Notices

Christmas Message
This year has almost come full circle and Christmas is
upon us. It is an appropriate time to acknowledge
goodness and blessings in our lives. We thank all who
have actively participated in parish life: in the various
masses and liturgies, with the celebration oft the sacraments, by music and singing, cleaning of our churches and the maintenance of church grounds, participating on school boars and parish committees.
We have been living with COVID-19 for the past 2
years and we acknowledge the continuing role of the
COVID group in both St. Brendan’s and the Church of
the Annunciation in Carrig and especially we thank all
how help with the sacristy and open and close our
churches.
We thank the St. Brendan’s Environmental Group under the guidance of Liam Moran for their work in the
parish at Christmas time with the decoration of St.
Brendan’s and the erection of the crib and inside
lights. We also thank Kathleen Gormley for her creative work with the crib in St. Brendan’s.
We thank Carmel Campbell, Enda O’Connor, Rena
Haverty, organists, Kathrena Ryan and Kieran Hoctor,
together with all who participate in both choirs as well
as soloists.
We thank the young people of St. Brendan’s community school and their chaplain, Kate Liffey for their involvement.
We also thank Brian Kennedy, chairman and the pastoral council.
We acknowledge Emer, our parish secretary, Joan,
our sacramental co-ordinator and the teachers and
staff of our schools. We thank parishioners for your
continued financial support, your words of encouragement and love of
faith.
Fr. Tom
&Fr. Antony

Published on December 30, 2021
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Christmas Mass Times
St. Brendan’s Church, Birr
Christmas Eve Family Mass 6.00 p.m.
Vigil Mass 9.00 p.m.
Christmas Day 8.30 a.m., 10.30 a.m., 12.00 Noon
Church of the Annunciation, Carrig
Christmas Eve Vigil Mass 7.30 p.m.
Christmas Day Mass at 9.30 a.m

Published on December 18, 2021
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Christmas Preparation with
Advent Reflection and Sacrament of
Reconciliation takes place on
Wednesday 15th December at 7.30 p.m.
All are welcome.

Published on December 13, 2021
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Dates For Your Diary
Saturday 27th November – Feast of the
Miraculous Medal – Mass at 10.00 a.m. will
include a blessing of Miraculous Medals.
A Remembrance Mass for residents of Birr Community N.U who have died in the past year (2020-
2021) takes place in St. Brendan Church on Tuesday 30th November at 7.00 p

Published on November 20, 2021
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Dates For Your Diary
Saturday 6th November at 10.00
a.m. – Annual Remembrance Mass
remembering all who have died in
our Parish during the past year.
Saturday 6th November is the Feast of All the
Saints of Ireland. We remember the holy men
and women from Ireland whose example and
goodness inspires and encourages us.
Sunday 7th November – Blessing of the
Graves
Clonoghill – 3.00 p.m.
Carrig – after 9.30 a.m. Mass
Saturday 27th November – Feast of the
Miraculous Medal – Mass at 10.00 a.m. will
include a blessing of Miraculous Medals.

Published on October 30, 2021
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Synodal Process
In these days, the Catholic Church throughout the
world and in Ireland is beginning a series of conversations about what
God wants of his people
at this time. These conversations are often referred to as a Synodal Process. “Synodal” comes from a Greek word which
means “walking together”.
This Sunday, 17th October we mark the opening of
this Synodal Process entitled, For a synodal
Church: communion, participation and mission. This
Synodal Process coincides with the start of the twoyear Synodal Pathway for the Catholic Church in
Ireland which will lead, in time, to a National Synodal Assembly in Ireland.
We pray that the next two years will be a time of
prayer, listening and discernment, involving a consultative conversation. This will allow all people –
both within the Church and in society at large, to
share their insights into the Catholic Church in Ireland – past, present and future – so that we can prepare for a National Synodal Assembly in the coming
years.
Pope Francis has asked us to pray continually for
the success of this synodal process. He asks that
we use the words of a very ancient prayer attributed
to St Isodore of Seville who lived in the 6th century.
This prayer has been used at Councils and Synods
of the Church since ancient times.
We stand before You, Holy Spirit,
as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us,
make yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go
and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful;
do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance
lead us down the wrong path
nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity
so that we may journey together to eternal life
and not stray from the way of truth
and what is right.
All this we ask of You,
Who are at work in every place and time
in the communion of the Father and the Son,
forever and ever. Amen

Published on October 18, 2021
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Sacrament Celebrations
Congratulations to the children and young people of
our parish schools and Parish Preparation Programme who received the sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion recently. The ceremonies were joyous occasions and we thank parents
and teachers for their help and understanding with the
necessary postponements.

Published on October 11, 2021
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Sacrament of First Holy Communion.
Congratulations to the children of our parish schools
and Parish Preparation Programme who received
Holy Communion for the first time this weekend. We
keep these children and their families in our prayers

Published on October 5, 2021
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They’re Really Two-at-One

Published on October 5, 2021

This Monday, 4th October is the Feast of St. Francis
of Assisi
They’re Really Two-at-One
Jesus the Nazarene and Francis of Assisi!
Two attractive men, heart and soul.
But, risk any closeness, feel a tremor!
Jesus’ mind of at-oneness-with-all was undoubtedly Shared and practiced and encouraged by
Francis-The…

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Celebration of Sacrament of Confirmation
Congratulations to all young people receiving the
Sacrament of Confirmation this weekend. The
young people who attended Crinkill N.S. will be confirmed next Friday, 24th September @ 7.30pm. We
keep them all in our prayers.
PRAYER FOR CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES
Lord, You send out Your Spirit
to touch the hearts of all people,
so that they may believe in You
and in Jesus whom You sent.
Look kindly on all candidates for Confirmation
as they listen to Your voice.
Open their hearts to Your Spirit
and bring to fulfilment
the good work that You have begun in them.
As we prepare these children for Confirmation,
make each of us an instrument of Your love.
Teach us to appreciate what is holy in others,
and to be patient with what we do not understand.
Deepen our faith in the Gospel
and help us to pass it on by our example.
We pray that You will continue
to guide us and sustain us.
Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Published on September 21, 2021
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