Weekly Bulletin: December 23rd, 2020

Christmas Day, 2020

“Today in the town of David, a saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” Luke 1

Thank you for your donations to last week’s Offertory and Share Collections. Donations to these collections can be made online from our Parish Website.

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We thank those of you who have already returned your Christmas Dues. Dues envelopes may be placed in the collection bags at Mass, given to one of the priests or handed into the Sacristy or the Parish Office.

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Further to the Government announcement regarding the move to Level 5, Church Services will move online from December 26^th. Mass on St. Stephen’s Day will be at 10.00am and can be viewed on the Parish Webcam.

The church is open for private prayer on Monday – Saturday from 10.45 to 5.30pm and on Sunday from 12,30pm to 5.30pm.

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We offer our condolences to the families and friends of the late Michael Manning and Freda Corocoran whose funerals took place here during the last week.

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This Week’s Feast Days

Saturday 26^th: St. Stephen, First Martyr

Sunday 27^th: The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph

Monday 28^th: The Holy Innocents, Martyrs

Tues. 29^th: 5th day in the Octave of Christmas

Wed. 30^th: 6^th Day in the octave of Christmas

Thursday 31st: 7^th day in the Octave of Christmas

Friday 1^st: Mary, The Holy Mother of God

Saturday 2^nd: Ss Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, bishops and doctors of the Church

Sunday 3^rd: Second Sunday of Christmas

Wednesday 6^th: The Epiphany of the Lord

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Accord Dublin continues to provide a Marriage and Relationship Counselling service. Accord continues to offer preparation courses for the Sacrament of Marriage. These courses are conducted via zoom during the current lockdown. Contact details for Accord Dublin are on their website: www.accorddublin.ie

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A Thank you note from Crosscare:

We are writing to express a big ‘thank you’ to Parishes.

We asked for donations of toiletries to include with food parcels we distribute. We received a huge amount.

We also received food and financial donations via www.crosscare.ie.

Donations are welcome year round, but especially at this difficult time, when so many people are looking for help.

Wishing you a Happy Christmas from the Crosscare Food Services team.

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COVID-19 Support Line for Older People

ALONE manage a national support line and additional supports for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Professional staff are available to answer queries and give advice and reassurance where necessary. The support line is open seven days a week, 8am – 8pm, by calling 0818 222 024. Calls to the ALONE National Support Line cost no more than a local call to a landline.

Aware – Support & Self Care Groups

If you, or those with whom you work wish to connect with people in relation to your mental wellbeing, please consider using the Phone In and Zoom Support & Self Care Groups, the Support Line or Support Mail, now and throughout the holiday season. These services provide support, coping skills and information – and most importantly help people who are in distress to know and feel that they are not alone in their experience. For more information about the groups https://www.aware.ie/support/support-groups/ and all of our services on www.aware.ie

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The Irish Cancer Society is looking for volunteers to drive patients to and from their chemotherapy treatments. Drivers with a free weekday availability and who can commit to driving twice a month. Please email Gail at gflinter@irishcancer.ie or call 01 2310 566 for an application form.

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Thank you to the parishioners who have volunteered to help with the re-opening of our church for public Masses. Some additional volunteers are required to help with stewarding and sanitising. Please phone Fr. Peter Briscoe or the Parish Office.

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The Irish Hospice Foundation Bereavement Support Line is 1800 80 70 77 and is open from 10am – 1pm from Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). If the line is busy when you call, they can call you back if you leave your contact details.

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YCD Connected Group

The Young Church Dublin have started a connected group for Young Adults (20’s 30’s) to gather online. We meet every Wednesday, from 8.00-9.00pm. We will have time to catch up, reflect on Scripture, chat in small discussion groups and enjoy time in prayer together. It provides an opportunity to connect in with other young adults in a community of faith. If you would like to join us, email st.pauls@dublindiocese.ie

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Teen Hope Online Teen Hope is a space where teens can be themselves – a pressure free zone. It is a space where through fun and engaging activities you can build friendships, and encounter an experience of welcome, belonging and discipleship. While we physically cannot gather due to Covid 19, the Young Church Dublin is offering the Alpha Youth Series online as a way to reach out to Teens during this time. For more information email: st.pauls@dublindiocese.ie

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The Mary Aikenhead Centre in Donnybrook operates a ‘Meals on Wheels Service’ for our area. This service provides a healthy meal delivered direct to elderly and housebound person’s homes five days a week Monday to Friday. If you are an elderly person from this area and would like to avail of this service, please contact the Centre at 01 2698995