A Word in your ear: Second Sunday of Advent 2011
John the Baptist: The Forerunner
All of us know stories about parents who sacrifice their whole life to ensure a better life for their children. Maybe it is your own story. There have been periods in human history when a whole generation did that. Isn’t it the really heroic story of so many immigrant families. People dedicated their lives to a future they wouldn’t even see, the tale of the old grandfather, or grandmother planting a tree for their grandchildren when they don’t expect to eat from that tree themselves.
John the Baptist was a type of prophet. He was there to announce something he was not really part of. He was a forerunner. Once he had seen Jesus he knew that he should get smaller and smaller to give place to the new future in Jesus.
Jesus admired him for that. He said: “There is no greater one than John”, but he added, “yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he is.” John was willing to put his whole life at the service of a newness that he himself would not live to see. That was John’s greatness. He remains an example for us who struggle for a peaceful and just society in the future.
In many ways John is the perfect patron saint for all of us. The Advent question lurking in the scriptures for all of us today is: What am I doing to prepare a way for the Lord this Christmas? What can I do in my little corner of the world to create a society that is just that bit more peaceful and just?
Fr. Martin
Keep Christ at the heart of Christmas by asking for Christian cards and stamps. www.catholicheritage.blogspot.com
LEARNING ABOUT THE MASS WITH KATH AND QUMEN
WHAT THE PRIEST WEARS
The special clothes that the priest wears for Mass are called vestments. There are three different pieces which he needs to put on. Over his ordinary clothes the priest puts on a white or cream coloured tunic called an alb. Then he puts on a long piece of coloured cloth which looks like a scarf and is called a stole. Over the alb and the stole he puts on his
chasuble. The colour of the stole and the chasuble is very important. It tells us what season we are in, or what special occasion we are celebrating in the Church year. There are four main colours worn during the year: green, purple, red and white.
Rehab 5 Peaks Challenge August 2012
Take the ultimate challenge in aid of Heads Up Rehab’s Youth Suicide Prevention Project. The Heads Up Team at Rehab are now looking for participants to take on the challenge of climbing the 5 Highest Peaks in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales, while raising vital funds for Youth Services across Ireland. What better way to spend your August Bank Holiday Weekend in 2012. The Five Peaks involved are Carraountoohil, Slieve Dolard, Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon, a total of 17,373 feet in one weekend. The Registration Form is available on our website, which is www.headsup.ie or by calling Kerry Houlihan on 01-2100521
Irish Kidney Association
The committee and members of the Waterford branch of Irish Kidney Association would like to thank most sincerely everyone who took part in their recent 10K walk from Portlaw to Carrickbeg. We would also like to thank all our sponsors and anyone who helped in anyway. Your continued support of the work of the Irish Kidney Association is very much appreciated.
The Alzheimer Day Centre
Has moved to 39A Hebron Business Park, Kilkenny. Lots of activites; old films, cards, music, bingo, rings, reminiscence. Full meals served. Please contact Ruth or Margaret for more information: 0567771230.
Fashion Event & Christmas Fair
In aid of Carrigeen Pre School in the Cellar Bar, Carrigeen, at 8.30pm on December 9. Adm €5. Tickets available. Contact Valerie on 086-3853706
Masses during the week
Mooncoin: Tues. Weds. & Fri at 9.30am. Thursday, Dec 8, at 11.15am.
Kilnaspic: Wednesday. Dec 7, at 7.30pm.
Carrigeen: Thursday, Dec 8, at 10.00am.
WELCOME
We welcome into our Faith Community the following who were baptised recently;
Molly Roisin Doheny, and
Cathal Michael McCarthy.
S.V.P.
Christmas Collection will take place next weekend Dec 10/11. We appeal to be as generous as you can. Due to a big increase for help and drop of income, we are forced to give less in help. We would like to thank you most sincerely for your generous support over the past year. We are greatly indebted to you. Without your help we could not continue our work. Christmas imposes an extra burden on us all, particularly those in need. It was a very demanding year on us. Our income for the year was €7,916.10, whereas our expenditure was €18,097.64, outlay on food, fuel, furniture and education.
There will be children and adults choir singing all your festive favourites for St. Vincent de Paul at the church on Dec 10/11. Please give generously.
CARRIGEEN
MINISTERS: Dec 11 (10am) Declan Walsh, Noreen Walsh.
READERS: Dec 11 (10am) Ned & Eimear Phelan.
ALTAR SOCIETY: Dec 10 - Kitty Doyle, Julianne Walsh.
KILNASPIC
MINISTER: Dec 10 - Katherine Hogan.
READER: Dec 10 - Helen Brennan.
ALTAR SERVEWRS: Dec 1- Andrew Long.
CLEANERS: Dec 10/17 - M Gilmartin, M Rochford.
ANNIVERSARIES
Kathleen (Sissy) Jones, Cloncunny.
Richard, Catherine & Margaret Healy, Dungooly.
Skye O’Donoghue, Mullinabro Woods, Ferrybank.
Tommy Lynch, Ballincur.
Mary & Billy Walsh, Kilmacow.
Fred, Maggie, Tom, Nora & Dick Walsh, Clogga.
Peg Cody, Clogga.
Margaret (Peggy) O’Keeffe, Tubrid.
Richard & Nora Kinsella, Clogga.
May they Rest in Peace.
