PARISH NEWS…
3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT –JOY
Gaudete Sunday is the day when we light the pink candle, to represent joy. For the time of prayer today why not wear something pink; a pink tie, pink hair clips, pink lipstick have some fun and spread some happiness! Gaudete Sunday has for many years been the day when the children of Rome bring the figurines of Baby Jesus from their family cribs to St. Peter’s Square to be blessed by the Pope during the Angelus. The day is affectionately known as ‘Bambinelli Sunday You may wish to sprinkle Holy water on the baby Jesus and your family members, and say this prayer together as the baby Jesus is cradled in someone’s hands:
You are invited to bring along a figurine of the Baby Jesus which will be blessed at Mass by Fr Raymond.
God our Father, you loved us so much that you sent us your only Son, Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary, to save us and lead us back to you. We pray that, with your blessing, this image of Jesus might be a sign of your presence and love in our homes. Open our hearts, that we might receive Jesus in joy, do always what he asks of us, and see him in those who need our love. We ask this in the name of Jesus, your beloved Son, who came to give peace to the world. You, who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
POPE’S INTENTION FOR DECEMBER FOR PILGRIMS OF HOPE Let us pray that this Jubilee Year strengthen our faith, helping us to recognise the Risen Christ in our daily lives, and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope.
WEEKLY OFFERTORY PROMISE The collection amounted to £1500.00 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.
ADVENT PROGRAMME
CHILDREN’S LITURGY Children’s Liturgy will continue at the 9.30am this Sunday. Parental consent forms are available from the church or Holy Child PS. Forms need to be completed before attending the Children’s Liturgy.
LECTIO DIVINA Will continue this Sunday 15th December & will Conclude on Sunday 22nd Dec at 7pm in St Agnes’ Church. Everyone welcome.
SVP Christmas cards are now on sale from the Sacristy priced £4 for a pack of 10.
TROCAIRE GIFTS Trócaire gifts at Christmas are now on sale from the Sacristy. If you want to give a gift that can transform lives, buy a Trócaire Gift of Change. You can bring real hope and opportunity to families living in poverty, and a chance to create lasting, positive change. See www.trocaire.org for more details
SVP CHRISTMAS COLLECTION Amounted to £2950.00. A sincere thanks to all those who contributed and for your generosity throughout the year. SVP Christmas Cards are still available to purchase from the Sacristy.
CONGRATULATIONS To Kassidy Turley from P7A Holy Child Primary School who won the competition to design the front cover of our Christmas Card. Well Done Kassidy!
MASS INTENTIONS
Sat 14 (6.30pm): Michael , Eileen & Martin Darragh, Mairead Donnelly Darragh
Sun 15 (9.30am):Grace Kemp, Sean Robinson & Robinson family
Sun 15(12.30pm): Rose Doyle, Margaret & William Burgoyne
Pat & Kevin Burgoyne & deceased family members, Maura McCartan, Tommy Culbert, Ellen Smith, Eugene Toner, Joseph Rogers
Mon 16(10am): Margaret Burns
Tues 17: NO MASS
Wed 18 (10am): Requiem Mass for Ellen Burns RIP
Thurs19(10am):Deceased members of the Wright family, Margaret Thompson & Marie Wright
Fri 20 (10am): Margaret Hernan
Sat 21 (1pm): Alfie Love, Samuel Scott jnr, Martin Morgan jnr, Anne Mc Grady, John Milligan, Catherine Mc Entee, Maria Keenan
REMEMBER IN PRAYER
Recently Deceased: Moira Kennedy, Marie Fleming, Maria Keenan, Brendan Mc Garrigle, Ellen Burns RIP
Anniversaries: Patrick Pettigrew, Joseph Hughes, Mary & Henry Mc Keown, Brian, Teresa & John Compston, Madge Burgoyne, Margaret Hackett, Brian Wiggins, Tommy & Rosina Kelly, Gabriel Davey, Ellen Mulholland & Ruby Mulholland, Annie & John Milligan, Margaret Molloy, Samuel Scott, Anne Mc Grady, Catherine Mc Entee.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord!
WHAT’S ON…
Christmas Mass Times In St Agnes’
CHRISTMAS EVE Tuesday 24th December 10am
CHRISTMAS VIGIL 7PM
CHRISTMAS DAY Wednesday 25th December 9.30am & 12 Noon.
A more detailed schedule is on our Christmas card which is available now for you to take home.
Christmas Eve Vigil Mass Times in our Pastoral Community
St Teresa’s 8pm (Carols from 7.30pm)
Holy Spirit –5pm
St Matthias’- 10am
Christmas Day
(St Oliver Plunkett –5pm & 9pm & NEWS YEAR’S EVE MASS 11PM)
St Joseph’s Hannahstown –6pm
St Peter’s 8pm
St Michael’s – 5pm & 7pm
CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS CONCERT 22nd December 7.30pm Join International soprano Margaret Keys and Classical Brit award winner Fr Eugene for an unforgettable Christmas concert by candlelight in St Malachy’s Church Castlewellan. Performing Christmas Classics and festive favourites. Book now to avoid disappointment. Tickets are £20 and can be booked online at eventbrite.ie or from Parish Office (02843778259) or the Post Office in Castlewellan.
PASTORAL COMMUNITY PILGRIMAGE Our Pastoral Community now has full details of our proposed pilgrimage to Rome, 29th September- 4th October 2025, the Jubilee Year. The price is £1345 per person sharing, staying in the Hotel Campanelle Appia Park. Note that prices are higher than usual this year because of the Jubilee. This price includes- Return flights Dublin – Rome, Breakfast and dinner each day, A full programme of spiritual activities/ visits. A brochure giving complete details of the trip can be obtained from your parish Office or Sacristy. If you are interested in booking a place on this pilgrimage , please contact the parish on 02890 615702 or email the office on st.agnes.belfast@gmail.com
CELTIC CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT FOR ST VINCENT DE PAUL St Mary’s Church, Chapel Lane, Belfast, is the venue for a special event in aid of this year’s St Vincent de Paul Annual Appeal. Celebrating 180 years in Ireland, the Society is experiencing an increase in calls for help every day due to the crippling increased costs associated with day to day living and, although it can be the most wonderful time of the year, for some families at this time of year they wonder whether they will have Christmas at all. Local Belfast man Patrick Davey of Davey Music is a respected performer, teacher and composer of traditional Irish music, and he will be hosting Celtic Carols by Candlelight in St Mary’s Church, Chapel Lane, Belfast, on Sunday 22 December at 5.00pm. There will be music and readings for the season from the Celtic nations and proceeds from the event will be donated to this year’s SVP Annual Appeal. www.svp.ie
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