Sunday 16th December 2007

Third Sunday of Advent

Reflection

The gospel for this weekend finds John the Baptist in his prison cell wondering about the authenticity of Jesus. Doubts had begun to enter his mind and so he instructs his followers to go to Jesus and ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or have we got to wait for someone else?’ Jesus for his part points to the evidence of his miracles – the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the dead are raised to life and so he adds: ‘Happy the man who does not lose faith in me.’

With us all there can be times when faith wavers and we like John feel unsure. Doubts can cloud our hearts and deprive us of a clear understanding in relation to our faith. We can be impatient, like John, for things to be revealed and the work of God to be accomplished. What John had to understand as indeed what we all will have to come to terms with is that we must give God the freedom to act in his own time and in his own way. God works in simple, hidden and humble ways. This demands patience and trust on our part.

St Mary’s Church, Bellaghy.

CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES:
St Mary’s Bellaghy:
Vigil on Christmas Eve: 8pm
Christmas Day: 9am & 11am
Confessions (St Mary’s Bellaghy) will begin @ 6pm with a
Penitential Service on Sun 23rd December.
.Fr Dolan, Fr Rafferty & Fr Mackle will be available.

St Joseph’s Ballyscullion:
Vigil on Christmas Eve: 6pm
Christmas Day: 10am
Confessions (St Joseph’s Ballyscullion)
Sun 23rd December after 10.00am Mass.

Mass & Church Activities

Baptism
We welcome into God’s family through Baptism:
Ryan Joseph McLaughlin, Ballyscullion, Co Antrim

Anniversaries:
Jack O’Neill, Sadie Kilpatrick, John O’Boyle, Tommy O’Neill, Terry McGuckin, Annie McPeake.

Carol Service Today @ 6.00pm
All are invited to the Hall afterwards for refreshments.

Last Week’s Church Collection: £2,745.00
Thank You.

CHURCH CAR PARK
It is forbidden to park on the Keep Clear area of the car park.
This is a matter of health and safety to leave access to and from the church in case of emergency. Being late does not excuse!

Altar Servers:
Weekdays: Sorcha Larkin
Vigil: Joseph Quigley
9.00am: Jade Scullion
11.30am: Caoilte Milne

Christmas Day:
Vigil 8pm: S Larkin
9am: J Quigley
11.00am J Scullion

Readers for the month of December (Christmas Day)
Vigil Mass: Bridget Scullion
9.00am Anne Scullion
11.30am: Teresa Diamond

Daily Readers
Mon: Mary Gibbons
Tues: Madeline Scullion
Wed: Brigid Scullion
Thurs: Anne Scullion
Friday: Anne Scott

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS SCHEDULE
Next Weekend 22nd & 23rd December
Vigil: Orla McFaul, John O’Hagan, Dympna Hughes, Sarah McCann, Ronan Scullion.
11.30am: Michael Lennon, Martin Scullion, Jean McGoldrick, Betty Campbell.

Weekdays: Week Commencing 23rd December
Morning: Ann Scullion
Evening: Margaret Diamond.

Christmas Day
Vigil @ 8pm: Colette Glackin, Margaret Diamond, Ronan Scullion,
Pauline McGoldrick & Barry Cassidy.
9.00am: Betty Campbell, Jean McGoldrick, Josephine Brennan, Kevin Toner & Sarah McCann.
11.00am: Kathleen O’Neill, Pat Henry, Patsy O’Neill, Martin Scullion & Madeline Scullion.

Church cleaners for December
Josephine Brennan, Mary Mawhinney, Marie O’Kane, Catherina Brennan.

Confirmation : Sunday 20th April @ 11.30am
First Communion: Saturday 26th April

ALTAR SOCIETY: Kathleen McGoldrick

COLLECTORS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER
Vigil Mass: Francis Diamond Aidan Diamond & Brian O’ Neill
11.30am: James Strathern Francis Scullion & Danny Quinn

Children’s Liturgy: Teams for December
Vigil: Claire Diamond & Eimear Diamond..
11.30am: Bridget Scullion, Fidelma McClenaghan & Dympna McPeake.

Wolfe Tones Bellaghy G.A. C.

