Parish Bulletin 28 December 2008

NEWSLETTER

CASTLEPOLLARD, CASTLETOWN & FINEA PARISH

28^th.December .FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS MARY AND JOSEPH and Feast of The Holy Innocents.

MAKING READY FOR THE NEW YEAR WITH A MESSAGE FOR PEACE BY POPE BENEDICT XVI.FIGHTING POVERTY TO BUILD PEACE, IS THE THEME OF THAT MESSAGE OF IMPORTANCE .

It is the link between poverty and a lack of peace that Pope Benedict concentrates on in his new year message for 42^nd.World Day of Prayer for Peace.In his theme of Fighting Poverty to Build Peace, he states that poverty is often a contributing factor or a compounding element in conflicts,including armed ones. In turn, these conflicts fuel further tragic situations of poverty.

Going on to tease out some of the challenges in the fight against poverty, such as pandemic diseases, the relationship between disarmament and development, food crises and demographic change,Pope Benedict cautions against initiatives that seek to compromise human dignity for the sake of success against poverty.

Criticising, rightly, programmes based on birth- reduction, he states that the extermination of millions of unborn children, in the name of the fight against poverty, actually constitutes the destruction of the poorest of all human beings.

Considering effective solutions,Pope Benedict points to the need for a combination, on an international scale, of a form of globalisation directed towards the interests of the whole human family and the common code of ethics based, not upon mere consensus, but rooted in the natural law, inscribed by the Creator on the conscience of every human being.

Just as Pope John Paul stated in 1993, Pope Benedict restates, that poverty remains a problem, which the conscience of humanity cannot ignore, since the conditions in which a great number of people are living, are an insult to their innate dignity and therefore, are as a result, a threat to the authentic and harmonious progress of the world community.

Pope Benedict promises that the Church, which is the sign and instrument of communion with God,and of the unity of the entire human race, will continue to offer her contribution so that injustices and misunderstandings may be resolved,leading to a world of greater peace and solidarity.So, therefore, our programme is to fight poverty to build peace.May we all have a peaceful, healthy and fruitful New Year, with the help of the Prince of Peace and Mary, Mother of God.

PRIESTS OF THE PARISH

Fr. Patrick A. Moore P.P.V.F. Fr. B Condron C.C.

Parochial House Castletown Finea

044 9661126 043 81141

087 2510855

moorep@eircom.net

SUNDAY MASSES

10.15 St. Peter’s Centre Weekday Mass 8.15 St. Michael’s

11.00 Castletown or Finea Saturday Mass 10.00

11.15 St. Michael’s Confessions 10.20, 3.00pm,

Vigil 7pm St. Michael’s 6.45pm & 7.30pm Saturday

Vigil 8pm Castletown or Finea

Adoration 3-8pm Mon Thurs incl, 10am-12noon Tues & Wed

LITURGICAL CALENDAR FOR THE COMING WEEK

FEASTS OF SAINTS AND IMPORTANT CELEBRATIONS

Collection for December 20^th./21^st.Weekly Envelope,€1202.70 and Offertory Collection €631.73. Thank you for supporting the Weekly Collections,Cardinal Toppo Appeal,which realised €2,500.for which we are most deeply grateful, and other occasional collections.

Month of January dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. Year of intense prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life. Year of St. Mark in the Liturgy. Year of St Paul in the Universal Church and 150^th.Ann of the Apparitions by Our Blessed Lady at Lourdes.U.N.Year of Potatoe.

Sunday 28th.FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH and Feast of The Holy Innocents.Fourth day of Christmas Octave

THE SACRED SEASON OF CHRISTMAS CONTINUES

Monday 29th. Fifth day of Octave of Christmas and Feast also of Sts;Thomas a Beckett,Martyr.

Tuesday 30th.Sixth day of Octave of Christmas and Feast of Sts;Eugene, Anysia and Roger.

Wednesday 31st.Seventh day of the Octave of Christmas and Feast of Sts;Sylvester and Melania.

