Fr Peter Finnerty, Administrator, 01-832-3150
Fr Finbarr Neylon, CC, 086-356-6380
Fr Séamus Connell, Ph: 087-702-5120
Fr Cathal Price, Ph 01-832-3683
Janice Dornan, Parish Sec.
Parish Office Ph 01-839-0433
Email info@kilbarrackfoxfieldparish.ie
www.kilbarrackfoxfieldparish.ie
Feast of the Immaculate Conception Wednesday
8th December – Masses 7.30pm Vigil 7th and 10am 8th.
| Masses for the coming week | ||
| John Drew (A) | 6th Dec | 10am |
| Martin Horan (A) | 7th Dec | 10am |
| Liam O’Dea (A) | 12th Dec | 9.30am |
| Bridie O’Driscoll (A) | 12th Dec | 9.30am |
| William & Josephine Goff(A) | 12th Dec | 12 noon |
| Frances Kennedy (A) | 10th Dec | 10am |
Mass Details
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 10am; Thursday 7.30pm (and Divine Mercy Hour). Saturday 6.30pm; Sunday 9.30am and 12noon. We encourage all to pray as below if joining in on webcam. www.kilbarrackfoxfieldparish.ie.
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.
Recently Deceased
We remember in our prayers
Frank Flood RIP. late of Howth Junction
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and neighbours. May he rest in peace
Morning Prayer in our Church
Please join us for morning prayer in the Church on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9.45am.
Weekly Reflection on the Scriptures
The reflection takes place on Mondays 7.15-8.30pm – first 45 minutes are for Sunday’s readings, followed by 30 minutes for a piece of writing. Contact Sr Phyllis at 086-890-9488 with email address and join us on Zoom.
Collection for St Vincent de Paul
The St Vincent de Paul Society will hold a church collection next weekend 11th /12th December, to raise funds for people who are struggling this Christmas.
Photographs for collection
Photographs from our Annual Mass for the Dead may be collected from the Church.
Synod Prayer
We stand before You, Holy Spirit,
as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us,
make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go
and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful;
do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path
nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity
so that we may journey together to eternal life
and not stray from the way of truth
and what is right.
All this we ask of You,
who are at work in every place and time,
in the communion of the Father and the Son,
forever and ever. Amen.
Advent- Excerpt from Homily of Archbishop Farrell
As we prepare to celebrate the overwhelming gift of love that was the Incarnation, we are invited to take stock of how well prepared we are, not only to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord at Christmas, but to live the kind of life we are meant to live, loving one another and the whole human race as much as we are loved.
We have been living through a very testing time. Sickness and death resulting from the Covid-19 virus have taken a heavy toll. The necessary restrictions on everyday life have at times been very hard to bear.
So, it is for us, the community of faith that is the Church in this Archdiocese. We confront immense challenges, not least that the dominant culture is hostile to faith, while there is much in our story that discourages and even repels many people. Yet as Christians we are called to bring Good News to the whole world, to accompany those at all stages of life‘s journey towards an encounter with Jesus Christ.
Advent in our Parish
Two purple candles will be lighting on the Advent wreath this Sunday – Hope and Peace. The Jesse tree holds the symbols: knife – representing Isaac and Jacob; ladder – Jacob’s dream of a ladder to heaven; multi-coloured coat-Jacob’s son Joseph and 10 commandments – Moses.
Idea for Families during Advent from the Diocese
See https://dublindiocese.ie/advent-2021/ for some excellent ideas for families in Advent – a quiz, advent wreath etc.
Tap and Go Machines
We now have two new ‘easy to use’ Tap and Go machines for the 1st and 2nd collections – if you need guidance just ask Janice in the office.
Holiday for Seniors
Howth/Sutton Lions Club wishes to announce the Trabolgan Holiday from 7th-14th June, depending on safety regulations. Cost €150 pp. Travel by train to Cork and transfer by coach. Book with Eamonn on 085 112 3483.
Volunteers for Various Ministries in our Parish
Due to Covid 19 lockdowns, all our Ministries need new volunteers, so please nominate someone. Speak to one of our priests or leave a note with Janice in the Parish office.
