Sunday 9th December 2007

Reflection

On the Second Sunday of Advent we hear the voice of the great Advent figure John the Baptist crying in the wilderness “Prepare the way of the Lord”. The call of John the Baptist to repentance is an urgent invitation for all of us to prepare a way for the Lord to come into our hearts. And when we come right down to it, that is what Advent is all about. Prepare to celebrate Christmas means renewing our lives by acknowledging our need for Christ who is constantly calling us to higher things. Each Advent is an opportunity for us to come closer to Christ and to deepen our relationship with him through prayer and repentance. His power is at work in our lives when we make peace with the family member we have rejected, the relations we don’t speak to, the neighbour we have fallen out with. Breaking down barriers will open the way for Christ to come to us and be born in our hearts at Christmas.

 

Parish Priest: Very Rev Joseph McGuinness PP VG, 1 Darling Street : Tel 02866322627
Priest on Duty: Rev Owen Gorman, 4 Darling Street Tel 028 66322075

MASSES FOR COMING WEEK
Sat, 8th Dec (Vigil 6.00pm) (Months Mind) John McCann, The Limes

Sun, 9th Dec (Lisbellaw) Siobhann Shannon, Bellevue Ring

Mon, 10th Dec 2nd Week of Advent
8.00 am Annie & Dessie Murphy, Derrin Road
10.00 am Shaun, Mary Elizabeth and Joe Howe, Lisgoole Park
6.00 pm (Convent) Gaby O’Neill, Factory Road and O’Neill family, Drumcor Hill

Tues, 11th Dec 2nd Week of Advent
8.00 am Peggy & Marius O’Reilly, Townhall St and Rossorry Terrace; Gerry & Maura O’Reilly, Castleblaney
10.00 am Frank & Molly O’Kane, Omagh

Wed, 12th Dec 2nd Week of Advent
8.00 am (Convent) Tommy & Sugar Neill, Cherry Walk
10.00 am Campbell family, Dame Street

Thurs, 13th Dec 2nd Week of Advent
8.00 am Philip Drumm, Hillview Park
10.00 am James & Margaret Carleton, Ashwoods

Fri, 14th Dec 2nd Week of Advent St John of the Cross
8.00 am (Convent) Darmo Pella, Biella; James & Anita Cleland
10.00 am Charles Curry and family, Derrin Road and Teemore
7.30 pm Private Intention

Sat, 15th Dec 2nd Week of Advent
10.00 am Kathleen & James McCaffrey, Ross Close and Factory Road
10.30 am (Convent) McIntyre family, Westville Terrace

Confessions 11.30 am – 1.30 pm & 5.00 pm – 5.45 pm

The Sick and Elderly will be attended by the priests for Christmas and the New Year this week.

Deaths
We pray for the recently deceased:
Elizabeth McManus, Carnmore Rise;
Niall McGowan, Castlewellan;
Paddy Guider, Galway;
Lily Kellagher, 81 Derrin Road May they rest in peace.

Monthly Offering
The priests thank parishioners for the monthly Offering 02.12.07.

November Red Envelope (Renovations) £1,925.00

Please Note Green Envelope on 8th December for Church Heating.

Ministers of the Word for the Sundays of December:
6.00 pm Sat (Vigil) Bernie Keenan;
8.00 am John J Treacy;
9.30 am Tom Palmer;
11.00 am Kevin Maguire;
12.30 pm Eamon P Hoy.

Ministers of the Eucharist & Collectors (Team D) begin their rota this Saturday/Sunday 1st/2nd December.

St Michael’s Parish Draw – Week 4
£1,000 Michael Potter, 88 Orchard Court
Promoter Threena Potter, 88 Orchard Court
£100 Farry family, 152 Hillview Road
Promoter Rita Swift, 144 Hillview Road
£100 Sharkey family, The Everglades
Promoter Martin Sharkey, The Everglades

The five Christmas Cash Vouchers as well as the usual Weekly Prizes will be drawn this Monday, 10th December at 8.00 pm. The Draws for Weeks 6, 7 and 8 will be drawn on Monday, 17th December at 8.30 pm. Promoters, please make Returns 7-8.15 pm.

