SUNDAY 14th : THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT:

MASS INTENTIONS:. 

THIS WEEKEND:    .

• Sat.  7.30pm:      Paddy O’Connor, Duarigle.
• Sun 10.00am:     Daniel & Nora O’Connell, The Island.
• Sun 11.30am:     Funeral mass for the late Lillie O’Donovan, Meens.

NEXT WEEKEND:

• Sat.  7.30pm:    Paul Brosnan, Main Street.
• Sun 10.00am:   Sean, Maggie & Paddy O’ Callaghan, Taur.
• Sun 11.30am:   Timmy & Peggy Taylor, Lisdangan.

MASS TIMES NEXT WEEK:

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday – Mass @10am.
• Thursday – Liturgy of the Word @ 10am.

CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES:     

* Christmas Eve:      Taur @ 6pm, Newmarket @ 7.30pm.

* Christmas Day:     Taur @10am,  Newmarket @ 11.30am  .

CHRISTMAS CONFESSIONS:

* Wednesday 17th:    Newmarket @ 7.30pm

* Wednesday 24th:    Newmarket @10.30am & Taur @11.30am.

LAST WEEKEND’S COLLECTIONS: OFFERTORY:  €1,769.00, SHRINES:  € 329.00, DIOCESAN FUND :  €350.00, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: €944.00. Sincere thanks for your generosity.

 

Deaths: We offer our sincere sympathy and prayers to the families of the late Peggy Mackessy, Lower Road & Lillie O’Donovan, Meens who died during the week. May they rest in peace.

CHRISTMAS VISIT: Fr. Francis will make his Christmas visit to the sick & housebound of the parish on Tuesday, 16th & Friday 19th December at the usual times.

MISSION COLLECTION: Thank you for your kind generosity and support at the recent Parish Mission collection. A total of  €5,100 was collected.

CHRISTMAS DAY SWIM: In aid of Marymount Hospice Homecare Team & Jack & Jill foundation takes place as usual in the Island Wood at 12.30pm. Contact Mary Stack on 029-60444/087-9439612.

ASTROTURF:Demand for the new Astroturf is very high with a few nights fully booked. Some time slots are still available. For information and bookings contact 087-6047400.

HANDBALL ALLEY: A new wall less Handball Alley has just been completed adjacent to the new Astroturf pitch in the GAA grounds .This is a new sport to Newmarket & we hope that over the coming months & years many people will use this facility.

SHORT BUT SWEET: The Sunday school teacher was explaining the difference between right and wrong to her class. “All right, children, let’s take another example,” she said, “if I were to get into a man’s pocket and take his wallet with all his money, what would I be?” Little Mary raised her hand and blurted, “His wife!”

SOME THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK:

“As you start travelling down that road of life, remember this: There are never enough comfort stops. The places you’re going are never on the map. And once you get that map out, you won’t be able to      re-fold it no matter how smart you are. So forget the map, roll down the windows, and whenever you can, pull over and have a picnic.”       Jim Henson

“When someone calls me ugly, I go up to them, smile tenderly and hug them because I know life ain’t easy when you have a seeing disability.”     Mario Balotelli

“I wonder how much of what weighs me down is not mine to carry.” Aditi

“You can’t eat beauty, it doesn’t sustain you. What is fundamentally beautiful is compassion, for     yourself and those around you. That kind of beauty enflames the heart and enchants the soul.  Lupita Nyong’o

“Letting go is the lesson. Letting go is always the lesson. Have you ever noticed how much of our agony is all tied up with craving and loss?” Susan Gordon Lydon

ONE SENTENCE SERMON:         The worst invention in all of human history has been the invention of the clock, I would explain why this is true…but we’re out of time!

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK: www.strangeboat.org – Aims to raise awareness of the need for organ    donation and endeavours to meet the needs of donor families.

MARY’S CHRISTMAS DREAM: ‘I had a dream Joseph. I don’t understand it, not really, but I think it was about a birthday celebration for Our Son. I think that was what it was all about. The people had been preparing for about 6 weeks. They had       decorated the house and bought new clothes. They’d gone shopping many times and bought elaborate gifts. It was peculiar though, because the presents were not for Our Son. They wrapped them in beautiful paper and tied them with lovely bows and stacked them under the tree. Yes, a tree Joseph, right in their house. They decorated the tree also. The branches were full of glowing balls and sparkling ornaments. There was a figure on the top of the tree. It looked like an angel might look. Oh, it was so beautiful. Everyone was laughing and they were very happy. They were all excited about the gifts. They gave the gifts to each other, Joseph, not to Our Son. I don’t think they even know Him. They never mentioned His name. Doesn’t it seem odd for people to go to all that trouble to celebrate someone’s birthday if they don’t know Him? I had the strangest feeling that if Our Son had gone to this celebration, he would have been intruding. Everything was so beautiful, Joseph, and everyone was so happy, but it made me want to cry. How sad for Jesus not to be wanted at His own birthday party. I’m glad it was only a dream. How terrible Joseph, if it had been real! ‘Lets put Christ back into Christmas’