{"id":2111,"date":"2020-12-11T14:18:05","date_gmt":"2020-12-11T14:18:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.stagnesbelfast.com\/?p=2111"},"modified":"2020-12-11T14:18:05","modified_gmt":"2020-12-11T14:18:05","slug":"st-agnes-parish-bulletin-13th-december-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stagnesbelfast.com\/?p=2111","title":{"rendered":"St Agnes Parish Bulletin 13th December 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A bearer of light<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Last week we were introduced to John the Baptist as part of our Advent journey. We hear his story again but this time from the fourth Gospel. Light and darkness is a key theme of the fourth Gospel and in its opening verses proclaims that this light has always shone in the dark; the darkness cannot overpower it. The evangelist goes on to tell us that John the Baptist\u2019s mission is that he has been sent by God to \u2018speak for the light\u2019. John is a light bearer, he is not\u00a0the<\/em>\u00a0light, but he points to the light. He is a witness to the light of God in our world, a light that cannot be put out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We celebrate this light today on Gaudete Sunday, Gaudete which means \u2018rejoice\u2019. We light the pink candle and we celebrate with joy. As our world continues to battle this pandemic, there is much fear about. People might not feel like celebrating or being joyful. But nature shows us that Spring always follows Winter. Like John, we are called to be light-bearers. To carry Christ\u2019s love and light to those we meet in our daily lives. Our world needs light-bearers, especially in these Winter months. It might be a good opportunity to ask today \u2018Who have been the light bearers for me in these past months?\u2019 And also, \u2018To whom can I carry light to this week?\u2019 In this way we observe Christ\u2019s ongoing incarnation in the world today.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Lord there is much darkness in society and in our church. We thank you that someone always comes on the scene, sent by you as a witness to speak for the light \u2026 teachers, community leaders, grandparents, children, a friend \u2026 they bear witness to the rest of us that somewhere in the dark a light shines that darkness cannot overcome.\u2019<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Michel de Verteuil<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

CURRENT RESTRICTIONS OVER<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The current period of enhanced Coronavirus restrictions ended at Midnight\u00a0 (10th<\/sup>\u00a0December.)<\/strong><\/p>\n

This means that all liturgical services, including the celebration of Mass. weddings, funerals and baptisms may resume with a congregation present.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Numbers attending continue to be limited to the maximum capacity of our Church, and that is 120. (This includes for weddings and funerals.)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cognisant of recent comments made by the Chief Medical Officer, IT IS MANDATORY\u00a0<\/span> to wear face coverings\u00a0 while entering, leaving and moving around the Church and strongly recommended while seated.\u00a0 We also ask that you do not\u00a0 congregate in groups outside, either before or after the liturgy.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Advent 2020<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Dear St. Agnes’ Parishioners, At the beginning of 2020 no one could have foreseen the difficulties we would have to endure due to Covid-19. While our first thoughts must be with those who have died, and with their grieving families, we think also of the sick and elderly in our care homes and in our hospitals. They, though admirably cared for by hard pressed medical and nursing staffs, are, nevertheless, isolated from their families. Many others have been \u201ccocooned\u201d in their own homes and depending on the goodwill of relatives and neighbours. At the same time, the restriction on the numbers attending our churches \u2013 while very understandable \u2013 is not without its pain. As priests, we too struggle with all of this, and experience the sadness and frustration of not being able to minister to our parishioners as we would want, yet, we continue to do what is possible in the circumstances. The pandemic has caused a downturn in the economic situation and once healthy businesses have reduced their staff, or in some cases, closed altogether. Consequently, many families may face this Christmas with greatly reduced income. As a result, parish income is greatly reduced, as is the income of priests\u2019 welfare fund, who rely entirely on the voluntary contributions of parishioners. The priests\u2019 welfare fund has taken a significant reduction over recent months. If your circumstances permit, we ask that you please keep your priests in mind this Christmas. The traditional Christmas collection, together with the other collections for the upkeep of priests throughout the year, is, in a spirit of priestly fraternity, \u201cpooled\u201d in a central fund. This fund, administered by an elected committee of priests, is shared in such a way as to ensure that every priest ministering in the Diocese receives the same level of income. Thank you for your kind support and your constant prayers. We pray, that even in these difficult times, Christmas may be for you a time of blessing. With every good wish and every blessing.<\/p>\n