Reflection on Sunday’s Gospel
Today’s readings offer the gift of joy, and the invitation to hear and respond to God who is reaching out to draw us ever closer.
The Gospel puts the salvation of the Lord in a specific political, historical and geographical setting by firmly anchoring the ministry of John the Baptist to a particular point in history. Luke introduces us to ‘the voice’ that will announce the Saviour with insistence and urgency.
In the coming week, how may we be a ‘voice crying in the wilderness’? more fruitfully respond to Christ’s wonderful call? continue to discern what is always best?
Cupán Tae – Memory Café
People with dementia or memory difficulties, and families and friends are invited to the free Cupán Tae Café in Naomh Barróg GAA Club next Wednesday 8th December from 2-4pm, for a chat, refreshments and a guest speaker. Places limited. Booking/information from 083 014 5869 or CupanTae@alzheimers.ie. Vaccination Cert needed.
Coffee Morning in Aid of Brother Kevin, Church Street
This Coffee Morning will be held next Thursday, 9th December, 10am-12pm in Bayside Community Centre.
Details – Anna Reilly 087 138 9351 or Mary 087 292 5706.
New Pilgrim Path
This Advent, join Loyola Press for a special online Advent experience. Following a traditional Advent calendar format, the experience invites you to slow down this season and discover the quiet moments of Advent hope. Each day reveals a new online Advent resource and theme – ranging from ‘Creativity and Healing in Advent’ to ‘Silent Prayer in Advent’ and many, many more. This is a beautiful way to nurture your spirituality daily at this busy time. Advent Calendar at www.newpilgrimpath.ie. also inspiring daily musical resource at Daily Sacred Music for Advent.
Crosscare Online Appeal to End Food Poverty
Crosscare needs your support to help families experiencing food poverty this Christmas. They are working with hundreds of families and children in who struggle to get basic food supplies. Due to Covid
restrictions, the online appeal for donations replaces the food collection in parishes in previous years. Your ongoing support for Crosscare makes a huge difference to those most in need. Support the appeal to end food poverty by giving what you can online at www.crosscare.ie/donate
Count Your Blessings
A stunning peacock with glittering feathers was dancing on a rainy day. He was dancing with happiness and started singing. But his rough voice reminded him of his shortcomings as a singer. So, all the joy of the rain got beaten out of him as he dwelt on his flaw.
Then a nightingale started singing. When the melodious voice reached the sad peacock, it further reminded him about his flaw. He began wondering why he was cursed to have such a horrible voice while the nightingale had such an appealing voice.
The forest goddess was doing her rounds. She could see the whole forest was filled with joy from receiving rain on a hot sunny afternoon. But she noticed that the peacock was sobbing. “Why are you upset?” the goddess asked.
The peacock complained about his hoarse voice and how unfortunate it was that he couldn’t sing like a nightingale.
The forest god answered, “Everyone is special in their way. Everyone is born with unique traits and characteristics that help them shine in their way. Yes, the nightingale is blessed with a mellifluous voice, but you are also blessed with your unique dancing talent. You can dance gracefully, flaunting your beautiful glittering plumage. So do not compare yourself with others, rather see what you have and make the best out of it. You’ll never be happy with yourself if you constantly compare yourself to others.”
The peacock realised how silly he had been forgetting his blessings, that everyone was unique in some way.
Moral: Self-acceptance is the first step to happiness. Make the best of what you have, rather than being unhappy about what you don’t.
The Perfect Gift
Did you know that chopping down the Christmas tree represents the death of Christ and putting it back up represents the resurrection of Christ? That the wreaths we hang are never-ending circles that represent eternity? The gifts represent the three gifts the wise men brought for baby Jesus. So, when you are running around trying to find “the perfect gift”, remember, we have been given the perfect gift. Jesus Christ has been given to us to remove all our sins. Amen!
Be Gentle With Yourself
Do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.” From “Desiderata”
Thoughts for the Week
To strengthen the muscles of your heart, the best exercise is lifting someone else’s spirits.
Psychology says, the less you worry about what others think, the happier you will be
