Parish Newsletter - Sunday 23rd December 2012

CEÁD  MĺLE  FÁILTE  ROMHAT  A  ĺOSA

We wish you, and your family members everywhere, a blessed and joyous Christmas.

At whatever moment you are in life, may the Christ Child come to you and live in your hearts always.

 

Fr. Donal.          Fr. Anthony.

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Christmas Church Services

 

Penitential Service

Will take place this Sunday at 6.00pm in Bantry Church. A large number of priests will be in attendance.

There will be Confessions in Bantry Church on Christmas Eve at 12.00noon

 

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Calendar: Mass Times and Intentions :–

 

Monday 24th December: Christmas Eve
Bantry: 10am - Timothy Kelleher - Cappanaboul
Bantry: 6.15pm - Family Mass
Bantry: 10pm - Christmas Vigil with carol singing from 9.40pm before Mass
Coomhola: 12am Midnight Mass

Tuesday 25th December: The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ
Hospital: 8am - Dawn Mass
Bantry: 9am
Coomhola: 10am
Kealkil: 11am
Bantry: 12noon

Wednesday 26th December: St. Stephen, First Martyr:
Bantry: 10am - Dermot O'Connell - Chapel Street
Hospital: 5.30pm Liam Coakley - Blackrock Road

 

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COMMUNITY NOTICES

 

 



               

Parish Calendars & Christmas cards showing the Christmas Services are available at the Church Porches. Please take one for your home and for your family & friends.

 

 

 

Bantry Parish & Friends Pilgrimage to Lourdes

22^nd – 27^th September 2013

Accompanied by Spiritual Director

Ex-Cork.  Accommodation at the Agena Hotel

Please see Church Porches for details

& Parish Office for booking forms

 

 

 

Bantry Rowing Club’s Christmas Day Swim

will be held as usual at the Abbey slip on Christmas Day at one o’clock sharp. Funds to go to Father Joe McCarthy in Peru. All welcome.

 

Bantry Defibrillator Group needs the help of local people to collect 250 old mobile phones so we can receive a free Defibrillator for the Bantry area from Kavanagh Environmental. Boxes are placed in the Credit Unoin, Teddy O Briens and the Library for these phones. The Group would like to thank everyone for their continuous support and wish you all a very merry Christmas and health and happiness in the New Year.

Home Alone This Christmas?

Don’t be home alone this Christmas if you would like some company. Senior Help Line is a national confidential telephone listening service for older people provided by trained older volunteers. We are open every day over Christmas, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, from 10 am to 10pm, (closed Christmas evening from 7-10pm). All calls are treated as strictly confidential. We are here to listen. LoCall 1850 440 444 @ price of a local call anywhere in Ireland.

 

The annual GOAL mile will take place on Christmas Day leaving the lower car park opposite the Garda station at 12.45. All are welcome to walk, jog or run a mile in aid of GOAL. Enquiries to 0879254057

 

You are cordially invited to the Annual Bantry Interdenominational Carol Service this Sunday evening in St Brendan's Church of Ireland at 8 pm.

The service takes the traditional form of Lessons and carols. We are delighted to say that the combined choirs of St Finbarr's, Bantry, and Sacred Heart Church, Glengarriff, will lead the congregation in the singing of the glorious traditional carols. Why not begin your preparation in the true meaning Christmas by coming along to this traditional service?

 

Crann na Nollag

 

 

Crann na Nollag 

         

 

Tá said ann a deir go raibh trí chrann Iasmuigh de dhoras tí na Beithile – crann darach, crann olóige agus crann giúise. Thosaigh an dá chrann mhóra ag maíomh, lá.

‘Mise’, arsa an crann darach ‘sínfidh mé amach mo ghèaga mar scáth nuair a chuirfidh an mháthair an leanbhín sa chliabhán amach faoin aer’.

‘Mise’,  arsa an crann olóige, ‘ligfidh mè do m’ológa titim I dtreo go mbeidh ola aici chun an leanbhín a chuimilt go suaimhneach sásta’.

