Mass Times:
St. John the Baptist
Saturday   7 p.m.
Sunday      8.30 & 11.30 a.m.
St. Patrick’s
Sunday    10 a.m.

Weekday Masses:
St. John the Baptist
Tuesday - Friday 7.30 p.m.
St. Patrick’s
Monday - Saturday  10 a.m.
Monday 7.30 p.m. (Novena - Miraculous Medal)

Confessions:
St. Patrick’s
Saturday - 12.30 - 1.15 p.m.
St. John the Baptist
Saturday - 6.15 - 6.45 p.m.

Baptisms:
Every Saturday, 5 p.m.
Registration for Baptism must be  made in St. John the
Baptist Church, after Friday evening Mass, two weeks prior to date.

Marriage:
At least three months notice must be given to the Priests of the Parish.

Phone Numbers:  
Fr. O’Dwyer 38350610
Fr. White 38332218
Parish Mobile - Emergency No. 07841101850

Requiescat In Pace
Lately deceased:   Michael O’Malley. Peter Brennan, Dr. Maureen Mackle.
At This Time: . Emma Kearney, Paul McGurgan, Thomas & Kitty McCourt, James Murphy, Gertie McGough, Manuel, Manuela & Pedro Soares, Domingos Sarmento, William McQuaid, Martin Toal.  
Sunday 16th:  Nora McDonald(1st Anniversary), John Loughran, Sharon Byrne,Patrick McGarrity, Felix Devine, Michael Davidson, Brian McDonald, Sarah McCann, Rita Cahill  
Monday 17th:  Ailish Black(1st Anniversary), Laurence Crozier, John Kelly, George Walker, Joe Bailey, Margaret Fox.
Tuesday 18th:  Francie Fay, Patrick Joseph Kelly, Maurice Loughran, Patrick Kelly, Paddy McConville, Sharon Berry, Gavin Duffy.
Wednesday 19th:  Vera Madden, James Henry McCooe, William Keegan, Alfred Pugh, Ellen Catherine McCann, Kathleen Kerr, Elizabeth Lavery, Caroline Magennis, Iris Berry, Bridget Metcalfe, Cissie Lappin, Brian Judge, Annie Millsopp, Frank Hamill, William Kevin Doran
Thursday 20th:  Stephen Lyness, Eamon Freeburn, Charlie O’Neill, Annie Daley, Tommy McDonald, Hugh & Joe Fox
Gertrude Garvey, Desmond Totton.  
Friday 21st:  Arthur McCann.
Saturday 22nd:  George Matchett

Parish Nativity Play / Carol Service led by the young people from the cross-community St. Mary’s Youth Centre Project in St. John the Baptist Churchon Sunday 16th December at 7.30 p.m. A great night to prepare for the Birth of Christ.  All are welcome.  Please invite your family and friends.  Refreshments after.

Ministers of the Eucharist:
St. John the Baptist, week beginning 17th December Geraldine Lawless.

Ministry of The Word: Week beginning  17th December, 10 a.m. Aidan McCormack. 7.30 p.m. Paddy Gorman.

Recent Baptisms:  Catherine Christine Megaw

PACE Carol Service - Friday 21st December in Armagh Road Presbyterian Church at 8 p.m.  All welcome.

PALS GROUP - ceases December 22nd/23rd, resumes 12th/13th January ‘08.

Holy Family Statue - those who ordered this can collect from sacristy - £25 each.

Bulletin:  there will be no bulletin on 30th December: Anniversaries will be printed in the 23rd December bulletin.  Please leave anniversary notices and other notices at Parochial Houses by 19th December.

Confessions: Monday - St. Patrick’s 7 p.m. and after the Novena.
Thursday - St. John the Baptist - Penitential Service 8 p.m.
Friday - St. Patrick’s 12.30 - 1.30 p.m.
St. John the Baptist 8 p.m.
Saturday - St. Patrick’s - 12.30 - 1.15 p.m.
St. John the Baptist - 6.15 - 6.45 p.m., after Mass.
(No confessions Christmas Eve).

Is there someone missing from your Christmas table this year?  Is there someone missing from Christ’s Altar today?  To include those missing from the Altar/table paper figures are available in the Churches - take one and write the Christian name only on it of whoever is missing and return to the Church.  During the Christmas Season the figures will be placed around the Church.

January Changes:
The weekday evening Mass will be celebrated at 7 p.m.
Sunday devotions twice a month:  1st Sunday St. Patrick’s Church;  2nd Sunday St. John the Baptist Church to conclude the afternoon adoration.
Thursdays in St. John the Baptist Church there will be Adoration of The Blessed Sacrament beginning at 5 p.m.

