Parish Office: The Parish Office will close this Tuesday 23rd at 3pm and reopen on Monday 4th January at 9.30am
Anniversary Masses for the coming week
Name Date Time
Deceased Members of Crean Family Mon. 21st 10am
Sally Butler (A) Wed. 23rd 10am
Dan Healy (A) and remember Tom Wallace Wed. 23rd 10am
Christine and Christopher Dennis (A) Sat. 26th 6.30pm
Rita Cooke Sat. 26th 6.30pm
Larry Davitt (A) Sat. 26th 6.30pm
Garrett Carroll (1st A) Sat. 26th 6.30pm
Richard Motherway (A) Sun. 27th 9.30am
Bernie Hanley (20th A) Sun. 27th 12pm
Masses in our Church this Week.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. 10.00am; Christmas Eve Thursday 6.30pm and 9pm; Christmas Day Friday 9am, 10.30am and 12noon. See webcam – www.kilbarrackfoxfieldparish.ie. Details of other Churches also on our website. Every second Sunday RTE 1 has Mass at 11am and on the alternate weeks, Mass is on RTE Now at 2.15pm. Weekday Masses from RTE News Now at 10.30am.
We encourage all those at home to pray as set out below.
Act of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Webcam in the Church
We ask that people in the Church be aware that the webcam is on at all times – also the sound during and for a while after all Masses
Christmas Masses
We will have five Masses in our Church: Christmas Eve – 6.30pm and 9pm; Christmas Day 9am, 10.30am and 12noon, each for 100 people as per regulations. All Masses will be on the webcam.
We note that Archbishop Martin has said “Congregational singing, choir singing and carol singing is not permitted, due to the increased risk of spreading virus to others present at the service.
Dear Parishioners
It is hard to believe that we are coming to the end of the Advent season (and a very difficult year} and looking forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus next week. I take this opportunity to send very good wishes to you and your families for a very happy, peaceful – and healthy – Christmas and look forward to meeting many of you during the Christmas period.
I want to say a very special thanks to all those who volunteer in the Parish – especially those who clean every week and keep our Church a safe place for all your help is vital and very much appreciated.
Fr Peter
Sacrament of Reconciliation
A communal Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated during the 10am Masses on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 21st, 22nd and 23rd. Individual confessions will be available on Thursday 24th from 10.30am-12.30pm.
Urgent Help Needed
Yet again we are asking for your help, while saying a big ‘thank you’ for all assistance during the year. Our Christmas envelopes, which need to get to peoples’ homes quickly, are on the back table – we would really appreciate help with this delivery
Church Collections
Our parish has been selected to pilot a new ‘ tap and go’ card machine. – one ‘tap’ covers both collections – 60% 1st collection and 40% Share. You scroll up or down the amount you wish to give. The default amount is €5. You can give anything between €3 and €45. This trial will be in operation for 3 months. There are two card machines – same purpose – in the main church building for you to use.
We will shortly also operate a similar system for parish purchases. This will be in the parish office. It is a separate card machine.
Advent
Today the pink and three purple candles are lighting on the Advent wreath – Hope, Love, Joy and Peace. The Jesse tree symbols: a sandal -John the Baptist; a saw – Joseph, a carpenter; a crown – Mary Jesus’ mother and Queen of heaven and Chi Rho – the symbol for Jesus.
Annual Collection for St Vincent de Paul Society
Those who would like to contribute to the annual SVP collection may collect the special envelope on the back table. See at svp.ie/donate or call 0818 176 176.”
Fáilte Bayside
See http://failtebayside.ie for information on this exciting project. Call Eileen (085-114-8200 or Sally 087-274-5422 for further details.
Reflection on Today’s Gospel
Today’s readings speak of God’s plans: for the House of David … for Mary … and for us. We hear how the angel comes to Mary with good news. Gabriel tells of God’s plan: through Mary, a virgin, the son of God will be born; a successor to the House of David, whose reign will never end. Mary shows her faith and trust in God by responding with an unconditional yes. We can pray this week, especially in these unusual times, to be always aware of God’s faithful presence and love and ask for the graces of humility, trust, and openness to God that we see Mary herself express.