Thursday 1st.SOLEMNITY OF MARY THE MOTHER OF GOD AND WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR PEACE. Feast also of St.Odilo the Abbott. Mass at 10.00.a.m.;Mass for 42nd. World Day of Peace.Eight day of Octave of Christmas.

Friday 2ndBefore Epiphany and Feast of Sts;Basil,Gregory Nazianzen and Adalhard.FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH. Mass at 10.00.a.m.and 7.30.p.m. List of the Dead.No First Friday Calls today.

Saturday 3rd.Before Epiphany and Feast of Sts;Munchin and Genevieve,The Holy Name of Jesus.Mass at 10.00.a.m.Confessions before and after Vigil Mass today today.Confessions after Mass at 10.00.a.m.Confessions at 3.p.m.Pioneer Collection this weekend.

Sunday 4th. SECOND SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS and Feast of Sts; Mochua and Elizabeth Ann Seton. Baptism 12 noon.

MASS INTENTIONS (28^th.December to 4^th.January.)

Sunday.28^th.Readings;Gen.15.1-6,21.1-3.Ps.104.Heb.18.11=12,17.Lk.2.22.-40 Mass.at 10.00.a.m.Ann.James O Neill and Rose Yarde. Confessions after Mass but not at 3.p.m.and before and after Mass at 7 p.m. Vigil.Ann. Madeleine and Jack Brennan.Sunday.10.15.St.Peter`s.11.15.a.m.Anniv. Thomas Smyth, Donegal and Corbally.

Monday: 29^th.Readings;I John 2.3-11.Ps.95. Lk.2.22-35.Mass.10.00.a.m.

Tuesday 30^th.Readings.I.Jn.2.12-17.Ps.95.Jn.2.36-40.Mass at 10.00.a.m.Month`s Memory Mass for Brigid Daly, Ballycomoyle.Maple Court Mass at 3.p.m.

Wednesday 31^st.Readings.1 Jn.2.18-21.Ps.95.Lk..2.36-40.Mass at 10.00.a.m.Ann. for Aoife Moore. London.

Thursday 1^st..ReadingsNum.6.22-27.Ps.66.Gal.4.4-7.Lk.2.16-21.Mass at 10.00.a.m.Mass for Peace.Month`s Memory for Peter Reilly,Green Court.Legion of Mary meet at 8.p.m. Room I.Parish Centre.

Friday 2^nd.Readings.I Jn.2.22-28.Ps.97.Jn.1.19-28.Mass at 10.00.a.m.Private Intention.7.30.p.m. List of Dead and Ann.Phil Arkins, Water Lane.

Saturday 3^rd.Readings.I Jn.2.29-3.6.Ps.97.Jn.1.29-34.10.00.a.m.Specail Intention.Confessions after Mass and at 3.p.m.and before and after Vigil Mass 7.p.m.Ann.Jack and Bruno Gaffney,Glenview.

Sunday 4^th.Readings.Eccles. 24.1-2,8-12.Ps.147.Eph.I 3-6,15-18.Jn.1.1-18 St.Peter`s. at 10.15.a.m.Ann.McGrath Family, Church St.Mass at.11.15.a.m.Ann.Decd. Fivey and Finglas Families.12 noon.Baptism.

R.I.P.

Please pray for all who have died in recent times

all whose anniversaries occur around this time and all whose remains are interred in our cemeteries,

May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.

Parish Bulletin 21 December 2008

NEWSLETTER

CASTLEPOLLARD, CASTLETOWN & FINEA PARISH

21^st. December .FOURTH AND FINAL SUNDAY OF ADVENT and Feast of Sts;Peter Canisius.Cardinal Toppo appeal ends this weekend.O Antiphons continue.

MAKING READY FOR THE FEAST OF CHRISTMAS THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF ADVENT WITH OPPORTUNITY FOR CONVERSION AND CONFESSION IN THE COMING DAYS.

