Parish News for Sunday 2nd Dec 2007

First Sunday of Advent

PRIESTS OF THE PARISH
Very Rev Michael Canny Adm
Rev David O'Kane CC
Rev Gary Wade CC

Vol. 34 No. 48

Wake Up and Stand Ready
First Week of Advent

‘Wake up and stand ready’ is the message of the first Sunday of the new Church year.

In the Gospel (Matthew 24:37:44) Jesus pleads with his disciples to ‘stay awake’, so that they may be ever ready for his return which may come at any time.

Where was the mountain of the Lord, and why did it mean so much to the people of Israel?

Do you know the motto of the Boy Scouts of Ireland? How does it relate to the message of today’s Mass?

Advent prepares for the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas. Do you plan to do anything special during Advent?

Sympathy
We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of:
Rosaleen Worrall, 18 Glenbank Road.
May she rest in peace.

Baptism
We welcome as members of the Christian community
Léah Louise Robinson, 20 Cable Street.
Aoife Claire Feeney, 30 Elmvale.
Sophie Jessica Campbell, 14 Sevenoaks.
Dylan John Ryan, 8 Fahan Street.
Joseph Stewart Martin Kelly, 38 Greenwood Glen, Belfast.
Jamie Kelly, 11 Mayfield Court, Belfast.

Readers on duty Feast of the Immaculate Conception
06.15 Monica Garvin
07.30 Charlie McDermott
09.30 Michael Roddy
11.00 Eugene McClintock
12.30 Piaras O Meallain

Readers on duty next Weekend
06.15 James Garvin
07.30 Anna McMahon
09.30 St Anne’s P.S.
11.00 Gráinne Nugent
12.30 Don Clarke

Weekdays
10.00 Eugene McClintock
07.30 Charlie McDermott

Eucharistic Ministers
Team *C* begins its rota at the 6.15 pm Vigil Mass next weekend

Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Saturday, 8th December - A Holyday of Obligation

The Angel Gabriel brought Mary the GOOD NEWS that God had chosen her to be the mother of His Son, Jesus. This happened thousands of years after the fall of Adam and Eve. Mary is also at the heart of God’s plan in today’s second reading. Soon, through Mary, the promised Redeemer would come and show people a new rule of LOVE.

Masses for the Holyday are as follows:
Friday: Vigil Masses at 6.15 and 7.30 pm.
Saturday: 7.00, 9.30, 11.00 am, 12.30, and Vigil Masses at 6.15 and 7.30 pm (for either the Feast of the Immaculate Conception or the Vigil for Sunday).

There will be a special collection on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception for Parish Missionaries Overseas. This collection will be used to support priests and nuns from the parish in their missionary work in Africa, South America and different parts of the world.

Advent meditations for young people
Fr Gary Wade invites young people between the ages of 17 and 30 to join him for meditations on the theme of Advent in preparation for Christmas. These will take place on the Thursday evening before each Sunday of Advent. Time and venue: 8.00 – 9.00 pm in the Choir Room above the Sacristy.

Sick Visitation
Fr Gary Wade will visit the sick in his care on Friday from 3.00 pm.
West End Tce, Marlborough Ave, Oakfield Drive, Marlborough Rd, Helen St, Creggan St, Clarendon Manor, Crawford Court.

St Vincent de Paul Society
St Eugene’s Conference are making their annual Christmas Appeal for funds on Saturday and Sunday 15th/16th December. The Conference depends on the generosity of parishioners to help those less fortunate during the festive season and throughout the year.

Thank you
Fr Canny acknowledges with thanks donations for:
Trócaire: £100.
St. Pio: £20.
Bangladeshi Floods: £40, £800, £100, €100, £20.
Cathedral Funds: £200, £5.
Renovations: £140.

Fr Canny will forward donations totalling £40 to LASCO.

Thank You
Last Week’s Sunday’s Collection amounted to £3,005.

St Eugene’s Cathedral Carol Service
Wednesday, 19th December at 7.30 pm

This promises to be an enchanting evening of song, prayer and readings as we prepare to celebrate Christmas.

As is customary, we invite children to bring presents of new toys to the altar to make Christmas a happy time for other children in the area. St Vincent de Paul Society appeal for donations of new toys from children who wish to help other children less fortunate than themselves. Adults are invited to donate sweets, biscuits, vouchers or cash (no other foodstuffs) for similar distribution. Please identify wrapped gifts with gender and age.

LASCO acknowledge with thanks receipt of £60, £60, £32 from Fr Canny. If donors leave their name and address LASCO will personally acknowledge receipt.

Friends of St Eugene’s Cathedral
‘£100 Ticket’ 2008 Parish Draw
Draw will take place in 21st November 2008

1st Prize: £25,000.
2nd & 3rd Prize: £5,000.
4th – 8th Prize: £2,000.
9th – 18th Prize: £1,000.
19th – 28th Prize: £500.
Total prize payout - £60,000.

If you would like to help with this Draw as a member of
the Draw Committee please contact Fr Canny as soon as possible.
Your support would be greatly appreciated.

St Eugene’s Parish Hall:
Sunday: Long Tower Bingo 8.30 pm.
Tuesday: Long Tower Bingo 9.00 pm.

Prayer for our deceased loved ones

We seem to give them back to thee, O God, who gavest them to us. Yet as thou didst not lose them in giving, so do we not lose them by their return. Not as the world giveth, givest thou, O lover of souls. What thou givest, thou takest not away, for what is thine is ours also if we are thine. And life is eternal and love is immortal, and death is only an horizon, and an horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight. And while thou dost prepare a place for us, prepare us also for that happy place, that where thou art we may be also for evermore. Amen.

Prayer for Priests

Eucharist: a prayer inspired by the Mass

O Lord!
Look into our hearts this day and read us
Look in our souls this day and hear us
When we thrust out our hands for help - hold us
When we open our arms for love - embrace us
When we bow our heads to thee - bless us
When we give of ourselves - come to us. Amen.
Judith Ann Pounder

Lord Jesus, bless all priests and give them grace to do your great work on earth. Keep them, Lord, close to your heart and under the shadow of your protection. Bless their labours for you and grant that their harvest of souls may be a source of joy and consolation to them during life and may merit an everlasting reward for them in death, that having led many souls to you they may see you to face to face. Amen.

Hospital Visitation: If you would like a priest to visit a relative in hospital or in a nursing home, please fill in the card at the back of the Cathedral and leave it at the Parochial House. It is the only way we will have of knowing who is in hospital and who would like a visit.

New Parishioners: We welcome you to the parish and invite you to leave your name and address at the Parochial House and one of the priests will arrange to visit your new home for a chat and to bless the house.

Telephone numbers if you feel you cannot cope

Samaritans - 0845 790 9090

Zest - a counselling service offering free support to those who feel suicidal, friends and loved ones who have been affected by suicide and those who self harm. Telephone 7126 6999 or e-mail. zestni@yahoo.co.uk

Prayer for the Suicidal

O Eternal Father, we pray for all those who are suicidal.
May Your loving hand guide and protect them
so they receive the help they need,
preventing them from dying from suicide.
Let them know that we need them and love them,
show them Your love Lord Jesus.
Remind them that they are very special people,
filling their minds with beautiful memories.
Give them everything they need so as to ease their pain,
grant that they may find hope, comfort, guidance
and healing in every way possible.
Let them feel our love, and Your love,
carry them when they are weary.
Embrace them and let Your love
shine down upon them always. Amen.