Christmas Day 25th December 2022

A Happy and Blessed Christmas from all the community at the Graan 2022

Each year from 25 December to the 6th January all Christians celebrate liturgically the Twelve Days. In 1780, Frederic Austin wrote the carol. Now what have turtle doves and French hens got to do with Christmas? One theory is that the song is really a code taught to children to learn about the faith. In these days when secret codes and conspiracy theories abound on the Internet, it is good to think that a code can have a positive spin to it. So here goes: “On the first day of Christmas my True Love sent to me.” The True Love, is of course God.

1. A Partridge in a pear tree: this is a symbol for Jesus Christ
2. Two Turtle Doves: the Old and the New Testament
3. Three French hens: the three virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity, or the three gifts offered to Jesus by the wise men.
4. Four Calling birds: The four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, or the four major prophets of the Old Testament
5. Five Golden Rings: The Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament.
6. Six Geese-a-laying: the six days of creation before God’s rest on the Sabbath as told in the Book of Genesis
7. Seven-swans-a-swimming: the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit – wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety and fear of the Lord.
8. Eight-Maids-a-milking: the eight Beatitudes
9. Nine Ladies Dancing: These are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. They are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control.
10. Ten Lords-a-leaping: The Ten Commandments
11. Eleven Pipers Piping: the eleven faithful disciples left to proclaim the resurrection
12. Twelve Drummers Drumming: the twelve apostles, the twelve minor prophets of the Old Testament and/or the twelve points of belief in the Creed

Many parodies have been released of this particular Christmas Carol. However the idea of faith being transmitted by code is an intriguing one.  In a time of religious upheaval the author of the carol wished that the basic tenets of Christianity would be known and cherished. 

Christmas Cards and Gifts: The Community would like to thank you for all the Christmas cards and gifts they have received in the past few weeks. We promise to pray for all your intentions now and in the New Year. 

Thanks to our Ushers, Readers, Ministers of the Eucharist, Singers and all the voluntary workers for their dedication.   

Collection: There will be a special collection taken up today for the Community’s work here at The Graan. 

Remembering the Dead at Christmas: We have placed all the names of your deceased relatives on the altar.

Christmas Eve Vigil @ 8pm. Christmas morning: 9am, 10.30am and 12noon.  There will be no 4pm Mass.  

Christmas Crib: Please visit our Crib during this special season. The proceeds will go to St Vincent de Paul in Enniskillen. Thanks to Gerry Murphy for erecting the crib at Our Lady’s Grotto.

2023 Graan Calendars:  These are available free of charge at the Graan shop & church porches.  

Post-Christmas Arrangements

      We will celebrate Mass each morning this week at 11am. However, there will be NO 7pm Mass.

Mass will be as normal at the weekend. Sat 31^st Vigil (New Year’s Eve) @ 6.30pm.

Sun 1^st January Masses are -: 10.30am, 12noon & 4pm.

Shop Opening Hours: 26^th & 27^th Dec – 9.30am – 12noon. Wednesday 28^th, 29^th & 30^th 9.30am – 4pm.

New Year’s Eve (Saturday) 10am – 6.30pm. Sunday (New Year’s Day) 10am – 4pm.

Duty & Confessions resume on Tuesday 3^rd January 2023 @ 2pm.

Recently Deceased:

Eileen Mc Teggart, Hillview Park, Enniskillen,

Joe Duffy, Monea

 Seline Devine, Killesher             

Anna Brennan, Derrin Pk, Enniskillen

Lisa Cahery, Arney

Leo Mc Cauley, Monea

Patrick Tierney, Bray formerly Enniskillen