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CHRISTMAS / NEW YEAR SCHEDULE

DECEMBER 17th 2022 - JANUARY 6th 2023

Preparation for Christmas

Sat. 17th Dec. 10.00am in St. Patrick's 6.30pm in both churches.
Advent Retreat - 10.00am to 1.00pm in St Brigid's, Straffan
Sun. 18th Dec. 6.30am, 10.00am, 12 noon and 7.00pm in St Patrick's
and 11.00am in St Brigid's
Carol Service - 4.00pm St Brigid's, Straffan
Mon. 19th Dec. Christmas Confessions - 10.00am to 7.00pm in St Patrick's
Carol Service - 7.30pm in St Patrick's
Tues. 20th Dec. Mass at 9.00am in St Brigid's and 10.00am in St Patrick's
Wed. 21st Dec. Mass at 10.00am and 7.00pm in St Patrick's
Thur. 22nd Dec. Mass at 9.00am in St Brigid's and 10.00am in St Patrick's
Fri. 23rd Dec. Mass at 7.00pm in St Patrick's

CHRISTMAS ITSELF - SANTA IS COOL - BUT JESUS IS KING!

CHRISTMAS Mass at 10.00am in St Patrick's
EVE OPEN CHURCH FOR CHILDREN: parents and families are invited to
drop in to visit the Crib. Christmas music, treats from 2.00pm - 6.00pm.
We look forward to seeing you.
MASSES ON CHRISTMAS EVE
6.00pm in St Brigid's. 9.00pm and Midnight in St Patrick's
CHRISTMAS 9.00am and 11.00am in St Brigid's.
DAY 6.30am, 10.00am and 12 noon in St Patrick's
St. Stephen’s Day 10.00am in St Patrick's
Tuesday 27th - Friday 30th: Mass at 10.00am in St Patrick's
LEAVE 2022 TO GOD'S MERCY. EMBRACE 2023 IN THE COMPANY OF JESUS!
New Year’s Eve 10.00am in St Patrick's 6.00pm in St Brigid's 6.30pm in St Patrick's
Special New Year's Eve Mass at 11.30pm in St Patrick's
New Year’s Day 6.30am, 10.00am and 12 noon in St Patrick's. 11.00am in St Brigid's
Tuesday 3rd - Thursday 5th: Mass at 10.00am in St Patrick's
Thur. 5th Jan. 6.30pm in St Patrick's
Fri. 6th Jan. FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY: 10.00am in St Patrick's, 11.00am in St Brigid's
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A WORD TO THOSE WHO SAY CHRISTMAS

IS JUST FOR CHILDREN!
Oh I just wish it was over. All this fuss and for what. The sheer stress of it.
It's just too much!
Yes it's true many people don't like Christmas and no they are not all grinches!
I mean I love Christmas but I must admit it can bring its share of challenges.
I have noticed this more since I turned 60.
Even in small things, achy bones, feeling the cold more, more fussy about the sprouts.
All that's bad enough but it's bigger things as well.
I'm a little bit more prone to fear and even loneliness, which until recently, I knew
very little off.
As I listened to Chris Rea belting out Driving home for Christmas
The uncomfortable question that bubbled to consciousness was, where is home?
In a very real sense home died with Bridie and the sale of number 34.
Even though thankfully I am well blessed in family and friends.
Yes I do accept Christmas can be a challenge but here's the deal..
To a large extent Christmas is what you make it or at least to the degree that you
let it in.
More accurately to the extent you let Him in.
Make no mistake He wants to be born again in your heart in these days.
So enough moping. Let's move out. Let's open up. No more navel gazing.
If not for ourselves, let's invite Him afresh for the homeless one, the refugee, the sick
and lonely...
So let it snow. Small pieces of bacon through the sprouts. Good movies.
Adeste Fideles.
Be sure to visit our crib. What time is midnight Mass at Father?
Midnight. See you there. Happy Christmas, JoeMcD