Parish News

The Weekly Offertory Promise collection amounted to £1,920.00 Thank you.

Special Ministers of Holy Communion will meet this Thursday 12th December at 11.00am in the Parish Centre.

The SVDP Giving Tree received a great response from St Agnes’ last year. This year the Giving Tree has been be placed in the Church and will remain until Thursday 19th December. We would ask that presents be left under the tree unwrapped. Thank you for your continuous generosity and support.

A Solemn Rosary in preparation for Christmas will take place in St Agnes’ on the Thursdays of Advent at 7pm. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, recited Rosary with hymns, and Solemn Benediction. All welcome.

“ THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ joy is constantly born anew. In this Exhortation I wish to encourage the Christian faithful to embark upon a new chapter of evangelization marked by this joy, while pointing out new paths for the Church’s journey in years to come.” — Pope Francis (Evangelii Gaudium). Read the Pope’s new apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium on the Vatican’s website: www.vatican.va

Remember in prayer…

Recently deceased: Sarah McVarnon, Teresa Maskey, Ciaran Toal.

Those whose anniversaries occur at this time: Patsy, Joe, & Raymond Rafferty, Denise Firth, Brian Smyth, Kitty Hamill, John and Brid McCormac, Claire McGinley, Peter Wilson, Harry & Lily McDonald, Gerard Ramsden, Sean Devlin, Terence Maguire, Michael & Annie Farnan, Paddy Leonard, Kathleen McMahon, Patsy & Chris Campbell.

What’s on locally

”˜Come, follow me’ — it is the classic call of Jesus to the disciples. Would you consider a call to become a priest in the Diocese of Down and Connor? Contact: Fr John Murray, Vocations Director, Tel: 028 90913761 or email: vocations@frmurray.co.uk.

Message of Fatima Talk at St Patrick’s Church, Lisburn, today, Sun. 8th December. Fr Michael Maher SM will speak on the  message of Fatima at 3pm in the Church. Refreshments will be served afterwards in the Pastoral Centre. Fr Maher will respond to any questions. All welcome.

Holy Child Nursery School, 40 Slievegallion Drive, are hosting two Open Afternoons on Tuesday 7th January from 2-4pm. The nursery operates an Open Enrolment Policy and welcomes applications on behalf of all children who will be three years old on or before 1st July 2004.

St Dominic’s G.S. Christmas Fair will take place on Wednesday 11th December from 7-9pm. Admission is £2. Free admission for children. Venue: Study Hall. Special guest appearance.

Tobar Mhuire Retreat House: Advent Day of Reflection – Saturday 14 Dec. “ You will Call Him Immanuel — a Name which means God With Us,” The day will be led by Sean Goan. Sean is the Faith Development Officer of Le Chéile Trust. Using his unique style that combines scholarship and story telling, Sean will focus on Matthew’s account of the Nativity and help us to focus on Matthew’s gospel for the coming year. This day is open for all, but is particularly recommended for clergy and for those involved as Ministers of the Word in parishes. The suggested offering for the day is £25, which includes tea/coffee and a light lunch. Please telephone the secretary at Tobar Mhuire for further information or to book places. Telephone: 02844830242

An Evening of Festive Favourites at Drumalis Thursday, 12 December at 7:30pm. This evening will include seasonal favourites, performed by Voices Chamber Choir under the direction of Loreto McAuley. During the interval, a light supper will be served. The cost for the evening is £20 per person and admission is by pre-paid ticket only. For info., contact Drumalis during office hours (Mon—Fri, 9am—5pm): tel. 028 28272196/28276455.

Marie Curie Helper service is provided by trained volunteers who offer one – to – one support to people with a terminal illness (cancer and other illnesses), completely free of charge. This support may continue for their carers and families after bereavement. If you are interested in finding out a little more about this service please contact Janis McCulla, Helper Service Manager for N.Ireland on 028 90882078 or contact the Volunteer Centre for a volunteer pack by Email: volunteering@mariecurie.org.uk or telephone: 0845 305 2191.

Tuesday’s Child invites children and young people (age 3-21 yrs) to get creative and sign up for our All-Ireland Christmas Art Competition. Great prizes to be won across all age categories including 1000 euro family voucher kindly donated from Marian pilgrimages for trip to Rome, Fatima, Medjugorje, Lourdes, Holy Land, hand-made cribs from Bethlehem and painting sets. Proceeds to Tuesday’s Child’s Christmas Appeal for children in Gaza, Syria and Kenya. For further details visit our website at www.tuesdayschild.ie or email info@tuesdayschild.ie or text Orla or Patricia on 07545 452362.