Parish News for Sunday 16th Dec 2007

Third Sunday of Advent

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

Vol. 34 No. 50

We Belong to the Age of Christ

The underlying principle running through today’s Gospel is that in Jesus the promises of scripture are fulfilled. We don’t know what suffering John the Baptist endured as he lay incarcerated in one of Herod’s dungeons. He was able to get word to Jesus through his disciples seeking confirmation that Jesus was the Christ, the promised Messiah. John’s understanding was that the Messiah would come in power, glory and judgement. Jesus’ ministry was one of mercy, healing, forgiveness and humility. John’s question ‘Are you the Messiah?’ was a sincere one and the Lord responds in kind. John the Baptist, like many in Israel, had a partial understanding of the identity and mission of the Messiah.

Jesus came to correct error and lead us into the path of truth and light. Despite John’s moment of confusion and doubt Jesus wants us to be clear about who this great prophet of God was. For Jesus, the Baptist was the last in a long and revered tradition of prophets who served God with their lives, and was one of the greatest men who has ever lived: ‘among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist’ (v.11). For all his greatness and stature John belongs to the age before Christ whereas we belong to the age of Christ, the age of the Church.

Sympathy
We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of:
Dympna Ritchie, Benview Estate. May she rest in peace.

Baptism
We welcome as members of the Christian community
Grace Marie Wallace, 62 Glenbank Road.
Zach Brian McGinley, 8 Lawrence Hill.
Áidán Seán Noel McDaid, 25 Argyle Terrace.
Aaron Caolan McCallion, 8b Bligh’s Lane.

Readers on duty next Weekend
06.15 Garvin Kerr
07.30 Charlie McDermott
09.30 Michael Roddy
11.00 Ruth Harley
12.30 Carita Kerr

Weekdays
10.00 Terry Willman-Gallagher
07.30 Mona Tracey

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

Christmas Confessions in St Eugene’s Cathedral
Saturday (22nd): 11.30 am to 1.00 pm; 5.30 pm to 6.10 pm;
7.00 pm to 7.25 pm and after 7.30 pm Vigil Mass

Monday (Christmas Eve): 11.00 am to 6.00 pm

St Eugene’s Parish Carol Service will take place in the Cathedral on Wednesday at 7.30 pm. St Eugene’s Cathedral Choir will lead the carols. 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. This promises to be an enchanting evening of song, prayer and readings as we prepare to celebrate Christmas.

NB: No 7.30 pm Mass on Wednesday

Thornhill Carol Service on Tuesday at 8.15 pm here in St Eugene’s Cathedral.

St Vincent de Paul Society would like to acknowledge with thanks an anonymous donation of £200.

Monthly Mass in Polish, here in St Eugene’s Cathedral, on Friday at 9.00 pm.

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.

Thank you
Fr Canny acknowledges with thanks donations for:
Cathedral Funds: £50, £40.
St. Pio: £10.
Concern: £40.
Bangladeshi Floods: £20, £20.
Darfur: £20, £60.
Ethiopia: £20
Parish Missionaries Overseas: £100.

Fr Canny will forward donations totalling £660 to LASCO.

Thank You
Last Week’s Sunday’s Collection amounted to £3,176.

Friends of St Eugene’s Cathedral ‘£100 Ticket’ 2008 Parish Draw
Draw will take place on 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 become a Promoter of this Draw contact Fr Canny.
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.

MASS TIMES FOR CHRISTMAS DAY
Mass at 12 midnight on Christmas Eve (Monday)
No Vigil Masses at 6.15 pm or 7.30 pm on Christmas Eve.

Before the Midnight Mass, beginning at 11.30 pm, the Cathedral Choir will sing carols. This will be an opportunity to be led gently into the Christmas celebration.

Christmas Day (Tuesday): 7.00, 9.30, 11.00 am and 12.30 pm.

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.