Sunday 9th December 2007

Second Sunday of Advent

Reflection

On the Second Sunday of Advent we hear the voice of the great Advent figure John the Baptist crying in the wilderness “Prepare the way of the Lord”. The call of John the Baptist to repentance is an urgent invitation for all of us to prepare a way for the Lord to come into our hearts. And when we come right down to it, that is what Advent is all about. Prepare to celebrate Christmas means renewing our lives by acknowledging our need for Christ who is constantly calling us to higher things. Each Advent is an opportunity for us to come closer to Christ and to deepen our relationship with him through prayer and repentance. His power is at work in our lives when we make peace with the family member we have rejected, the relations we don’t speak to, the neighbour we have fallen out with. Breaking down barriers will open the way for Christ to come to us and be born in our hearts at Christmas.

YOU ARE INVITED TO OUR NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower. The Novena takes place today, Sunday at 6.00 pm and will continue every Sunday leading up to Christmas. Devotions will take the form of Rosary, a short talk given by a guest speaker, novena prayers and benediction.

FAMILY ROSARY FOR ADVENT
We are inviting families to pray the Rosary in the home each day of Advent. Rosary leaflets are available at the church doors. Each day Fr Colhoun and Fr Mongan will pray the Divine Office for the families who are able to make this commitment. If you would like to write your family name (address not necessary) on the page at the church doors the priests will put your intentions before God each morning of Advent.

YOU DON’T BRING ME FLOWERS during Advent. In keeping with the slightly subdued spirit of Advent (a season of waiting and anticipation), flowers are not usually placed in the Church during this season. Accordingly, we would ask you to postpone the donation of flowers until the Nativity.

BAPTISMS
We welcome:
Maggie Shiels, 115 Lone Moor Road,
Luke Johnston, 25 Sutton Gardens,
Conor McGranghan, 55 Braehead Road, who were all baptised recently.

DEATHS
We wish to express our deepest sympathy to the relatives and friends of
Jackie Mullan, 87 Foyle Road
Frances Coll, Nazareth House, who both died recently.

LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION £ 740.00

LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION £1740.00

We Gratefully Acknowledge
The Anonymous Donations To The General Renovation Fund: £20, £10, £10, £10, £200, £300.

VISITATION OF THE HOUSEBOUND
Father Mongan will visit the sick in his care on Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday, 10th/11th/12th December in the following areas:
Monday 10th Dec St Columb’s Wells, Westland Street, Meenan Drive, Drumcliffe Avenue, Abbots Walk, Cable Street, Durrow Park.

Tuesday 11th Dec Maureen Avenue, Ivy Terrace, Lower Bennett Street, Belview Avenue, Mary Street, Moat Street, Abercorn Road, Abercorn Place, Sunbeam Terrace, Corporation Street, Barrack Street, Cooke Street, Windmill Terrace, Charlotte Street, The Metropole

Wednesday 12th Dec Long Tower Court.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
Annual Church Door Collection before Masses on Saturday/Sunday, 8th/9th December.

MASS IN HONOUR OF ALEXANDRINA MARIA DA COSTA on Sunday 9th December at 7.30 pm in the Carmelite Retreat Centre, Termonbacca.

THORNHILL COLLEGE CAROL SERVICE on Tuesday 18th December at 8.15 pm in St Eugene’s Cathedral. Everyone welcome.

ST JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIESTS SOCIETY MONTHLY MEETING on Monday, 10th December. All welcome.

WEE NUN’S PARISH SAVINGS will be open on 16th and 23rd December. They will reopen after the Christmas break on 20th January 2008.

MONTHLY MASS FOR THE BEATIFICATION OF MATT TALBOT for addicts and for their families will take place in St Columb’s Church, Waterside this Monday 10th December at 7.30 pm. Please note the change of date.

CHRISTMAS CARDS
The new Long Tower Christmas card is one of our fund-raising initiatives for the centenary of the church in 2009. We have many restoration projects in view and all money raised from the cards will go to this cause. We are very grateful to the Restoration and Projects Committee for their hard work and to all of you for your constant support.
Price: £3.99 for a pack of 12 assorted cards.

BIG WINTER BINGO
ST EUGENE’S PARISH HALL
SUNDAY 16th DECEMBER 2007
AT 8.30 PM

THE MONTHLY DEVOTIONS IN HONOUR OF THE DIVINE MERCY will take place in Nazareth House Chapel on Tuesday 11th December at 8.00 pm. All welcome. Individual blessing with the relic of St Faustina will take place after the devotions.

HOLY MASS will be celebrated on Wednesday 12th December at 8.00 pm in St Mura’s Parish Chapel, Fahan for the Pro-Life movement. The Holy Rosary will be said immediately after. Please make a big effort to attend.

CARMELITE RETREAT CENTRE
Three Advent evening retreats in preparation for Christmas on 10th/11th/12th December from 7.30 pm to 10.00 pm. An opportunity to spend some time in quiet adoration, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and celebrate Mass.

ADVENT WEEKEND RETREAT - FRIDAY 14TH TO SUNDAY 16TH DECEMBER
A quiet residential weekend, which will be a spiritual preparation for the feast of Christmas, will be conducted by the Carmelite Fathers in the Carmelite Retreat Centre. All are welcome to attend. For further details and bookings Tel 7126 2512.

ALTNAGELVIN'S HOSPITAL CHOIR
The Annual Christmas Concert in Christ Church, Infirmary Road on Friday 14th December at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from choir members at the hospital or at the door.

LONG TOWER CALENDAR
The new Long Tower Calendar for 2008 will soon be available to purchase from the Church and the Parochial House.