AROUND THE DISTRICTS
Bray CHRIST CHURCH COI
Services of Worship for Sunday, December 3: 8.30 a.m. – Holy Communion One; 11 a.m. – Advent Communion.
Classics by Candlelight This Sunday: Back by popular demand, ‘Classics by Candlelight’ returns for its eighth year at 7 p.m. on Sunday, December 3, As usual, there will be an hour of wonderful music for string quartet in the church by candlelight, followed by mulled wine and mince pies, included in the price of the ticket. The alcohol-free hot punch always goes down a treat and means that drivers need not miss out.
As far as the musicians are concerned, in addition to Francis and Sheelagh Harte, we are lucky to have again secured the services, given freely, of David and Elaine Clark. All are present or past members of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra and RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Tickets cost €10 and can be bought from the Travel Boutique or by calling the parish office. This is an evening not to be missed – book early to avoid disappointment.
HOLY REDEEMER PARISH
Two Taize Evenings: An open invitation to come, away to the quiet, for 30 minutes of silent reflection, at 8.30 p.m. tonight (Wednesday), and Wednesday, December 20, at 8.30 p.m. in Holy Redeemer Church.
Evening Mass Change: The scheduled 7 p.m. Mass for tomorrow (Thursday) will be replaced by a Liturgy.
Crosscare: Archbishop Martin is seeking practical support for this year’s annual Parish Food Appeal this Sunday for the Crosscare Foodbanks. Crosscare work with many individuals and families throughout the Archdiocese, who are struggling to make ends meet. The Food Banks provide support with essential food and household items. This year collections will be held on one weekend only. This will allow us to distribute hampers in good time for Christmas to hundreds of families. We have identified items that are most needed at this time. These include: Shampoo and Hygiene Products, Soups, Tinned meats, Seasonal Biscuits, Cleaning Products. Holy Redeemer will have collection points in the church before and after all Masses this Sunday.
New Parish Pastoral Council: The new PPC – Parish Pastoral Council – invite you to email them with any ideas, thoughts or responses to life in our parish community. Our address is holyredeemerppc@gmail.com. You are also welcome to drop us a line and leave it into the parish office.
What Actually Happened in Bethlehem?: Would you like to look more deeply at the events in Bethlehem and reflect on what they might mean to us as adults in today’s world? If so, please come along and join Fr John and his team at our two Advent gatherings in Holy Redeemer Youth Centre on Thursdays December 7 and December 14 from 7.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. (prompt start and finished guaranteed).
Christmas Cards: Yes, its that time of year again. We are calling on your generosity to continue providing famine relief and education to our young friends in our Twin Parish, Ikanga, in Kenya. We would also like to thank all of our parishioners for your continued support over the years and we wish you all the joys and blessings of Christmas. The cards are good quality, produced and printed in Ireland, and are the same price as the last seven years, €3.50 for a packet of six cards, or €10 for three packets. They are available at the doors of the church after Mass or in the parish office.
ST PETER’S PARISH
Christmas Arrangements 2017: Carol Service on Sunday, December 17, at 3 p.m.; Penitential Service – Monday, December 18, at 7.30 p.m. Christmas Masses: Christmas Eve – 6 p.m.; Christmas Day – 10 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. Christmas Dues envelopes and timetable are available in the porch at the back of the church. Please feel free to take one.
Crosscare: Archbishop Diarmuid Martin seeks your support for a Parish Food appeal in aid of Crosscare this Sunday. Collection point in the church Porch before and after both Masses this Sunday. Crosscare work with many individuals and families throughout the Archdiocese, who are struggling to make ends meet. The Food Banks provide support with essential food and household items. Types of food needed urgently include: Pasta and rice, fruit juice, tea or coffee, soup, sugar, powered milk, tinned meat/fish, tinned vegetables/fruit, packaged desserts, biscuits and hygiene product.
Christian Mothers: The next meeting will take place today (Wednesday) in the Parish Hall after 11 a.m. prayer service.
SVP: Drop off point for post for the St Vincent de Paul is situated at St Peter’s Parish Bungalow Chapel Lane. If you need to contact the SVP please call 01 855 0022. A Special annual collection for St Vincent de Paul will take place on Sunday, December 10, and will replace the Share Collection.
Young at Heart Dinners: Take place on Friday at 12.30 p.m. Come along and enjoy great food and a game of bingo. Young at Heart dinners will finish on Friday, December 8, and will recommence in February. Date to be confirmed.
ST FERGAL’S PARISH
Ballywaltrim Community Centre: Is organising a Christmas Market as a fundraising event this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Flower Ladies: Would you be interested in joining our very talented Church Flower Team? If so, we would be delighted to hear from.
Christmas Shopping Day Tour to Kilkenny: On Saturday, December 9, departing at 9.30 a.m. from St Fergal’s Church, heading back from destination at 7.30 p.m. Cost, depending on numbers: €47 – €57. Contact parish office for details and to book. Full deposit to be paid at time of booking. Final payment to be made by this Friday.
Parish Monthly Cake Sale: Our Monthly Cake Sale will take place this Saturday and Sunday. If you can bake a cake for us on that weekend we would be most grateful.
OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE
Celebration Mass for the 70th Anniversary of our Parish: On Sunday, December 10, at midday, there will be a special Celebration of Mass to Mark the 70th Anniversary of our parish. On this occasion we especially want to welcome new parishioners who have come to join our Parish Community in recent years. We welcome people who have come from different parts of the world, if you come from a country other than Ireland you might like to put your name and country in the book in front of the altar so that we can represent and welcome you. After the Mass there will be refreshments in the Parish Centre. We would like as many people as possible to join with us for this special day of celebration.
Divine Mercy Mass: A Divine Mercy Mass will take place this Friday at 8 p.m. in our Church.
Welcome to Eucharistic Adoration: We invite you to commit to one hour per week. If you currently attend but are not signed up, we would encourage you to become part of the official rota as we need to ensure that each hour is covered. Signing up is easy. There are cards and information at the special display at the back of the church. Please fill in one of the cards and leave it in the box provided. There will be a talk at all of the Masses this Saturday and Sunday by the Diocesan Perpetual Adoration Group.
Our Lady Queen of Peace annual Christmas Fair: Will take place in Villa Pacis this Sunday. If you have any items and would like to donate them, please drop them into the Villa or contact Anne at 087 7772127. Do come along on the day for some fun and your chance to pick up some bargains. This is an important time to support your parish.
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Friday, December 8, is the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mass Times: Thursday, December 7,: Vigil Mass at 7 p.m. and Friday, December 8, at 10.30 a.m.
Vevay Active Retirement Association: The Christmas Lunch will be held in the Martello, Bray, on Friday, December 8, at 2 p.m. Please contact Carmel at 2761241 or the Villa Pacis at 2760045.
QOP YOUTH CLUB
Queen of Peace Adventure Youth Club will be running an induction session for new voluntary leaders. Interested persons who have a couple of hours a week available to help with the club programme are very welcome to get involved.
This club is 50 years old, has 90 events each year, and hopes to expand into further activities in the New Year. Call 2860837 for more information.
DIVING CLUB
Bray Divers congratulate Joanne and Cormac, who have completed attendance at the one star diver course lectures, and the pool snorkel training. They may now begin sea snorkel training and scuba pool sessions. The club is commencing a series of free introduction courses to groups and individuals in the community. This will consist of lecture and pool training in the use of mask, fins, and snorkel. To participate call Albert at 087 6756439.
BRAY LIBRARY
Bray Library opening hours are – Monday/Wednesday/ Friday/Saturday – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday – 10 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. Borrowers are reminded that books can be renewed by phone – call 01 2862600.
On Friday, December 8, James Scannell, The Bray Cualann Historical Society, will present his talk ‘Christmas 1917 in Bray’ at 11.30 a.m. in the library. All welcome – admission free.
CUALANN SOCIETY
Although there are no meetings of the Bray Cualann Historical Society, the local history society for Bray and North Wicklow, in the Royal Hotel during December, on Thursday, December 7, James Scannell will present a talk ‘Christmas 1942 in Bray’ at 11.30 a.m. in Ballywaltrim Library, Boghall Road, Bray. All welcome – admission free. The following day, Friday, December 8, James will present a his talk ‘Christmas 1917 in Bray’ at 11.30 a.m. in Bray Library, Eglinton Road, Bray. All welcome – admission free.
Members of the Bray Cualann Historical Society are invited to next Tuesdays 6.30 p.m. talk by James Scannell recalling ‘Christmas 1917 in Kingstown and Dalkey’ in Dalkey Library, Castle Street, Dalkey – all welcome, to next Tuesday night’s 8 p.m. talk by Rob Goodbody on ‘The Bridges of Wicklow’ to the Kilmacanogue History Society in the Glenview Hotel, Glen of the Downs, Delgany, Co. Wicklow – admission €4; and to next Wednesdays 8 p.m. talk by Cormac Lowth to the Rathmichael Historical Society in Rathmichael School, Stonebridge Road, Shankill, at which he will present his lecture ‘Richard Bridges Beech – Marine Artist and his Connections with Dún Laoghaire’. All welcome – admission €4.
At the same time Séamus O’Connor will present an illustrated talk ‘A History of Old Dun Laoghaire with Slides’ to the Dun Laoghaire Borough Historical Society in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire – admission €4,
The 2018 Dublin City Library and Archive Local History Society Group Day will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 24, in the Dublin City Library and Archive, 138-144 Pearse Street, Dublin – details of the programme will be issued in due course.
Further information on the Bray Cualann Historical Society programme available on the Society’s web-site: braycualannhitoricalsociety.ie.
ACTIVE RETIREMENT
Bray Active retirement are holding an Art Exhibition and Craft Fair this Friday in the Little Flower Hall at 10.30 a.m. in the Little Flower Hall.
BRAY FLOWER CLUB
Bray Flower Club invite you to their Christmas Gala Demonstration by Janet Maddock in the Little Flower Hall on Thursday, December 7, at 8 p.m. Tickets are €15 available from the Mermaid Florist, Fleurtique, and Joan at 086 2696317.
All proceeds go to the Martin Codyre Trust.