Weekly Bulletin 12th December 2021

Today is the Third Sunday of Advent. Today we light the rose coloured candle on our Advent wreath. Today is called “Gaudete Sunday” or “Rejoice Sunday”. The readings all speak about joy. Zephaniah the prophet in the first reading (Zephaniah 3:14-18) calls Jerusalem to “shout for Joy” Why? Because God is in the midst of them. The psalm (Isaiah 12:2-6) takes up that theme with the words: “Sing and shout for joy for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel” Paul writing from prison tells the people of Philippi to “always be happy in The Lord” (Philippians 4:4-7) Sixteen times in that letter which is only five pages long Paul speaks of joy. And the last sentence in today’s Gospel we hear John the Baptist, that austere prophet, exhorting the people and announcing Good News to them. “As well as this, there were many other things he said to exhort the people and announce the Good News to them” (Luke 3:18)  Léon Bloy (1846- 1917) French novelist said that “Joy is the infallible sign of God’s presence” Human life is challenging. It requires self-sacrifice and hard work regardless of the vocation to which one is called. How can we speak of joy?  Pope Francis penned his first encyclical and called it “The Joy of the Gospel” (24 November 2013). His theme is a simple one. Our Pope believes that a Christian is someone who has the experience of being loved by Jesus, and as a result, he or she always wishes to help others towards that same experience. In his letter Pope Francis underlines the reality of joy in the Sacred Scriptures. Yet he recognises that many do not share this joy.“ There are Christians whose lives seem like Lent without Easter. I realise of course that joy is not expressed the same way at all times in life, especially at moments of great difficulty. Joy adapts and changes, but it always endures, even as a flicker of light born of our personal certainty that, when everything is said and done, we are infinitely loved” (Number 6  The Joy of the Gospel). Jesus has told us that if there is anything we need we should ask for it. Anxiety implies a certain lack of trust. To careworn and fretful hearts the first effect of believing prayer is the enjoyment of God’s peace and joy. There is a Chinese proverb which says: ‘You cannot prevent the bird of sorrow from flying over your head but you can prevent it from getting into your hair’. Here is a simple prayer:- Circle me Lord Keep protection near; keep danger afar//Circle me Lord. Keep hope within; keep doubt without//Circle me Lord. Keep light near; keep darkness afar//Circle me Lord. Keep peace within; keep strife without//Circle me Lord. Keep love within; keep hate without. Amen

Feasts of the Week: Monday: St. Lucy was martyred in Sicily in 304 during the persecution of Diocletian. Tuesday: St. John of the Cross (1542-1591). Worked for the reform of the Carmelite Order. A mystic, poet, theologian and doctor of the Church.

Thanks to our Ushers and Ministers of the Eucharist for their help during our religious services. Thanks to you all for obeying their instructions and helping to keep us safe during this time of pandemic.

Thanks for the generous collection last weekend. It came to £1810.  One can use the “DONATE” button on our website which makes the process easier if one wishes to contribute to the Graan.   We appreciate your support during these days of financial constraints. Be assured of our prayers.

Graan Draw: Our draw will take place on this Friday 17 December 2021 at 6:00 pm. The draw will take place in our Church and can be viewed on our web-cam at www.thegraan.com  First prize is £5000, 2nd prize is £1000 followed by prizes of £100. The tickets are £1/£1 euro each or a book of six for €5/5 euros each. You can buy directly from our web-site follow the DONATE link if you wish to purchase tickets.  IMPORTANT: If you have tickets at home please make sure you have your counterfoils in before Thursday 16 December

Confessions: We celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation here from Monday to Friday from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. On Saturday confessions are heard from 1:00 – 6:00 pm. No confessions will be heard on Sunday. We will not be hearing confessions in our side-confessional because of the dangers of the pandemic. They will be heard in the room behind the altar or in the large room of the old sacristy.  We would appreciate it so much if you did not leave this important preparation for the birth of Christ to the last moment! 

Our dead remembered: Over the preparation for Christmas there will be a special petition box in the front of the altar. All your family and friends who have died over the past years their names can be placed in the box and they will be remembered in our Christmas Masses.  

Christmas crib: All the proceeds from our crib will go this year to the St. Vincent de Paul in Enniskillen

Graan Calendar 2022: This calendar is available free of charge at the Graan shop. Please take one home with you!

LESSONS IN HOPE – Aisling Centre Virtual Day of Inspiration Saturday 8^th January with an inspiring programme of speakers and a guest performance by Actor, Adrian Dunbar. Event Free (donations optional) – Registration via Eventbrite https://bit.ly/3Bayruk

The Shop: Is open each day for Christmas gifts, calendars, as well as Christmas Mass Bouquets.  Cost £2 / €2.50.      Mon to Sat:  9.30am – 7pm. Sun 9.30 – 4.30pm.