13th December 2015 - Trocaire Christmas Gifts - 3rd Sunday of Advent (Gaudate Sunday) - UPDATED

On this weeks programme we joined by David O'Hare from Trócaire to speak to us about their Christmas Gifts campaign. We have our regular reflection on the gospel, liturgical odds & ends and other notices including a discussion with Fr Seamus Enright about some of the Redemptorist Food Appeal and Christmas Mission.

You can listen to the podcast of this weeks full programme HERE.

Trócaire Christmas Gifts 

When you buy a Trócaire Gift, you're not just giving. You're joining the fight for justice.

We are joined by David O'Hare on this weeks programme to promote Trócaire's Christmas Gift Campaign. Last year people in Limerick contributed close to €14,000 in the Trócaire Christmas Gift campaign.

So how does it work?

You can listen to David's interview on the programme HERE.

To find out more or to purchase the Trócaire Christmas gifts please go to their website HERE or call them on 1850408408. Trócaire Christmas Gifts can also be purchased at Easons and Veritas shops around the country.


Gospel - Luke 3:10-18

“Preaching of John the Baptist.” Mattia Preti, 1665.

The people were asking John the Baptist, 'What must we do, then?'. He was  clear and direct in reply - Share your possessions, feed the hungry, charge fair prices for your work, '‘No intimidation! No extortion! Be content with your pay!’.

Advent insists we stop and check our integrity! At this point, maybe we too need to ask 'what must we do, now?' ...W hat are we really preparing for? Where is Jesus and our relationship with Jesus in the midst of all this busy time? Do our words and actions match, or do we need to slow down and change paths a little now?

Again, this is not a call to beat ourselves up, but to healing and integrity. The second reading this Sunday reminds us that living this way is a joful thing

I want you to be happy, always happy in the Lord; I repeat, what I want is your happiness. Let your tolerance be evident to everyone: the Lord is very near. There is no need to worry; but if there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God for it with prayer and thanksgiving, and that peace of God, which is so much greater than we can understand, will guard your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus.    Philippians 4: 4-7

As we prepare for a celebration, lets be aware of the path we are walking. Lets choose kindness, care and justice as often as we can, so that when we come to Christmas we can truly recognise the King of Kindness, the Lord of Mercy - Iosa Chriost, the baby Jesus. 

Reflections on this weeks gospel:
Word on Fire
Centre for Liturgy
English Dominicans
Sunday Reflections

UPDATE:

Liturgical odds & ends

Liturgy of the Hours - psalter week 3; 3rd week of Advent

Saints of the Week

December 14th - St John of the Cross
December 15th - Blessed Ramón Eirin Mayo
December 16th - Blessed James of Tunis
December 17th - Saint Lazarus of Bethany
December 18th - St Flannan of Killaloe
December 19th - Blessed Kazimiera Wolowska


Notices - Redemptorist Christmas Food Appeal and Christmas Mission


On this weeks programme, Fr Seamus Enright from the Redemptorist community in Limerick joined us to promote the various different ways which the Redemptorist community is facilitating as preparation for Christmas. You can listen to Fr Seamus HERE.


1. A Christmas Mission - A Time to Prepare for Christmas, December 14th – 18th
Daily Mass at 8am, 10am and 7.15pm.
Lectio Divina: Praying with the Christmas Gospels after the 10am each morning.
Late Night Mission: Waiting at the Crib at 9pm: Scripture, Silence, Chants
Sunday, December 20th - Candlelight Mass at 7.15pm, followed by A Christmas Concert.

2. Christmas Confessions
Saturday, December 19th, 10.30am-7.15pm
Tue. Dec. 22nd – Thurs. Dec. 24th - Confessions in Church from 10.30am-7.15pm