Sunday 20th
December 2009
4th Sunday
of Advent
First Reading
Micah 5: 1-4
Out of you will be born the one
who is to rule over Israel.
Second Reading
Hebrews 10: 5-10
Here I am! I am coming to obey your
will.
Gospel Luke
1: 39-44
Why should I be honoured with a
visit from the mother of my Lord?
Fr
Boland’s Christmas Address
When we think of
2009 we remember March 15th, the
day we returned to our newly renovated
Parish Church. It is such a joy
to celebrate our liturgies in St
Mary’s, which is modern but
still retains the intimacy of the
older building.
In recent weeks
the Murphy Child abuse Report has
shocked and saddened us. People
have found their faith challenged,
as well as their faith in the church
as an institution, The full horror
that was narrated in the Report
of abuse carried out by individuals
who where thought have been men
who served God was chilling. It
is hard to see God in any of this.
It appears that darkness has descended
on the Church Community.
But this cannot
mean that we give up, Somehow we
have to continue. This does not
mean that we forget what has happened.
The survivors of abuse need to be
able to tell their story and to
be listened to.
As Christians we
believe that into a world of darkness,
over 2000 years ago, a child who
was to become the light of the world.
Each Christmas we remember this
amazing story of how our God sent
his Son into the world to live among
us, fully human yet also fully God.
Jesus, who was born to an unwed
mother in a stable among the animals,
was sent by God to be our Saviour.
In his life he experienced all human
emotions. He suffered loss, abandonment,
betrayal and even death on the Cross.
Yet he overcame all this to rise
again and overcome the darkness
of death.
The vulnerable
child, born in a stable, the light
of the world, is the one who can
guide us in times of darkness. He
is the one who understands our pain,
the way, the truth and the life.
May we each receive this child
into our hearts this Christmas.
Baptism:
We welcome into
the Parish Community through the
Sacrament of
Baptism
Seána Teresa Strain, 40,
Drumlegagh Road South.
Jacob Daniel Hassett, 4, Retreat
View.
Cormac James McCusker, 7, Mourne
Lodge, Newtownstewart.
Zion Patrick McGrenaghan, 28, Killybrack
Mews.
Marcus Patrick Gerard McDonagh,
77a Killyclogher Road.
Requiescat
In Pace:
We extend our
sympathy to the family and relatives
of
Elizabeth Ferris,
7, Waterworks Road.
Anniversary
Masses for the week
Saturday 26th Mary Bonner
Beragh (CTK 6.30pm)
Saturday 26th Sarah Toal
Killyclogher Road (KC 8.30pm)
Anniversaries
James Maguire, Drumnakilly
Road
Una O’Meara, Thurles
Rose Bradley, Gardenvile Avenue
Gabriel Morris, Mullaghmore Drive
Mary McQuaid, Knocknamoe Bungalows
Mary Ann Molloy, Carrickmore
Francis McFadden, Killens MF
June McMenamin, Loughmacrory
Aidan McMenamin, Fintona
Mary Livingstone, Brookmount Road
Eileen Lynn, Gardenville Avenue
Anna Rose McCullagh, Greencastle
PRAY
FOR PRIESTS
This week we ask you to pray
for the following priests:
Fr. Gerard Mongan Thursday 17th
December
Fr. Colm Morris Friday 18th December
Fr. Aidan Mullan
Friday 18th December
Fr. Kevin Mullan
Saturday 19th December
Fr. Michael F. Mullan Saturday 19th
December
Fr. Patrick J. Mullan Sunday 20th
December
Fr. Francis Murray Sunday 20th December
Fundraising:
A book entitled “Our Volunteer
Voyage to Zambia”,
written by Deirdre Timoney, tells
the story of the year during which
she and her husband Tom were volunteers
in Zambia. The book, priced at £10,
will be available from The Village
Store and Mace Store Mountfield
from 6th December. All money raised
from sales will go to support the
underprivileged people in Zambia.
Your support will be much appreciated.
Thank you.
Dún
Uladh: The Kilfenora Céilí
Band Concert has been re-scheduled
Sat 23rd Jan. Patrons are advised
to retain their tickets that night.
Killyclogher and District
Development Association
would like to thank most sincerely
everyone who attended or who generously
provided sponsorship for its successful
Christmas Cabaret nights.
The newly
formed 'Junior Choir' extends
a warm invitation to all P5, 6,
&7 boys and girls, from all
over the parish to come along to
the Carol Service in St Mary's,
Killyclogher, on Sunday 20th Dec
@ 5.30pm and participate in this
most beautiful event.
The Annual
Carol Service takes place
in Killyclogher Church at 6pm today
and will be followed by seasonal
refreshments in the Cappagh Parish
Centre. Everyone is very welcome.
Dances in
St Joseph’s Hall,
Omagh: St Stephen’s Night
(26th December)
Music is by Country Traditions.
New Year’s Eve Dance Music
is by Cascades. Dancing 10 pm –
12.30 am
“Children
in Crossfire would like to thank
all those who took an Advent calendar
at the end of November. Donations
can be returned to churches over
the weekend of 2nd/3rd January.
Collection bins will be positioned
at the entrances to churches for
donations to be placed into on the
way into Mass.”
St. Vincent
de Paul sale of Christmas trees
and holly wreaths continues
in the Cappagh Parish Centre each
weekday from 12noon - 5pm; Saturday
10am - 5pm and Sundays 12noon -
5pm. They will be there until Christmas
Eve.
St.
Vincent de Paul Society (Killyclogher)
would like to acknowledge £2,360
which was collected over the last
two weekends. This
was a marvellous response and it
will go a long way to alleviate
the hardships of some of our less
well off families. Thank you.
Blood Transfusion Service
will be in the South West College,
2, Mountjoy Road, Omagh on Tuesday
22 & Wednesday 23 1.30pm - 4pm
& 5.30pm - 8pm. Please note
Thursday’s session will be
in St.Joseph’s Hall 9.30am
- 3.30pm. Please give blood. It
could save a life and it’s
needed more than ever at this time
of the year and it only takes 20
minutes of your time.
Questions
people ask
Q. Why
was 25 December chosen for the birthday
of Jesus?
A. The
conception of Jesus at the Annunciation
to Mary, nine months earlier, was
an older celebration than his birthday.
25 March was a very important date,
regarded as the first day of creation
and the day of Abraham’s willingness
to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Thus
the conception of Jesus was linked
with creation and the cross. Another
reason for choosing 25 December
was that this date was decreed by
the Emperor Aurelian as a feast
for the return of the Unconquered
Sun after the mid-winter solstice.
Christians put their own spin on
the feast by celebrating the coming
of Christ, the light of the world.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM
Cap
Email silvesteroflynn@gmail.com
Last
Week’s Collection £4,086.
Thank you.
Cappagh Parish Centre
Weekly Bingo: Each Monday evening
in Cappagh Parish Hall at 9 pm.
GAA - Weekly Lotto Numbers 7, 13,
16, 20 & 22. Twenty three winners
each received £5. Two jackpots
have now been capped at £5,000.
New jackpot now stands at £2,675.
