St Agnes Parish Bulletin 5th December 2021 2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Sunday 5th December 2021 – 2nd Sunday of Advent

The Synod on Synodality: Preparing to journey together

Pope Francis has called the entire People of God to journey together! This invitation isn’t just for Bishops or Clergy it is an invitation to every Baptised person – all the People of God. The Synodal process invites each one of us – the People of God – to recall that we journey together as a community of faith. As we walk on our journey of faith we are called to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and to one another.

On this second week of Advent, we reflect on John the Baptist; a voice calling in the wilderness. There are many people who feel that their voice is in the wilderness and isn’t heard by the Church. This week let us prayerfully look around our Parish Community and reflect on whose voice may not be heard and how we might accompany people on their faith journey with the compassion, love, and mercy that Jesus asks of us. This week we encourage you to pray with this prayer:

Lord, this Advent, give me a welcoming heart. Let me be open to the messengers of your word, especially to those whom at first glance I might resist, for they are your prophets today urging me to change my way of thinking and living.

The beginning of the good news …

 The second Sunday of Advent turns our attention to John the Baptist. John was an interesting individual. We are told he dressed a bit strangely, had an odd diet and spent a lot of time in the desert. Yet it seems he was very popular with the whole of Judaea and ‘all the people of Jerusalem’ went out to hear him. John must have been a dynamic speaker and one in whom people found hope and inspiration. Who are these attractive messengers for us today? Who brings us good news and hope? Whose message makes sense for us? Who do we flock to hear? Today we might also reflect on the messengers in our own lives. Who did God send to you while you were in your own wilderness? Perhaps they brought with them a moment of grace reassuring you that you would not be drifting aimlessly forever. Perhaps the evidence at that moment in your own life stated the contrary, yet these words of encouragement or comfort gave you reason to hope and to hang in there. These ‘John the Baptists’ are messengers of the light. They are all around us. Sometimes we are the ones called upon to be a messenger of light for someone else. The good news of the gospel today is that even in times of desolation there is a hope, a promise that urges us on. How we prepare for this journey determines our experience. See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you … Veritas intercom

Covid 19

We wish to remind you that masks are still mandatory when entering and leaving the church and we would strongly advise and encourage that for your own safety you  adhere to this and to social distancing. Thank you.

SUNDAY MASSES

9.30am

12.30pm

WEEKDAY MASSES

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday  10.00am

SATURDAY MASSES

1pm

6.30pm Vigil

FEAST OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION ( Holy Day of Obligation )

Masses: 6:30pm Tuesday 7th Dec

             10:00am Wednesday 8th Dec

HOLY CHILD P3 NATIVITY PLAY Can be viewed by parents on line from our Parish Webcam  on Wednesday 8th Dec at 1pm. 

TROCAIRE TOTAL   amounted to £13, 450 Thank you all so much for contributing to the emergency collection. The amount raised was amazing!

WEEKLY  COLLECTION The collection for the 28th November amounted to  £1250.00. Bishops Commissions £380. Thank you for your contribution. You can make your envelope contribution via the donate button on the Parish website home page as well .

TROCAIRE Global gift cards Are now available to purchase from the Sacristy. Buy a Trócaire Gift of Love and send some love around the world this Christmas.

CRAFT SALE In aid of Adelante Africa, Uganda. Anne Cadwallader and her sister Jane  would like to thank the parishioners of St Agnes for their generosity and kindness she encountered at our church. There is NOTHING like Belfast people for warmth and solidarity! A grand total of £1,365.00 was raised! An amazing amount! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!

PRAYER INTENTIONS: We extend our sympathies to the families of those who died recently and those whose month’s mind and anniversary occur at this time.

RECENTLY DECEASED:  Larry Gribbin

 Sat 4th Dec:6.30pm Vigil: (Months Mind)  Sheila Pimley

Sun 5th Dec: 9.30am: Patricia Power, Rosina Kelly, Tommy Kelly 

12.30pm: (Months Mind) Alice Mc Kee

Marie Stanton, Phyllis Meehan, Margaret Hackett, James & Ellen Mc Fall, Mary Mc Keown

Mon 6th Dec: 10am: Paddy Leonard

Tue 7th Dec: 10am: NO MASS

6.30pm:( Months Mind)  Dolores Webb

Annie Mc Callin

Wed 8th Dec: 10am: FEAST OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION 

Thurs 9th Dec:10am: Priest’s intention 

Fri 10th Dec: 10am: Margaret & Charles Mallon

Sat 11th Dec: 10am: Sally & Ned Doherty

In the event of a funeral, the assigned intention will be offered privately by the priest at his first available mass.

Those whose anniversaries occur at this time: Sarah Mc Varnock, Bridget & Bernard O’ Kane & son Barney,Gerry Mc Burney, Paul Shiels, Kevin Skeffington, Sarah Gillen,  John Jagger, James & Aileen Parker, Martha Quinn, Brigid Mc Evoy

Eternal rest grant unto them , O Lord!

Together at Christmas Join St. Agnes’ Choral Society as they get ready to begin the festive season with their carol concert, Together for Christmas, in St. Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast. The concert will take place on Sunday 12th December at 7.30pm. Strict covid protocols in place and you will be seated with your own group. Tickets can be booked via this link: bit.ly/3xClokd

VOCATION MATTERS Second Sunday of Advent That the Lord, who is beginning the good work of choosing from among us men and women to follow Him as priests, deacons, religious sisters and brothers, will bring it to completion through our prayers and sacrifices, we pray to the Lord.

Our Gospel tells us that John the Baptist heard God’s call – “The word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.” Do you think God might be inviting you to hear and share his word, perhaps as a priest, a deacon or in consecrated life? Contact your Diocesan Vocations Director, or contact the National Vocations Office – email: info@vocations.ie

Calling All Men! Public men’s rosary of reparation and repentance in Belfast this Saturday 4th December, 1pm at Castle Street Junction, praying for conversion of our nation and end to covid circumstances.
Call Owen 075-25166090

CAROLS AT CHRISTMAS Will be held on Tuesday 7th Dec in St Genevieve’s High School at 7pm. Tickets £5 available from School Reception. All Welcome

9 Day Rosary Novena for Ireland