Aware – Support and Self Care Groups
If anyone wishes to connect with people in relation to mental wellbeing, please use the Phone-In, Zoom Support and Self-Care Groups, the Support Line or Support Mail, during this holiday season. These provide support, coping skills etc and help people in distress to know that they are not alone. See: https://www.aware.ie/support/support-groups/
COVID-19 Support Line for Older People
ALONE has a national support line with professional staff for older people who have difficulties relating to COVID-19 seven days a week, 8am-8pm including the Christmas period. Lo call 0818-222024.
New Pilgrim Path Website
See www.newpilgrimpath.ie. To view a contemporary masterpiece painting of the Annunciation – brings the story of Mary and the Angel Gabriel into our reality.
Crosscare Appeal and Thanks
As Crosscare cannot have a food collection as usual, please support by an online donation to ensure struggling families can have food on the table this Christmas. See www.crosscare.ie
Pobalscoil Neasán – Carols by Candlelight
Pobalscoil Neasáin sends warm Christmas greetings to all our readers and recorded a beautiful ‘Carols by Candlelight’ event for us to enjoy anytime – click on https://youtu.be/JftWSTAxVEw .
Service of Healing of the Generations
The next Service of Healing of the Generations (Family Tree) will take place on Sunday 3rd January in our Church, commencing at 7pm with Mass and concluding at 8pm. It will be led by Fr Cathal Price and team.
Star of Bethlehem
For the first time since 1226, a rare “Christmas Star” will shine as Jupiter and Saturn, the solar system’s two largest planets appear to merge, so watch the Night Sky tomorrow Monday during the 45 minutes after sunset to see the Star of Bethlehem, last seen in 1226!
Thought for the Week
Happiness is a choice, not a result. Nothing will make you happy until you choose to be happy. No person will make you happy unless you decide to be happy. Your happiness will not come to you.
The Priest and his People …………………….by Pat Ryan
People go to Church early but only by a minute or two.
They sit waiting patiently, at the very end of their pew.
Who will celebrate Mass, each one curiously wonders,
Will the priest arrive slowly, as his mission he ponders.
Or quickly appear and stride straight towards the altar
One hurried step, then another, not a pause or a falter.
The information they obtain will establish the duration
Of the homily which will go out on the cam, to a nation.
They’ll know in a moment as it is now near to the hour
That their priest will come out smiling, he never is dour.
They listen to his sermon, the Lord’s message for today
Concentrating on the words which the priest has to say.
Sometimes, almost in a whisper and tones that are low,
At other times for emphasis he speaks louder and slow.
It is the lesson from the Gospel that he always teaches,
All those present, marvel at the way which he preaches.
If their minds ever stray, he asks them to gently return
And focus on the homily, their own thoughts to adjourn.
Next comes the readings and for the Gospel they stand
To hear stories of Jesus and they catch them first-hand.
The Consecration is signalled, of this Mass it’s the core
They all kneel and stay silent, for it’s a time to adore.
Then a collection, a blessing and a few words to advise
Always worth listening to, as it’s straight from the wise.
Mass soon finishes and what a magnificent celebration
Thanks to the priest who showed the road to salvation
—Elena Bernabè
Grandma, I’m Tired
“Grandma, I’m tired. So tired of this life…”
“Take your tiredness, my child, and wrap it around yourself. Like a blanket in the cold winter months. Tiredness comes to make you a nest, to bring you to wear comfortable clothes, to make you sink into its warm embrace. I invite you to stay within yourself. Without strength, without thoughts, without actions. Like the snow that covers everything to soften the world, to make it muffled, to protect it from noise. Accept the flakes of your tiredness and let yourself be completely covered by them.”
“I could die buried under there…”
“You will be reborn instead. Like the seed in the ground. Do not resist your weariness, do not reject it with a thousand actions, a thousand intentions, a thousand feelings of guilt. It just wants to take you by the hand and lead you to sink into the void. Right there, where the source of every inner strength lies. They taught us to be strong by resisting. But it is in surrendering that the true heroes emerge.”
“I’m afraid, grandmother. What if fatigue will annihilate me?”
“My child, you are not afraid of tiredness but of losing control of yourself. The time has come for you to give yourself to life. And to generate together with it the most wonderful children: the fruits of your soul!”
