTAN’S, AGHADRUMSEE

Masses: Sat 8pm(Vigil); Sun 10am. Fri 8pm;
Confessions: First Sat 7.30 pm. 1st Fri 7.30 pm
Baptisms: By arrangement with priest on Baptisms for month (See above)
Adoration : Wednesday 7.30pm—9.30pm

Masses for the Week

Sat 8pm John McElroy & Deceased Relatives, Knockmacarooney

Sun 10am Ann Quinn, The Diamond, Clones

Fri 8pm Peter & Mary McEnearney, Clones

Sat 8pm Sarah McDermott, Doon

Sun 10 Deceased Members Aghadrumsee G.F.C.

Eucharistic Adoration: K Finnegan, M Cosgrove, B Beggan, P O’Hara

Eucharistic Ministers: M Little, S McMahon

Servers: Team B Kyle Crudden, Noel Grew

Collectors for Dec:

(Vigil) Breege Grew, Deirdre Grew, Michael Grew, Patsy Beggan

(10am) Brian Boyle, Stephen Flynn, Rose Beggan, Shane Boyle.

Altar Society for Dec: Winnie McGinnity, Maureen Maguire.

GFC Lotto: No Winner. Winning No’s 3, 9, 17, 21, jackpot now £1,200, thank you.

Roslea Credit Union A.G.M: On Dec 10th @ 8pm. Everyone welcome. Refreshments served.

ST. ALPHONSUS, CONNONS

Masses: Sun 11.00 am.
Confessions: 1st Thurs. 6.30pm; 1st Sun 10.40
Baptisms: By arrangement with priest on Baptisms for the month

Sun 11am.

(30th Nov) Deceased Members Maguire Family, Teer

(7th Dec) Willie Connolly, Cloniston

Altar Servers (7th & 8th) Rebecca Murphy, Kevin Murphy, Zoe Clarke

Eucharistic Minister for December: Joan McEniff

Reader (7th) Brendan Devlin

Currin Lotto: No Winner. Winning No’s: 19, 20, 21, 22, jackpot now €13,100, thank you

Irish Catholic on sale today.

Collectors for Dec: Margaret Connolly, Joe Cadden

Altar Society for Dec: Ita Maguire, Catherine Connolly

St Comgalls N.S. Parents Association Christmas Draw & Cake Sale: On Sun 14th Dec. Tickets on sale now.

Collectors for Dec:

(Vigil) Tom Kelly, Michael Fox (Snr) Danny Morgan, Marie Flanagan
(9.30) Atty Cunningham, Raymond Hickey, Elizabeth McDonald, Frank Farrell
(11.30) Patrick Maguire, Sean McNaughton, Alphonsus Killen, Martin Holland

Knock Marriage Introduction Bureau: The aim of the Bureau is to introduce people considering marriage to a suitable marriage partner. For further information contact the Bureau at Knock, Co.Mayo. Tel: 094 9375960 or visit the website www.knockmarriagebureau.com

Kitui Mission Cake Sale: On Fri Dec 5th from 10.30am—12 noon in Creighton Hotel Ballroom. Raffle for Hamper. Bakers wasted urgently. Please leave cakes & donations at Killen’s Fermanagh St from 7pm on previous evening. Please support this worthy cause.

Sale of Work in the Cassandra Hand Centre: On Fri 5th Dec @ 6pm to raise much needed funds for the Centre. There will be something to suit all tastes and budgets including Art & Craft items, photographs, small gifts and Christmas Fare. Please support - all welcome.

Christmas Flower Arranging Workshops: Cassandra Hand Centre are holding two flower arranging workshops on Christmas table decorations and grave sprays on Wed 10th & 17th Dec @ 8pm. Places are limited so please call 047 52997 or 20626 or email
cassandrahand@eircom.net

Local Employment Service - Clones: We are a free confidential service aimed at helping the unemployed in receipt of a social welfare payment to take practical steps towards securing employment. We give information on education, training and vacancies in the immediate locality or around the country. For more information please call to the office @ 1 McCurtain St, Clones or Tel: 047 52994. Opening hours - Mon—Fri 9am—5pm.

Mullinvaum Primary School Reunion: Will take place on Sat 27th June 2009. The organising committee are looking for any photographs or articles which could be included in a book to be produced for the occasion. Names & addresses of relatives who attended the school & have now left the area would be appreciated. This would help ensure all past pupils are accurately recorded & invitations issued. Any enquiries contact Maureen on 048 677 51734.

Opening 2009 Gransha Montessori School & After School Club: For further information & details on both these services please contact Donna Connolly (Mont. Dip) 047 57842 or 0861798628.

St Tiarnach’s P.S. Race Night: In Lennard Arms Hotel on Sat 29th Nov @ 8pm.

One friend, one person who is truly understanding, who takes the trouble to listen to us as we consider a problem can change our whole outlook on the world.