Weekly Bulletin 19th December 2021

Today is the Fourth Sunday of Advent: Bethlehem, – this town is about a stone’s throw from the big city of Jerusalem and is the birthplace of the great King David. Micah, the prophet who was a voice for the voiceless, speaks about this village in today’s first reading (Micah 5:1-4) “out of you will be born for me the one who is to rule over Israel” A ruler greater than King David will come from this rugged backwater hamlet. This one is Jesus who we hear in today’s second reading (Hebrews 10:5-10), offered Himself on the Cross, getting rid of the old sacrifices of the Temple and making us all holy by his death and opening eternal life for all. The Gospel story today (Luke 1:39-44) tells the beautiful story of the visitation of Mary to her elderly cousin Elizabeth. It is only natural that when a birth of child is about to take place our attention turns to the mother of the child. While it is beautiful to picture Mary and Elizabeth, a young girl and an aged relative, both pregnant with new life, it is even more beautiful to recognise that we are each pregnant with God’s life. That is why God made us – to bring to life all that God has placed within us; that is how we give honour and glory to God.   That is what happened in our baptism, when the community celebrated that we belong to God’s family, – a family formed to bring to birth all that is God within each one of us, and help each one of us to be our unique expression of carrying Jesus, and recognising Jesus. We need to be like Elizabeth and recognise the presence of Christ in one another. Three times she blesses Mary. “Of all women you are most blessed, blessed is he fruit of your womb…blessed is she who believed that the promises made her by the Lord would be fulfilled” Can we do that for one another? Give a word of encouragement? Give a word of affirmation? When we pray the Hail Mary, we say those incredible words of Elizabeth, ” Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”  The honour of carrying Jesus while uniquely Mary’s is also ours.   Each of us carries Jesus.  He comes to us uniquely at Mass.  And we are blessed by Jesus at all times.   Advent is the time to stop and acknowledge his deep abiding presence. Meister Eckhart the 14th century Dominican mystic said: “We are all meant to be mothers of God…for God is always needing to be born.”

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 £1650. 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: We appreciate your wonderful support for our mission here in the Graan during our fund-raising venture over the past few months. Thanks to all the venues that allowed us to sell our tickets, to our sellers who sold the tickets, and to all the many people who bought the tickets. Congratulation to our winners. Winner of the 1^st prize: L Donnelly, Killyclogher, Omagh. 2^nd & 3^rd Prize – J Mc Conway, Enniskillen. And the following won £100. D Moohan, Enniskillen, L Lucchesi, Enniskillen, M Wall, Dublin & S Mc Phillips, Belfast.

Diamond Jubilee: Heartfelt Congratulations to Father Victor Donnelly, C.P., who was ordained a priest on 23rd December 1961.  We thank God for his 60 years of faithful, generous ministry in so many places but specially here in the Graan. Ad multos annos.

Confessions: Monday to Thursday from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. On Friday, Christmas Eve confessions are heard from 11:00 am – 12:00 noon & from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. 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 if you did not leave this important preparation for the birth of Christ to the last moment! 

Masses for Christmas Eve are at 6.00pm & 8.30pm.   On Christmas morning we have an extra Mass @ 9am, and then the usual 10.30am & 12noon. There will be no 4pm Mass.  

Please follow the instructions of our ushers, masks are to be worn and please be constantly aware of social distancing. One is still not under obligation to attend Mass during this time of pandemic.  However you will be very welcome to participate in the celebration of Mass on our web-cam at thegraan.com.     Our dead remembered: Over the preparation for Christmas there will be a special petition box in the front of the altar. All your family who have died over the past years their names can be placed in the box & 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!

Our Shop: is open each day for Christmas gifts, calendars etc as well as Christmas Mass Bouquets. Cost £2/ €2:50.