Sunday, 28th December 2008

The Feast of the Holy Family

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

The Bond of Family Life

These days of Christmas are a good time for families. We draw together in an especially intense way. We visit grandparents and welcome other family members to our homes. This feast of the Holy Family is a great opportunity to reflect on the sacred grouping called the family – not only on the three people we call the Holy Family, but on all our families. Every family is a holy union blessed by God, and perhaps the place where we best see Christ’s great command to love.

We who are together in families are bound to one another every hour of every day. We know one another in a way we know no other persons. We can read another’s moods and learn to make allowances for one another’s faults. We rejoice in one another’s love and feel our own heart’s pride when any member of the family succeeds.

We know, too, that living under one roof has its tensions. Every family has to adjust to the imperfections of every person in it. That’s why all of us need to begin our marriages in and with Christ, and why we want him to be with us each day. That’s why parents and children need to hear
St. Paul’s advice in today’s second reading: “Clothe yourselves with heartfelt mercy, with kindness, humility, meekness and patience.” [Col 3:12]. It is advice that makes sense in an intimate group like the family.

Lord, let your words in all their richness dwell in us today. For when they are at home in us, we find the kindness to be merciful and the humility to be meek and patient. We know we cannot be harsh or proud and still be at peace with each other. Lord, help all of us to grow in your wisdom by your grace!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR VERY
GENEROUS CHRISTMAS COLLECTION.

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Tuesday 1st January is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. We honour Mary, Mother of Jesus, during this Christmas season, and especially as the New Year begins. Today is also World Day of Peace.

The following are asked to assist as collectors and church cleaners during the month of January:

SACRED HEART CHURCH:
Collectors:
Saturday 7.00pm:-
Manus McLaughlin, Liam Ward, Lawrence Doherty and Tony McDaid.
Sunday 11.30am:- Denis Hegarty
Cleaners: Team B

ST. MARY’S CHURCH, CLOUGHCOR:
Collectors:
Donal O’Neill and William O’Neill.
Altar Society & Cleaners:
Hilary McColgan and Stephanie McColgan.

ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH, GLENMORNAN
Collectors:
Hugh McGonigle and Jim Devine.
Altar Society:
Rosaleen Kelly and Rose-Marie Coyle.

Our thanks are due to all who served the parish in any way during the month of December.

Prayer for Parents

Grant us children, O Lord,
who will be strong enough to know when they are weak;
who will be unbending in honest defeat,
yet humble and gentle in victory.

Lead them, we pray you,
not in the path of ease and comfort,
but rather in the path of difficulties and challenges.

Grant us children,
whose hearts will be clear,
whose goals will be high;
children who will master themselves
before seeking to master others.

And after all these things,
add, we pray, a sense of humour,
so that they can be serious,
yet never take themselves too seriously.
Give them the humility and sincerity of true greatness.
Then we, their parents, will dare whisper,
we have not lived in vain.

We wish you all a very peaceful and happy New Year.