Sunday 23rd December 2007

Fourth Sunday of Advent

THE HOLY FAMILY
OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

In this season of Christmas we celebrate the Family that came to be in Bethlehem, the first Christian family. Today’s Gospel, the Finding in the Temple, gives a snapshot of family life. The Child Jesus is lost in Jerusalem. The panic and puzzle of Mary and Joseph is familiar territory. The assumption that they know where He is, the misunderstandings, the search and then the joy of finding him, all makes sense to any parent. The self-assured twelve year old defending himself could make any adult feel out of date.

Unlike our own family lives, we know the sequel of this family incident. Eighteen years of subsequent life are summed up in the words: ‘Jesus then went down with them and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority. His mother stored up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature and in favour with God and people.’

Lord, help our youth to grow strong – mentally (wisdom), bodily (stature), spiritually (in favour with God) and emotionally (in favour with people). Amen.

Father Colhoun and Father Mongan Wish All Our Parishioners
A Holy And Happy Christmas And A Peaceful New Year

PARISH CAROL SERVICE
Today, Sunday at 5:00pm
A spiritual preparation for Christmas
Prayers, Scripture, reflections, carols
Music by the three parish choirs
Dear children, please bring a coin (no matter how small) as a gift for a child in the Third World. Your little gift of money will buy food and clothes for other boys and girls in poor countries. We will ask you to bring the coin forward in procession during the ceremony. We will hold a basket collection at the same time for the adults to contribute. All the proceeds will go to a variety of charities. Thank you!

To Conclude The Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour
You are invited to our parish confessions
Today, Sunday at 6.00 pm.

**Visiting Priests Available**

MASSES OVER THE CHRISTMAS SEASON
Monday Christmas Eve
Evening Vigil 6:00 pm
Late Vigil 10:00 pm

Tuesday Christmas Day
8:00 am
10:00 am
12:00 noon

Wednesday 26th December St Stephen
10:00 am
7:30 pm

Thursday 27th December St John
10:00 am
7:30 pm

Friday 28th December Holy Innocents
10:00 am
7:30 pm

Saturday 29th December St Thomas à Beckett
10:00 am
Vigil 6:00 pm

Sunday 30th December Holy Family
8:00 am
10:00 am
12:00 pm

Monday 31st December New Years Eve
10:00 am


MASSES FOR THE NEW YEAR
Tuesday New Years Day
10:00 am
7:30 pm

Wednesday 2nd January
10:00 am
7:30 pm

Thursday 3rd January
10:00 am
7:30 pm

Friday 4th January
10:00 am
7:30 pm

Saturday 5th January
10:00 am
6:00 pm Vigil: Feast of the Epiphany

Sunday Feast of the Epiphany
8:00 am
10:00 am
12:00 noon

Please note: There will be NO 8am Mass on weekdays during Christmas.
The weekday 8am Mass will resume on Monday 7th January 2008.

BAPTISMS
We welcome
Amber Grace McGuigan, 404 College View
Tiernan Paul Temple, 21 Farland Way, who were both baptised recently.

DEATHS
We wish to express our deepest sympathy to the relatives and friends of
Bernadette McDaid, 24 Quarry Street.

We Gratefully Acknowledge
The Anonymous Donations To: £20, £5, £10, £5, £2, £10, £20, £5, £20, £20.

THANKS to all who helped out in the parish during Advent and the preparations for this Christmas season. We are sincerely grateful to everyone who contributed in any way to the life of Long Tower during 2007. God bless the work and may God reward the workers.

CONGRATULATIONS to all who prayed the family Rosary in their homes during Advent. The blessings will be eternal.

WEE NUNS’ SAVINGS SCHEME
Open on Sunday 23rd December 2007
Re-opens on Sunday 20th January 2008

GOAL
ST STEPHEN’S DAY CHARITY WALK GOAL is a charity which works to ensure those in developing countries have access to food, water, shelter, medical attention and literacy. GOAL is having its annual walk on St Stephen’s Day to raise funds. The walk starts at the riverside walkway beside Sainsburys and ends at the Craigavon Bridge. The walk will begin at 12 noon and John Duddy, local boxing hero, will be leading it off. Even if you don’t feel like doing the walk, you can come down and donate at the starting point. There is no sponsorship involved, people are just being asked to come down and give out of their own pockets. Dr Lee Casey, the organiser of the walk, is hoping to make the event an even bigger success than last year which saw thousands of pounds raised on the day. So get off your couch on Wednesday, 26th December, get some fresh air and exercise for a good cause.

SVDP would like to thank everyone who contributed so generously to their annual collection. The collection amounted to £3100.00.

ST JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIESTS SOCIETY would like to gratefully acknowledge the anonymous donation of £200.

ST PATRICK’S MISSIONARIES would like to thank all those parishioners who donated their used stamps in previous years. The missionaries are again appealing for your support in helping their work throughout the world. Please place your used stamps in the collection box located in the centre of the church. Thank you.

Prayers for Crossing the Threshold of the New Year
Monday 31st December 2007

SCHOOL RE-OPENING TIMES
Long Tower Primary School Monday, 7th January 2008

Nazareth House Primary School Monday, 7th January 2008

Lumen Christi College Monday, 7th January 2008

St Cecilia’s College Monday, 7th January 2008