THE GRAAN WEEKLY BULLETIN

15th December 2019

Sunday Collection: Came to £1410. Thank you for your generosity as always. The Development Collection came to £752.

Today is the Third Sunday of Advent: It is called Gaudete Sunday or Joyful Sunday. The rose coloured candle on our Advent wreath is lit today. —G.K. Chesterton said: “For the Christian, joy is central and sorrow is peripheral.  That is because life’s fundamental questions are answered and only the peripheral ones are not.  But for the one who does not know Christ, sorrow is central and joy peripheral, because the peripheral questions may be answered but the fundamental ones are not.” 

From Tuesday 17 December to Christmas Eve the prayers and the readings at Mass have a change of tone. Up to this date the readings have concentrated on the last days, but now they focus on preparation for the Christ Child being born in Bethlehem on Christmas Day. There is a special canticle for each of these final Advent weekdays, that is prayed at each Mass before the Gospel is read. They are referred to as the “O” antiphons because they start always with the phrase “Come O…” They are part of the Church’s prayer since the early Middle Ages.

Prayer at Advent: Lord, as we prepare for your coming at Bethlehem, we watch with patience. As the Word became flesh and lived and moved among us so we search for you, that in finding you we may respond with hearts and minds to that Love, born of Mary; to the Word made flesh dwelling in us so that we may dwell in Him. Amen

The Shop: Our shop has restocked for Christmas. There is a wonderful selection of cribs on display as well as candles and suitable gifts for Christmas, as well as Christmas Mass Bouquets. Enrolling your family and friends on our daily Mass Guild makes a special Christmas gift. Deceased, Get Well etc are also available.

St Michael’s Scout Bandwill play at the 4pm Mass today. They will also play at the Christmas Eve Vigil Mass (Dec 24^th) beginning with carols at 7.30pm in preparation for the blessing of the crib @ 7.50pm and Mass @ 8pm.   Christmas Day Masses will be at 9am. 10.30am, 12noon. There will be no Christmas Day Mass at 4pm.

2020 Graan Calendar: Is available free of charge at the Graan shop today. Please take one home with you.

A Film on Love and Mercy: The life of St Faustina and the devotion to the Divine Mercywill be shown tomorrow Monday 16^th December at 6pm & 8.30pm in the IMC cinema in Enniskillen. To book your tickets go online to IMC cinema in Enniskillen.

New Book:Fr. Brian D’Arcy has authored a new book called “It has to be said” is on sale in our shop for £20.

Other Books on Sale at Reception: We have the Killyhommon Primary School Inspirational Thoughts 2020 book @ £5 and The Breath of God by Margaret Blessington @ £9 available also.

New CD: Sr. Marié Cox: together with two Mercy Sisters, Patricia O'Donovan and Frances Kennedy have a new CD entitled "May Hope Be Yours". It is available at the Graan shop £15. All proceeds going to the St. Vincent de Paul.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is on every Fri from 10am – 5pm. Bulletin: Please take a bulletin home with you.