PARISH OF ARDFINNAN, BALLYBACON & GRANGE
16th & 17th December 2023
Third week in Advent
Fr Michael Toomey V.F. / P.P. / ADM.
Website: www.abgnfparish.ie
☏ For Priest on Duty Please Call: 087- 6564170
✉ Please email us at: office@abgnfparish.ie
📫 The Parish Office, Holy Family Church, Ardfinnan, Clonmel, Co Tipperary
☏ Phone: 052 – 7464408 E Mail parishofagb@gmail.com
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THANK YOU
Many thanks for your contributions in the last weeks in the collections and envelopes for the upkeep of our parishes and churches:
Ardfinnan/ Ballybacon/ Grange: Weekly Collection €1435
Newcastle/Fourmilewater: Weekly Collection €1414
BAPTISMS Please contact the Parish Office on 052-746 4408 for those who wish to book baptisms in the coming months.
EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
This takes place in our parishes on:
Tuesday’s 10-11am Ardfinnan & Friday’s 2.30-3.30 in Newcastle Everyone is welcome to come and spend some time in quiet prayer and adoration.
Mass time change Friday 22nd December
The Ardfinnan NS will be joining us for Mass on Friday 22nd so Mass begins at 9.45
CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES
On Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th December the Masses are as usual Saturday / Sunday times and are for the 4th Sunday of Advent.
CHRISTMAS EVE VIGIL MASSES: SUNDAY 24TH DECEMBER
5pm – Newcastle
7pm Touraneena
7pm – Ardfinnan (Broadcast on www.churchservices.tv/ardfinnan )
CHRISTMAS DAY – MONDAY 25TH DECEMBER
9am – Fourmilewater
10.30- Grange
11am – Nire
12pm – Ballybacon
ADVENT PENANCE SERVICES
A penance service with an opportunity for Individual Confession will take place this week:
Monday – 7pm – ARDFINNAN
Tuesday – 7pm – FOURMILEWATER
Confessions are also available anytime upon request.
PARISH CALENDARS – are available in the church porches. Please take one home and to local parishioners who may be housebound.
SYNOD UPDATE
A one page document outlining a summary of Bishops Brendan Leahy and Alan McGuckian’s Synod Assembly experience is available in the church porch notice boards. This summary has a link that can be accessed by QR-Code that directs parishioners to the full statement.
NAÍONRA CHAISLEÁIN NUA CHILDCARE FACILITY
Thanks to all who attended the recent Christmas Craft Fair. It was heartening to see all the great stalls, and the support of the community. All proceeds of the Fair are going to Naíonra Chaisleáin Nua Childcare Facility. The Naíonra is a registered charity Community Facility, run by a voluntary committee, with highly trained and qualified staff who care deeply for all the children in their care.
PRIESTS CHRISTMAS COLLECION
Next weekend, there is the Christmas collection for the support of the priests of the parish. This collection which is one of four which takes place throughout the whole year directly supports the local priests in our parish. All priests in the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore receive a quarterly stipend of €5,350 totalling €21,400 per year. This stipend goes towards the usual day-to-day expenses that any of us have including electricity, heating, car expenses, food and general living expenses.
We are so appreciative of all the support that parishioners give to their local priests at such collections and as mentioned in the past, it is now up to each individual parish to support their own local priest going forward.
Again, I sincerely thank you on behalf of the priests for your enormous contribution and support to us in allowing us to be part of your community and to serve you to the best of our ability. Envelopes are in the usual weekly envelope boxes, or special envelopes are available in all church porches. These can be returned with sincere gratitude for your support.
MELLERAY CHRISTMAS WALK
Fundraiser for Pilgrim Walk of 14km on the Woodland Trail. Thursday 28th December from 10am. Registration on the day €15 including refreshments.
WEEKLY DIOCESAN FAITH@HOME FAMILY NEWSLETTER AND TO THE HEIGHTS YOUTH NEWSLETTER available at www.waterfordlismore.ie/resources To subscribe weekly email faithathome@waterfordlismore.ie-
DIOCESEAN NEWSLETER
The Diocesan Newsletter is available in all churches from this weekend – highlighting events across thew diocese.
CCTV CAMERAS / LIVESTREAM
Please note that for the protection and security of everyone CCTV cameras are in operation in our churches. All of our Masses are Live streamed in Ardfinnan and are at other times broadcast from Newcastle , Fourmilewater, Ballybacon and Grange on Churchservices .tv and Facebook Live pages
PARISH OFFICE
The parish office will close on Friday 22nd December and reopen on Tuesday 2 January 2024.