Today is the Second Sunday of Advent: Advent along with Lent, is a time of preparation. During Lent, we accompany Jesus into the desert; we face the wilderness of our own inner landscape to prepare ourselves for the Easter journey of death and resurrection. During Advent, we go with John into the desert to prepare the way to welcome Christ into our hearts and lives anew at Christmas. We have the opportunity to explore the inner geography of our lives for areas of dead wood of old hurts and habits, the confusion that sometimes comes when we feel we can’t see the wood for the trees – all these are wilderness areas, and they need to be cleared away before growth and new life is possible. Or perhaps there are desert patches – arid, dry areas when nothing can grow or blossom, parts of us which have withered away from not being used or tended or tested – some tenderness, some care, some talent, some forgiveness, some humour that need the water of life to bring them bursting into flower. The cry of John the Baptist in today’s Gospel ( Matthew 3:1-12) calls us to repentance. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand” To get to the crib at Christmas we cannot go the scenic route past John the Baptist. His message is true today for all of us. And what was that message? Repent! Be converted! And that is not just a one-time action but an every day action. He must increase and I must decrease (John 3:30). Saint Francis of Assisi said the gospel was not a book for meditation but marching orders for living. Ultimately we cannot think ourselves into a new way of living, but we must live ourselves into a new way of thinking. Pope John Paul 11 in Phoenix Park in Dublin said; “Be converted, be converted every day, because every day the kingdom of God is drawing closer” Advent is a good time to prepare for new life, for the birth of Christ within us, to clear the way so that we have a more courageous self-examination, more open hearts, more receptive spirits, more loving kindness towards ourselves and others. St. Paul writing to the Christians in Rome in today’s second reading urges them and us to tolerance. “And may he who helps us when we refuse to give up, help you all to be tolerant with each other, following the example of Christ Jesus…” (Romans 15:4-9)
Feasts of the Week: Wednesday: St. Ambrose (340-397). Elected by the people as Bishop of Milan. Influenced the young St. Augustine by his preaching. A defender of orthodoxy.
Thursday: The Immaculate Conception of the BVM. Masses in the Graan will be Vigil at 7:00 pm. 10:30 am. 12 noon and 7:00 pm.
Graan Draw: A very special word of thanks to all who bought tickets in our annual draw. We appreciate the work of our volunteers who give of their precious time to sell tickets at various outlets around the county. A very special word of thanks to all the retailers who give us permission to sell tickets in their premises.
Congratulation to our winners. Winner of the 1st prize (£5000): Rose Mc Quaid, Trillick. 2nd Prize (£1000) – Anita Mc Guinness, Enniskillen. And the following won £100. Canon Jimmy Mc Phillips, Lisnaskea. Ellen Murphy, Macken, Annette Mc Carron, Enniskillen, Sharon & Paul Keown, Monea & Martin Mc Cann Trillick.
Thanks for the generous collection last weekend. It came to £1810. We appreciate your wonderful support in these days of financial hardships. Be assured of a constant remembrance in our community prayers.
December church cleaning group will meet on Wednesday 7th to clean our Church. New volunteers are always welcome.
Carols with Caritas choir will perform Christmas carols in the Graan church on this Friday 9th December at 8:00 pm. A voluntary collection will be taken up on the evening for the Enniskillen food bank. All are welcome.
10:30am Mass choir would like more recruits to help with the singing. If God has blessed you with a good voice and you are willing to make a commitment to help each Sunday morning with this task please make yourself known to the group.
Confessions & Duty: Sun & Mon no duty. Mon 5th Dec Mass @ 7pm – Arthur. Tues – Brian. Mass @ 7pm – Brian. Wed – Victor. Mass @ 7pm – Victor. Thurs (Holy Day) – Charles. Masses 10.30am, 12noon & 7pm. Fri – Anthony. Sat 5 – 6pm Anthony.
The Shop has restocked for Christmas. There are a great selection of cribs on display as well as candles, diaries, cards and suitable gifts for Christmas and new Christmas Mass Bouquets. Cost £2 / €2.50.
Recently Deceased
Ronan Swift, Derrrygonnelly
Eileen Mc Gandy, Loughview Drive, Enniskillen
Mary Ellen Charles, Florencecourt
Margaret Miller, Cornagrade Rd, Enniskillen
Anniversaries
Paul Brosnan, London & formerly Kerry (1st Anniversary)
Kathleen Brosnan, Kerry
John Brazil, Drumgay Close, Enniskillen
John & Ellie Barrett, Stranlongford, Trillick
Denis & Brendan Durnion, Ederney
Maura Curran, Westbridge House, Enniskillen
The Foley & Mc Farland families, Omagh & Enniskillen
Elizabeth & Patrick Duffy, Tonnagh, Derrygonnelly
Pat, Patrick & Rebecca Higgins & the Higgins & Courtney families, Rossbrick & Drumbeamily, Magheraveely
Brian & Bridget Maguire & the Maguire & Rooney families, Rossigh, Killadeas
Joe & Molly Duffy, Monea
James Kerrigan & the Kerrigan family, Enniskillen
Charles & Patricia Timoney, Druminiskill, Macken
Kevin Gilbride, Boho
Elizabeth & Patrick Duffy, Tonnagh, Derrygonnelly
Vera Mc Gurran, Carrigan Pk, Enniskillen
Peter, Julia & James Keown, Callagheen, Belleek
Joe & Maggie Murray, Swanlinbar
