Masses in the Pastoral area for Christmas Eve – Tuesday 24th December and Christmas Day – Tuesday 25th December

A Reconciliation Service will be celebrated in The Holy Rosary church on Tuesday 17th at 8pm for the whole Pastoral Area.

This gives each of us a great opportunity to receive God’s forgiveness and healing as we prepare to celebrate his birth at Christmas.

All welcome.

Read on to understand the Benefits of the Sacrament of Reconciliation…

Our parish Carol Service takes place Thursday the 19th Dec. at 8pm in Holy Rosary Church.

This service enables us to take time out from all the running around and busy preparations so that we can nourish our souls for the coming celebration of the coming of the Lord.

All welcome.

There will be Taízé Prayer service taking place in the St. Kilian’s  Church, Blacklion on each of the Friday’s of Advent at 8pm beginning on Friday 6th December.

The liturgy each week will be aimed at helping us to reflect on and prepare for the feast of the Nativity.

All Welcome

NEW CHRISTIANS: We welcome Kate, Patrick, Sophia & Oliver into our faith community. As they join our community through the waters of Baptism may they also continue to grow strong in body, mind and spirit in the years ahead.

CHRIST CIRCLE ROUND US: This is our theme for Advent this year. God’s light, grace, encircling us to bring us life. We will sing the following hymn through our Advent Season. “Christ circle round us, Christ may your light surround us. Shine in our living, fill our hearts with great thanksgiving.”

JOYFUL SUNDAY: Next Sunday we have our 11.30am and 6.30pm Masses geared towards our 1st Communion children and their families and will focus on the joy of the celebration of the feast of Christmas. All welcome.

TAÍZÉ PRAYER IN ADVENT: There will be Taízé Prayer service taking place in the St. Kilian Church, Blacklion on each of the Friday’s of Advent at 8pm. The liturgy each week will be aimed at helping us to reflect on and prepare for the feast of the Nativity. All welcome.

RECONCILIATION SERVICE: will be celebrated in The Holy Rosary church on Tuesday 17th at 8pm for the whole Pastoral Area. This gives each of us a great opportunity to receive God’s forgiveness and healing as we prepare to celebrate his birth at Christmas. All welcome.

CAROL SERVICE: Our parish Carol Service takes place Thursday the 19th Dec. at 8pm in Holy Rosary Church. This service enables us to take time out from all the running around and busy preparations so that we can nourish our souls for the coming celebration of the coming of the Lord. All welcome.

HOSPITAL VISITATION: If you know of anyone who is sick in hospital or at home and would like a visit, please don’t hesitate to call one of the priests of the parish or the parish office.

CHARITY TAX REBATE: A big thank you for all who support the parish through the Planned Giving Collection. This is the only collection that stays in the parish. You can further support the parish by completing a CHY3 form. This permits the parish to claim the tax back on your donations to the parish. It is a simple process that can yield extra funds to support parish initiatives. Contact the parish office for further details. Thank you.

BECOMING A CATHOLIC?: Are you or someone you know interested in finding out more about the Christian Faith and the Catholic Church. If so please contact Fr. John after Mass or make enquiries to the Parish Office. We will begin our preparation for Adults wishing to be baptised or indeed make their 1st Communion or be Confirmed in the Catholic Faith at the Easter Vigil next Easter soon during the month of September.

”The “O Antiphons” traditionally sung during the last week before Christmas (December 17-23), are more than a thousand years old.

In Latin, they are December 17:

• O Sapientia (O Wisdom) December 18:
• O Adonai (O Lord) December 19:
• O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse) December 20:
• O Clavis David (O Key of David) December 21:
• O Oriens (O Dayspring) December 22:
• O Rex Gentium (O King of the nations) December 23:
• O Emmanuel (O With Us is God)

Read on…

Archbishop Eamon Martin has urged people to share on social media the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference online Advent calendar.

The online Advent calendar has been made available and it can be accessed behind a virtual door each day during the season of Advent.

The calendar has prayers and suggestions for acts of kindness or charity that individuals and families are encouraged to undertake during December.

The calendar also shares tips on how families can care for creation, our common home, by having a more sustainable Christmas.

The first day of Advent heralds the beginning of the Catholic Church’s new year.

Open our Advent Calendar of Prayer.

See also some beautiful seasonal reflections and for the younger ones – some Advent colouring pages.