“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife because

she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit”.

PARISH NEWSLETTER

Sunday 18th December 2016.

The Five Finger Prayer - A Special Christmas Gift:

Using your hand, start with the thumb and pray these intentions in this

order:

The thumb is the closest finger to you. So start praying for all those

who are closest to you. They are the people who are easiest to

remember. To pray for all those that we love, who are closest to us is a

special blessing on them all. There is no greater gift that we can give

them at Christmas than to name them one by one into the heart of God's

love. The next finger is the index. Pray for those who teach, instruct

and heal us. They all need the support and wisdom to show direction to

others. The following finger is the tallest. It reminds us of all those

who lead us and guide our nation, our world and our Church who have

to exercise authority in a spirit of true justice. They all need God's

guidance to make the right decisions to help the most vulnerable people

in our world. The fourth finger is the ring finger. Remember the daring

promise of marriage that is sealed by the exchange of rings as a symbol

of your love. Also, though it may surprise you, this is the weakest

finger. It should remind us to include a prayer at this time of Christmas

and everyday for the frail, the weak and the dying who need our prayers

and support. And finally, we have our little finger, the smallest of all.

This finger should remind you to pray for yourself. When you have

finished praying for others, you will be able to pray for your own needs

in a better way.

John Cullen

Mass Intentions for this weekend & coming Week.

Sunday: 7 pm Carol Service

8:00 am 10:30 am

Monday: Martin Connolly (Snr), Patrick Gillooly

Syrea Connolly &

Martin Connolly (Jnr) Tuesday: Mai & Willie Casey Pat Raftery

Wednesday: Toss Keavey Jim Gibbons & Gemma Golden

Thursday: Philomena & Christopher Tully Kathleen Gavin & deceased family

Friday: Felix & Mona Kiernan Thomas Egan

10:30 am 9:00 pm

Saturday: Mary Hoare, Winnie & Christmas Vigil

Markie McNeill

We also remember Michael Moran whose anniversary occurs at this time.

RECENT DEATHS: Please pray for the happy repose of the souls of :-

Bernadette Mee, Hawthorn Drive. Piotr Pietrzak, Abbeyville. Mary Davidson, sister of

Anne Iremonger, Hyde Court and Brid McDermott, Ard-Na-Greine.

Kathleen Reddington, Knock, sister of May Mullen, Rathbrennan.

Michael O’Gara, Frenchpark, brother of Celia Ansboro, Galway Road. We offer sin-

cere sympathy to their bereaved families and friends.

CHRISTMAS CAROLS: The annual Carol Service in preparation for

Christmas will take place in the Church today Sunday 18th December at 7pm.

It is a special family occasion and is an ideal way to reflect on the deeper

meaning of Christmas unveiled in song, music and prayer. It lasts one hour.

CONFESSIONS FOR CHRISTMAS: Penitential Service will be held in the

Church on Wednesday 21st December at 7.30 p.m.

Mass Time Changes, 2017: From Saturday 7th January, 2017 all Saturday Masses will be

at 9:30 am and Vigil Mass will be at 7 p.m. First Friday Masses 8 am & 10:30 am (No

evening Mass). For the months of July and August + 1st September. Week-day Masses

will be at 9.30 am only. Holy Day Masses - Vigil 7 pm and Masses on the Holyday will

be at 8.30 am & 10:30 am.

VIGIL MASS FOR CHRISTMAS WILL BE AT 9 P.M. THIS YEAR.

Blessed Sacrament Chapel—Christmas Arrangements: Chapel will close on Friday 23rd December at 11 am and re-open after Christmas on Friday 30th December at 11 am.

Vita House Family Centre will be commencing its 6-week

‘Parenting when Separated Course’ on Wednesday 11th January

6.30—8.30 pm. This course aims to solve co-parenting problems in a

positive way that helps both parents and children. For more information, pop

into Vita House for a brochure or call 090 66 25898.

Roscommon Stroke Support Group Runs every Tuesday 12 noon—

2 pm in Hannon’s Hotel. If anyone would like to support the group by

volunteering or fundraising or just want more information, please

contact Martina Greene, Stroke Group Co-ordinator on 087 605 7696.

CHRISTMAS CALLS: The Priests of the Parish will attend to their Christmas calls

to the sick, as follows:- Fr. John — Wednesday 21st December from 11 am onwards. Fr. Irek on Wednesday 21st December at the usual time. Fr. Joe Fitzgerald on Wednesday 21st December at the usual time. If there are any others who would like a call from the Priest, please let us know. Phone Parish Office on 090 66 26298.