Children’s Liturgy each Sunday at 9.30 am Mass.

“Waiting in joyful hope” – a short time of prayer and reflection for our parish community on the meaning of Advent, led by Fr Joseph McGuinness, in St Michael’s Church, Thursday 6 and Thursday 13 December at 7.30 pm. Concluding each evening with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

Important dates for your Diary
Advent Reconciliation Service: Wednesday 19th December.

Christmas Carol Service: Thursday 20th December.

Confirmation: Sunday 20th April 2008.

First Communion: Saturday 17th & Saturday 24th May 2008 in St Michael’s Church and Sunday 10th May in St Mary’s Lisbellaw at 10.00 am.

A Word of Thanks from Monsignor Sean Cahill . . . . . .
I wish to offer my heartfelt thanks to all the people of St Michael’s parish for their great kindness to me on the occasion of my retirement as Parish Priest of Enniskillen. I thank in a special way all who took part in the various celebrations in the Parish: the Committees which organised both the liturgical and social events; Bishop Joseph Duffy and all the priests; The Sisters of Mercy; the Governors, Staffs and Pupils of our schools; parish groups and organizations and choirs who took part in the Mass of Thanksgiving and made it such a real community celebration. A special word of thanks to everyone in Mount Lourdes for making us all so welcome and to the Enniskillen Gaels Ballad Group who entertained us. I was also deeply touched by the prayers and good wishes from so many individuals and families and from senior citizens who were unable to be present at the celebrations. Needless to say, I have many happy memories of your kindness – I will continue to remember you all in my prayers.

Ministers of the Eucharist
If you would like to help in bringing Holy Communion to the Sick on Christmas morning, please contact the Parish Centre or Fr McGahan on 66322075.

Mary’s Meals Coffee Morning and Cake Sale this Saturday 8th December, in Parish Centre, 10.00 am – 3.00 pm. Proceeds in aid of children in Malawi.

Pioneer Total Abstinence Association
Meeting this Monday 10th December at 7.30 pm in the Parish Centre. All welcome.

Christmas Youth 2000 Retreat:14-16 December in St Paul’s Secondary School, Dublin 12. Contact Mary: 07851203181 or www.youth2000.ie. Free buses to the retreat.

Soroptimist International of Enniskillen and District Church Mouse Lunch,
Cathedral Hall, Enniskillen, Sunday 16th December, 12.00 noon – 2.00 pm. Proceeds for Third World Charities. Subscription: Adults £6.00; Children £3.00. Everyone welcome.

Trócaire Global Gift
One Action can change the World This year make someone’s Christmas special with a Trócaire Global Gift. Pick up a leaflet in the Church or buy online at www.trocaire.org or phone 1850408 408.

Fair Trade in Enniskillen: Traidcraft is a distinctive Christian response to poverty, helping to build better lives through fair trade. Products available at Crystal Bard Gogreen, Unit 12, Enniskillen Business Centre, Tempo Road. Phone Tanya 66320122.

St Michael’s Bookshop, Halls Lane, Phone 66324771
Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10.30 am – 5.00 pm;
Saturday 10.30 am – 1.00 pm; closed Wednesday.
For all your special Christmas Gifts – call in and look around ~
* Books for Advent * Candles and wreaths * Calendars & Diaries
* Tapes and CDs * Beautiful religious gifts * Cribs
* Religious Christmas Cards in English and Irish
For reflection and prayer in Advent: Bible Alive £1.00 and Advent Extra £1.00, available in St Michael’s Church and Bookshop.

Do this in Memory: all the children of the parish who are due to receive their first confession and first Holy Communion in the coming year are welcome, together with their parents and other family members, to the 9.30 am Mass in St Michael’s Church Sunday 16th December for our ‘Do this in Memory’ Mass; St Mary’s Lisbellaw, Mass 10.00 am.

Big Bingo each Tuesday in Scout Hall at 9.00 pm. £2,000 + in Prizes. Please support.