‘Ó, faire go deo, arsa an crann giúise, ‘ní féidir liomsa faic na ngrást a dhéanamh. Tá mo ghuairí róspíonta agus mo bhuaircíní rógharbh dá lámha boga mine’.

‘Faic fónta go deimhin’ arsa an bheirt eile d’aon gháire.

Leis sin tharla go raibh aingeal ag eitilt thart a chuala an comhrá. Lig sí do réalt beag a bhí ag glioscarnaigh go gléineach titim ar bharr an chrainn ghiúise agus bhuail an leanbhín a bhosa le háthas ag an radharc.

(Caitlín Ní Luasaigh)

Community News - Weekend of 9th December

Died Recently

We extend our prayers & sympathy to the families, relatives and friends of Patrick Cadogan (Dromore, & formerly of Market Street),  Alfie Harrington (Cahernacrin) & Margaret (Neasa) McCarthy (Newtown, & formerly  Blackrock Terrace) who died recently. May they rest in peace

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Recent Parish Baptisms:

Anna Grace Harrington (Derrynakilla, Coomhola),

Lauren Olivia Foley (Seafield, Bantry),  

Aaron Michael Cronin  (Gortacloona, Bantry).

We welcome them into our Christian Community

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The Bantry Bay Lions Club, generously sponsored by the Bantry Business Association, will be hosting Santa's Grotto at the old cinema building in Bantry on December 15, 16, 22 and 23 from 2-5pm. Entrance fee is €4 per child and includes a gift & photo with Santa.

 

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Bantry Blues GAA:

Please support Bantry Blues U16 footballers in Clonakilty on Sunday Dec 9th at 2pm in the Premier 2 County league Football final. Up the Blues!

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Bantry Neighbourhood Watch A.G.M Next Thursday 13th Dec.

At 8pm In The Maritime Hotel Bantry.

Guest Speakers  Pat O Connor A.D.A. Security and Sargeant Ian O'Callaghan

* Tele Health *Home Security *Oil Tank Security *Frost Protector.

All Are Welcome  Light Refreshments Served.

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WEST CORK TALENT: The Grand Final of West Cork Talent takes place next Friday, 14^th of Dec. at the Westlodge Hotel.  This is a fundraising event for the refurbishment of I.T. facilities at St. Finbarr’s Boys’ N.S. The school is in the process of introducing I pads in all classrooms which will require a wireless infrastructure at the school. The heats are over – the finalists have been picked!  A great night’s entertainment for all the family is guaranteed. We hope to see many of you there.

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Mealagh Valley Community Hall is having a 45 Card Drive on Saturday 15th December

at 9pm. Entry fee €10.00.

Mealagh Valley Bingo will be held at The Community Centre, Ards on Thursday December 13^th . at 8.30P.M.. Usual bus service will run from Bantry. Your support for both events is greatly appreciated.

Kealkil National School News

A Year in the Life with Kealkil National School

Kealkil N.S. Parents Association together with the pupils and staff are asking people to join them in a special way in 2013 by purchasing a School Calendar 2013. These have just gone on sale this week through the school and in local businesses for the price of €10. All monies raised will go towards supporting the school. The Parents Association are very grateful to local sponsors whose generous donations have covered the printing costs involved.

The calendar is a unique collection showcasing the wonderful work and diversity of education received by the children in Kealkil N.S. The pupils were involved in choosing a theme for each month and then got the opportunity to be photographed in their birthday month.  

The Parents Association are asking people to support this initiative (which will be their main fundraiser for the year). They are asking families to reach out to grandparents, extended family and the wider community looking for their support. The calendars would make an ideal Christmas gift.

