Advent is a time to be waiting and watchful. The candles of the Advent wreath give us light to watch for Jesus. As baptised Catholics each one of us has a responsibility to share the Good News of the Gospel. Think of ways you can share the Good News in your everyday life. Who has been a sign of hope for you? What were their actions? Hope is like a light shining in a dark place. As we look at the light of the candle, we celebrate the hope we have in Jesus Christ. We light the first Advent candle in the wreath, representing hope. Hope, because God is faithful and will keep the promises made to us. As we light the candle, we ask God to fill our hearts and minds with hope.
Prayer
God of Hope, we enter your holy season of Advent giving thanks to You for the love You have for all of us. We begin to prepare for the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Your Son, Jesus. With the promise of Your Son, we live with great hope and anticipation; Hope in the knowledge of the love You continue to give us. Hope in the knowledge that Jesus is coming into our lives and hearts to heal us and love us. We are a people of hope, and no matter how difficult times sometimes are, we know that Your Son is coming and that you continue to shower us with Your love. Amen
WEEKLY OFFERTORY PROMISE The collection amounted to £1608.00. Bishops Commission Total £350. Thank you for your generous financial support. You can make your envelope contribution via the donate button on the Parish website home page also at www.stagnesbelfast.com
SVP Christmas cards are now on sale from the Sacristy priced £4 for a pack of 10.
SVP CHRISTMAS COLLECTION Will be held this weekend. Many thanks for your very generous support throughout the year.
CRAFT SALE In aid of Adelante Africa, Uganda will be held here in St Agnes the weekend of 9th &10th Dec after all the Masses.
TROCAIRE GIFTS Trócaire gifts at Christmas will now be known as “Gifts of Change” are now on sale from the Sacristy
Hall St Agnes’ Seniors will close with a Christmas Breakfast on Wednesday 13th Dec and will reopen on Wednesday 10th January 2024
Holy Day of Obligation Feast of the Immaculate Conception Friday 8th December.
6.30pm Vigil Mass on Thursday 7th December & 10am on Friday 8th December.
ADVENT PRAYER SERVICE And a look to the future for our Parish. Sunday 17th December 7pm in St Agnes’ Parish Centre . Everyone welcome.
MASS INTENTIONS
Sat 02 (6.30pm): Colette Donnelly, Tommy & Rosina
Kelly, Patrick Pettigrew, Marie Standen
Sun 03(9.30am): Colm O’ Brien, Maureen, Michael &
Emma Mc Cann
Sun 03(12.30pm): Bernadette Flynn, Mary &
Henry Mc Keown, Teresa & Brian
Compston & son John,
James & Ellen Mc Fall
Margaret Hackett, Gerard Quinn,
Mon 04( 10am): Holy Souls
Tue 05: NO MASS
Wed 06(10am): Paddy Leonard
Thurs 07(10am): Holy Souls
Fri 08(10am): John Smyth
Sat 09(1pm): Sally & Ned Doherty
REMEMBER IN PRAYER
Recently Deceased: Eileen Lyons
Months Mind: Bernadette Flynn, John Smyth
Anniversaries: Terry Mc Veigh, Sarah Fennell, Sarah Gillen, Dominic O’ Hara, Celine Sharkey, Sarah Mc Varnock, Paul Shiels, John Patrick Shields, Deceased members Milligan family, Vilma Macatubal, Deceased Pioneers of D&C
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord!
ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
HOLY CHILD NURSERY SCHOOL Slievegallion Drive Invite you to their Open Afternoon on Tuesday 5th Dec 1.30pm –3pm. If it doesn’t suit to call in during the Open Day all parents and carers are welcome to phone the Principal and she will be happy to show you around at a more convenient time. Email:info@holychildns.belfast.ni.sch.uk or phone on 02890 627732
OPEN DAY HOLY CHILD P.S & NURSERY UNIT Thursday 7th Dec 1.30pm or 6pm for P1 & Nursery Pupils starting in September 2024. Principal’s talk will be followed by tour of the School or Nursery Unit. We look forward to welcoming you.
HOLY CHILD CHRISTMAS FAIR Sunday 10th December 1pm-4pm. Santa’s Grotto, Gift Stalls, Tombola, Sweets & Treats. All welcome!
ST GENEVIEVE’S CHRISTMAS FAIR Will take place on Sat 9th December from 10am-2.30pm. £2 entrance fee and all proceeds go to Charity. All Welcome!
Youth 2000 Ireland are having their annual Christmas retreat in Dominican College, Newbridge, Co Kildare on the 8th -10th of December for ages 16-35. This promises to be a special retreat!! Excellent Speakers, Inspiring Talks & Workshops, Fantastic music, Group activities, Youth Masses, Adoration, Reconciliation, prayer, Drama, Games & plenty of time to chill out, meet new people and find out what it means to be young & Catholic today!! There are free buses leaving from all over the country to the retreat. Donation only. Find out more and register now on www.youth2000.ie”
Mary’s Meals is keeping the promise of a daily school meal to over 2.4 million children in 18 countries. Our Double the Love Campaign has launched, and all donations made to Mary’s Meals until 22nd January 2024 will be doubled by a group of generous supporters, up to £1million. Amongst the many challenges we see in today’s world, from conflict to the cost-of-living crisis, your little acts of love can go further thanks to Double the Love, bringing hope to desperately hungry children and their families. Please pray that we can reach even more children around the world with our life-changing school meals this Christmas. Find out more and browse our Christmas gift cards at marysmeals.org.uk or freephone 0800 698 1212.
HOUSEKEEPER VACANCY in St Teresa’s Glen Road 12 hour week position – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 0930 – 1.30. please visit downandconnor.org
Anam Cara Belfast, the organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding it’s
monthly Parent Evening for bereaved parents on Monday 11th December at 7:30pm in the Balmoral Hotel, Belfast, BT10 ND. This event is free and open to all bereaved parents regardless of the age your child died, the circumstances of their death, or whether their death was recent or not. We also offer an online meeting which takes place 2nd Thursday To join please contact us on 028 95213120.
“Prepare for Christmas! The Legion of Mary presents a Spiritual Preparation Retreat for Christmas for adults over 18 years. Saturday 16th December – St John the Baptist Primary School, Finaghy Road North Belfast The day will be led by the Very Rev Father Darren Brennan PP Registration 9:30am – 3pm Finish Talks and Testimonies followed by Confessions, Adoration and Holy Mass Cost is £10 – Includes Lunch For more information or to book, please contact Luke on 07955386288 Prepare your soul for Christmas!”
DRUMALIS IN ADVENT For details, t: 02828272196 or e: drumalis@btconnect.com.
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