Bree Parish Newsletter

Bree Church Notices

ANNIVERSARIES/INTENTIONS –   Saturday January 14^th – 1^st Anniversary Mass – Nelly Parle, Ballybrennan and also remembering her husband Michael Parle. 
Sunday January 15^th – Anniversary Mass – Josephine Spratt, Clonmore. 
Saturday January 21^st –Anniversary Mass – Larry Keeley, Knocknagross, Bree. 
Sunday January 22^nd – Anniversary Mass – The Deceased Members of the Byrne Family, Clonmore.

READERS                              Third  Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sat Jan 21^st             7 p.m.              Breda Donohoe
Sun Jan 22^nd             10 a.m.                        

ENVELOPE COLLECTION – The weekly envelope collection for last weekend amounted to €429.50.  Thank you to all who contributed.

CHURCH WEEKLY ENVELOPES 2012

Church Weekly Envelopes for 2012 will be distributed shortly.   The weekly envelopes are the only means used to fund the Church and parish.  While I acknowledge and thank the many who are faithful and constant in their support, I also issue an invitation to all adult, wage earners to give your support and share in the responsibility of making adequate provision for your parish.  Parishioners who would like to register for Weekly Envelopes are invited to contact the parish office.  Funding is always necessary to run and maintain a parish, but the more this burden is shared the less of a burden it is for everyone.  Regardless of the amount you consider to be a reasonable contribution, let us all play our part and contribute both generously and cheerfully!

DIOCESAN ECUMENICAL SERVICE

The Diocesan Ecumenical Service for Christian Unity Week will take place in St. Coleman’s Church, Ballindaggin, on Sunday 22 January at 7.30p.m.   The preacher is Rev. Leslie Forrest.  All are most welcome.

FIRST COMMUNION 2012 – PARENTS MEETING

Parents who wish to have a child receive First Holy Communion in Bree this year are invited to a meeting in Bree Hall on Monday January 23 at 7:30pm at which the formal registration will take place.  First Penance will take place on Tuesday March 13 at 7:00pm and First Holy Communion on May 13 at an additional Mass at 11:00am.

EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

The Eucharistic Congress Bell began its pilgrimage through the Dioceses of Ireland on St Patrick’s Day 2011.  Bells have been used throughout the world by churches to call its people together for prayer.  It is a fitting symbol, in its passage throughout the country, as a call to prayer and preparation for the 50^th International Eucharistic Congress which will take place in Dublin from June 10-17, 2012.  The Bell will arrive in the Diocese of Ferns on Thursday at the Parish Church, New Ross at 2:00pm.

Its itinerary closest to Bree will include:  Bride St, Wexford Jan 23;  Clonard Church Jan 24;  Enniscorthy Cathedral Jan 25 & St Senan’s Jan 26 – all venues at 2:00pm.  More on the Eucharistic Congress in coming issues of this newsletter!

EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS BELL – YOUTH MASS

There will be a special Youth Mass, during the visit of the Eucharistic Congress Bell, in St. Michael's Church Gorey on Saturday 28th at 7.30pm.  Young adults wishing to go to the Eucharistic Congress will also be made aware at this Mass of how they can, with other young people from the diocese, join in the youth festival at the Eucharistic Congress next June.

 Bishop’s House
P.O. Box 40
Summerhill
Wexford

January 5, 2012

To be read at Masses on weekend of 14^th and 15^th of January, 2012

Dear Father,

Preparation for the forty-forth annual pilgrimage to Lourdes begins in earnest this month. The pilgrimage taking place from the 17^th to the 22^nd May, invites the diocesan family to participate in an expression of faith which declares our hope in God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Henri Nouwen, author of The Return of the Prodigal Son, when asked "Are you an optimist," replied, "No not naturally, but that is not important, I live in hope not optimism." Hope, defined as a vision of life that guides itself by God's promise is of particular significance for our time, for rarely in living memory has this gift been sought by so many, particularly those facing the difficulties of long term illness, unemployment and emigration. Hope, which is inseparable from the Christian journey, is that aspect of God that enables us believe that the Lord will not allow us face our difficulties alone. It is that Godlike dimension empowering us to trust in the mystical prayer of Julian of Norwich that "all will be well, all will be well and every manner of being will be well."

The diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes has proven to be an experience that engenders hope among its participants. This gift encountered by pilgrims through the care and devotion of members of the hospitalite waits to be discovered in the surrounds of Lourdes. However, it is through a spirit of prayer that God's hope is directly communicated to those who visit this shrine honouring Mary, the Mother of God.

In conclusion, I invite you to consider travelling with the Ferns pilgrimage as we endeavour to foster God's hope among those with whom we journey and those for whom we pray. During these months of preparation, let us ask that the gentle and consoling presence of Mary, the Mother of God, may inspire our efforts, so that upon our return, we too may say with her "the Lord has done great things for me, Holy is his name."

With every good wish and blessing, I remain

Yours sincerely

 Denis Brennan Bishop of Ferns