We have been spending Advent with purpose and now that it is almost at an end, we must use the few days well. These days should be prayerful and reflective with a view to making a good Confession of our sins.Then, we will be ready to meet and greet our Saviour, on the occasion of His birthday feast on Christmas Day.In the parish this coming week the following are the arrangements and opportunities for an immediate preparation for this great Feast in our lives and the life of the parish;

Sunday 21^st. Confessions after the 11.15.a.m. Mass

Carol Service.8.00.p.m. with Refreshments in Parish

Centre afterwards.

Tuesday 23^rd. Confession Ceremony 8-9.p.m. with 5 Confessors.

Wednesday 24^th. Confessions after the 8.15.a.m. Mass and at 8.15.p.m. to 8.45.p.m. Vigil Mass of Christmas at 9.00.p.m.

Thursday 25^th. Mass at 8.30.a.m. 10.15.a.m. St.Peter`s and 11.15.a.m.

Friday 26^th. Mass at 11.a.m.

Saturday 27^th. Mass at 11.00.a.m. Vigil Mass at 7.00.p.m.

Sunday 28^th. Masses at 10.15.a.m. St.Peter`s and 11.15.a.m.

Please come at 8.p.m. for the Confession ceremony on 23^rd. to be there for the preparation and remain on for the closing prayer and Benediction if possible.

Fr. Tom, Fr, Barry and Fr.P. wish each parishioner and every family a very blessed, peaceful and joyful Christmas and thank you all very much for your great support, encouragement and appreciation for our work and efforts in the parish.We are also very grateful to all the committees, ministries and groups assisting us in the pastoral life of our parish and wish them well at this festive time for all of us.We are in solidarity in prayerful support for all who are grieving, suffering in any way, ill or out of work in our stringent economic times.We pray that the time ahead will be more secure for all of us.May the Lord, Whose birthday we celebrate, bring us peace and contentment this Christmas and in 2009.

Fr.Patrick A. Moore P.P.VF.

Parochial House.

0449661126/0872510855.

moorep@ eicom.net e.mail.

Fr. B. Condron.C.C.

Castletown Finea.

043.81141.

Sunday Masses

10.15 St. Peter’s Centre. Weekday Mass 8.15.a.m. St.Michael`s

11.00. Castletown or Finea Saturday Mass at 10.a.m.

11.15. St.Michael’s Confessions. 10.20.a.m.; 3.00.p.m. and

Vigil 7.p.m. St. Michael’s 6.45.p.m. and 7.30.p.m. Sats.

Vigil 8.p.m. Castletown or Finea. Adoration. 3-8.p.m. Mon-Thurs incl. 10.a.m.-12 noon. Tues and Wed.

LITURGICAL CALENDAR FOR THE COMING WEEK IN THE PARISH

POPE`S INTENTIONS FOR PRAYER DURING THE MONTH.

FEASTS OF SAINTS AND IMPORTANT CELEBRATIONS.

Collection for December 13^th./14^th.Weekly Envelope,€612.-00 and Offertory Collection €554.16. Thank you for supporting the Weekly Collections,Cardinal Toppo Appeal, and other occasional collections. Month of December dedicated to the Nativity of Our Divine Saviour, Jesus Christ.Year of intense prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life..Year of St.Mark in the Liturgy.Year of St Paul in the Universal Church and 150^th.Ann of the Apparitions by Our Blessed Lady at Lourdes.U.N.Year of Potatoe.

Sunday 21^st. FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT and Feast of Sts;Peter Canisius. Cardinal Toppo Appeal ends.Confessions after Mass and Baptism at 12.30.p.m.Carol Service at 8.p.m.O MORNING STAR.

THE SACRED SEASON OF ADVENT CONCLUDES.

Monday 22^nd.Fourth Week of Advent and Feast also of Sts;Flavianus and Blessed Margaret of Savoy.O KING OF THE NATIONS.

Tuesday 23^rd.Fourth Week of Advent and Feast of Sts;John of Kenty.Maple Court Mass at 3.p.m.Confessions Ceremony 8-9.p.m. O EMMANUEL.

