Weekly Bulletin 20th December 2020

Today is the Fourth Sunday of Advent: As the birth of a child draws near, naturally all attention focuses on the mother.  We are nearing the celebration of the birth of Christ.  Hence it should come as no surprise to find Mary his Mother is at the centre of today’s Gospel. (Luke 1:26-38).   Mary was a very humble person.  A mere “handmaid of the Lord” was how she saw herself.  Her only concern was to do the will of God in her life.  She will help us to do God’s will also. For the first time in the Old Testament we hear God promising us a personal Messiah.  In the first reading ( 2 Sam 7:1-5.8-11.16) we hear that David’s desire to build a temple will be transcended by God, who promises him an eternal kingship – this promise is fulfilled in Jesus. Many times in the Gospel we hear Jesus being called “Son of David.” Paul in his letter to the Romans (16:25-27) tell us that God’s plan of salvation for Jews and Gentiles has come to fulfilment in Christ.  This Good News must be broadcast everywhere.  We all live under the fact that God has come to us in the person of Jesus Christ. Our waiting, our yearly celebration of Advent is almost finished. Once again we prepare to hear those words that echo in our Christmas souls: manger, swaddling clothes, shepherds, star, Three Kings, no room in the inn, Gloria in excelsis Deo, Bethlehem, Joseph, Mary, Jesus. For believers they are not ordinary words. They are faith-words, evoking images of Christian faith, the remarkable story of the birth of our remarkable Saviour. Can we take a little time to ponder the mystery of it – the depth of God’s love and the hope generated in our world each year at this time because of this gospel? Despite the coronavirus, despite facing an uncertain future because of Brexit, despite the anxiety, fear, that 2020 has brought us, can we allow the words of the angel to Mary to touch our inner being: “Do not be afraid” May our gift to God today be an unqualified and faith-filled “yes” to God’s Word becoming flesh within us. May we know His Peace!  

Graan Draw: First Prize (£5000) –  Julie Alan, Irvinestown , 2^nd Prize (£1000)  – V Fitzpatrick, London and the following 5 people won £100 each. T Rogers, Enniskillen, the Mc Aloon family, Letterbreen, L Lucchesi, Enniskillen, S Finlay, Tempo & A Carey, c/o Modern Tyres, Enniskillen The winner of the selling ticket (£50) – Noel Baird, Irvinestown. Congratulations to all our prize winners and our deepest thanks to all who supported us by buying tickets. A special word of thanks to all who went out of their way in selling tickets for us and for the shops and businesses that supported us. Thanks to our volunteers who helped to set-up the draw and make it such a great success.

Confession Times for Christmas:  Because of the current restrictions we will be unable to use the small confessional boxes and as a result confessions will be heard in the room behind the altar or in the old sacristy. Social Distancing is important.

Confessions on Mon, Tues & Wed – 2pm – 5pm. Thursday (Christmas Eve) Confessions – 1pm – 4pm. Note the shop will close @ 4pm also.  

Mass will be celebrated from Monday to Wednesday at 7:00 pm.

Shop: There are Christmas Mass Bouquets and Christmas goods available at our shop.

The shop will be open Monday to Wednesday  – 9.30pm – 7pm. Thursday 24^th Christmas Eve – 9.30am – 4pm.

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Masses: Because of the pandemic it is no longer an obligation to attend Mass. However you can join us from your own home via our webcam for the Masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  To help us accommodate those wishing to go to Mass for Christmas we have put on an extra Mass at 6pm on Christmas Eve. The second Mass on Christmas Eve will be at 8.30pm. We want to prevent overcrowding at any of these Masses: therefore we will be using our overflow rooms (which can accommodate small numbers), in the old sacristy and in the upper prayer room. We will have these Masses transmitted by radio link also. You may have to sit in your car in our car park and listen to the Mass on your radio. Tune into 106FM.

On Christmas morning we have an extra Mass @ 9am, and then the usual 10.30am & 12noon. There will be no 4pm Mass.  

Remembering the Dead at Christmas: We will be praying for all your deceased family relatives over the Christmas period. You can place their names in the special petition box at the front of the altar. They will be prayed for at all our Christmas Masses as usual.

2021 Graan Calendar: Is available free of charge at the Graan shop today. Please take one home with you.

Happy Christmas-: We know that there are many of you who would love to be present with us for Christmas services but because of  current circumstances are unable to be with us. We want to wish you and all those who attend the Graan on a regular basis a very happy Christmas and healthy 2021. May the coming of this Christmas feast brighten your lives in these dark, strange days and as we face into six week lock-down may we know the Presence of the Lord in moments of loneliness and anxiety because He is Emmanuel – God with Us.

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

“May Hope Be Yours‘ – CD:  As we move through this pandemic, funds raised by the sale of this CD will be of great benefit to so many families and individuals whose challenged circumstances became even more challenged because of Covid-19.  All proceeds go to St. Vincent de Paul Society.  Cost: £15 and available at the Graan shop. Thanks for your generosity.

A Day of Healing: There is a Virtual Day of Inspiration, entitled “Hope, Healing and Growth” on Saturday 9 January 2021 conducted by the Aisling Centre from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Please contact www.theaislingcentre.com to register

Post-Christmas Arrangements: St Stephen’s Day (Saturday) Mass at 11am & Vigil @ 6.30pm. Sunday 27^th – 10.30am, 12noon & 4pm.

Monday 28^th, Tuesday 29^th, Wednesday 30^th & New Year’s Eve Mass will be at 11am. New Year’s Day (Friday)  – Mass @ 11am.