GAA Notes:

Lotto No’s: 2, 6, 17, 20 £50 to T Regan Next Week’s Jackpot £2,600.00

GAA Notes
Anyone wishing to apply for post of Senior Manager
contact V Cassidy Tel 07921075052.

Anyone interested in volunteering to coach underage teams contact Damian Cassidy 028 25820157 after 7pm. We encourage any parent who can offer 2 hours a week to become involved, training will be provided.

Dancing Class: Tuesdays @ 7pm All new members welcome.

Comhaltas Notes: Classes resume Friday 25th January.

Bellaghy Branch would like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas.

Children’s Disco in the GAA Club on Sunday 16th Dec 3.00pm—5.00pm in aid of Bellaghy Youth Club. Admission £1. All children welcome.

St Malachy’s Castledawson

Castledawson Lotto No’s 8, 15, 20, 23
£25 each to Dara Shivers & Fergal Doyle. Jackpot next week £900

St Mary’s Primary School will present their Annual Christmas Concert in the Parochial Hall on Tuesday 18th December at 7pm. All welcome.

Trocaire’s Global Gifts
Choose from 9 life changing gifts. From the gift of chicks to the gift of a house or water, each one will give a family or community something they truly need this Christmas.
Information leaflets are available at the back of the Church.

Children in Crossfire have a range of 6 gifts for Christmas for details Tel 028 71269898 or www.childrenincrossfire.org

Gift Voucher for Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Vouchers are available from the Pilgrimage Office 028 71260293 Tues & Thurs 11am—2pm and Sat 11am—1pm & 2pm—4pm

Accord Marriage Preparation Courses are being held in the Pastoral Centre Maghera on 24th&26th Jan 2008 and again on 24th & 26th April 2008.
A third course will also be held in Oct 2008 on dates to be arranged. To book on to a course please contact Maghera 79642983.
Early booking advisable as places are limited
Fr Magill’s Missions:The winner of the hand knitted crib was Mary Toal, Toomebridge. A total amount of £3700 was raised.
Many thanks to all who contributed

St John Bosco Youth Club, Ballynease:

Dancing Class: Monday’s @ 7pm Tuesday: Under 12’s 6.30pm—8.30pm
Wednesday: over 12’s 7pm-9pm Thursday: over 12’s 7pm-9pm

St Joseph’s Ballyscullion

Reader for December : Seamus Laverty
Sunday Mass at 10.00 am

Christmas Mass Times:
Christmas Eve @ 6pm Christmas day @ 10.00am
(reader: Helen Griffin) (reader: Seamus Laverty)
Confessions Sunday 23rd December after 10.00am Mass

Eucharistic Ministers:
Next Sunday: Helen Duffin

Christmas Day
Vigil @ 6pm: Edmond O’Donnell & Helen Duffin
10.00am: Gerard Trainor & Kathleen McErlain.

Collectors for December: John McLaughlin & Joseph Scullion.

ALTAR SOCIETY: Tracey, Cora & Lizzie Scullion.

1st Anniversary Mass for Hugh Downey will be celebrated
in St Joseph’s on Sunday 23rd December @ 10.00am.

Parochial Hall Activities
Bingo at 8.30 pm. Lines £20.
Houses £40, Last House £200. Books £6.
Flyer £1.

Whist Drive: Wednesday night as usual.

Ceili Classes continue on Thursday nights 8pm—9.30pm

No Bingo on 24th & 31st Dec. Christmas prizes on 17th Dec.
Bingo will resume on 7th Jan 2008.

St Mary’s Primary & Nursery School:
Applications forms are available in the school for admission to the Nursery & Primary One. All Children born on or between 2nd July 2003 & 1st July 2004 must begin their primary education in Sept 2008. Closing date for applications Wed 23rd Jan. If you wish to view the School/Nursery please Tel79386360..

Accord (Catholic Marriage Care Service)
Provides confidential counselling for couples or individuals who are experiencing problems in their relationships.
Accord also runs marriage preparation courses throughout the year. For further information on our services call 796 42983

Notices for the Bulletin are now also being taken by email to mail@bellaghyparish.com Please mark these Bulletin News and have all notices into the office by lunchtime on Thursday‘s.

We would be happy to include anniversaries each week, names must be in to the Parish Office by Wednesday lunchtime.