The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph 28th December, 2014 (Year B)

Every Family A Holy Family

Confessions in Cathedral every Saturday:

12 to 1pm & also before and after 6.30pm Mass

Ennis

Parish

News

Mass Times Sundays:

Cathedral:- Sat. Vigil: 6.30pm; Sunday: 9am, 10.30am & 12 noon St. Joseph’s:- Sat. Vigil: 7pm; Sunday: 8, 10, 11.30am Cloughleigh Church:- 9.30am, 11am Friary:- Sat. Vigil: 7.30pm; Sunday: 9.30, 10.30, 12.00 noon Poor Clare Monastery:- 7.45 a.m.

Weekdays: Cathedral: Mon. – Fri: 7.45am; 10am & 7.30pm; 10am on Saturday St. Joseph’s:- Monday – Saturday: 11am Cloughleigh Church:- Monday – Friday: 9.30am Friary:- Daily: 10am& 1.05pm ; 10am on Saturday Poor Clare Monastery:- Daily at 7.45 am; Daily Exposition of The Blessed Sacrament from 4-6pm in the Chapel.

Phone Numbers: Cathedral:- 6824043; Email: info@ennisparish.com St. Joseph’s:- 6822166; Cloughleigh: 6840715; Friary: 6828751

Ennis Parish Web Site: http://www.ennisparish.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ennis.parish

Confessions in Cathedral every Saturday: 12 to 1pm & also before and after 6.30pm Mass

T he good news about Pope Francis is that he loves people, especially people who find life

difficult. We all have seen him on television, reaching out to the little ones and to older people, who have an illness or a handicap of some kind. In recent months, he has shown a special concern for married people, and noting that while marriage is a noble vocation, it is not always an easy one. Every month of the year, the Holy Father gives us two intentions for which he asks our prayers. One of these intentions would refer to the church in some country, where Christians may be suffering persecution perhaps, and the other might be more general. This month of December we are asked to pray for married couples, as follows “That parents be true evangelisers, passing on to their children the precious gift of faith”. Pope Francs is strong on the importance of prayer in the home. Morning prayer and evening prayer, including the Rosary, are all important. Remember Fr. Patrick

Peyton’s call to prayer in the family: “The family that prays together stays together”. Sunday Eucharist is important. How inspiring it is to see father and mother and children coming to church

on Sunday morning or on Saturday evening. We are often told that the family is the church in miniature, where prayers are offered and where prayer and forgiveness are part of everyday life.

O ur Holy Father speaks of ‘protecting people, showing

loving concerns for each and every person, especially the children, the elderly, those in need, who are often the last we think about’. He emphasises the importance of the family: ‘husbands and wives first protect one another, and then, as parents, they care for their c h i l d r e n a n d c h i l d r e n themselves, in time, protect their parents: Pope Francis also

explains the importance of caring for society by ‘building sincere friendships in which we protect one another in trust, respect and goodness.

Wishing you a Peaceful New Year St. Joseph’s

Mass intentions for scheduled Masses in St. Joseph’s Church should be booked through the Parish Office. For all other events call Fr John 0656822166.

Remembered in Masses this Week: 7pm: Kathleen Foudy, Ivy Hill MM Sun 28th 8am: Michael Kearns, Galway. 10am: Eric McNevin, Glenbrook, Old Singland Rd Limerick, Corrovorrin Green & Clancy Pk.1st Anniv 11.30am: Sean & Claire McGrath, Lifford Rd

Mon 11am: Dr Brian Gallagher, Tulla Rd. Tues 11am: Winifred Leydon, Sligo. 7pm: Memorial Mass Wed 11am: Martin Slattery, Kevin Barry Ave. Thu Jan 1st 11am: Noel Ballinger, Gort Rd. Fri 11am: Johnny O’Loughlin, Old Gort Rd. Sat 11am: Gerard O’Meara, 34 Tulla Rd.

7pm: Thomas P.O’Sullivan, New Road, Ennis. Sun 4th Jan 10am: Eamon Duffy, Kincora Park.

