Abbeylara Parish Bulletin – 31st Decemebr 2023 – The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Priest on Duty: Fr. Michael Campbell
Phone 043 6686270. 086 8718999. www.abbeylaraparish.com
Email. abbeylaraparish@eircom.net

St. Bernard’s: Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st December
7.30 p.m. Mary Jo Lynch, (Months Memory) Toneymore.
11.00 a.m. Deirdre Reynolds (A) Ballinacross and all the deceased members of the Reynolds and Boyle Families.
St. Mary: Sunday 31st December
9.30 a.m. Johnny Donohoe, (2nd A) Creevy.
Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord- Is celebrated on Saturday, 6th January and is a Holyday of obligation. Masses as follows:
St. Mary’s: Saturday 6th January
9.30 a.m. Tom & Bridget Lynch, (A) Creevy
and all deceased members of the Lynch & Kiernan Families.
St. Bernard’s:
11.00 a.m. For Patsy Fagan, Birthday Remembrance Mass.
St. Bernard’s: Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th January
7.30 p.m. Philomena Kelly, (3rd A) Kinkillew and all the deceased members of the Kelly and Farrell families.
11.00 a.m. John Masterson, (4th A) Toneymore.
St. Mary’s: Sunday 7th January
9.30 a.m. Fintan Murtagh (4th A) Creevy and his sister Imelda Staunton and all the deceased members of their families.

Weekday Masses: St. Bernard’s.
Monday, Wednesday 7.30 p.m.
Friday 5th Jan. 7.30 p.m. Helen Brady, (7th A) Camagh and all the deceased members of the Brady Family.

St. Mary’s: Tuesday and Thursday 7.30 p.m.

Rosary: The Rosary is recited each evening before Mass in Carra and Abbeylara Church. Please join in.
First Friday: Friday 5th January is the First Friday. The sick and housebound will be attended as usual.
Feast Days:
Monday – Ss Basil and Henry.
Tuesday – St Munchin.
Thursday –.St. Charles of St. Andrew (Dublin)
Saturday: – Feast of the Epiphany and is a holy day of Obligation.
Sunday – St. Raymond of Penyafort

Message from Bishop Paul: We speak a great deal in Advent about the coming of the light. – as Isaiah puts it – for your light has come, the glory of the Lord has come upon you. What light? The light that has made itself visible in the flesh, in this tiny infant in the crib. We are attracted by the same light that enveloped the shepherds and was the guide for the Magi on their journey. This is the light that was in the world from the beginning and by which the world was made. The message of Christmas as St John puts it – the true light which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. And elsewhere in St John – I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. The feast of Christmas is full of Christian hope, the light will overcome the darkness in our lives.
And as we ponder on this message at this Christmas time we are all too conscious of how at times we feel surrounded by darkness. There is so much war and destruction in our world, in Ukraine, in Yemen, in Sudan, in Burma and especially in Gaza, the very heart of the Holy Land.

Truly we are witnessing yet again the slaughter of the innocents. So much evil. And then there is the darkness in our own lives, the darkness of addiction of various kinds, the threat to human life at its beginning and now mooted for the end of life, the misery of loneliness and the hatred that comes from racism, misunderstanding and ignorance. So much darkness that we can feel overwhelmed. But the message of Christmas is a beacon of hope, the light will always overcome the darkness. Evil will not prevail. The Lord is near, have no fear. This Christmas we are invited yet again to welcome Jesus, the light of truth, hope and love into our lives. Let us make him this Christmas the Lord of our life and let us commit ourselves once again to walking the journey of life with Him.

Thank You: Thanks very much to all the people who came to the Holy Masses during Christmas. A special word of thanks to all the people who helped us celebrate these Masses. Also sincere thanks to those people who prepared our Churches so appropriately and fittingly for Christmas and the New Year. Thanks very much to all the people who help our Parish in so many different ways during the year. All of this work is very important for our Parish and is appreciated by our Parishioners.
Happy New Year. May your New Year be Meaningful and may it be filled with Blessings, Graces and Peace.
Fr. Michael