To purchase your calendar call the school at (027) 66298 or email: kealkilns@eircom.net. Calendars are also on sale in Burke’s Gala & Post Office Kealkil Village and other businesses in the village, Cronin’s Foodstore & Petrol Station, Ballylickey and Manning’s Food Emporium, Ballylickey.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception - 8th December

One very important feast in our Church calendar this month is the feast of the Immaculate Conception. But a lot of people misunderstand why we celebrate this day. First of all, what do these words mean? The immaculate also means 'clean' or 'spotless'. Imagine a way a window looks afer you've just cleaned it with wondow cleaner... How the light is able to shine through that window so clearly, as if it were brand new! The word conception means the moment that life begins for a baby inside it's mother's womb, the moment that God puts a soul & breathes life into that tiny body. So putting these words together, another way we can say 'immaculate conception' means 'a clean start to life.' It's importatn to remember that because of original sin, none of hus human beings have a 'clean start' to our lives, because our souls are stained by original sin. The sin of Adam & Eve has been passed down through every generation of the human race, and leaves a stain on our souls until we are baptised. But in the sacrament of baptism, we receive a 'new start' to o ur lives as God's children, and our souls are made squeaky clean by his grace!

 

What's amazing about Mary, though, is that her sould was squeaky clean from the moment her life began in St. Annes womb. Mary never had the original sin that the rest of us had before baptism! God knew from the beginning of time that he wanted her to be the mother of his Son, so he prepared her from the moment of her conception to fulfill this important role in salvation history. He made the window of her soul pure, so tat the Light of the World could shine perfectly unto all, through her. On the feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8th) we honour Mary for her sinlessness and perfrect obedience to the Father.

Advent

I watch for Your Presence

 

As a beacon guides a ship to harbour

Lord, guide my wandering spirit.

Lest I drift away and flounder.

 

Shine the light of Your love

into the darkness that surrounds me,

so I can find my way to you.

 

Lord, I watch for You,

For the light of your presence,

that makes my heart rejoice.

 

May I never falter in keeping vigil,

alert in looking for your help.

 

Yes, Lord, you are my beacon of light.

You are the light of the world. Amen.

 

 

Advent: Time of Watching

'Be still before the Lord, and watch.'

Psalm 37

 

Advent Wreath: Holly, the old pagan symbol for good luck, became the symbol for Christ's crown of thorns and his blood shed for us. By his wounds we are healed. Holly and ivy intertwined symbolise peace in our world and harmony between man and woman.

Christmas Events coming up in Bantry

Gaelscoil Bheanntraí is holding a Bumper Craft Fair on Tuesday, 4th December between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Great fun for all the family with Daidi na Nollaig’s Magical Grotto, Wheel of Fortune, Facepainting, cake sale etc. Everyone welcome.

 

Meet Santa in his Grotto and help Mrs. Claus in her kitchen. Play with the elves in their magical snow garden. A photo with Santa & a gift for every child. €5 per child. CHRISTMAS BAZAAR: Raffle, Bottle Stall, Festive Gifts, Christmas produce, Cakes, Lucky Dip, Games – Crazy golf, darts, Guess weight of cake, Guess Santa face,Teas/Coffees. Our Lady of Mercy N.S. Bantry – Sun. 2^nd Dec. 12 – 4p.m. Entry: €2 at the door to include prize draw ticket

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The Bantry Lifeboat Carol Concert will take place on Sunday 9^th Dec. in the library of Bantry House. Under the candle chandelier, surrounded by the atmosphere of open fires, mince pies and mulled wine, this is a lovely way of getting you in festive mood with the opportunity to sing along to traditional Christmas Carols in this wonderful setting. There will be piano accompaniment and the lifeboat crew will give their own special rendition of Home From The Sea. A great night for all the family to enjoy and all proceeds will go the Bantry Lifeboat. Tickets are €10 for adults and €5 for concessions, entry fee includes tea, coffee, mulled wine and minced pies. Singing starts at 8pm

Bantry Annual Community Carol Service, St Brendan's Church, Sunday 23rd December at 8pm. A truly spiritual start to Christmas."

'Celebrate Advent with West Cork Choral Singers on Sunday 2nd December at St. Brendan's Church, Bantry at 8p.m. Enjoy a delightful selection of festive carols. Director: Diana Llewellyn; Accompanist: Annabel Adams.

