St. Patrick's Church, Aghyaran.

Parish Priest: Fr. J. Gilmore

Telephone 8167 0728

Sunday 20th December 2009

Fourth Sunday of Advent.

Elizabeth said: 'Blessed is she who believed that the promises made to her by the Lord would be fulfilled'. This week we celebrate the wonderful feast of Christmas. Mary is by far the best person to teach us what it is about, as she was very central to the first Christmas. The first thing she teaches us is that Christmas is primarily about Christ. How obvious that should be and yet it is about so many other things for so many people today. The second thing Mary teaches us about Christmas is that it is about God's extreme love for us as we are. Each one of us is so precious in God's eyes that Christmas would have happened even if we were the only person ever to live. It is a time to let go to that love. And the third thing is that it is about family - our love for one another in our homes and being a family together in our parish community.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday 20th December 2009

4th Sunday of Advent

First Reading Micah 5: 1-4
Out of you will be born the one who is to rule over Israel.

Second Reading Hebrews 10: 5-10
Here I am! I am coming to obey your will.

Gospel Luke 1: 39-44
Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord?

Christmas Message

At this Joyful Time in our Community and the Church I would like to take this opportunity to wish each and everyone of you A Happy, Holy and Peaceful Christmas. To thank you sincerely for your cards and good wishes, your gifts, your Prayers, your support and help during this last year both in liturgies and throughout the different bodies within the parish when you give of that most precious commodity, your time, and you share the gift of your time so willingly. All the great liturgical celebrations we all enjoyed during the year, the couples who began their married life in the Church of St. Patrick, the parents who came to this Church to have their babies enrolled as members of the christian family through the Sacrament of Baptism. At this time we remember especially the families who have been bereaved since last Christmas, may the Joy of the Christ Child visit them in their sorrow.

On behalf of the Gilmore and McGuigan families I would like to thank the parish for the strength and the comfort we all gained from your thoughtfulness at the time of Peggy’s death. It will always be remembered with kindness and gratitude by the whole family. You were a source of great strength and solace to me as your Parish Priest, it made the loss so much easier to bear with all the kindness shown to me over those weeks just after Peggy’s death. Thank you all so much. Merry Christmas

Weekend Masses:

Vigil Mass Saturday evening 6.30pm

Sunday morning 9.00am & 11.00am

Confession Times

Saturday Evening 6.00pm

Masses during the coming week

The Season of Christmas.

Monday & Tuesday 10.00am

Thursday 10.00am

The Nativity of Our Lord. Thursday Night 24th December
Mass of Midnight at 8.00 pm

Friday: Christmas Morning
Mass 9am and 11am

Vigil Mass of The Holy Family
Saturday 6.30pm

Feast of the Holy Family
Sunday 9am and 11am

Mass Intentions for this week:

Monday - 10.00 am - Anv Mass - Kathleen Dolan

Thursday - 10.00am - Anv. Mass - Thomas Mongan

Saturday - 6.30 pm - Anv Mass - Annie Moss

Each day in the Derry Diocese we are asked to pray

for our priests named on that particular day.

THIS WEEK WE PRAY FOR:

Fr. M. Mullan/Fr. P. Mullan

Fr. F. Murray/Fr. S. O’Connell

Fr. J. O’Conor/Fr. C. O’Doherty

Fr.K.O’Doherty/Fr.B. O’Donnell

Fr. F. O’Hagan/Fr. P. O’Hagan

Fr. D.O’Kane/Fr. P. O’Kane

Fr. P. O’Kane/Fr. S. O’Kane

This Week's Calendar

Monday 21 - Advent Weekday

Tuesday 22 - Advent Weekday

Wednesday 23 - Advent Weekday

Thursday 24 - Advent Weekday

Friday 25 - THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

Saturday 26 - St. Stephen, First Martyr

Baptisms

We welcome into our Faith Community

Ethan Peter Dolan

who was Baptised and welcomed into the family of God recently.

Penitential Service

On Monday 21st December there will be a Penitential Service at 7.00pm here in the church for adults and children wishing to get to Confessions for Christmas.

There will be a visiting priest with us to give you a choice of Confessor.

