Sunday 20th December 2009

4th Sunday of Advent

First Reading Micah 5: 1-4
Out of you will be born the one who is to rule over Israel.

Second Reading Hebrews 10: 5-10
Here I am! I am coming to obey your will.

Gospel Luke 1: 39-44
Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord?

20 December 2009 Fourth Sunday of Advent

Fr. Michael would like to wish all his parishioners and all who attend Mass in

Melmount a very happy and holy celebration of this Christmas time.

Christmas Schedule 2009

Sunday 20 December:

5.00pm - 6.30pm: Penitential Service and Confessions for Christmas. Nine
priests will be available.

Monday 21 December

Mass: 10.00am

No Evening Mass

6.45pm: Christmas Music with Strabane Concert Brass and
Christmas Pageant with the pupils of St. Mary’s Girls P.S. and St. Mary’s Boys P.S.

Tuesday 22 December

Mass: 10.00am and 7.00pm

Confessions: After Morning Mass and 6.15pm-6.45pm

Wednesday 23 December

Mass: 10.00am

Confessions: After Mass and 6.15pm-6.45pm

Thursday 24 December (Christmas Eve)

Mass: 10.00am

Confessions: 11.00am-12.30pm

First Mass of Christmas: 10.00pm
(Children at this Mass should be accompanied by an adult)

Friday 25 December (Christmas Day)

Mass: 8.00am.

9.30am Children’s Mass (Folk Group).

11.00am (Choir).

12.30pm (Strabane Concert Brass).

There will be no Evening Mass on Christmas Day.

(The Christmas Collection for Fr. Doherty and Fr. O’Hagan will be taken up on Christmas Day. There is a special envelope in your box.)

Saturday 26 December

Mass: 10.00am and 7.00pm (Vigil Mass)

Sunday 27 December

Mass: 8.30am: 10.30am and 12.30pm

Deadline for Bulletin 27 December

All anniversaries and notices for next week’s bulletin, Sunday 27 December, must be left with Fr. Doherty or the Parish Office or in the Sacristy no later than 11.00am tomorrow Monday 21 December.

Dates for Baptism

The following are the dates for the Sacrament of Baptism during the months of December and January 2010:

December: Sunday 20.

January: Sunday 3; Friday 15; Sunday 24; Friday 29.

Times for Baptism: Sunday 1.15pm; Friday 7.20pm.

We welcome into God’s Family through the Sacrament of Baptism:

Tess McBride

Amy Grace O’Connor

Liam Joseph Egan-McGlinchey

May they Rest in Peace - Deaths

Aggie Doherty, 25 Patrick Street

Anniversaries

Joe Gormley, Sarah Tinney, Brian Shields,

Mary Millar, Francis McColgan, Alice Woods,

Sheila Arbuckle, Jim O’Kane, Jamesie Simpson,

Frances Breslin, Kathleen McKelvey, Harry McKelvey,

Margaret Quigley, Terri Devine, Linda McGrath,

Margaret J. Elliott, Patrick McGranaghan, James Harte,

Francis Meehan, Tony Conwell, Bobby Patton,

Mary Crampsie, Mickey McCrossan, Benny Shields,

Mary Mulhern, Mary Redden, Millie Quinn,

Peggy Doherty, James McGillian, Kathleen McBrearty,

Mary McGillian, John Gallagher, Collette Gallagher,

Anthony Boggs, Lily McDevitt.

Marie Curie Cancer Care Community Carol Service

will take place in the Alley Theatre tomorrow Monday 21 December at 8.00pm. Music by St. Joseph’s Brass Band; singing led by Derg Valley Choir. Book your tickets at the Alley Theatre Box Office Tel: 028 71 384444 or www.alley-theatre.com. Admission £5.00.

St. Mary’s Girls and St. Mary’s Boys

Application forms for P.1 for September 2010 in St. Mary’s Girls and St. Mary’s Boys Primary Schools are now available from the schools’ office.

Foundations in Liturgy

A 12-week Liturgy course led by the Thornhill Centre team will be held in Sion Mills Parish Centre beginning Tuesday 19 January 2010 from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. This course is designed to foster an understanding of the richness of the Liturgy of the Church, examining core elements and symbols of our ritual and worship. Course cost: £100.00. For further details please contact the Thornhill Centre on 71351233.

St. Vincent de Paul, St. Mary’s Conference

would like to thank everyone for their generosity to the collection on Sunday 29 November. The amount collected was £3800.00. We would also like to thank you for your continued support to our weekly Sunday collections. Your support and generosity makes it possible for us to help many in the community who need assistance. Many thanks to Fr. Doherty, Fr. O’Hagan, Enda and Rita McDonnell and the staff in the Parish Office for all their help and support.

St. Vincent de Paul Lucky Lotto

The Draw for December took place on Sunday 6 December. The numbers drawn were: 5, 10, 16, and 20. There was one jackpot winner, Ryan Fleming, who won £1,300.00. The Jackpot for January 2010 is £1,000.00. Promoters are asked to have January draw envelopes returned on or before 20 December. The next draw will take place at 9.00pm

Trocaire Global Gift

This Christmas why not give a gift that can change someone’s world for the better. A gift that conveys the true meaning of Christmas, that is not just thoughtful but is also genuinely life-changing. A gift that will continue to be appreciated for many Christmases to come - this Christmas please give a Trocaire Global Gift. There are 9 gifts to choose from. The order forms are available at the back of the church.

Parish Bingo will take place in the Melmount Centre

tonight Sunday 20 December at 9.00pm.

Lines @ £50.00 each; Houses @ £100.00; Last House @ £1000.00.