St. John’s Parish, Castle Street, Tralee

St. John’s Parish Centre

Opening Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9am 1pm & 2pm -5pm. Saturdays 9am – 1pm Tel: 7122522

E-mail:

December 13th 2009 – 3rd Sunday in Advent – Year C

RECENT DEATHS

· Mary Flahive Chutehall & formerly Manor

· Jeremiah (Jerry) Turner Senior Forge Cross, Dromtacker & formerly Lismore

· Johnny Savage Annagh

· Mary Bridget McCarthy Ardfert

and for all those whose anniversaries occur at this time

10.30am Mass - Hymn Numbers

Entrance 131

Psalm 53

Offertory 18

Communion 23

Concluding 132

LATIN MASS: in the Latin Rite form as approved by Pope Benedict, will take place this Sunday at Dominicans, Holy Cross Church at 1.30pm.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT BY KERRY CHORAL UNION: ‘O Holy Night’ at St. John’s Church, Castle Street this Sunday, (December 13th) at 8pm. Musical Director: Sharon Reidy; Accompanist: Ian Sexton. Tickets €15 (€12 Concession). Tickets available from Garveys or Polymath, or on the night.

BAPTISM TALK: The next Baptism talk for first time parents will take place on Tuesday, December 15th in the Parish Centre at 8pm. Booking essential.

FLOOD VICTIMS: A special collection will be taken up next weekend (December 19th/20th) for recent flood victims. This collection will be sent to Gort Co Galway to help people who have lost their homes and income due to the recent flooding.

RING THE BELLS FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE: You are invited to a short prayer service in St. John’s Church this Sunday at 1.30pm to pray for a successful outcome to the UN summit on climate change (Copenhagen). The service will close with the ringing of the bell at 2pm. This is a joint initiative of the Diocese of Kerry and Trócaire. Everyone is welcome. If unable to attend you can pray this prayer at 2pm wherever you are:

A Prayer for Creation.

Lord, we pray that we will constantly seek to love the created world you have given us as your creatures. We pray that we will always seek to care for our brothers and sisters in need; particularly those whose lives have been most affected by climate change. As world leaders and concerned individuals meet in Copenhagen at this time we pray that your Holy Spirit will guide all that they do in their efforts to care for our world. We make our prayer in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

CAROL CONCERT: at Bon Secours Hospital Chapel on Wednesday, December 16th at 7.30pm. All welcome.

BIRTHDAY CARDS FOR JESUS: We invite children in the Parish to make a birthday card for Jesus. Drawings, greetings, prayers, etc may be incorporated. The cards should be handed in to the leaders at the Children’s’ Liturgy Group at the 10.30am Mass this Sunday or next Sunday, or to the Parish Centre by December 21st. These cards will be displayed at the crib. (This is not a competition).

ST. PADRE PIO PRAYER MEETING & MASS: on Tuesday, December 15th at 7.30pm in St. Brendan’s Church.

ADVENT PRAYER 2009: You are invited to Advent Prayer every Wednesday night during Advent in Presentation Convent, Tralee at 7.30pm.

BAZAAR: The Parish Bazaar Committee wish to thank all those who sponsored, supported and helped in this year’s Bazaar. We thank specifically our parishioners whose contributions in money or gifts made the Bazaar so successful. If you wish, you can still make a cash donation within the next week. The final amount raised will be published as soon as it is available.

GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH WEBSITE: This website is now up and running. Records of Birth, Marriage and Death is available to view on-line and date back to the mid/late 1700s and up to 1900s. This service is free of charge. The website is www.irishgenealogy.ie

YOUTH 2000: Christmas Youth 2000 retreat, for 16 – 35 year olds, will take place at Newbridge College, Newbridge, Co Kildare from Friday to Sunday, December 18th – 20th. This retreat will be comprised of talks, prayer, sharing, games and craic, and promises to be a great opportunity for young people from all around Ireland to explore their Catholic faith and make many new friends. Contact Youth 2000 office 01 6753690. Website: www.youth2000.ie

KERRY HOSPICE: A 4-mile St Stephen’s Day walk, dedicated to the memory of Bill Kirby, will take place on Saturday, December 26th in aid of the Pallative Care Unit, Kerry General Hospital, Tralee departing from Kirby’s Brogue Inn, Lower Rock Street at 11.30am.Leader: Fr Sean Hanafin. Sponsorship cards available from Michael ‘Fox’ O’Connor - 087 9833075 or Ted Moynihan 7121885. Everyone welcome. Donations accepted on the day.

CHRISTMAS FAIR: will take place at Scoil Mhic Easmainn this Sunday from 2pm – 4pm. Auctions galore. Lots of bargains. All welcome.

BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE A Blood Donor Clinic will take place from Monday, December 14th - Thursday, December 17th. (Monday from 5pm – 8pm. Tuesday – Thursday from 3pm - 5pm and 7pm - 9pm at Brandon Hotel.

TRALEE SCOUTING REUNION: Were you ever a member of Scouts in Tralee? If so, you are invited to attend a scouting reunion scheduled for Sunday, December 27th. The event, to mark the 80th anniversary of the foundation of scouting in Tralee, will involve a short walk at 1.30pm from the Scout Den on Matt Talbot Road to the Lock Gates at Lohercannon and back to the Scout Den to enjoy some refreshments, renew friendships and look through photographs from scouting activities back through the years. All former members and friends of scouting in Tralee are invited to join in the reunion. Details available on www.traleescouts.4t.com

ST VINCENT DE PAUL: Emergency number 087 7848825 for assistance.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: Are you worried about your drinking? Do you think you may have a drink problem? Contact your local AA meeting or telephone 7127820 or 087 0522911 for information or advice.

USED POSTAGE STAMPS: These can be handed in to Parish Centre in aid of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.

OLD COINS: Trocaire are still collecting the old Irish and foreign coins. These can be handed in to the Parish Centre.