BISHOP TOAL’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE 2023

Webmaster • December 23, 2023


Dear Brothers and Sisters,

At Christmas we enjoy singing Christmas Carols. We also enjoy listening to others singing them, particularly children and those in our parish and Diocesan Choirs. I express a special word of thanks, therefore, this Christmas to all our musicians and singers, and acknowledge the time and effort you put into preparing for the Carol Services, and most especially for the Christmas Liturgies.

 

In the Sacred Liturgy we celebrate the Mystery of the Incarnation, the Birth of Our Saviour, Christ the Lord, at Bethlehem. In recalling his birth, as we celebrate the Holy Eucharist we renew our faith in his living presence within and among us, and place our hope in life in Christ in its fullness in eternity. As Christians we desire to be “other Christs” as we journey through life and seek to show the love of Jesus in our relationships and activities. What we celebrate at Mass we strive to put into practice in who we are and in all that we do.

 

This year Christmas falls on a Monday. We have two important religious days – the 4th Sunday of Advent and Christmas – on top of one another. We have a fine opportunity to make it a particularly spiritual and holy Christmas by attending two Masses, from the time the Vigil on Saturday Evening to Christmas Day itself. We always have plenty to pray for and this Christmas will be a particularly good time to do so. St Paul offered us great words of encouragement last Sunday in his letter to the Thessalonians:

 

“Be happy at all times; pray constantly; and for all things give thanks to God, because this is what God expects you to do in Christ Jesus.”

 

Our Christmas Carols often refer to Bethlehem, O Little Town of Bethlehem being especially well known and loved. Our thoughts and prayers at Christmas this year are particularly for the people of the Holy Land, Palestinians and Jews, and for a lasting peace to end the war and hatred. May the Angels’ song as they appeared to the shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem ring true:

 

“Glory to God in the highest Heaven,

and peace to men who enjoy his favour”.

 

I wish you all a holy, and peace-filled Christmas, and the blessing of God for 2024.

 

Yours in Christ

Bishop Joseph Toal

 

Prayers for the Sick

By Webmaster • April 20, 2025
Please pray for Our Sick : Ellen Blair, Margaret Callaghan Doreen Cleary, Michael Ritchie, Neil Boyle, John Rielly Molly Strang, Baby Elliot (15 month old) Joan Hart, James Clark, Fr. Michael McLaughlin, Patricia Henderson, Joanna Maier (Connecticut USA), Therese Gilgunn Tressy Callaghan, Suzanne McMurray, Mary Coyle, Lesley Watson (Spain) Maureen McHugh, Margaret Burke, Marie White, Kathleen Daly, John McGuire, and all our sick.

Prayers for the recently dead, months, mind and Anniversaries

By Webmaster • April 20, 2025
Our Recently Dead: Ann Blair, Gina Sinclair, Liz McAtamney, Janie Maloney, John Lavery, Eileen Sweeney, Mary Johnston, Kathleen Corrigan, Kathleen Croser Month Minds & Anniversaries Archie Findlater, Jane McKenna, The McLean Family, The Moran Family The McLaughlin Family The Leary Family, Hugh Rodgers, Annie Rodgers, Winifred O'Hare, Susan McLaren Jamieson, Eva De Marco, Agnes Longrigg

Fr. Frank's 60th Birthday

By Webmaster • April 11, 2025
Carrigan’s - Friday 11 July If you wish to add your name to the list you can give your details to Chrissy or Anne at the door after 4pm mass, or you can email Chrissy at: chrissyrooneyis@gmail.com Deposits not required but payment of £17:50 for the meal requires to be paid no later than 4 July.

Fr. Frank's 30th Anniversary of Priesthood

By Webmaster • April 11, 2025
Anniversary Mass will take place on Thursday 26th June at 7pm. There will be refreshments in the hall afterwards

Palm Sunday

By Webmaster • April 11, 2025
Palm Sunday is celebrated on the Sunday before Easter each year and marks the start of Holy Week. But what is the actual significance of this Holy Day, and how does it play a part in the greater story of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection? The Palm Sunday Account Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem with His disciples to celebrate Passover. When they reached the Mount of Olives, He sent two of the disciples to retrieve a donkey colt for Him to ride. He instructed them to untie it, and if anyone asked them why they were doing so, to tell them that the Master has need of it. They did as He instructed, and brought the colt to Him, laying their cloaks over it for Him to sit on it. As He rode into the city, people spread their cloaks and palm branches in the road, proclaiming, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” The spectacle attracted the attention of those in the city, and many wondered who He was. The entry into Jerusalem is documented in all four gospels, with slight variations in each account.  Today, the celebration of Palm Sunday opens Holy Week. The priest blesses palms and distributes them to the congregation. The palms are either kept and used as a reminder of Christ’s victory throughout the year, or are burned and used as the ashes for the next year’s Ash Wednesday service.

Powerpoint Remote Control:

By Webmaster • April 11, 2025
I am looking for Volunteers to move the power-points on during the Sunday Masses, Vigil 4pm, 9.30am & 11am. It is very easy to operate, if we get enough volunteers for each Mass we would put a wee rota together. It would take a wee bit of pressure off me.

Pope Francis Lent Fast

By Webmaster • April 11, 2025
Fast from hurting words and say kind words. Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude. Fast from anger and be filled with patience. Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope. Fast from worries and have trust in God. Fast from complaints; contemplate simplicity. Fast from pressures and be prayerful. Fast from bitterness; fill your hearts with joy. Fast from selfishness and be compassionate. Fast from grudges and be reconciled. Fast from words be silent and listen.

Gift Aid Envelopes

By Webmaster • April 5, 2025
1. They are different, they come in a box. It will be easier to use for everyone. 2. Look for your name not necessarily your number.  3. They will be available this weekend. Thank you for your patience. If you wish to sign up for Gift Aid. It is a great way to help the parish financially, costing you absolutely nothing. If you wish to sign up contact myself or Doreen Lee and we will give you the form and hand it back as you can and we can get it organised. As I said it costs you nothing, but helps the parish so much.

Covering of the Statues Fifth Sunday of Lent

By Webmaster • April 5, 2025
We begin the fifth week of lent this weekend it is a new stage in the Lenten Season we will cover the statues and take down all the pictures in the Church. The reason we do this is: The practice of veiling images alerts us that something is different, it can be startling at first, but the last two weeks of Lent are a time of immediate preparation for the celebration of the Sacred Triduum. The veils are hard to miss and they serve as a reminder to get ready! The veiled images build within us a longing for Easter Sunday. The veils seem out of place, and even counterintuitive. It can seem strange that the crucifix is covered up during Passiontide. Through this absence of images, our senses are heightened and we become more aware of what is missing. Similarly, the suppression of the Alleluia during Lent effectively demonstrates that we are in exile from our true Home, where the angels sing Alleluia without ceasing. When images are unveiled before the Easter Vigil, we are reminded that we, in a sense, live in a veiled world. It is through our own death that we are able to see our true home, and the veil is lifted. Christ lifts the veil through His Resurrection. Jesus told her, “ I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die . John 11:25-26

Novenas to St. Anthony and Mary Un-doer of the Knots

By Webmaster • March 28, 2025
The reason the Novenas stopped because if a Funeral fell on a Tuesday & Wednesday the Novenas had to be cancelled. Therefore, I am looking for volunteers to lead the Novenas. If you are interested in leading the Novenas contact myself and hopefully then the Novenas can resume.
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