“Walk With Me” - a journey of Prayer for
Advent and Christmas - booklets available in Churches, £1.


Sunday 9th December

£2566-60
Thanks to all who contributed

***************************

Reflection
 
Building the Kingdom

Have you ever watched children
building bricks?
as they sit there, they are at work
and play.
Look at the wonder in their faces
as they build.
They are building their dreams.

Their eyes are closed with determination.
‘I’ll do it this time,’
they are thinking.
They smile as they place each brick,
and this is the joy of learning.
 
Look at their gentle hands,
they are the hands
of a carpenter,
of a healer,
of a peace-maker,
of a creator.
Each brick is precious,
it is handled with care.

Let’s learn from these children,
as we work to build our lives
and the kingdom of God.
May we plan and design
with hope and care,
may we always use our Christian
materials,
the bricks of love,
the sands of tolerance,
the waters of faith.
 

Parish & Community Notices


When submitting notices for the bulletin please include a contact name and telephone number.  
Notices and anniversaries should be left in by the Wednesday prior to publication.

 
Legion of Mary:   Meeting every Monday evening after Novena Mass in St. Patrick’s Church.  New members always welcome.  Any enquiries please contact Lee Walters 028 38341496.

St. Vincent De Paul Society
Good quality used clothing and furniture welcome at all times.  Collection can be arranged.  Contact the shop. Clothes shop and Furniture shop in Mayfair Business Centre, Garvaghy Road, tel. 38393898. Opening Hours:  Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.  Saturday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.  
NEW SELF HELP LINE - 38339639.  Response within 48 hours.

ARE YOU HAVING DIFFICULTIES IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP? SKILLED COUNSELLORS CAN HELP YOU.  CALL ACCORD -
ph. 38334781.

ACCORD - Marriage Preparation Courses as follows:- Venue - Cohannon Inn.  Tuesday 19th Feb, 26th Feb., 4th March, 8th April, 15th April, 22nd April, 6th May,13th May & 20th May.  
All times 7 - 10 p.m.  Booking now.

BANNSIDE COMMUNITY GROUP:   Arts & Crafts, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 7 - 8.30 p.m. English/ ICT for beginners.  December classes - TADI (talking about tough issues) and Bill of Rights. Genealogy (Family Tree) Know Yourself & Your Neighbour.  Contact Phyllis for further information.  38339916.  Volunteers needed to supervise Homework Club.

Tir Na nOg GFC:  Bingo every Tuesday 8.30 p.m.  The bigger the crowd the bigger the prizes.  Support the Club Lotto.
 
St. John’s Accordion Band.  Lessons in accordion, percussion and keyboard Thursdays 7 p.m. in St. John the Baptist School.  All ages welcome.  Draw Winners:  1st Prize, Connor Currie, Ballymargret, Dungannon.  2nd Prize, Donna Toye, Farlough Rd., Portadown.

PRESENTATION SISTERS KOINONIA PROJECT -     HEALING AND EMPOWERING YOUR INNER CHILD sessions are scheduled to begin Wednesday 9th January, 7.30 p.m. For information on all of above  call Sr. Brigid Kavanagh  38332220.


Christmas Gifts:  Trocaire Global Gift Plan brochures available in Churches.  “One Action Can Change The World”.  Dare to be different.

IS CHRISTMAS JUST FOR CHILDREN?  An adult look at the Nativity Stories in the Gospels. 4 Thursday evenings on this theme will be given at Iona House, Churchill Park, starting 29th November at 7 p.m.  If interested ring Fr. Michael on 38330366.

On Wednesday 19th December at 7.30 p.m. PIPS Upper Bann will be lighting a Memory Tree in Mount Zion House, Edward St., Lurgan and will remain lit for the Christmas period, to remember all of those who have died through suicide in our community.  Anyone who has lost a loved one, family or friend is invited to come along a tie a symbol of their loved one to the memory tree during the evening.

Naiscoil Na Banna (Irish Language Pre School): If you have a child aged 2+ and are interested in Irish Medium Education contact Shileen at the Naiscoil, 38391243.

Cumann Gaelach Port an Dunain:  Ceili Na Nollag (Christmas Ceili) Saturday 15th December in Ashgrove Community Centre.  9 p.m. - 1 a.m.  Banna Ceol McElhinney.  Taille £5.

St. Joseph’s Grammar School, Donaghmore - School Aid Romania Fund Raising Event.  Quiz Night in Seagoe Hotel on Monday 17th December at 8.30 p.m.  Cost £5.  Admission at door.