Third Sunday of Advent

In the Second reading Paul says that he wants his community to be happy. It is instructive to reflect on happiness with a view to understanding it better. Everyone wants to be happy and many are, thank God. It has been said that happiness is an inside job. Positively, this means that are happiness comes from ourselves. We make ourselves happy or unhappy. How is this? By the attitudes and outlook we adopt, by the expectations we set for our selves, by the quality of our relationships, by the level of maturity as persons we have attained. On the negative side, external things which we can get and/or use may be important and give us pleasure but are unlikely to bring real happiness: e.g., money fame, associating with the great, success in business, sport, etc., having personal talents like brains or other skills, etc. To become truly happy then, some important points may be mentioned. A positive attitude to and feeling about oneself is basic. You need to feel positive about yourself, that is, be happy to be yourself. This involves good self-esteem so that one appreciates and loves oneself as one is. This is clearly an in side job, something you can only do yourself. Being realistic about oneself is essential also. This means recognising and accepting oneself, one’s talents and abilities, one’s social class, one’s limitations and faults. Vital here is also avoiding comparisons with others. Realism has to extend to one’s expectations of ones self and others. Be gentle with ones self, while doing one’s best to improve and grow as one person. Taking responsibility for ones self and one’s actions is required for true happiness. Don’t be given to blaming others for your faults, mistakes and misfortunes. They are yours: take responsibility for them, while trying to lessen and avoid them in the future. Appreciate your talents and achievements and be grateful for them. Count your blessings. This is clearly an inside job. Only you can do it. It is important to take a constructive attitude to others and to life generally. So see and affirm the good wherever it appears and avoid a negative critical attitude that sees the negative mostly and dwells on it excessively. Of course circumstances can and do often matter greatly. They can jeopardise one’s happiness, especially things like serious health or relationship difficulties, major employment or financial problems. But these won’t necessarily destroy one’s happiness, especially if one has attended to the points made above.

Daily Readings

You can access the daily readings on the parish website:

Christmas Arrangements

Annual Carol Service

Saint Dominic’s Past Pupil’s Annual Carol Service will take place on Monday 14th December 2009 in The School Chapel at 7.30pm. Mulled wine, Tea/Coffee and mince pies will be served after the carol service in the school. All donations go to charity - a special event not to be missed.

St Oliver Plunkett –St Matthew’s Ecumenical Group

St Oliver Plunkett’s Ecumenical Group has been invited to St Matthew’s Church of Ireland, Woodvale Road, and Christmas Carol Service on Sunday 20th December at 6.30pm. This very warm invitation has been extended to all of our parishioners, so please feel free to join us at this Service.

Christmas Newsletter

We would like to invite parishioners to help with the distribution of Christmas Newsletters. If you would like to help distribute your street Newsletters can be picked up from the parish office on Thursday. Thursday night we’re meeting at 7pm to distribute all remaining Newsletters. We would really appreciate your presence then.

Rathmore Grammar School Reunion 2010

The class of 1978-1985 is having a reunion.  If you belonged to this year group please come and meet all your old friends on Friday 9th April 2010 at Belfast Boat/Tennis Club, Stranmillis. All proceeds donated to charity - the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children. To register online and for further information go to   www.rathmorereunion2010.co.uk

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.

Apostolic Work Society

We wish to thank sincerely everyone who so generously supported our sale of work last week. We raised £1860. We are very grateful to you.

Parish Suggestion Box

The Parish Pastoral Council is interested in hearing Parishioners views on any aspect of parish life. Suggestions Boxes and comments slips are now available in both porches for you to let us know of any comments or suggestions you wish to make.

The Irish Catholic

Volunteers are needed to help sell The Irish Catholic after all the weekend Masses. If you are interested please drop your name and contact number and the Mass you can help out at into the Suggestion Box.

Mass Times