Cathedral Remembered in Masses this Week: Sat 6.30pm: Zoya Pestova, Russia. MM Sun 28th: 9am: Josephine O’Halloran, Limerick Rd. 10.30am: Paschal Brooks, Brooklawn, Clonroad. Anna Murphy, Ashfield Park. Patrick & Kathleen Custy, Kildysart. Paul & Andrew O’Shea, Tulla Rd. Frank Gorman, Fountain. Mary Guinnane, nee Conroy, Philadelphia & St. Mls Vls 12 noon: Mackson Peter Onyejekwe. MM Mon 12noon: Una Ryan, 19 Brookville. 7.30pm: Rodger Fox, 28 Clancy Park. Tues 12noon: Michéal Frawley, Cahercalla, Kilrush Rd. 6pm: Paddy Barry, Cahercalla Rd. 7.30pm: John, Maisie & Jim Bradley, Limerick Rd. Wed 12noon:Bridie Connellan, Cahercalla Woods. Pat & Mary Finn, Golflinks Rd. 7.30pm: Michael Griffin, Primrose Gardens, Clarecastle. MM Thurs 1st Jan 12 noon: Ann Ryan, 26 Childers Rd.

7.30pm: Dan, Peggy, Mgt & Sean Mullins, Ennistymon. Fri 7.45am: Thomas McMahon, Carmody St. 10am: Mass for the People

7.30pm: Andrew Woods, 1 McNamara Park. 1st Anniv

Sat:10am: Fionnuala Fitzpatrick, 3 Springfield & deceased Blake & Fitzpatrick families. 6.30pm:Edward (Ned) Monahan, 52 Bramble Lane.MM Sun 4th Jan 9am: Joan Devitt, 45 St Michael’s Villas. 10.30am: Mary & Dan O’Keeffe, “Prague”, Ardlea Rd.

Kitty Casey, Monument House, O’Connell Sq. Patrick Feeney, St Michaels Villas. Peggy Casey, “The White house”, Ennis.

Teresa (Tess) & Joe Kerin, Ashgrove, Clonroadmore. Eileen O’Sullivan, MM Greenpark & her son Niall. 12 noon: Michael Lynch, Clare Rd. 1st Anniv

Roster for Cathedral: Sunday 4th January, 2015.

Readers: Group 1 Eucharistic Ministers Weekday: Group 2 Eucharistic Ministers Sunday: Group 1

Readers please collect Mass Books and Rotas

Ennis Parish Development Fund for

Sunday 21st December, €7650.00

Rest in Peace

Peggy Kearney, late of Summerhill & Market

St.; Sr. Mary Keavey, Shallee Dr., Cloughleigh; Tommy Lorrigan, College Pk; Noel Scanlan, Willow Park; Shane Mc Loughlin, staff nurse, Ennis General Hospital, nephew of Kathleen O’Neill, Gort Rd; Peter Richardson, Ennis & Shannon.

Cloughleigh Remembered in Masse this Week: Sun 28th 9.30am Holy Souls. 11am: Pappy Moroney & Moroney family. Mon 9.30am: Kathleen & Peter Fallon, Roscommon.

Tue 9.30am: Book of Intentions. Wed 9.30am: Dermot O’Halloran, Limerick Rd. Thurs 1st Jan 9.30am : Donor Intentions. Fri 9.30am: Donor Intentions. Sun 4th Jan 11am: Maisie Hayes, late 34 Hermitage.

Hospital & Sick Calls

28th December, 2014

Priest on Duty:

Please call: 065 6869098

New Year’s

Eve

Pray out the

Old Year

Pray in

The New

Year

Cathedral 31st December

@ 11.30pm.

Friary Friary News: January 3rd is the first Saturday. The Rosary is ongoing after the

10am Mass in the Friary Church, Francis St. Please come and pray with us. Everyone welcome. “Prayer is a weapon”.

1st Saturday Devotions in honour of Our Lady of F a t i m a , i n E n n i s Cathedral on next Sat. Adoration of the Most

Blessed Sacrament with Confessions, Rosary & Benediction, after 10am Mass.

The Irish Red Cross, Ennis Branch, s incerely thank the Parishioners of Ennis for their generosity at the Church Gate Collection on 20/21 Dec. Total collected was: €3,270 which will be used to assist Red Cross Projects both Internationally & locally in Clare. We wish all a happy & peaceful Christmas.

Bingo Great prizes;

In Community Centre Sunday from 8pm.

Trócaire thanks all parishioners for their amazing support this year without which Trócaire would not have been able to help some of the most vulnerable individuals, families and communities in the world's poorest countries. Trócaire wishes everyone a very happy Christmas and peaceful New Year. May you receive every blessing in 2015. www.trocaire.org/gifts

Live the Word: During this festive season give to yourself

as well as giving to others. Do something you enjoy and which will rejuvenate the

spirit and bring lightness to the mind. The holidays are an opportunity to give to ourselves; so give yourself the gift of this opportunity.

The Bishop & Priests of the Parish thank those who subscribed so generously to their

Christmas Collection. A reminder to those who were away or who forgot, that their contribution

would be gratefully received today or during the coming week.

