Sunday, 14th December 2008

3rd Sunday of Advent

PRIESTS OF THE PARISH
Rev John Doherty PP Tel: 028 7188 2274
Rev Paul Farren Tel: 028 7188 3247

The Stranger in the Manger

Among the different family customs in preparing for Christmas, one common ritual is the annual rummage in the attic. Sneezes fill the air as we blow 11 months dust off the boxes marked ‘Christmas’. Somewhere in the midst of it all, we carefully unwrap the nativity figures – wise men, donkeys and cows, sheep and shepherds, Mary and Joseph, with Jesus carefully left aside for Christmas Eve.

Although John the Baptist appears at this time every year, faithful as any shepherd or wise men, our Nativity scenes omit him. But today the Church’s ear is tuned to hear the ‘voice of one crying in the wilderness.’ That’s John.

John the Baptist may be a stranger to our modern mangers, but he says that someone else is a stranger. ‘There stands among you – unknown to you, the one who is coming after me.’ John insists that however carefully we have planned Christmas, Jesus can remain unknown to us.

Nativity scenes help to tell the familiar Christmas story. But there is a danger of shrinking Christmas down to something we think we can manage and control, taking it out of the box for a while, then packing it away again until next Christmas.

Last week’s Collection was £1,663.00. Many thanks.

First Anniversary Mass
The 7.00pm Vigil Mass on Saturday
20th December will be said for the late Eddie O’Neill, Woodend Road, on the occasion of the first anniversary of his death.

Q. Is Advent supposed to be a penitential season, a sort of ‘mini-Lent’?

A. Although the violet vestments of penance are used during Advent, the season is more about hope and joy and peace. The dominant theme is the hope which comes from reflecting on the nearness of the Lord to us at all times. However, a bit of penance or self-denial would be good for soul and body in the run-up to Christmas.

Saint Paul tells us to rejoice for the Lord is near. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Times of Christmas Masses in Leckpatrick

Sacred Heart Church:
First Mass of Christmas at 9.00pm on Wednesday 24th December.
Dawn Mass at 9.00am
Day Mass at 11.30am

St. Mary’s Church, Cloughcor:
Dawn Mass at 9.15am

St. Joseph’s Church, Glenmornan:
Day Mass at 10.15am

Penance Service in Melmount

There will be a Penance Service followed by confessions in St. Mary’s Church, Melmount on Sunday 21st December, from 5.00pm until 6.30pm. There will be up to ten priests available.

North West Pioneer Association

A One-Day Retreat will take place in Termonbacca on Sunday 21st December. A bus will be leaving Strabane – for further details and booking please contact Mary Hegarty, 15 Patrick Street, Strabane. Telephone [028] 71882886].

Driver’s Prayer

Lord, I’m about to take to the road:
Grant me a sober head, a safe speed, and a sure destination.
Guard me from those who indicate left but then turn right.
Give me patience when the traffic is slow and I’m in a hurry.
Alert me to those who use the mirror for vanity instead of vision.
Protect me from those with bad brakes and bald tyres.
Save me from those who beat time with feet and hands to their radios or Ds.
Protect me from those who drive and use their mobile phones at the same time.
Deliver me at dusk from cars without lights.
Train me to keep one eye on the road and the other on the mirrors.
Make me set out early so I won’t become the ‘late’ me.
Keep me cool when someone blares a horn at me.
Warn me of Sunday drivers, everyday of the week.

Carol Service

Children from St. Mary’s P.S. Cloughcor, Years 5-7 will be participating in a carol service in the Sacred Heart Church, Derry Road on Tuesday 16th December at 7.00pm. Parishioners are very welcome. There will be a collection for St. Vincent de Paul at the entrance doors on the night.

Parish Schools Applications

Application forms for places in St. Mary’s Pre-School, St. Mary’s P.S or St. Joseph’s P.S. Glenmornan for September 2009 are now available from the schools. Completed application forms must be returned on or before Wednesday 21st January 2009 at the latest.