Wednesday 24^th.Fourth Week of Advent and Feast of Sts;Charbal Maklouf.Confessions after 8.15.a.m. Mass and from 8.15.a.m. to 8.45.p.m.Legion of Mary Meeting at 8.p.m.Vigil Mass of Christmas at 9.00.p.m.

Thursday 25^th.FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.Masses at 8.15.a.m.; 10.15.a.m. and 11.15.a.m. Christmas Day is an Offerings Day. No adoration today.

Friday 26^th.Second day of the Octave of Christmas and Feast of St.Stephen the Protomartyr. Mass at 11.00.a.m.

Saturday 27^th.Third day of Octave of Christmas and Feast of Sts;John, the Apostle and Evangelist.Mass at 11.00.a.m.Confessions before and after Vigil Mass today today.Confessions after Mass at 11.00.a.m.

Sunday 28^th. FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH and Feast of The Holy Innocents, Martyrs.Fourth day of Octave of Christmas.

MASS INTENTIONS (21^st.December to 28^th.December.)

Sunday.21^st.Readings;2 Sam 7.1-5,8-12,14.Ps.88.Rom.16.25-27.Lk.1.26-38.Mass.at 10.00.a.m.Ann. Decd.Gaffney Family. Confessions after Mass and at 3.p.m.and before and after Mass at 7.p.m. Vigil.Ann.Michael Fagan, Dublin Rd.Sunday.10.15.Ann.Nancy O Hara, Green St.St.Peter`s.1.15.a.m.Anniv. Alice Courtney, The Square.Confessions after Mass and Baptism at 12.30.p.m.

Monday: 22^nd.Readings;I Sam.1.24-28.Ps.1 Sam.2.1,4-8.Lk.1.46-56.Mass.8.15.a.m.

Tuesday 23^rd.Readings.Mal.3.1-4,23-24.Ps.24.Lk.1.57-66.Mass at 8.15.a.m.Memory Mass for Sean Murphy and his parents.Maple Court Mass at 3.p.m.Confession Ceremony at 8.p.m.

Wednesday 24^th.Readings.2 Sam 7.1-5,8-12,14,16.Ps.88.Lk.1.67-79.Mass at 8.15.a.m.Confession after Mass and at 8.15.p.m. Mass at 9.p.m.Ann. Carmel Finnegan, Green St. Vigil of Christmas.Legion of Mary Meeting at 8.p.m.

Thursday 25^th.Readings;Is.52.7-10.Ps.97.Heb.1.1-6.Jn.1.1-18..Mass at 8.30.a.m. 10.15.a.m. St.Peter`s and 11.15.a.m.Offerings Day.

Friday 26^th.Readings.Acts. 6.8-10.7.54-59. Ps.30.Mt.10.17-22.Mass at 11.00.a.m.Ann. William and Elizabeth McCormack, Glann.

Saturday 27^th.Readings.I Jn.1.1-4,Ps.96.Jn.20.2-8.Mass at 11.00.a.m.Ann. James O Neill And Rose Yarde, Water St. and England.Confessions after Mass not at 3.p.m.and before and after Vigil Mass 7.p.m.Ann.Madeleine and Jack Brennan.

Sunday 28^th.Readings.Gen.15.1-6,21.1-3.Ps 104.Heb.18.11-12,17-19.Lk.2.22-40. St.Peter`s. at 10.15.a.m.Mass at.11.15.a.m.Ann. Thomas Smyth, Donegal and Corbally.

R.I.P.

Please pray for all who have died in recent times

Alfie Murtagh, Mountmellick and late Glenview Cardinal Avery Dulles S.J. New York,all whose anniversaries occur around this time and all whose remains are interred in our cemeteries,

May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.

Parish Bulletin 14 December 2008

NEWSLETTER

CASTLEPOLLARD, CASTLETOWN & FINEA PARISH

14^th. December .THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT.Gaudete Sunday and Feast of Sts;John of the Cross and Spiridion Blessing of Crib Figures today.Cardinal Toppo appeal continues.

