Prayer for the New Year

Begin the New Year by standing at the threshold of this new moment & offering it to God.

In the year ahead,
Lord of New Beginnings,
Stretch our souls
And move us
Into new awareness
Of the human family,
Their needs and their longings.

Make these into
our needs, our longings
So we move more confidently
From our small selves
To a deeper sense of community
Where our resolutions reflect
Our interdependence.

Help us recognize the
Possibilities you have offered
To us as a people,
So we can commit to practice The Hope that happens
When we gather gratefully
In your Name and we hold up to you
This fragile, precious world.

Grant us all the grace
In this year ahead
To sow the seeds of justice
And to gather peace in our day.

Amen

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Greetings for the New Year

 

 

To all the people of Bantry Parish, at home and abroad, their families and friends,

May beautiful moments and happy memories surround you with joy in 2013

May the new year refresh your spirit and bestow upon you

new inspiration, love, peace, prosperity, happiness and good health

We celebrate new beginnings, goals & plans, hopes & dreams,

but most of all

A New Year of Peace, Joy & happiness.

 

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Parish Bulletin - Weekend of the 30th December

Sunday January 13^th 2013

We are inviting all babies baptized in our three churches in 2012 to attend any of our Masses on Sunday January 13^th, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

Parents and babies are asked to sit near the front and will be invited into the Sanctuary before the Final Blessing. Each baby will receive a Miraculous Medal

 

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SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL. CONTACT NUMBER; 027-55951

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS — 01-8420700. West Cork after hours service – 087-6114946 (after 7pm)

SUICIDE Prevention Helpline 1800 742 745: a free phone help-line open daily from 6.00pm — 10.00pm for people who are feeling suicidal or equally for a family member or friend who is concerned about someone.

Living Links –supporting the relatives and other survivors of suicide: Tom Corcoran 085 2445575, tomcorcoran@westcorklivinglinks.ie

West Cork Women against Violence Helpline: 1800203136

Bantry Care for the Aged / Daycare Centre / Housing / Meals on Wheels: Tel: 087-9246582

ACCORD: Marriage /Relationship Counselling & Pre-Marriage Courses – Tel. 027-50272 or accordbantry@eircom.net

West Cork Carers Support Group: Bantry, Tel; 02753848. Check for support, courses and advice.

Youth Mass: Dominican Novices invite you to Monthly Mass in St Mary’s, Pope’s Quay. 1^st Tuesday of each month.

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Died Recently

We extend our prayers & sympathy to the families, relatives and friends of

Patrick (P.J.) Spillane

(Derrygrenaugh West, Bantry)

Denis J. (Joe) Hegarty

(Ardnageeha, Bantry)

Patrick (Paddy) Murray

(Cahirmuckee, Kealkil)

who died this past week.

May they rest in peace

 

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Recent Parish Baptisms:

Billy Ryan O’Donovan

(Rope Walk, Bantry)

We welcome him into our

Christian Community

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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.