Weekly Church Collection

Last week’s collection totalled: £1185stg. - € 72

Your Christmas Gift to the Priest will be taken up at the Mass of Midnight on Christmas Eve and the Masses on Christmas Day using the White Envelope in your box dated December 25th. This is the only collection that is solely for the Priest

CHRISTMAS CLEANUP

In order to have the church look its best for Christmas it is planned to have a cleaning blitz on Monday December 21st. from 11.00am. If you can spare an hour (or two) then come along. All help would be greatly appreciated. Remember: many hands make light work!

A special thanks to St. Davog’s and St. Caireall’s Primary Schools and all the families in the Aghyaran and Castlederg areas, who so generously donated gifts for the Samaritan Shoe Box Appeal. We are truly grateful. Kathleen McHugh and Margaret Lynch

Church Readers for the month of December

Vigil Mass 6.30 pm Sat. Mickey Connolly

Sunday 9.00 am Liam McGlinchey

Sunday 11.00 am Sadie McSorley

If you are unable to attend do try and get another reader to cover for you.

Altar Society for December 2009

Rosemary McSorley & Anna Logue

Church Door & Car Park Attendants for December

Sat. Night John Browne, John McNabb & Willie J. Dolan

Sunday 9.00 am John Pat Connolly & Ian McSorley

Sunday 11.00 am James Patrick Collins, Dermot Dolan & P.J. McAleer

BINGO

There will be NO bingo on Christmas night Friday 25th

Legion of Mary

During the month of November the Rosary will be recited in the church on Wednesday evening at 8pm The intention of the rosary is to pray for the Holy Souls

Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage (Led by Bishop Hegarty) takes place from 16th - 21st July 2010. The fare £629 includes flights, full board hotel, airport taxes, insurance, coach transfers. Fares may be paid by any number of instalments. Booking forms available here in the parish or from the Pilgrimage Office, 164 Bishop Street, Derry. Tel. 028 71260293. Opening hours Tuesday 11am-1pm, Thursday 11am-2pm, Saturday 11am-1pm. for further information.

Why not give someone an opportunity of going on the Lourdes Pilgrimage 16th - 21st July 2010 as your Christmas Gift. Gift vouchers (£25-£100) are now available from the Pilgrimage Office, 164 Bishop Street, Derry. Tel. 028 71260293. Opening hours Tuesday 11am-1pm, Thursday 11am-2pm, Saturday 11am-1pm. for further information.

Killeter Heritage Centre

The Annual Christmas Lunch will be served on Wednesday 16th December at 1.00pm in the Heritage Centre This event is for everyone and is great value at £7.50 for a four course meal, visit from Santa and music. Booking and payment is essential on or before Monday 14th December.To book phone St. Caireall’s Meals Kitchen 81679817, Killeter Heritage Office between 12noon-1.30pm each weekday or call with Gordon Speer

Don’t forget the launch of the Aghyaran Choir CD

on Sunday 30th at 3pm.

CD’s will be on sale at £7 or 10 Euro.

Lotto: Numbers drawn were 1, 7, 12, 15, 20, Gerald Devine wins £100.

Cards: Joint winners this week were P.J. McGrath and Hugh Boyle.

The first meeting of the new Committee took place on Tuesday night in the centre

A new text system is being set up to distribute club information, anyone who would like to avail of this can forward their name and mobile number to club secretary Gerard Byrne mobile 07730342520.

Anyone who would be interested in coaching courses contact the club secretary also.

Congratulations to Chloe Coyle on her achievement in Irelands Got Talent and best wishes to her in the competition

Entertainment: Dancing on boxing night music by the Crystals. On new year's night we have the mummers dance.

The Clubs party night will take place this Saturday night the 19th. Everyone is welcome.

Bulletin Notices

Parish email address is kathleen@parishofaghyaran.com

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Accord - 8224 2439
Al-Anon Famly Groups - 9086 2368
Alcoholic's Anonymous - 9043 4848
AWARE - 7126 6602
Care for Cancer - 8224 6599
CRUISE - 8224 4414
Drugs Anonymous - 8224 6177
Gamblers Anonymous - 7135 1329
The Samaritans - 8224 4944
Women's Aid - 8224 5998
Parkinson's Disease - 8224 2889