First Sunday of Advent

In the dark days of the mid-Winter, through the bleak mornings and evenings that might encapsulate our existence in more than just a physical sense, the season of Advent calls us from our malaise and asks us not only to repent but wake up and see things as they truly are. It is no mistake that the Gospel readings of Advent have little to do with waiting for a child in a manger, for that is just one aspect of what we wait for among many. Instead, they refer to waiting for Christ in the truest sense: in all ways because he is all things.

If we were simply awaiting a child in a manger then we would only be partaking in a re-enactment of an event long ago, in a time far away, something foreign. Yet what the reality of the incarnation teaches is that God is not something far away or foreign, he is close and the Gospel is Good News for those whom God has created. Advent points our minds beyond time, asking us to stand with the destitute shepherds, the eccentric Baptist and the fearful disciples in anticipating God.

While we can never know what is beyond time we can still have faith because God, who is beyond time, has made himself known in time. Yet the way in which God has done so is not as we expect, the incarnation was something that took place among the margins of human existence. So when we reflect in the winter mornings on the darkness and brokenness of human existence we might do well to remember that God has made himself known in terms not expected and that he has vindicated that darkness of our existence by his own experience of it as a human being. The event we await does not remove the brokenness of humanity but it does throw a new light on it. That light is what we wait for not just in four weeks time, but throughout all time and beyond.

Fr Tom Cahill, Intercom

Daily Readings

You can access the daily readings on the parish website:

Adoption

Could you make a child happy again after a difficult start in life?

Family Care Society is presently seeking adoptive families who would be interested in parenting children aged between 2 – 6 years and who need the love and attention of a caring and understanding family.

Could this be you?

Please contact Family Care Society on:
Belfast 028 9069 1133 or Derry 028 7136 8592
Email: email@family-care-society.org
Website: www.family-care-society.net

Suffolk Lenadoon Interface Group Christmas Fair

Suffolk Lenadoon Interface Group is running a Christmas Fair on Saturday 12th December from 3-6pm. The event will take place in the front car park of the Stewartstown Road shops and will include a car boot sale, mini market, carol singing and a Santa’s grotto.

Apostolic Society Annual Sale of Works

Morning Star House Christmas Appeal

The Morning Star House, a refuge for homeless men have recently launched their Christmas Appeal to help obtain Christmas gifts and clothing. They are looking for donations of: Toiletries, Food Hampers, Book and Men’s Winter Clothing (New) such as, Socks, Underwear, Fleeces, Jeans, Jumpers, Coats, Hats, and Gloves. Monetary Donations would also be greatly appreciated.

All Donations can be left in to Morning Star House, 2-12 Divis Street, Belfast BT12 4AL. Tel. 9033 35000

FIRST FRIDAY

Fr Magill and Fr Andrew will visit the sick and housebound in

Stewartstown Park Doon Road Horn Drive

Stewartstown Avenue Lenadoon Avenue Lenadoon Walk

Creeslough Walk Kerrykeel Gardens Creeslough Walk

Glenveagh Park Falcarragh Drive Buncrana Gardens

Gweedore Gardens Gweedore Park Glenveagh Drive

Parish Radio

If you are interested please phone
028 9061 8590 or 028 9022 0961.

There are two models available which are marked to receive broadcasts from St Oliver Plunkett Church.

Model 1 costs £25 including VAT and batteries (short range). Model 2 costs £60 and is mains powered – no batteries required. This has a longer range and provides better quality which is more suitable for areas where there are electrical power lines nearby.

Mass Times