2nd Sunday Of Advent
Today’s second reading (2 Pet 3:8-15) reminds me of the tale of Ted. Ted thought he’d pull a fast one on God. So he prayed: ‘Heavenly Father, for you a million years is but a minute and a million pounds but a penny. Please hear me as I ask you for just one penny.’ God heard and said: ’Sure, Ted just a minute!’ The moral of the story is that we should know what to expect from God.
Our first reading (Isa 40:1-5, 9-11) tells us what that is: tenderness. Let that sink in. God gives us affection. Since it’s not possible for us to be on par with God, God puts himself on par with us: God becomes man. That’s the God who comes at Christmas. But do we want to meet God? Can we tolerate a tender God? If we stamp others as our ‘enemy’, can we hear God’s tender voice-especially when it’s directed at those ‘enemies’? If my enemy’s enemy is indeed my friend, is his friend then my enemy? How can we call God ‘friend’ while calling God’s friend ‘enemy’?
Advent is a time for thinking things through, for seeing the implications of Jesus’ birth. He came to give life in all its fullness to humanity in all its numbers regardless of who they are or where they come from. That’s a message you won’t see posted in shop windows in the run-up to Christmas. You won’t hear it anywhere except in God’s subversive, yet creative, word.
Copyright: Fr Tom Cahill (Intercom)
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| Daily
Readings
You
can access the daily readings on the
parish website:
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Christmas Arrangements
Penitential Service
There will be a Penitential Service on Tuesday 16th December at 7.30pm
Confession Times
Sun 21st - after both Masses
Mon 22nd - Wed 24th after 10am Mass
Wed 24th - 12.00-1.00pm
Christmas Mass Times
Christmas Eve Vigil: 9pm
Christmas Day: 10am and 12noon
St Stephen’s Day: 7.30pm
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'The Priests" CD
‘The Priests’ CD is available in the sacristy price £10.
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Autumn/Advent Christmas Programme 2008
A time of Prayer, Reflection on next Sunday’s gospel
this Tuesday in the Convent of Mercy.
Morning session: 10.40am (after Mass) or
Evening session: 7.00pm.
Come and join us.
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Trócaire Global Gifts
Give your family, friends or colleagues a novel and inspiring gift this Christmas – a Trócaire Global Gift Card – and help transform the lives of vulnerable families in some of the world’s poorest regions.
You can purchase your Global Gift Cards, which range from £8 - £160, in the church porches after each Mass next Sat 22nd & Sun 23rd November also Sat 6th & Sun 7th December.
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NI Hospice Carol Service
The Northern Ireland Hospice is holding its annual Christmas Carol Service
on Sunday 7th December at 3.30pm
in St Peter’s Cathedral, Falls Road.
Everyone welcome. |
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Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Tomorrow Monday 8th December is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception it is a holy day of obligation. Masses: Vigil 6.30 pm on Sunday
10am and 12noon on Monday
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Ring Found
A ring was found in the Church last Sunday
if anyone has lost a ring please call into the Sacristy. |
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Bible Alive
Bible Alive for January is now on sale in
the Sacristy price £1.95. |
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Traditional Latin Mass
A Traditional Latin Mass (The Mass according to the 1962 Missal) is scheduled in St Paul’s, Falls Road on Saturday 6th December at 1pm. ‘What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…’.Benedict XVI. |
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Good Morning West Belfast
Good Morning West Belfast are hosting a Christmas dinner in Donegal Celtic Social Club on Friday 12th December at 7.30 pm for registered clients on the Good Morning support line. We can cater for 200 on the night and seats are going fast! If you know a senior citizen who already receives a call from ourselves please remind them about the event and that they have replied to the operators at their time of call. This free event was extremely successful last year in the Felons, 168 attended on the night and is a great opportunity for the staff of Good Morning West Belfast to meet the recipients of the call and put the face to the voice. |
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St Oliver Plunkett Nursery School
If your child is 3 years old or will be turning 3 before the end of June 2009, St Oliver Plunkett Nursery School would like to invite you to an Open Day on Monday 8 December 2008 from 9.30-11.30am, to meet staff and see around our School. |
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| Baptisms
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Baptisms today at 1.30pm. Next baptisms will take place on Sunday 21st December 2008 at 1.30pm. Please note the next date available for Baptism is Sunday 4th January 2009. The next pre-Baptism instruction will be on Thursday 11th December 2008 at 8pm in the convent.
It
is necessary to attend pre-Baptism preparation
before asking to have your child baptised.
To register for pre-Baptism preparation
please contact the parish office 9061 8180,
Mon & Wed 2pm-5pm, Tue & Fri 10am-2pm
& Thurs 10am-1pm.
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| We
Loved Them In Life
We offer our sympathy and prayerful support to the families of those parishioners who died recently:
Johnny Purcell, Glenside Road
We
pray for the happy repose
of those whose anniversaries occur around
this time:
Kathleen Doherty
Phyllis Waring
Mary and David Mc Kay
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| Collections
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No figures are available from last week's collection at time of print. These will be included in next week's bulletin.
SVP Society
SVP Society annual Christmas collection will take place after all the Masses on 13th – 14th December. They would like to thank all parishioners for their support throughout the year.
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