Sunday 16th December 2007

Reflection

The gospel for this weekend finds John the Baptist in his prison cell wondering about the authenticity of Jesus. Doubts had begun to enter his mind and so he instructs his followers to go to Jesus and ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or have we got to wait for someone else?’ Jesus for his part points to the evidence of his miracles – the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the dead are raised to life and so he adds: ‘Happy the man who does not lose faith in me.’
With us all there can be times when faith wavers and we like John feel unsure. Doubts can cloud our hearts and deprive us of a clear understanding in relation to our faith. We can be impatient, like John, for things to be revealed and the work of God to be accomplished. What John had to understand as indeed what we all will have to come to terms with is that we must give God the freedom to act in his own time and in his own way. God works in simple, hidden and humble ways. This demands patience and trust on our part.

 

Parish Priest: Very Rev Joseph McGuinness PP VG, 1 Darling Street : Tel 02866322627
Priest on Duty: Very Rev Joseph McGuinness Tel 028 66322627

MASSES FOR COMING WEEK
Sat, 15th Dec (Vigil 6.00pm)
(Months Mind) Denis Keaveney, 4 Corban Avenue

Sun, 16th Dec (Lisbellaw)
Dympna McVitty, Hillview Road

Mon, 17th Dec 3rd Week of Advent
8.00 am Phil & Maureen Keenan, Aisling Crescent
10.00 am Eddie & Edward Patrick Leonard, Derrin Park
6.00 pm (Convent) Private Intention

Tues, 18th Dec 3rd Week of Advent
8.00 am Thomas & Catherine Farry, Derrin Road
10.00 am Sean Murphy, Derrin Road

Wed, 19th Dec 3rd Week of Advent
8.00 am (Convent) Johnny Maguire, Derrygore Terrace
10.00 am Nigel McManus, Carron Close

Thurs, 20th Dec 3rd Week of Advent
8.00 am Pamela Dixon, Glenwood Gardens and John & Nellie
Rogers, Drumgay Close
10.00 am Mary & Tommy Boyd, Factory Road and White Hart

Fri, 21st Dec 3rd Week of Advent
8.00 am (Convent) Patrick & Mary Jane McQuaid; Patrick Scollan and the Deane family, Derrin Road
10.00 am Stephen Magee, Ashbourne Manor
7.30 pm Private Intention

Sat, 22nd Dec 2nd Week of Advent
10.00 am Hugh Tapster, Hillview Park
10.30 am (Convent) Michael & Maisie Kelly, Hillview Road

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

Service of Reconciliation
Introduced by Canon Macartan McQuaid this Wednesday 19th December, at 8.00 pm
Visiting Priests available for Confession

Deaths
We pray for the recently deceased:
Matthew Cahill, Monaghan;
Mary Burns, 16 Derrin Road;
Vincent Gormley, Drumquin. May they rest in peace.

Weekly Offering £3,430.00 09.12.07

Church Heating Collection £2,476.00 08.12.07

St Michael’s Parish Draw – Week 5
£1,000 Dympna Drumm, 52 Beech Hill
Promoter Patrick Clarke, Derrylin

£100 Teresa Keaney, 74 Loughview Drive
Promoter Jerry Elliott, c/o 4 Darling Street

£100 Patricia McHugh, Aughalaan, Kesh
Promoter Jerry Elliott, c/o 4 Darling Street

Christmas Cash Vouchers
£100 Bernie Moohan, 4 Cherryville
Promoter Carmel Moohan, 24 Galliagh Terrace

£100 Chrissie O’Neill, 1 Benmore Park
Promoter June Muldoon, 1 Derrygore Terrace

£100 Damien Maguire, 35 Drumbeg
Promoter Ann Simpson, 79 Windmill Heights

£100 Darren Rodgers, 66 Loughview Drive
Promoter Pat Moohan, 24 Galliagh Terrace

£100 Jennifer McCaffrey, 28 Windmill Heights
Promoter Billy McCaffrey, 28 Drumlin Heights

Draws for Weeks 6, 7 and 8 will be drawn this Monday, 17th December at 8.30 pm. Promoters, please make Returns 7-8.15 pm.

Covenant/Gift Aid 2006/2007
The Parish has received a cheque for £ from Inland Revenue, the refund of Tax on Covenant/Gift Aid for 2006/2007. Sincere thanks to all those who signed Covenants/Gift Aid Declarations.

Confirmation & First Communion 2008
• Confirmation in St Michael’s Church Sunday 20th April 2008.
• First Communion in St Michael’s Church, Saturday 17th and Saturday 24th May 2008; Sunday 10th May in St Mary’s Lisbellaw at 10.00 am.
‘Do this in Memory’ in preparation for First Communion 2008 this Sunday 16th December at 9.30 am Mass in St Michael’s and St Mary’s Lisbellaw, 10.00 am Mass.

Mary’s Meals Coffee Morning Thank You
At our recent Coffee morning, over £2,200.00 was raised for feeding programmes for children in Malawi. A sincere thank you to all parishioners who contributed in so many ways to making the event a great success!

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.

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

Tattygar Primary School Christmas production ‘It’s a Baby’ in St Mary’s Church, Lisbellaw this Wednesday 19th December at 7.00 pm.

Service of Christmas Carols with St Michael’s College Choir and Band in St Michael’s Church this Thursday 20th December at 8.00 pm.

Christmas Mass in Polish Saturday 22nd December at 7.00 pm in Convent Chapel. Gathering at 6.00 pm in Guide Hall for Christmas Supper. Confessions at 6.00 pm in Convent Chapel, please come early for Confessions.

Christmas Carol Service in St Patrick’s Church, Derrygonnelly, Sunday 23rd December at 7.00 pm, presented by Botha & Cleenish Choir. Proceeds will go towards the expenses of 4 student parishioners who are journeying to Sydney, Australia in July 2008 to take part in World Youth Day. Your support welcome.

Christmas Flowers
If you would like to contribute to the cost of decorating the Church for Christmas, please make donations in the Renovation Box at the back of the Church. Many thanks.

An Evening of Prayer Through Song with David Parkes in the Graan Monastery, Enniskillen, Wednesday 9th January 2008 at 7.30 pm. Tickets £7.00 in aid of the Mother’s Village Medjugorje & Mary’s Meals Ireland.

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.

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/CDs * Beautiful religious gifts * Cribs* Religious Christmas Cards in English & Irish

Children’s Liturgy each Sunday at 9.30 am Mass

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.