MAKING READY FOR THE FEAST OF CHRISTMAS THROUGH THE ADVENT OPPORTUNITY FOR CONVERSION AND CONFESSION IN THE COMING WEEKS OF THE SACRED TIME.

During a recent liturgical study evening, the following suggestions were made, to help us think through a preparation in Advent, which would include Sacramental individual confession,for welcoming Jesus into our lives and hearts at the feast of His Birth;Suggestions that we look at a ( i.)large stone.This represents our hardness of heart, our selfishness, our lack of sensitivity to the feelings of others and our need to change and soften things in our lives.(ii). a mobile phone.This represents our excessive preoccupation in the modern world with noise and electronic distraction and constant restlessness.Being too much available and having no moments to self for achieving inner peace and tells us to slow down, to talk less and not to have the urge to be always in touch, to create some privacy for more essential things in life. (iii). an empty plastic bottle.This represents our lack of care for all God has entrusted to us, spiritually and materially.It stands for waste, carelessness with the goods of the earth, our environment our talents and all God has given us.It makes us think with gratitude for the gifts of nature and all we have and are.It calls on us to never do anything wilfully to damage what has been given us and to pass on a cleaner, morally sound and healthier world to the next generation.(iv).a clock. This represents one of the most rampant forms of poverty today… lack of time, wasting time, not valuing time as a gift from God.We are so caught up working, earning money, going places, that we have no time for prayer, for worship for the needy and poor and those who could do with our talents and friendship to give them a boost in daily living.It urges us to think about giving quality time to God and others. And finally (v). a chain. This represents the slavery of addiction to alcohol, drugs, sex, violence,gossip, gambling or self preoccupation,destroying the lives of many people and those who depend upon them.We are urged to break the chains that bond us to destructive addictions and come free.In confession, we can break free by telling our sins, to God through the priest and receiving God`s grace of absolution giving us true inner freedom.But, we must first prepare ourselves carefully.This is helped very much by our focusing on the figure of Jesus on the Cross, reminding us pungently of the love and compassion of the forgiving Father, who comes to welcome and forgive us in Confession.

Fr.Patrick A. Moore P.P.VF.

Parochial House.

0449661126/0872510855.

e.mail: moorep@eircom.net

Fr. B. Condron.C.C.

Castletown Finea.

043.81141.

Sunday Masses

10.15 St. Peter’s Centre. Weekday Mass 8.15.a.m. St.Michael`s

11.00. Castletown or Finea Saturday Mass at 10.a.m.

11.15. St.Michael’s Confessions. 10.20.a.m.; 3.00.p.m. and

Vigil 7.p.m. St. Michael’s 6.45.p.m. and 7.30.p.m. Sats.

Vigil 8.p.m. Castletown or Finea.

Adoration. 3-8.p.m. Mon-Thurs incl.

10.a.m.-12 noon. Tues and Wed.

LITURGICAL CALENDAR FOR THE COMING WEEK IN THE PARISH POPE`S INTENTIONS FOR PRAYER DURING THE MONTH. FEASTS OF SAINTS AND IMPORTANT CELEBRATIONS.

Collection for December 6^th./7^th.Weekly Envelope,€709.00 and Offertory Collection €565.98.7^th/8^th. Offertory Collection €364.84. Thank you for supporting the Weekly Collections,List of the Dead,Cardinal Toppo Appeal,November Offerings and other occasional collections. Month of December dedicated to the Nativity of Our Divine Saviour, Jesus Christ.Year of intense prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life..Year of St.Mark in the Liturgy.Year of St Paul in the Universal Church and 150^th.Ann of the Apparitions by Our Blessed Lady at Lourdes.U.N.Year of Potatoe.

Monday 15^th. Third Week of Advent and Feast also of Sts;Valerian, Victoria,Mary de Rossa, Nino,Celian and Agnellus.

Tuesday 16^th.Third Week of Advent and Feast of Sts;Adelaide and Albinia. The O antiphons commence tomorrow.Maple Court Mass at 3.p.m.