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The Bantry Business Association craft Fair will be held this Year in the Westlodge Hotel Bantry on Sunday 9th December from 12noon to 6pm. Stall include craft, food, jewellery, homewares and much more. With a special visit from Santa, the Santas Grotto will be kindly provided by the Westlodge and Bantry Lions Club. Various children's activities include face painting, Hair Braiding, colouring competitions and much more...Stall holders wishing to book, please call Tracy on 0831230031

 

Bantry Bay Rugby F.C. Bazaar & raffle to fundraise for badly need new pitch, on Saturday December 8^th in old cinema from 11am-4pm. Requesting donations of toys, books, bric-a-brac, homebaking, etc. Tea/coffee served. Lots of bargains & fun for all.

 

Cancer Connect Fundraiser

 

 

CANCER CONNECT FUNDRAISING EXHIBITION MATCH :

• ALL IRELAND CHAMPIONS TO HELP IN CANCER CONNECT FUNDRAISER:
• NOV 25TH : 2PM: WOLFE TONE PARK, BANTRY, CO CORK
• CORK SENIOR LADIES V WEST CORK LADIES SELECTION
• CORK LADIES MANAGED BY EAMONN RYAN
• WEST CORK SELECTION MANAGED BY GRAHAM CANTY

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HALF TIME MASCOTS GAME WITH U10 GIRLS FROM WEST CORK CLUBS - THE FUTURE OF CORK LADIES FOOTBALL: Admission - €5 Children €2

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WHAT IS CANCER CONNECT?
Cancer Connect is a free, flexible & confidential service to Cork Hospitals from West Cork for people receiving cancer treatments (radiotherapy, chemotherapy, etc). The service runs from Castletownbere through Bantry & Goleen through Skibbereen to various Cork hospitals every day (Monday to Friday) at times to suit passengers

Radiotherapy Service: 2 eight seater vehicles are used to provide the services and both are driven by volunteer drivers. The servive is normally to Cork University Hospital and the hospital has facilitated Cancer Connect passengers with appointment times of between 12noon and 1.30pm approx. thus minimising delays as far as possible.

Chemotherapy Service: this is privided every day (Monday to Friday) to the various Cork Hospitals. Similar to the Radiotherapy service it is supported by volunteer drivers who drive their own cars. It is usually provided 'one to one' as the appointments generally tend to take longer and the times of appointments can vary.

Contact: For details of any of the services or on becoming a Voluntary Driver one may contact Cancer Connect at West Cork Rural Transport Office

Tel: 027-52727

MOb: 087-1224404

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Community Notices - Bantry Parish Newsletter

Saturday Confessions:

From the 1^st weekend in December there will be Confessions in Bantry Church at 12.00 noon on Saturday. It might be helpful to anyone in town shopping. The Angelus Bell might remind you. The Confessional in the Hospital Chapel has been removed – anyone can still request the Sacrament in the Sacristy.

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You are invited to a Service of Healing & Reconciliation at All Saints Church, Drimoleague on Saturday, 1^st December next. (2.00-6.00pm). Conducted by Eddie Stone, a leading Catholic lay evangelist from Emmanuel House of Providence, Confert. He will speak on the importance of Faith for us today.

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Reflecting on the Advent Readings: An evening for Ministers of the Word and others.
An opportunity to reflect on the Word of God in Advent. This event is especially suitable for Ministers of the Word, but open to everyone.

Tuesday 20th November – 8.00pm Douglas Parish Centre. Tuesday 27th November – 8.00pm Parish Hall, Clonakilty All Welcome. Organised by the diocesan Scripture group and Liturgy Commission

Please let us know you are coming. Anne Francis 087-228-2134 abfrancis@eircom.net

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BANTRY LADIES FOOTBALL:Best of luck to the Minor ladies in the County Final this weekend (Sunday Nov. 18th) at C.I.T., Bishopstownon, kick off at 12.15pm where they will be playing St. Michaels.