BLOOD DONOR CLINIC On to-day Sunday 18th December from

12:00 pm - 3.30 pm, Monday 19th & Tuesday 20th December from

5:00 pm - 8:30 pm IN THE ABBEY HOTEL , ROSCOMMON. (HELP

ENSURE ESSENTIAL BLOOD SUPPLIES ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE BY

GIVING BLOOD REGULARLY). DONOR LINE: 1850 731 137.

Pilgrimage to Medjugorje from Knock on the 7th June.

€699per person, €100 off price if paid by the 23rd Dec.

2016. Please contact group leader Marita Concannon on 098

64017 /089 414 6331.

RECENT WEDDING: Congratulations to the following who were married recently :

Susan Leonard & John Kellehan .

Lourdes Fundraising CD. The Lourdes Fundraising CD ‘LeCheile’ features performers, pilgrims, sick pilgrims and helpers from the Diocese who travel to Lourdes each year. It also includes Bishop Emeritus Christopher Jones, Carmel McLoughlin and Jimmy Kearney. It costs €10 and is available in local shops and from any committee member. It would make a great gift for friends or family at home or away. For a list of shops, please see www.elphindiocese.ie

Words from Pope Francis on the Family: Every family should look to the icon of the Holy Family of Nazareth. (The Joy of Love Par 30)

Vita House

News

Thank You

ALTAR SOCIETY: Group i is scheduled for the coming week.

Christmas Carol Service Will be held in St. Coman's Church of Ireland,

Roscommon Town on Tuesday 20th December at 7.30pm. All are welcome.

RHS HOME CARE : RHS Home Care urgently requires carers in the Castlerea, Boyle,

Elphin, Athleague, Ballyforan, Strokestown, Tulsk, Ballinagare, Frenchpark, Ballaghadereen,

Taughmaconnell, Athlone, Oldtown (Athlone), Roscommon Town and Four-Roads area. A

FETAC Level 5 Healthcare qualification, transport and flexible working hours are essential. To

apply email jobs@rhshomecare.ie or call 090 66 25988.

ST. COMAN’S WALK: The third annual St. Coman’s Day Walk for charity will take place on

26th December at 10.50 am from St. Coman’s Church of Ireland. Full details in local papers and

all proceeds going to Pieta House. Please support.

CLUB CAINTE: A free local Comhaltas initiative to promote ‘An Teanga’. Use it or lose it, its

future depends on you. Meet in the Restaurant of SuperValu from 4 pm on Saturdays. “Bain triail as—agus fáilte.

THANK YOU: ‘On behalf of Roscommon Lions Club I would like to thank all who gave

generously to our recent Church Gate Collection. The monies raised were €1305. This will go

directly to causes like the Winter Briquette Project for fuel poverty homes throughout County

Roscommon, Holiday break for County Roscommon Carers & the maintenance of the 4

defibrillators in Roscommon Town.’ Noel Connolly, President Lions Club.

St. Stephen’s Day Fun run/walk 5mile. In Knockcroghery start 2pm. Scenic walk,

free raffle. Donation €10. Children free. All money to Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind /

Roscommon Sports Partnership. Come along and bring a friend.

The Roscommon Voluntary Committee of Western Alzheimers Will hold their

first ever charity walk on St. Stephen's Day starting from Hannon's Hotel, Athlone Road at

12 noon. A real family event, (5K or 10K). Entry €10 per person / €20 family. Refreshments in

Hannon's Hotel afterwards and entertainment with The Strawboys. We hope you can join us.

Midland Warmer Homes In conjunction with the Sustainability Energy

Authority of Ireland are running a Warmer Homes Scheme. This project will be FREE to

individuals who are in receipt of one of the following - Fuel Allowance; or Family Income Supplement (FIS);

or Jobseeker’s Allowance (for more than 6 months with a child/ren under 7); or One Parent Family Payment;

and the person must own their own house and the house was built before 2006. Only homes that have

NOT received works can apply for this project. If you are interested, please contact 090-64 88292 for an

application form.

HOME CARE SUPPORT WORKERS Required in Counties Roscommon and Mayo areas.

Please contact 090 66 25852, ext. 2

Sunday’s Offertory Collection: €3,658.00

Family Circle: €322.00 Prizes €200. Thank You