Parish Newsletter – 27th/28th November 2021 – 1st Sunday of Advent
Church of the Immaculate Conception,
Glin, Co. Limerick.
Fr. Timothy Curtin (Coolcappa/Kilcolman) 086-3697735/069-60126
Canon Anthony O Keeffe (Foynes/Shanagolden/Roberstown) 087-4163401/069-60112
Fr. Austin McNamara (Loughill/Ballyhahill) 087-2615471/069-82103
Diocese of Limerick Website: http://www.limerickdiocese.org
Eucharistic Ministers: Saturday 27th November: Mary Hogan
Sunday 28th November: Grace Fitzgerald
Saturday 4th December: Marie Shine
Sunday 5th December: Sean Flanagan
Readers: Saturday 27th November: John Healy
Sunday 28th November: John Prendergast
Saturday 4th December: Louise MacNamara
Sunday 5th December: Eufrocina Clemente
Eucharistic Adoration: Weekly Adoration every Friday from 3pm until 9pm. All are welcome to join
GLIN DEFIBRILLATOR NUMBER 068 59590/087 6230032… ONLY TO BE USED IN AN EMERGENCY
Local Notes: if you would like to have a note placed in this section of the paper, please contact GlinNotes@gmail.com no later than 7:00 pm Sunday evening.
The following is the schedule for the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Glin.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays: Morning Mass at 10.00 a.m.
Saturdays: Evening Mass at 7.00 p.m.
Sundays: Morning Mass at 11.00 a.m.
These weekly arrangements are subject to change.
Even though Covid Restrictions have lifted we ask that you please observe social distancing, wear a face mask and sanitize your hands.
Baptisms & Weddings: To book a Baptism or a Wedding please contact Fr. Curtin on (086) 3697735 or Pastoral Area Secretary Ann Dore, Foynes on (069) 65561 during office hours: Wednesday: 10a.m. to 1p.m., & 2p.m to 5p.m. Thursday & Friday: 9a.m. to 1p.m. & 2p.m. to 5p.m.
Funerals: All funerals arrangements can be directed to the following:
Fr. Curtin: (069) 60126/(086) 3697735
Fr. McNamara: (069) 82103/(087) 2615471
Canon O Keeffe: (069) 60122/(087) 4163401
Anniversary Masses: (to be booked through the Pastoral Area Secretary Ann Dore, see details above)
Saturday 27th November: Tom Normoyle months mind.
Joan Scanlon, Mary Street. Mark Flaherty, Ballyguiltenane.
Sunday 28th November: Dan Culhane, Ballinagoul.
Saturday 4th December: Tim & Nell Mulvihill, Glin and the Mulvihill family, Aughrim & Drumrisk. Bridget Dillane, Kinard. Marie Horan, Ballyculhane.
Sunday 5th December: Mary Normile & family, Glin and Margaret Finn & family Creagh Street. Michael Walsh, Creagh Street.
St. Fergus National School: Enrolment Forms for the school year 2022/2023 are now available from the school office. Please telephone 068-34344. Places available also in our ASD Class.
Glin ICA: The weekly Whist Drive has been cancelled until further notice due to Covid.
Congratulations: to Honor Mulvihill on being selected to join the U13 Desmond League Girls team. Well done Honor and keep up the great work.
Congratulations: to Cillian Mulvihill on his international call up with the U16 Rep. of Ireland team. Cillian is currently in Spain and on Monday last enjoyed his first friendly with Norway and celebrated with the team over a 3-0 victory. Cillian didn’t score but had a big impact on the game where he was fouled for a penalty. The Irish team are in Spain for a 9-day camp playing 3 games, Norway twice and Spain once. Best of luck in the remaining fixtures.
Christmas Decorations: Bread Fitzgerald Ahern is making and selling these beautiful personalised Christmas tree decorations and will be taking orders over the next few of weeks. Prices are €5 for 1decoration with 5 letters or less and €6 for 1 decoration with 6-10 letters. Anyone interested can text their details to 0879260951. (Characters on the bottom of the decoration may vary on stock availability)
History and Meaning of the Advent Wreath
The lights of the candles on the Advent Wreath break through the darkness, reminding us of the Light of Christ that we anticipate during this holy season of Advent. Like many of our Church traditions, the use of the Advent Wreath with its evergreens and its lighted candles finds its origins in pagan tradition and ritual. “Pre-Germanic peoples used wreaths with lit candles during the dark and cold of winter as signs of hope in the future warmth and lengthening sunlit days of spring. Similarly, Scandinavians lit candles which were placed around a wheel, and prayers were offered to the god of light to turn the wheel of the earth back toward the sun to lengthen the days and restore warmth.” In the middle ages, Germanic peoples began incorporating a lighted wreath into the Christian season of Advent. It didn’t gain widespread popularity until the 1800s.
The Advent Wreath is symbolic. The evergreens used for the wreath itself are reminders of life. Shaping them into a circle reinforces that meaning. The circle is also a sign of everlasting life as well as the eternity of God.
The four candles used, three purple and one rose, mark the Sundays of Advent before Christmas. The purple candles are reminders that this should be a time of prayer and sacrifice to prepare us for the second coming of Christ. On the third Sunday, the rose candle is lit to announce Gaudete Sunday, (Gaudete means rejoice) a Sunday of rejoicing for Christ’s coming is near. With the lighting of that third candle, brightness is growing and the darkness is being overcome.
A fifth and larger white candle in the centre represents Christ. It is lit on Christmas Eve as a declaration that Christ has come into the world and the darkness is vanquished utterly.
The Advent Wreath serves as a powerful visual reminder of the holiness of the season. The light of the candles invites us to quiet ourselves during this busy time and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. It provides an invitation to wait and pray in hopeful anticipation for the coming of Christ. We are called to welcome the light of Christ into our lives.
Please email office@stfergusns.ie with any notices for the weekly newsletter.
Glin, a heritage town... 