Newly Baptised We welcome into the Christian Community through the Sacrament of Baptism:

Chloe Maire Mac Namara; Claudia Mirgova; Sophie Mirgova; Halina Mirgova

Next Mass in the extraordinary form (the Tridentine or ‘Latin’ rite) takes place Sun 4th Jan 2015; 5.30pm in St. Joseph’s Church. All welcome. Mass will be enriched by beautiful Gregorian Chant led by the Schola Petra fertile from Corofin.

Bereaved by Suicide: The Christmas Season can be a difficult time for people bereaved by suicide. Clare Suicide Bereavement Support volunteers are available to help you. Support and help is only a phone call away. You could phone us at one of our numbers given below and we will take it from there. We promise complete confidentiality. 086 0565373 / 087 3698315. www.claresuicidebereavementsupport.com

Caint agus Comhrá, Inis; Ath-bhliain faoi mhaise duit. De-rust your Irish in 2015. Tar go dtí an Temple Gate Hotel, Déardaoin ag 8PM; nó, go Suas Coffee House, (Carraig Donn) Dé Sathairn ag 11AM go meánlae agus bí ag caint is ag comhrá linn. Always room for one more at bord na Gaeilge. caintaguscomhra@eircom.net

Table Quiz in aid of Special Olympics Ireland; Teams of 4; Venue: The Grove, Roslevan;

29th December at 9.30pm

Irish Heart Foundation thank most sincerely the parishioners of Ennis for the generosity they showed during 2014 Church Gate Collection. Amount collected: €3,533.30

Féile an Teaghlaigh Naofa Inniu ceiliúrtar Féile an Teaghlaigh Naofa. Dírímid go speisialta ar Íosa, Muire agus Iósaf. Cosúil le gach duine eile rugadh Íosa agus d’fhás sé aníos i measc a mhuintir. Fíor-Dhia agus fíor-dhuine atá ann. Tugann an soiscéal léargas dúinn ar an dá ghné sin dá phearsa. Cuirtear an Teaghlach Naofa os ár gcomhair inniu mar eiseamláir do gach teaghlach Críostaí. Bhí Dia i gcroí lár an Teaghlaigh Naofa. Bhí Íosa umhal do Mhuire agus do Iósaf. Chuir siadsan a muinín i nDia. Caithfidh gach teaghlach géilleadh do Dhia mar a rinne Muire agus Iósaf agus bheith dílis Dó. Is paidir dheas í seo ón mbéaloideas : A Mhuire mhór ghlórmhar, tabhair dom radharc ar do theaghlach naofa agus ar do mhórchumhacht Áiméan . Is é seo an Cúinne deireanach do 2014. Gúim beannacht ó Dhia ar chách a léann é seachtain i ndiaidh seachtaine agus go mbeirimid beo ar an am seo arís gan bhrón, gan bhuairt, gan duairceas crua.

The feast of the Holy Family is celebrated today. We reflect on the Holy family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Jesus was born, true God and true man. The Gospel gives us an insight into this. The Holy Family is an example for all families. Jesus was subject to Mary and Joseph and trusted God who was the centre of their lives. We must be obedient to God’s will as the Holy Family was. This lovely prayer is from folklore: Great glorious Mary, may we keep in mind your Holy Family. Amen.

This is the last Cúinne for 2014. May God bless

all who read it and may we all be alive next year

without sorrow, trouble or woe.

Buíochas...…

CC hristmas is one of the times of the year we acknowledge the goodness and generosity of our Parishioners. Bishop Kieran and the Parish Team say a

sincere word of thanks for the kindness, support and encouragement throughout the year. We are blessed to have such an extraordinary number of people who are actively involved in the life of the Parish above and beyond the call of duty. Our thanks to all who help in a special way with the Sunday Liturgy, Readers, Altar Servers, Eucharistic ministers & people involved in the Ministry of Welcome. To all involved in the decoration of our Churches, the Cathedral Altar Society, and individuals who enhance our Churches with floral displays throughout the year; to the various people who take responsibility for the sacristy

in St. Joseph’s, Cloughleigh and Cathedral; We acknowledge the work of the Pastoral Council; Connect Groups; Property and Finance Committee; Parish Representatives; Basket Collectors, Counters, The

organisers of the Eucharistic Adoration; The Play and Pray Groups. We are conscious of the contribution our Teachers make in handing on the Faith; we acknowledge all the work and effort schools have put into Carol services and liturgies in recent weeks. We thank all who serve on the Boards of Management of our Primary Schools; A special thanks to our Choirs, Cantors, Liturgical Dancers & Liturgy Group and all involved in the Music Ministry in our Parish, in particular Michael Hennessy; Leon Walsh; Therese Murphy; Organists: Nell, Mary, Dylan and Clare; Browne’s Fruit & Veg & O’Connor’s, The Market who donated the Christmas trees to St. Josephs & Cathedral. Thanks to our office administration and house staff, caretakers, cleaners and the hundreds of people who voluntarily help in making the Parish such an alive and welcoming community. Míle Buíochas.

