AROUND THE DISTRICTS
Bray
CHRIST CHURCH COI
Services of Worship for this Sunday – Advent 2: 8.30 a.m. – Holy Communion One; 11 a.m. – Morning Prayer.
HOLY REDEEMER PARISH
Mass: There will be a 7 p.m. evening Mass every day. This Saturday is the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is a Holy Day of Obligation. There will be a Vigil Mass at 7 p.m. on Friday and Masses on Saturday will be at 10 a.m., midday and 7 p.m.
Signed Mass Cards: Are looked after by the priests of the parish and are available only in the parish office or in the sacristy.
Christmas Cards: The Parish Outreach Group will be selling Christmas Cards again this year to help fund children’s education fees in our Twin Parish, Ikanga, in Kenya. One packet of six cards for €3.50 or three packets for €10. Other projects the Outreach Team has provided support to this year include, a new church and water well in Nigeria for Fr John Moses and new housing for vulnerable women and children in Matisi Kenya. This is a Daughters of Charity Project headed by Sister Mary Holland.
Holy Redeemer Youth Centre: Open for sixth class on a Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday – 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Open for first years open on a Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday – 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Carols For Advent: Join us at our annual sing – a – long Carols for Advent Service this Sunday at 4 p.m. with Bray Concert Band, Beating Time Barbershop Chorus and the Bray Comhaltas Harp Ensemble will perform. Along with children from St Patrick’s National School, and our own Folk Group followed by refreshments in the Little Flower Hall.
Carol Service: Join us again for a traditional service of Readings and Carols by the Gaudium Choir of the parish of the Most Holy Redeemer, conducted by Pat Carey on Sunday, December 23, at 4 p.m.
Taizé Evening: An evening of music, silence for reflection and readings on Wednesday, December 19, at 8 p.m. in the Holy Redeemer Church.
Advent Gathering Frs. John, Ben, and their team invite you to join us as we gather to prepare, through parable, story and symbol, to welcome the Christ Child into our hearts this Christmas in the Side Chapel on Thursdays December 6, December 13 and December 20 from 7.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. each night.
ST PETER’S PARISH
Christian Mothers: The December meeting will take place today (Wednesday) in the Parish Hall after the 11 a.m. Prayer Service.
St Peter’s Carol Service: Takes place in the church on Sunday, December 16, at 3 p.m.
November Altar List of the Dead: The envelopes for the November Altar list of the dead are available at the back of the church. All those whose names are listed will be remembered at Masses on the feast of All Saints, All Souls and the first Friday of each month. Please return envelopes to the sacristy or the parish office.
Young at Heart Dinners: Every Friday at 12.30 p.m. Come along and enjoy great food and a game of bingo. Dinners will cease this Friday and will recommence at the end of January 2019. Date to be confirmed.
ST FERGAL’S PARISH
The feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Is this Saturday and is a Holy Day of Obligation. Vigil Mass on Friday at 7 p.m.; Masses will be at 8 a.m. and 10.30 a.m. on Saturday with the usual Vigil Mass that evening at 7 p.m.
Christmas with the Voices of Bray Community Choir: In St Fergal’s Church this Sunday at 7.30 p.m. Proceeds in aid of Bray Lakers. Admission €10. Tickets available from the parish office.
‘Take Me Home Country Roads’: On behalf of all of our Parishioners Fr Larry would like to say a very big thank you to Michael Byrne and the members of the Men’s Choir for a wonderful evening of song last Sunday week. The proceeds will go toward the running costs of the church.
St Fergal’s Christmas Raffle – Great Prizes to be Won: First Prize – 32’ Panasonic TV with Wi Fi; second prize – Powerscourt Golf Club Green Fees x four Ball; third prize – Limited Edition Giclée Print by Peter Growney; fourth prize – Luxury Christmas Hamper; fifth prize – six Bottles of Wine; sixth prize – three Course Dinner for two at the Parkview Hotel; and more prizes. Tickets are on sale in the church this weekend and in the parish office. €1 per ticket or book of six for €5. The draw will take place in the church after the Christmas Carol Concert on Saturday, December 22.
Christmas Mass Bouquet Cards: Are now available from the parish office and the sacristy. The intentions of those receiving these cards will be remembered at the 9.30 a.m. Mass on Wednesday, December 26,
OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE
Hospitality: Will be provided this Sunday by Team C.
This Saturday – The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary: This is a Holy Day of Obligation. Mass Times – Friday: Mass at 7 p.m.; Saturday – 10.30 Mass.
Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish Christmas Arrangements 2018: Celebration of Carols – Sunday, December 16, at 7 p.m. Mass Times from Monday, December 17, to Saturday, December 22: 10.30 a.m. and Vigil Mass at 6.30 p.m. on Saturday the 22nd. Sunday, December 23: 10.30 a.m. and midday. Christmas Eve: 10.30 a.m. Mass, 6.30 p.m. Family Mass and 9 p.m. Christmas Night Mass. Christmas Day: 9 a.m., 10.30 a.m. midday. Wednesday, December 26 – St Stephen’s Day: 10.30 a.m. Thursday, December 27, to Sat- urday, December 29: 10.30 a.m. and Vigil Mass at 6.30 p.m.: Sunday, December 30: 10.30 a.m. at midday. New Year’s Eve: Service of Thanksgiving at 4.15 p.m.
