Parish Newsletter 8 December 2024

Maranatha –   Our December Maranatha event takes place on Friday next, 6th December, from 7:30pm to 8:30pm in St. Patrick’s Church and will also be broadcast on our parish webcam  (https://churchmedia.tv/camera/st-patricks-church-donabate ). As always, we remember in a special way all our young people at Maranatha as well as bringing our own intentions. If there is anyone you would like remembered at Maranatha this month, please email the names to myam.admin@gmail.com by next Wednesday if possible.

Family Mass  – Sat 7th December – Our next Family Mass will take place at the 6.30pm Mass on Saturday next, 7th December, in Donabate Church. We would be delighted if families can participate on the 7th.  Please spread the word!  Any families wishing to participate in the Family Mass next Saturday can register their interest by emailing donabateparishcm@gmail.com

The St Vincent de Paul Annual Diocesan Christmas Appeal collection will be held this weekend 7^th/8^th December.  It will replace the Share collection and your support will be very much appreciated.

During Advent we welcome 3 different people to speak at our Masses on Contemplative Prayer and Christian Meditation.  This Sunday 8th December we welcome Noel Keating.  The Mass on the 1st, 8^th and 15^th will be recorded and will be available to download until 24^th December.

Tea/Coffee & Treats Parish Hall                                                                                     Our hospitality team would like to invite you to our festive December tea and coffee after the 11am mass this Sunday the 8th of December. Everyone is welcome across in the parish hall. We will have lots of home baked goodies, treats for kids and of course tea and coffee for everyone. We hope to see you there!

Christmas Mass Bouquet Cards – We have 3 designs available this year.  Cards are available from the Parish Office at a cost of €5.  All Mass intentions will be included in our Christmas Mass Bouquet Book and all the intentions will be remembered at all our Christmas Masses.  The card and Mass intention make a beautiful Christmas gift.

Balheary Church Confession  Confessions are available for the four Sundays of  Advent in preparation for Christmas in Balheary Church before/after the 11.30am Mass.

A Christmas Carol Service will be held on Sunday 15^th December at 7pm in Donabate Church.  All welcome.

A Communal Penitential Service will be celebrated on Monday 16^th December at 7.30pm in Donabate Church.  All welcome.

As we begin a new Church year, we would like to remind all and especially our Ministers of the Word, of the Diocesan Scripture resources on the Sunday readings. They can be accessed at www.tarsus.ie

RCIA  – Adults journeying to become Catholics – As we begin the new church year with this Advent season of preparation to welcome the Lord, we ask you to keep in your prayers one adult and three older children in our  parish who have asked to become Catholics or to complete their initiation as Catholics, and who will shortly commence a process of discernment and preparation towards the Sacraments of Baptism/First           Communion/Confirmation. This is a very special process not only for them, but also for us as a parish, so we will be providing more updates as the journeys progress.

Christmas Mass Bouquet Cards – We have 3 designs available this year.  Cards are available from the Parish Office at a cost of €5.  All Mass intentions will be included in our Christmas Mass Bouquet Book and all the intentions will be remembered at all our Christmas Masses.  The card and Mass intention make a beautiful Christmas gift.

Prayers for the Holy Souls in Purgatory every Friday after the 10am Mass.            All welcome.

2025 Holiday Arrangements:   Due to holidays during the months of January and February there will be no 9.30am Mass in Portrane and no 11.30am Mass in Balheary, instead the 9.30am Mass will be celebrated in Balheary Church commencing on Sunday 19^th January until Sunday 16^th February.  We apologise for any inconvenience.  The Mass in Donabate will be celebrated at the usual times of 6.30pm on Saturday evenings and 11am on Sunday mornings.  There may also be some changes to the 10am daily Mass, we will keep you posted.

Tap & Go – Thank you to all who use the Tap & Go machine.  The amount collected for October 2024 was €237.  The Dublin Diocese very much  appreciate your support.

Call for more Eucharistic Adorers – Fridays – We are blessed in this parish to have Eucharistic Adoration in Donabate Church each Friday, currently from 12noon to 4:30pm. This is such a special opportunity to come and spend some quiet time with the Lord. As our team of regular adorers is small, we would love if more people could commit to spending some time each Friday with the Lord. If you would be willing to either (a) commit to a scheduled time and/or (b) to provide cover when some of our scheduled adorers are unable to make it, please contact the parish office. 

Active Age for All Carols in aid of St. Francis Hospice.  Come Join Us on Tuesday 10th  December at 11.30am in Donabate Portrane Community Centre.  Mince Pies & Non     Alcoholic Mulled Wine & Raffle.

Donabate Meals on Wheels – NEW DRIVERS REQUIRED                                        If you would have an hour or two to spare once a fortnight to help deliver meals in the Donabate area please contact Deborah 086 8276555.