Tom Hogan Parish Priest.

People can contact the Samaritans by phoning 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, write to Pat or Mary, Samaritans, Sunville, Kilrush Road.

The District Daycare Centre Clarecastle would like to thank most sincerely all those who supported their Annual Craft Fair on Sunday 30th November.

Clare Public Participation Network / A Voice for Communities: All Community, Voluntary, Social Inclusion and Environmental Groups are reminded to register for the Clare Public Participation Network before 9th Jan 2015. This Network will be the main link through which the Local Authority connects with Community, Voluntary, Social Inclusion and Environmental Groups. All groups that have previously registered with Clare Community Forum/Clare County Council must register under this process if they wish to participate in this new structure. Please visit www.clarecoco.ie or contact Valerie on 065 6846545 or vfleming@clarecoco.ie

The Staff and Volunteers of the Irish Wheelchair Association Charity shop would like to wish all our customers a very happy and peaceful Christmas and would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone for your support during our first year in business and we look forward to being of service to you in 2015. Many thanks.

Toonagh Walk Sun 11th Jan 2015 for “Seeking Vision Clare Sunset Foundation” Start & finish: Toonagh Hall; Register: 11.30am; walk: 12.30pm. Routes to suit all levels of fitness Refreshments served after walk Entry €10 Children welcome (no entry fee for children); Info 0851947763 Please support a worthy cause.

To all bereaved parents: Remembrance

In the garden stands a manger Softly lit with candle light

Where a mother laid her baby On a blessed Christmas Night

Mary was the mother mild Jesus Christ her little child

Mother May we know what joy That you felt with your baby boy We also know the pain of loss

As you saw Him die upon the cross O’ Mother Mary heal our heart

As we share with you our pain of loss We trust our children are full of heavenly light

As we celebrate this happy and Holy Christmas night.

Ann 6820024 and for other help-line numbers.

Today’s Scripture Readings

Entrance Antiphon The shepherds went in haste, And found Mary & Joseph and the Infant lying in a manger.

A reading from the book of Genesis. Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3 The word of the Lord was spoken to Abram in a vision, Have no fear, Abram, I am your shield; your reward will be very great. My Lord, Abram replied, what do you intend to give me? I go childless... Then Abram said, See, you have given me no descendants; some man of my household will be my heir. And then this word of the Lord was spoken to him, He shall not be your heir; your heir shall be one of your own flesh and blood. Then taking him outside he said, Look up to heaven and count the stars if you can. Such will be your descendants, he told him. Abram put his faith in the Lord, who counted this as making him justified. The Lord dealt kindly with Sarah as he had said, and did what he had promised her. So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the time God had promised. Abraham named the son born to him Isaac, the son to whom Sarah had given birth.

The word of the Lord

Responsorial Psalm Response: . He, the Lord, is our God. He remembers his covenant for ever Give thanks to the Lord, tell his name, make known his deeds among the peoples. O sing to him, sing his praise; tell all his wonderful works! R Be proud of his holy name, let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice. Consider the Lord and his strength; constantly seek his face. R

Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, the judgements he spoke O children of Abraham, his servant, O sons of the Jacob he chose. R A reading from the letter to the Hebrews. Heb 11:8.11-12.17-19 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed the call to set out for a country that was the inheritance given to him and his descendants, and that he set out without knowing where he was going. It was equally by faith that Sarah, in spite of being past the age, was made able to conceive, because she believed that he who had made the promise would be faithful to it. Because of this, there came from one man, and one who was already as good as dead himself, more descendants than could be counted, as many as the stars of heaven or the grains of sand on the seashore. It was by faith that Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac. He offered to sacrifice his only son even though the promises had been made to him and he had been told: It is through Isaac that your name will be carried on. He was confident that God had the power even to raise the dead; and so, figuratively speaking, he was given back Isaac from the dead.

The word of the Lord. Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia!

At various times in the past And in various different ways, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets’ But in our own time, the last days, He has spoken to us through his Son.

Alleluia! A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke. Luke 2:22.39-40 When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.

When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God's favour was with him.

The Gospel of the Lord

PROFESSION OF FAITH

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day In accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

Communion Antiphon

Our God has appeared on the earth, and lived among us.