ALL IRELAND CHAMPIONS HELP OUT CANCER CONNECT All Ireland Champions: CORK SENIOR LADIES Vs WEST CORK LADIES SELECTION
in AID OF CANCER CONNECT - A voluntary transport service bringing Cancer patients to Cork for treatment. Sunday November 25th @ 2pm. WOLFE TONE PARK, BANTRY, CO CORK. The West Cork Ladies team will be managed by none other than our own Graham Canty. This promises to be a fun even and it is is a very worthy cause, we ask everyone to come out and support it.

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Mealagh Valley Community Centre

Fund Raising Car Boot Sale & Coffee Afternoon - Sunday 25th November 2.00pm - 5.00pm at the Mealagh Valley Community Centre. Charge €10.00 per car. Must be set up before 2.00pm. Great chance to get rid of unwanted clutter or if you are looking to get a bargain. All proceeds go towards renovation of the Community hall. If it's raining, sale will be held inside.

 

Bingo with a prize fund of £500 will be held at The Community Hall, Ards, Mealagh Valley on Thursday November 22nd. at 8.30P.M.. The usual bus service will run from Bantry. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

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Historical Society: The local Historical Society is privileged to host the inaugural talk given by Ms Julianna O Donoghue – Underwater Archaeologist – and leader of the team of experts who examined the Coconut Wreck, a ship that sank just off the West Cork coast in the 1600’s. This illustrated talk will take place in Christian Fellowship Church on Monday next 19^th November at 8.00pm. Come and get first hand information about the exotic cargo on board this ship which was just recently discovered. Everybody welcome.

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Message for Sunday 18th November

 

The Deep End – A race against time.

Can you remember a time before everyone had mobile phones? It’s only twelve years since I got my first one. Back then, in the pre-mobile world, we had to stick to plans we had made. There was no such thing as ‘text me when you’re on the way’ or ‘I’ll call you if I’m running late’. If someone didn’t show up for a meeting or appointment, we had no way of checking where they were or what the hold-up was.

Nowadays there is less waiting around. We are instantly able to find out where other people are; if someone is late for a meeting our first reaction is to call them. We are not used to waiting anymore, and we don’t handle uncertainly well.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks to his disciples about time. The world as they know it is passing away, He says. But here’s the uncomfortable truth; nobody knows when. The disciples though it would be in their own lifetime, that they would see the Son of Man coming in the clouds ‘with great power and glory’. Yet countless generations later, here we are with the same uncertainly. We do not know God’s plan for the world, or for our lives. But we must be ready for whatever that is.

We can be behind time, running out of time, keeping an eye on time. We can manage our time as best we can. But we have no control over God’s plan for us. We must have faith, and stand ready for whatever is to come.

Triona Doherty.

Email: trionad@gmail.com

Remembrance

By this time of the year the world of nature is almost in total hibernation. Growth has come to a stop for a while & the place  is full of leaves that have fallen from trees. In the springtime we talk of new life, at this time of the year the opposite is the case. November is the month of the Holy Souls, the month when we remember our dead. We do that all through the year, we remember in a special way our loved ones at times of birthdays & anniversaries.  November is the month when we remember all our dead, not just the members of our families, or our friends & all the people we have known, but all the dead. Recently a sign has been put inside the gate of the Abbey telling us that we should respect our dead & take our rubbish home. As we all know the Abbey in Bantry has a beautiful view across the bay. It is a cemetery, a sacred place, a place where the mortal remains of many people we have loved & known are laid to rest. They are not dumped there & neither should our rubbish. Sometimes we like to get rid of our problems, it’s a bit like out of sight & out of mind. Just because we can’t see something doesn’t mean that it has stopped existing. We cannot see our loved ones who have died. However we do believe that they are now in a new & different existence with God in eternal life. Because of that we know that while the bodies of our loved ones are in the cemeteries they were buried in, in reality they are not there. We should not use that as an excuse to see a cemetery as a public place, that if we leave our rubbish there somebody else will look after it and it won’t be our problem anymore. Just because we can’t see our problems or the problems we cause doesn’t mean that they don’t exist.                                                                                                      Fr. Anthony