St Vincent de Paul Thrift Centre
48 Forthill Street welcomes good quality clothes and household items. Please leave items at the Thrift Centre, or phone 028 66329893 to arrange collection. Open Monday – Saturday 10.00 am – 4.00 pm. Closed for lunch 1.00 pm – 2.00 pm. Closed Wednesdays.

Holy Hour of Adoration in the Convent Chapel this Wednesday 28th November from 8.00 – 9.00 pm, led by Fr Brendan Shannon.

‘Partnership in Lay Spirituality: Religious and Laity New Ways’ by Maureen Dolan, Enniskillen, published by the Columba Press 2007 is available in St Michael’s Bookshop. The first part seeks an understanding of lay spirituality and its development. The latter part develops what lay associate membership of a religious congregation is and its value. Price £9.50.

‘Jesus of Nazareth’ by Pope Benedict XVI: In the Bookshop/ On the Bookstand – the most readable book Pope Benedict has written; this book will be most helpful to anyone who wishes to deepen their knowledge of Christ and their understanding of the faith. Price £13.60.

Devenish Partnership Forum Youth Club
Every Monday night 6.30 – 7.30 pm for 8-12 years and 7.30 – 8.30 for 13 - 17 years. Internet, pool, computer games, table football, tuck shop, DVD’s, air hockey, day trips/activities and much more . . . . entry fee £1.00. Limited places available. Please contact Ryan, Gerry or Leigh on 66327808 or at 26 Yoan Road, Kilmacormick to book a place.

Aware Defeat Depression
Enniskillen Support Group for all those affected by depression meets in the Aisling Centre, Darling Street on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month 7.30 – 9.00 pm.

Parents Advice Centre provides a telephone helpline and face-to-face support and guidance service for families. Helpline Freephone 0808 801 722. Helpline Email parents@pachelp.org

Drugwiser Family Support Group
Do you have a family member or friend affected by drug or alcohol misuse? Could you use some safe, free, confidential information? Ring 07749699243 or 028 66328352.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Enniskillen Meetings:
Monday – Nurses’ Sitting Room, Erne Hospital
Thursday and Saturday – Day Centre, Tempo Road
All meetings at 8.30pm. For further information contact 028 90434848

Al-anon
Does someone in your family drink too much? Is it making you
lonely and unhappy – causing money problems – creating stress? It might be your partner, child or your mother or father. If you want help – if you would like to share your worries with people who understand because they have had them too – why not get in touch with Al-anon Family Groups. Phone 028 9068368 for details of your nearest group contact.

Gamblers Anonymous
Meets in the Day Centre, Tempo Road each Sunday at 8.00 pm or contact Gamblers Anonymous on 028 71351329.

CURA
Free and confidential crisis pregnancy counselling.
Monaghan Centre – 00353 47 836000. Open: Monday 11.00 am – 1.00 pm; Thursday 7.00 – 9.00 pm; Saturday 11.00 am – 1.00 pm.

World Youth Day, Sydney, July 2008 Office Address: Clogher don Óige, St Macartan’s College, Monaghan.
Phone:003534772784.E-mailaddress:infor@clogherdonoige.com www.clogherdonoige.com

Counselling for survivors of Sexual Abuse
Nexus offers support to anyone who has been sexually abused, assaulted or raped at any time in their life and are now 17 years old and over. Counselling provides an opportunity for survivors to deal with the effects of sexual abuse, assault or rape. It can help in the process of recovery and enable survivors to create a more positive future. Contact Nexus in confidence at 028 66320046.

NEXUS offers Workshops for survivors of sexual abuse on various topics including anger management, stress management, self-awareness and assertiveness. Family Education and Support Groups are offered for family members, parents and partners of survivors. Nexus provides an opportunity for those close to the survivor to learn more about the impact of sexual abuse and ways to support both the survivor and themselves. Contact Nexus in confidence 028 66320046.

Ciorcal comhrá: Bíonn ciorcal comhrá Gaeilge ar siúl gach dara Céadaoin in Blake’s of the Hollow, Inis Ceithleann ar 8 i.n. Beidh muid ag bualadh arís ar Céadoin 7ú Samhain Fáilte roimh chách. Irish conversation group meets in Blakes of the Hollow at 8.00 pm fortnightly.