Prayer of Blessing at a Crib

God of every nation and people, from the very beginning of creation you have made manifest your love;
When our need for a Saviour was great you sent your Son to be born of the Virgin Mary.
To our lives He brings joy and peace, justice, mercy and love.

Lord, bless all who look upon this manger;
May it remind us of the humble birth of Jesus, and raise up our thoughts to Him, who is God-with-us and Saviour of all, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

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An idea!

‘My father always placed the
family Bible and the Christmas Candle alongside the Crib. It was a reminder that the Crib is simply the words of the Gospel Story in visual form. Find some time these days to read the Christmas Story as you sit near the Crib either at Home or in Church.’

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Grace at table during Christmas

Glory to God in the highest
And peace to his people on earth.
Lord Jesus,
In the peace of this season our spirits rejoice:
With the beasts and angels, the
shepherds and stars, with Mary and Joseph we sing God’s praise.
By your coming may the hungry be filled with good things, and may our
table and home be blessed.

Glory to God in the highest,
And peace to his people on earth.
Blessed are you, Lord God.
Through the fruitful virginity of Mary you fulfilled the long expectation of the poor and oppressed.
Grant that with the same faith with which Mary awaited the birth of her Son, we may look for him in our
brothers and sisters in need.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Peace be with you
And also with you

During the Christmas Season exchange peace each morning with those at home.

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A thought for Christmas

    History, literature, cinema are dotted with conspiracy theories; here’s another one…. (perhaps).

    Could there be a plot to drive us all apart, to make us distant from each other, to be beyond arms length of one another?

    Church scandals; economic downturn; financial institution mismanagement; swine flu; political stalemate and unexampled; our own selfishness and greed which keeps my arms wrapped round myself.

    And into this world comes a baby. And what’s the first thing we want to do in the presence of a baby—cuddle them, hold them firmly yet gently, wrap them in our love but not smoother them, talk to them even though they don’t understand.

    Can the new born infant of Bethlehem teach us to embrace one another, hug each other in love, in peace, in friendship?

And your answer is …………..

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Christmas on RTE 1.
Christmas Day - Pope Benedict 11 a.m. and
Cardinal Brady 12.45p.m.
Christmas Day Mass 11.40a.m.

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

Dear Parishioners and Visitors,

                 We take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy and peaceful and holy Christmas. May your celebration of the Birth of Jesus bring unity and friendship to you and your family and our Parish Community. Through our celebration may we come to share in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity.

We thank you for your commitment to building up Parish life and for the example you set of living out your faith and for your prayers and generosity to us personally.
May God, who sent Hid angels to shepherds to herald the great joy of our Saviour’s birth, fill you with joy and make you heralds of His Gospel. May He give you His peace and goodwill and fellowship with all the heavenly host. May He brighten your hearts with holiness.

        Michael O’Dwyer            Brian White


2010

New Year’s Day Mass St. Patrick’s Church 12noon

Wednesday 6th January Solemnity of the Epiphany *

9th/10th January Come Back to Mass Sunday

11th February Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

17th February Ash Wednesday

Friday 5th March Sacrament of Confirmation Bunscoil Eoin Baiste in Armagh

Wednesday 17th March Solemnity of St. Patrick *

1st to 4th April Easter Triduum – Mass of the Lord’s Supper to Evening Prayer Easter Sunday

4thApril Easter Sunday

Saturday 24th April Presentation PS First Communion

Saturday 8th May Bunscoil Eoin Baiste First Communion

Saturday 8th May Ballyoran CPS First Communion

16thMay Solemnity of Ascension

23rd May Solemnity of Pentecost

Saturday 22nd May St. John the Baptist PS First Communion

Saturday 29th May Sacrament of Confirmation

30th May Solemnity of the Holy Trinity

6th June Solemnity of Corpus Christi – cemetery Sunday 11.30am Thanksgiving for First Communion

Friday 11th June Solemnity of Sacred Heart – close of Year for Priests

17th/18th/19th June Triduum of Prayer and Garden Party (Saturday 19th)

24th June Solemnity of the Birth of John the Baptist

27th June Annual Visit to Cultra (to be confirmed)

Sunday 15th August Solemnity of the Assumption *

Monday 1st November Solemnity of All Saints *

2nd November Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed

Sunday 21st November Solemnity of Christ the King – adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

28th November First Sunday of Advent

Wednesday 8th December Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception *

Saturday 25th December Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord

* Holy day of obligation