Aghaviller Parish Newsletter
Hugginstown, Newmarket and Stoneyford.
17th. and 18th. December 2022.
“Fourth Sunday of Advent”
Priests Living within the Parish:
Liam Cassin (Parish Priest) Telephone: 056 776 8693 or Mobile 087 231 2354
Peter Hoyne (Retired) Telephone: 056 776 8678 or Mobile 086 373 8492
Mass Times in Aghaviller Parish:
Monday 19th. to Sunday 25th. December 2022.
Hugginstown:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9.30a.m.
- Saturday 24th. at 7.00p.m.
- Sunday 25th. at 11.00a.m.
Stoneyford:
- Wednesday 21st. at 7.00p.m:
- Saturday24th. at 5.30p.m.
- Sunday 25th. at 10.00a.m.
- Friday 23rd. Visitation with Holy Communion will take place at the usual times on Friday. Please let us know if you would like to receive Holy Communion in your home for Christmas or at any other time
Pray For:
Mick Kelly, Castlemorris:
Kathleen Cahill, Smithstown, Thomastown
Anniversary Masse
Mary McGrath, Norelands. Mass in Stoneyford Church on Saturday 17th. December at 6.30p.m
Richard and Mary Burke, Croan.
Peter Kenneally. Barnadown. Mass in Hugginstown Church on Saturday 17th. December at 8.00p.m.
Walter Aylward, Catstown.
Rota for next week-end:
24th. and 25th. December 2022 . (Christmas Day)
Readers:
Stoneyford: Saturday 5.30p.m. Children
Sunday 10.00a.m. Sheila Raggett.
Hugginstown: Saturday 7.00p.m. Children;
Sunday 11.00a.m. Noreen Kenneally.
Eucharistic Ministers:
Stoneyford: Saturday 5.30p.m. Pat Kenny;
Sunday 10.00a.m. Natalia Smolen.
Hugginstown:
Saturday 7.00p.m. Teresa Broderick;
Sunday 11.00a.m. Lillian Carr.
Family Christmas Masses:
There will be a Family Mass for Young Families, Parents and Children on Christmas Eve Saturday 24th. December. In Stoneyford Church at 5.30p.m.
In Hugginstown Church at 7.00p.m.
Many of the children will be taking an active part in these celebrations. They will be involved with the Choirs, Readings, Prayers, Gifts, Servers etc. All children are invited to bring a little gift for other children who are in need. We ask parents to come with their children and to join in the singing of the Christmas Carols and to celebrate as family.
Mass Times on Christmas Day 25th.
In Stoneyford Church at 10.00a.m:
In Hugginstown Church at 11.00a.m.
Christmas Offerings:
Envelopes for your Christmas Offerings 2022 may be collected in the Church Porch, and your contributions may be handed in during the coming weeks: or you may donate directly – Use IBAN: IE19 AIBK 9330 9000 0561 20 (BIC: AIBKIE2D).
Many thanks for all your support and contributions during the past year.
Roman Catholic Diocese and Parishes of Ossory – Registered Charity No. 20015831
Parish Contributions:
The “Church Door” Contributions on last weekend amounted to €530.00. Thank You.
Be Safe this Christmas:
If you are leaving your home even for a short time, do lock all external doors and windows. Make sure all candles and naked lights are out before you leave or before you retire to bed. Be extra careful on the roads during the Christmas season and do show care for others. Safe Driving! With the ‘Text Alert’ in operation please be vigilant and always be aware there is always Garda help close at hand.
Ordination:
Pope Francis has appointed Fr. Niall Coll, a priest of the Diocese of Raphoe, to be the next
Bishop of Ossory. He will be ordained as Bishop on Sunday 22nd. January 2023 at 3.00p.m.
in St Mary’s Cathedral, Kilkenny.
The Chapter House Bookshop:
The Chapter House Bookshop at St. Mary’s Cathedral, will be open 5 Days a week ( Monday to Friday) until Christmas. The Shop has a great selection of Nativity Cribs, Christmas Cards, Calendars and Diaries for 2023, also a wide selection of Bibles, Liturgical and spiritual Books. The Bookshop also has a wide selection of Mass Cards and Religious Gifts.
Reflection:
The Scripture Readings speaks of how ‘God with us’ was revealed to the world in the person of Jesus over 2000 years ago. It is important that we move on from there to consider how we become aware of ‘God with us’ now in our daily lives.
It took some time for Joseph to accept the fact that, in Mary, there truly was Emmanuel – God with us. God is with us now, but at times we struggle to perceive God’s presence. Where have we unexpectedly discovered the presence of ‘God with us’?
Joseph was confused and uncertain about what he should do. It took time, and outside help, for him to discern what his next step should be. Perhaps we have also had difficulties along the way to some decisions or commitments. As we recall that journey and the moments when it became clear to us what was being asked of us. We give thanks for all who have helped us along the way. We can be bearers of Jesus to others, and they to us.
Newsletter:
If you wish to receive the weekly Newsletter by email, please drop your email address to liamcassin@ossory.ie The Newsletter is also available on the Stoneyford Website every weekend. (Stoneyford.ie:) News. All notices for the Newsletter to be left in by Thursdays at 5.00p.m. please. Contact: Telephone: 056 776 8693 or email: liamcassin@ossory.ie
First Reading
A Reading from the Prophet Isaiah:
The Lord spoke to Ahaz and said, ‘Ask the Lord your God for a sign for
yourself coming either from the depths of Sheol or from the heights above.’ ‘No,’ Ahaz answered ‘I will not put the Lord to the test.’
Then Isaiah said:
‘Listen now, House of David:
are you not satisfied with trying the patience of men
without trying the patience of my God, too?
The Lord himself, therefore,
will give you a sign.
It is this: the maiden is with child
and will soon give birth to a son
whom she will call Immanuel,
a name which means “God-is-with-us.”’
The Word of the Lord
Responsorial Psalm
Response: Let the Lord enter! He is the king of glory.
The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness,
the world and all its peoples.
It is he who set it on the seas;
on the waters he made it firm.
Let the Lord enter! He is the king of glory.
Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord?
Who shall stand in his holy place?
The man with clean hands and pure heart,
who desires not worthless things.
Let the Lord enter! He is the king of glory.
He shall receive blessings from the Lord
and reward from the God who saves him.
Such are the men who seek him,
seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Let the Lord enter! He is the king of glory.
Second Reading
A Reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans:
From Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus who has been called to be an apostle, and specially
chosen to preach the Good News that God promised long ago through his prophets in the scriptures.
This news is about the Son of God who, according to the human nature he took was a descendant of David: it is about Jesus Christ our Lord who, in the order of the spirit, the spirit of holiness that was in him, was proclaimed Son of God in all his power through his resurrection from the dead. Through him we received grace and our apostolic mission to preach the obedience of faith to all pagan nations in honour of his name. You are one of these nations, and by his call belong to Jesus Christ. To you all, then, who are God’s beloved in Rome, called to be saints, may God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ send grace and peace.
The Word of the Lord
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, Alleluia!
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son
and they will call him Emmanuel,
a name which means ‘God-is-with-us’.
Alleluia!
