1st Sunday of Advent (b)
1st Sunday of Advent. (b)
Times of Mass and Confession:
Sundays: Vigil Mass (Saturday) 6.00 p.m. & 10.00 a.m.
Weekday: 9.00 a.m. (Monday – Thursday)
9.30 a.m. (Friday, with school children present.)
10.00 a.m. (Saturday)
Confessions: After 10.00 a.m. Mass on Saturdays and by arrangement
Please remember the following parishioners, relatives and friends in your prayers:
Sick: John McPartland, Annie O’Donnell, Veronica Allan, Margaret Christie, Irene Callan, Assunta Santangeli.
Anniv: Jim Fallon, Margaret Fitzgerald., John McMeeking, John Collins
Today: Advent begins. Please note that the Sunday readings now come from year B and the weekday readings come from year 1.
The Advent Wreath will be blessed. If you would like to light the candles as the weeks progress please let me know.
The Advent Tree is in place along with the baskets of tags from you can choose a task you would undertake in the course of the week.
As in previous years we will be collecting gifts for prisoners’ children at Christmas. The gifts will be collected at all Masses on Sunday 30th November and 7th December. The gift should be new, wrapped in Christmas paper and bearing a label showing the suitable age of the child and whether for a boy or girl. Gifts for older children of 12+ years would especially be appreciated. Last year there was a difficulty meeting the demand for boys’ presents in general, but particularly older boys. Music or book tokens would be very welcome or even gift cards that could be put towards PlayStation or Xbox related items. These can be purchased in most supermarkets. Thank you in anticipation of your kindness. On the final two Sundays of Advent we will collect for the homeless, these gifts being given out via the St. Catharine’s Convent Homeless project.
Lists are at the back of the Church for Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Passkeepers and volunteers to assist at the social events in the Hall after the Christmas Masses, to indicate their availability over the Christmas and New Year period. The social events in the Hall are in particular need of helpers.
Today: A new readers’ and servers’ rota is ready for collection from the sacristy. It comes into effect next weekend so please make sure you take your copy away with after Mass today.
Sunday: There will be a celebration of the Children’s Liturgy during the 10.00 a.m. Mass. During Advent, the Children’s Liturgy will be celebrated every Sunday. The team have come up with lots of exciting ideas for the children so parents please encourage your children to go along and take part.
Sunday: The Coffee Morning will take place after Mass. Why not make time to pop round to the Hall and see what is on offer as well as meeting fellow parishioners.
Sunday: Ceremony of Enrolment for children in P4 who will eligible to be confirmed and make their First Communion in 2015. Please remember to hand in yellow form if you have not already done so.
Sunday: Carol Service and Blessing of Crib in St. Andrew’s Square at 3.00 p.m.. All welcome to go along and take part.
Tuesday: ‘Where does Scotland stand on assisted suicide ?’ As the debate continues its way through the Scottish parliament, two distinguished catholic physicians, Professor Anthony Busuttil, professor emeritus of Forensic Medicine at the University of Edinburgh and Professor Robert A. Minns, Professor emeritus of Paediatric Neurology at the University of Edinburgh explore the present state of the discussion. It is in the Lauriston Centre at from 7.30 p.m. – 9.00 p.m. All welcome.
Wednesday: Following on to the meeting abgout Hall Cleaning volunteers (thanks to the four who turned up) stage one will be a major clean up and clear out at 7.00 p.m. This will happen three times a year and all parishioners are welcome to come along and help. In between times smaller groups will come in to do a clean up hopefully on a monthly basis depending on how many volunteers come forward. All Hall users are reminded that they should clean up after their usage especially the kitchen and toilets and no food should be left .
Next Sunday: P3 children’s liturgy of signing with the cross during the 10.00 a.m. Mass.
Diary Dates:
9th December: The Monthly Mass for Vocations will take place in the Little Sisters of the Poor at 7.30 p.m. All welcome. Car parking is available. Refreshments served after Mass.
15th December: Meeting of existing Parish Pastoral Council at 7.00 p.m. in the house.
16th December: St. Augustine’s High School Carol Service in St. John’s at 7.00 p.m. Refreshments will be served afterwards. All welcome.
18th December: A Service of Reconciliation in the Church at Our Lady’s in Currie at 7.00 p.m. There will be three priests available for individual confession and absolution. Please take advantage of this service to prepare for Christmas. Please note confessions will not be heard on Christmas Eve.
22nd December: Service of Reconciliation in the Church at 7.00 p.m. There will be 5 priests available for individual confession and absolution. Please take advantage of this service to prepare for Christmas. Please note confessions will not be heard on Christmas Eve.
Many thanks to those who came along and supported the recent Concert on despite the awful weather. The final amount raised from ticket sales and donations was £615.00 – a tremendous effort.
With every best wish and blessing to you,
your families and
all those who are dear to you.
Monsignor Tony