Wednesday 17^th.Third Week of Advent and Feast of Sts;Olympias, Begga and Lazarus.Pre-Baptism Meeting at 8.p.m. O WISDOM.

Thursday 18^th.Third Week of Advent and Feast of Sts;Flannan,Quintus, Irmina and Rufus.Legion of Mary Meeting 8.p.m.Room I.O ADONAI

Friday 19^th.Third Week of Advent and Feast of Sts;Urban V.O ROOT OF JESSE.Communion calls for Christmas to ill and housebound 9.45.a.m. to 1.00.p.m.

Saturday 20^th.Third Week of Advent and Feast of Sts;Fachanan. Confessions at 3.p.m. and before and after Vigil Mass today today.Confessions after Mass at 10.00.a.m. O KEY OF DAVID.

Sunday 21^st. FOURTH SUNDAY OF SACRED SEASON OF ADVENT and Feast of Sts;Peter Canisius. O MORNING STAR.Confessions after 11.15.a.m. Mass and Carol Service at 8.00.p.m.Seasonal Refreshments in Parish Centre afterwards.

MASS INTENTIONS (14^th.December to 21^st.December.)

Sunday.14^th.Readings;Is 61.1-2,10-11.Ps.Lk.1.46-50,53-54. I Thess.5.16-24.Jn.1.6-8,19-28.Mass.at 10.00.a.m.Richard Clogher, Confessions after Mass but not at 3.p.m.and before and after Mass at 7.p.m. Vigil.May O Reilly, Mullingar. Sunday.Mass of Christian Burial at 2.30.p.m. Sunday.No 10.15.a.m.but 1.00.p.m.St.Peter`s.Lily and Jimmy Thornton.11.15.a.m.First Anniv. Rita Cooney.The Square.

Monday: 15^th.Readings;Num.24.2-7,15-17.Ps.24.Mt.21.23-27.Mass.8.15.a.m.Ann. Margaret and Larry Halpin, Slieveboy.7.30.p.m. Flood Co. Memorial Mass for Christoph Kaupert.

Tuesday 16^th.Readings.Zeph.3.1-2, 9-13.Ps.33.Mt.21.28-32.Mass at 8.15.a.m.Maple Court Mass at 3.p.m..

Wednesday 17^th.Readings.Is.49.2,8-10.Ps.71.Mt.1.17.Mass at 8.15.a.m.Special Intention. Pre-Baptism Meeting at 8.p.m.

Thursday 18^th.Readings;Jer. 23.5-8.Ps.71. Mt.1.18-24.Mass at 8.15.a.m. Ann.Decd McGoveran Family, Shrunaheala.Legion of Mary Meeting at 8.p.m. Room I.

Friday 19^th.Readings.Jdg. 13.2-7,24-25. Ps.70.Lk.1.5-25.Mass at 8.15.a.m.Ann. James and Jane Gibney and decd.Gibney Family, Newcastle. Communion calls. 9.45.a.m. to 1.00.p.m..

Saturday 20^th.Readings.Is.7.10-14.Ps.23.Lk.1.26-38.Mass at 10.00.a.m.Ann.Decd. Gaffney Family, Dublin Rd.Confessions after Mass and at 3.p.m.and before and after Vigil Mass at 7.p.m.Ann.Michael Fagan, Dublin Rd.

Sunday 21^st.Readings.2 Sam.7.1-5,8-12,14,16.Ps.88.Rom.16.25-27.Lk.1.26-38. St.Peter`s. at 10.15.a.m.Ann.Roger and Nancy O Hara.Green St. Mass at.11.15.a.m.Ann. Alice Courtney, The Square.Final Sunday of.Cardinal Toppo appeal,which was each Sunday of Advent, as our Advent Charitable Project.Confessions after 11.15.a.m. Mass today.Carol Service at 8.00.p.m.

R.I.P.

Please pray for all who have died in recent times

all whose anniversaries occur around this time and all whose remains are interred in our cemeteries,

May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.