Fr. Thomas<\/p>\n

PASTORAL MESSAGE FROM BISHOP NOEL TREANOR<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cKindling Hope In Times Of Fear And Anxiety Advent 2020\u201d https:\/\/youtu.be\/ApI67Vh4o6M<\/p>\n

PRAYER INTENTIONS:<\/span>\u00a0We extend our sympathies to the families of those who died recently and those whose month\u2019s mind and anniversary occur at this time.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sat: Vigil 6.30pm:\u00a0Geraldine Kane<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Sun: 9.30am:\u00a0Sean Robinson, Grace Kemp, Kathleen Montgomery<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

12.30pm:\u00a0Isabella Reid<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Mon: 10am:\u00a0Priest’s intention<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Tue: 10am: No Mass<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Wed: 10am:<\/span>\u00a0Peter & Brigid Mc Evoy<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Thurs:10am:<\/span>\u00a0Colin Canning<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Fri: 10am:\u00a0<\/span>Margaret Hernan<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Sat:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a01pm<\/strong>:<\/span>\u00a0Special Intention<\/span><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

In the event of a funeral, the assigned intention will be offered privately by the priest at his first available mass.<\/i><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Recently Deceased:<\/span> Gerard Mc Allister, Rosina Kelly, Geraldine Crummey<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Those whose anniversaries occur at this time:\u00a0Tommy Kelly, Paddy Leonard, Mary & Henry Mc Keown, Annie Mc Callin, Anna & Patrick Tohill & family, Michael & Eddie Mallon, Margaret & Charles Mallon, Margaret & William Burgoyne<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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SVP CHRISTMAS CARDS<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/strong>Tr\u00f3caire \u201cGifts of Love\u201d<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0–\u00a0\u00a0Will be on sale again this weekend\u00a0 12th \/13th December and right up to Christmas.\u00a0However, you can still purchase the Trocaire gifts at 50 King Street Belfast, Online www.trocaire.org\/gifts or call 0800 912 1200. Please support again this year.<\/span><\/p>\n

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YOUTH 2000 CHRISTMAS RETREAT<\/span><\/strong> The Youth 2000 Christmas E-Retreat will take place from the 18th – 20th of December. Registration is now free <\/span><\/div>\n
on\u00a0<\/span>www.youth2000.ie<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
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FREE CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERTS<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n
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St Agnes’ Choral society have recorded two Christmas concerts from St. Peter\u2019s cathedral which will be aired in December for free online with any donations in aid of the Renal Unit at Belfast City Hospital.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>The Magic of Christmas<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0(popular Christmas hits such as Winter’s Tale, White Christmas, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and poetry from through the years)<\/span>
\nSunday 13th December at 7.30pm<\/span>The Christmas Story<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>(through music, songs, liturgical readings and poetry)<\/span>
\nSunday 20th December at 7.30pm<\/span>These concerts will be available via our YouTube and Facebook channels for free. Please spread the word as we hope to bring Christmas joy and festivities into households in the parish and beyond this Christmas<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Facebook:<\/b><\/span><\/div>\n
https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/stagneschoralsociety<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span>Youtube:<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/span>
\nhttp:\/\/tiny.cc\/Stagneschristmas<\/span><\/a>Donations can be made to the renal unit by visiting:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>gf.me\/u\/y7xc2a<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Many thanks for your support.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
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A bearer of light Last week we were introduced to John the Baptist as part of our Advent journey. We hear his story again but this time from the fourth Gospel. Light and darkness is a key theme of the fourth Gospel and in its opening verses proclaims that this light has always shone in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stagnesbelfast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2111"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stagnesbelfast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stagnesbelfast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stagnesbelfast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stagnesbelfast.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2111"}],"version-history":[{"count":43,"href":"https:\/\/www.stagnesbelfast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2111\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2156,"href":"https:\/\/www.stagnesbelfast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2111\/revisions\/2156"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stagnesbelfast.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2111"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stagnesbelfast.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2111"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stagnesbelfast.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2111"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}