Weekly Bulletin 26th January 2020

Sunday Collection: Came to £1405. Thank you as always for your generous contributions. There will be a Development Collection taken up after Communion today.

Today is the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time: Today’s Gospel opens with an account of Jesus preaching out in the open. The News proclaimed at a cross-road is an ideal starting point for it to take flight with the aid of the Holy Spirit.  Today also is the first Sunday of the Word of God. This is a day set aside by Pope Francis for celebration, study, and spreading of the Word of God. One of the great blessings of the liturgical reform and renewal flowing from the Second Vatican Council is a greater appreciation of the foundational role of the Word of God in every liturgical celebration and a greater awareness of the role of the Word of God in the life of faith. Catholic Schools Week also begins today.

Next Sunday is the Presentation of the Lord: Candlemas Day: Candles will be blessed after the 6.30pm Vigil Mass on Saturday(1^st Feb) and Sunday (2^nd) at the 10.30am, 12noon & 4pm Masses.

There are candles on sale in our shop.

Feasts of the Week: Tuesday: St. Thomas Aquinas (1224-1274). Called the “Angelic Doctor”. One of the greatest theologians, he is patron of schools, universities, students and booksellers. Thursday: St. Aidan (550-626) Born in Cavan, studied under St. David in Wales founded monastery in Ferns Wexford. He is patron of that diocese. Blessed Margaret Ball died in 1538 in harsh conditions in Dublin Castle for harbouring priests and having Mass celebrated in her home. Blessed Francis Taylor was Mayor of Dublin in 1595, because he was a Catholic he spent seven years in prison and died aged 70 on 30 January 1621 because of harsh conditions that he experienced. Friday: St. John Bosco (1815-1888) Italian, founded the Salesians to educate boys for life. He also became involved in publishing catechetical material for youth. He is patron saint of youth and publishers. Saturday: St Brigid: Abbess secondary Patron of Ireland (454 -524). She founded a double monastery in Co. Kildare with the assistance of Bishop Conleth. St, Brigid’s Cross in legend used by Brigid to explain the Christian faith remains a popular sign of God’s protection

Philip Mc Grade has been making us St Brigid’s Crosses. We appreciate and are thankful to Philip for making these Crosses. They are on sale at our shop at the usual price of £1/ €1. The money will be donated to Marys Meals.

Novena of Hope 2020: Takes place from 29^th Feb – 9^th March 2020. Thanks for all who attended the meeting in preparation for our Novena, and for your helpful suggestions and comments.   Please put the following dates in your diary for our next Novena meeting – February 10^th at 8.30pm. We will have our Novena posters and leaflets for collection on that evening. There will be a final preparation meeting on Monday 24^th February @ 8.30pm.  

Guild Mass Cards: We have a new selection of cards for Deceased, Mass Bouquets, Get Well, Birthday, Special Occasion, Thinking of You & Exam Mass Bouquets which cost £2 / €2.50 each.

DUTY FOR THE WEEK: Sun & Mon No Duty. Mon Mass @ 8pm – Arthur.   Tues – Charles. Wed: Arthur.

Thurs – Charles. Fri – Anthony. Sat – Anthony.

Vocation Retreat: A weekend retreat for young men interested in knowing more about life as a priest or brother in the Passionist Community will be held at the Passionist Monastery, Tobar Mhuire, Crossgar, County Down, beginning on the evening of Friday, 13 March and concluding with lunch on Sunday, 15 March. Anyone interested in taking part should speak to contact Father Victor here at The Graan.

Bulletin: Please take a bulletin home with you. They are free of charge.