Sounds and Voices of the Children ~ 8th December 2023

Published on December 8, 2023

Sounds and Voices of the Children

It’s important to say that we are still in Advent.  Over the next two weeks our church will be a very busy place as schools practice and celebrate their carol concerts and nativity plays.  There is always great excitement and energy as the children prepare with their teachers and schools.  We will have very proud parents and grandparents in attendance as well.

It’s always a joy to hear the sounds and voices of the children in our church.  We look forward to the same sounds and voices as we celebrate the Incarnation during the Christmas Season from the Vigil Masses on Christmas Eve which falls on Sunday this year.

We hope and pray that the children will experience the joy of Christmas as the joy of the Birth of the Infant Jesus.  That is why we prepare and that is why we will celebrate.

May God bless the children, their families, their schools and our Parish this year.

Fr. Michael

Do This in Memory Mass

The next Mass for the First Holy Communion children and their families will be celebrated on this Saturday 9th December at 6pm Vigil Mass.  The children will bring their Do This in Memory candles with them to this Mass which they have received from the Parish as they prepare for First Confession and Fist Holy Communion next year.

Christmas Dues

These envelopes were delivered to homes this week.  They are also available from the church.  Thank you always for your generosity which is always appreciated.

Christmas Arrangements 2024

Sunday 24th December

Morning Masses @ 9am & 11am

Vigil Masses @ 6pm & 8pm

Christmas Day, Monday 25th December

Masses @ 9am & 11am

St. Stephen’s Day, Tuesday 26th December

Mass @ 9.30am

Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available after weekend Masses on Saturday 16th/Sunday 17th December.

Ballinlough, Blackrock, Blackrock Road, Mahon Family of Parishes

Representatives from the Office of Mission and Ministry in the Diocese will speak at all Masses across the four parishes during February.  In preparation for this we will pray at all Masses during January asking God’s blessing so that parish councils will be formed in a spirit of prayer and discernment to specifically serve the prayer and faith lives of the parishes.

This will not be rushed and will be a more synodal way of discernment, prayer and eventually parish council formation.

Afternoon of Reflection

On this Sunday 10th December from 3pm – 5.30pm there will be an afternoon of reflection for Ministers of the Eucharist from the Family of Parishes of Ballinlough, Blackrock, Blackrock Road, Mahon in Blackrock Parish Centre.  Fr. Silveter O’Flynn OFM. Cap will guide the reflection. All Ministers of the Word of Eucharist are invited to attend to join in prayer and take the opportunity to meet together.