ANNIVERSARY MASSES 4^th Sunday of Advent (year A)

Sat 17    19:00 John, Anne and Jackie Joyce{A} Bunnagippaun

                         Mary, Tom & Patrick Mahon, Mary & Frank Costello, Francis & Margaret Blehein

                         Special Intention

Sun 18  08:30

              10:15

              11:30 People of the parish

                         Margaret Donnellan, Daughter Catherine &   Son John {A} Billamore

                         Anne McGauley [A]& Dec’d McGauley, Tonwee & Mannion families Shrue

                         Robert Watson[A]Claremount

Mon 19 11:15 Carol service – St Pauls in Oughterard church

              19:30 No Mass – Church of Ireland Carol service

Tue 20   10:00 Denis Geoghegan (A) {Rusheeney}

Wed 21 19:00 Rosary & Devotions

Thr 22    18:30 Robert Watson {A}Claremount

              19:15 Outdoor Family Carol service – FHC & Confirmation children

Fri 23     10:00 Dec’d Members of O’Connor & Lampert Family (Camp Street) & Dave Kelly (Billamore)

              19:30 Penitential Service with confessions in Church

Sat 24    10:00 Confessions in Lamb of God chapel

              17:00 Christmas Vigil Family Mass with FHC children

              21:00 Christmas Vigil – Triduum of masses

Sun 25   08:30 Christmas Day Mass

              10:00 Glann Christmas Day mass

              11:30 Christmas day mass – Triduum of masses

Mon 26 10:00 St Stephens day – Triduum of masses

Tue – Thr         No Mass – office phone manned for pastoral necessity

Fri 30    10:00 O’Brien, Sullivan & Mons Families & Edward & Josie Clancy {A} Glann

Pray for attentiveness to what truly matters, without being distracted by trivial things.
Pray for opportunities to learn something new regularly.
Pray for discernment of how God would like you to set your priorities and the ability to focus on them consistently to fulfill His purposes in your life.
Pray for the grace to be able to rest, become aware of God’s presence, and enjoy it.
Pray for strong relationships with other people in the bond of a loving community.

Pray for peace in all situations, no matter what the circumstances.

Pray for an enlivened imagination that helps you contribute to the world in creative ways.
Pray for freedom from all that burdens you – past mistakes, fears, destructive habits, hurts other people have inflicted, and more.
Pray for joy and a sense of humor.
Pray for confidence in God’s love for you and trust in His power to work things out for the best in your life.
Pray for a clear mind and the ability to clearly communicate what you value to others.
Pray for purity so you can grow as a person and encounter God more fully.

To pray for something means that we realise we cannot make it come about by ourselves. We are limited in gifts, we are blocked, we are unforgiving at times too. God our Father knows all this, and He is ever patient with us. Open you heart to pray.

Parish Support & Finances

Weekly Collections:

Weekly envelopes €925

Restoration €50

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NEW Parish Office hours. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00-12:00. Mass bookings etc. through the website, which is very convenient, or in person at above times, min 2 weeks’ notice.  News for the newsletter by 12pm on Tuesday, emailed or letterbox of parish office. Please leave public notices into the parish office for display. Mass Cards available in office and in sacristy after all masses.

Christmas Services in Oughterard parish

Mon 19 11:15 Carol service – St Pauls in Oughterard church

              19:30 No Mass – Church of Ireland Carol service

Wed 21 19:00 Rosary & Devotions

Thr 22    19:15 Outdoor Family Carol service in front of Church – FHC & Confirmation children & everyone else too!

Fri 23     19:30 Penitential Service with confessions in Church

Sat 24    10:00 Confessions in Lamb of God chapel

              17:00 Christmas Vigil Family Mass with FHC children

              21:00 Christmas Vigil – Triduum of masses

Sun 25   08:30 Christmas Day Mass

              10:00 Glann Christmas Day mass

              11:30 Christmas day mass – Triduum of masses

Mon 26 10:00 St Stephens day – Triduum of masses

An expensive time of the year – help at hand

There is never any shame in requesting help when times are tough. Please pass the word around discretely that our local SVP branch operates with the highest level of confidentiality and you can be assured of being listened to and assisted.

 The annual St Vincent de Paul (SVP) appeal 2022 takes place now, with this Sunday 11^th December earmarked as “giving Sunday”. Donations can be made by envelope, which can be collected from the church next to the Blessed Virgin statue, and donations can be deposited in the floor safe next to the same statue and also the letterbox of the parish office. Sincere thanks for your support in advance.

WORLD YOUTH DAY GATHERING WITH POPE FRANCIS 2023 in LISBON and FATIMA from 31st July-8th August 2023. Spiritual Director: Bishop Michael Duignan. OPEN TO ADULTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 (by 31st July 2023) AND 35. Subsidised fare €900.

For further information and booking form contact Darina in the Galway Diocesan Office: tel. 091 563566, email. [email protected], or contact your local priest. Limited places available. Bookings close 31st January 2023. Be there when the world gathers for the unique festival of faith and friendship!

The parish finances

Please note that the parish finances are in a poor state, with weekly collections unable to meet the spiralling costs and the priests support collections unable to support the 1 retired priest as requested by the diocese. As it is the responsibility of all parishioners who wish to remain in the Catholic fold to support their parish, this constitutes an urgent matter to address. The parish priest will not be taking a lead in fundraising, owing to the excessive time involved in recent restorative works. The best solution is to commit to a box of envelopes of else direct debit, for a weekly contribution. Fr Michael.  

A large group of refugees are welcomed to our parish

Due to the escalation of attacks on civilian infrastructure, especially power, in Ukraine and other military moves in the East of the country, there is a very large upswing in the number of refugees fleeing the warzone and in need of shelter all over Europe. We are happy that our community is able to accommodate young families and older dependents in the former nursing home. There is due to be almost 120 people housed in temporary accommodation as of this weekend.

A very active parish group is co-ordinating other needs, and Clann with Eileen’s help have done a huge amount of work also.

Please contact Eileen if you would like to sponsor some of the undergarments, toiletries and other sanitation essentials which had to be purchased new. Thank you.

Parish Christmas Cards

This year again we launch the parish Christmas cards. All recipients will be remembered at a Triduum of masses from Christmas Eve to St Stevens day. The Christmas cards cost €2 each and will be available in the following premises from Monday next: Henry Keoghs, Finnerty’s Butchers, Conor McNamara’s and the Post Office.  They are also available in the Parish Office during office opening hours and before and after all masses in the parish church.

Outdoor carol service Thursday 22^nd December at 7:15pm

Please keep our outdoor carol service in your festive diary, which will be led by the First Holy Communion and Confirmation children, and maybe some guests too! Help us keep the true meaning of Christmas alive. There will be some treats afterwards for all singers.

An annual remembrance Mass for all babies who died on or around the time of birth will be held at 6.00pm on Sunday 18 December 2022 in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Oranmore. It will also be live-streamed through the parish webcam. Parents, grandparents, siblings, family, and friends are warmly invited to attend this special Mass.

Trócaire Gifts of Love

An alternative way of gift-giving this Christmas. Your recipient receives a beautiful card saying you have given a gift to the people most in need in our world. Possibilities include: Family Food Baskets €35, Chicks €8, Emergency Water €20, School Kit €30, Soap €5 and others. See www.trocaire.org and look for “Trocaire Gifts of Love” or phone 1800 408 408.

From January, the parish will be reintroducing the 2^nd collections during the mass, which happens 11 -12 times during the year, that it once per month on average. It is an essential support for many essential services. It is traditionally the job of men to collect the baskets and redistribute them empty again to assist the parish community.

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