Sacrament of Reconciliation: Our Lady Queen of Peace on Monday, December 17, at 7.30 p.m. and St Anne’s Church, Shankill, at 8 p.m.; St Fergal’s, Ballywaltrim, on Tuesday, December 18, at 7.30 p.m.; St Mary’s, Enniskerry, on Wednesday, December 19, at 7.30 p.m.; Church of the Holy Redeemer on Monday, December 24, at midday. Individual Confessions will be heard in Our Lady Queen of Peace on Saturday, December 22, from 11 a.m. to midday.
Eucharistic Ministers: A meeting for those on duty at the 6.30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Christmas Masses will take place in the church after the reconciliation service on Monday, December 17, Advent Prayer books (walk with me) and calendars: These are available in the book stand for anyone who would like to take one. A donation of €2 is requested to cover costs.
Our Lady Queen of Peace Bethany Bereavement Support Group: Will have an additional drop in morning at the Villa Pacis on the first Friday of every month starting from last Friday after the 10.30 a.m. Mass for those affected by grief and loss.
Christmas Fair: Our Christmas Fair will take place this Sunday in the Villa Pacis from 12.30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Once again we are seeking new unwanted gifts. If you would like to donate them contact Anne at 087 7772127 or drop them into the Villa Pacis.
QOP YOUTH CLUB
Queen of Peace Adventure Youth Club members enjoyed a night walk on Bray Head. Leaders were Paul, Stephen, and Martina. One of the club senior leaders is returning to her native New Zealand in the New Year, having been a volunteer with the club for more than five years. This creates a vacancy for a new leader. Interested persons may call Paul at 086 3516630. He will be delighted to hear from you.
DIVING CLUB
Wicklow Aquanauts (Bray and Greystones Divers) Sub – Aqua Club welcome groups for a free pool introduction to scuba diving. Participants need to be 14 years of age or over. This offer is available to schools, clubs, and corporate groups. Call Albert at 087 6756439, and he will be glad to arrange the introduction for your group.
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 Saturday the final talk in the Gardens and Birds series of talks by Declan Byrne, ‘Attracting birds to your garden’ will take place in the library from 11 a.m. to midday All welcome – admission free. This Friday morning James Scannell, Bray Cualann Historical Society will present a seasonal talk ‘Christmas 1918 in Bray’ at 11.30 a.m. in the library. All welcome – admission free.
BALLYWALTRIM LIBRARY
Branch opening hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.,and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays. The library is closed on Mondays and Fridays. Borrowers are reminded that books can be renewed by phone – call 01 2723205. Tomorrow (Thursday) morning James Scannell, Bray Cualann Historical Society, will present a seasonal talk ‘Christmas 1943 in Bray’. All welcome – admission free.
CUALANN SOCIETY
Although there is no meeting of the Bray Cualann Historical Society, the local history society for Bray and North Wicklow, in the Royal Hotel, Bray, during December, the society will host two morning talks in Bray libraries looking back as past Christmases in the town. Tomorrow (Thursday) James Scannell will present ‘Christmas in Bray, 1943’ at 11.30 a.m. in Ballywaltrim Library, Boghall Road, Bray – all welcome, admission free; while on the following day, Friday, James will present ‘Christmas in Bray, 1918’ at 11.30 a.m. in Bray Library, Eglinton Road, Bray. All welcome – admission free. Other events which may be of interest to members and supporters of the Bray Cualann Historical Society are tonight’s (Wednesday) 8 p.m. lecture ‘From Carrickfergus to Carcasone – Hugh de Lacy and the Cathar Crusade’ by Paul Duffy to the Rathmichael Historical Society in Rathmichael National School, Stonebridge Road (Dublin Road end), Shankill, Co. Dublin. All welcome – admission €4; tomorrow (Thursday) 7 p.m. talk by James Scannell, recalling ‘Christmas 1918 in Kingstown and Dalkey’ in Dalkey Library, Castle Street, Dalkey, Co. Dublin. All welcome – admission free; Fridays 8 p.m. lecture by Anthony Kinsella on ‘Home for Christmas: John Francis O’Reilly and John Kenny, the last German agents to drop in’ to the Military History Society of Ireland in Griffith College, South Circular Road, Dublin eight. All welcome – wheelchair access available; Saturdays 2.30 p.m. lecture by Marcin Hasik covering ‘Polish Armed Forces in the Russian army in the First World War’ to the Western Front Association (Dublin Branch) in the Museum of Decorative Arts and History Lecture Theatre, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin seven. All welcome – €3 donation appreciated; next Mondays 1.05 p.m. talk by Dawn Klos on ‘The Widow’s Tale’ to the friends of Medieval Dublin in Dublin City Council, Wood Quay Venue, Dublin two. All welcome – admission free; and next Tuesday night’s 8 p.m. Peter Pearson lecture on ‘Art, Artefacts and Old Buildings in Dublin and Wicklow’ to the Kilmacanogue History Society in the Glenview Hotel, Glen of the Downs, Delgany, Co. Wicklow. All welcome – admission €3. Members of the Bray Cualann Historical Society are also reminded that the Old Bray Society has published a special issue of the Bray Historical Record – ‘First World War Special Issue’ which recalls those from county Wicklow, who took part in this conflict. Over the counter copies available from the Town Hall Bookshop, 23 Florence Road, Bray. Further information on the Bray Cualann Historical Society programme available on the Society’s website: braycualannhistoricalsociety.ie