A Christmas Message 2018It’s mid-winter and life is not easy.I’m reminded of this reflection: “Everybody has afew black holes of hurt in the soul. They ache inthose moments when you’re not too busy to feel”.

And then, perhaps, something happens - like thekiss of an angel; that small black hole fills with light– and we realize that miracles do happen.

Christ is born again in my humanity; in our humanity,healing and forgiveness is birthed in our midst.And this is still, after all, a beautiful world. Coraggio.

We know that miracles are not locked into timesand seasons, but there are grace–filled opportunities through these Christmas days.Forgiveness needs a messenger; healing needs a

messenger – it is you; it is me!

It is our deeper humanity being kissed by an angel– it is the light of hope blossoming the soul.Though it’s still not easy.

The Word was made flesh. He dwells among us.There is wonder and excitement. Praise God.

Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus.

A truly Happy Christmas to one and all.Monsignor Jim Carroll PP

Archdeacon J. Carroll PPSt. Peter’s Parochial House

041-9838537Fr Linos Dube CC

St. Peter’s Presbytery041-9838239.

Canon P. McDonnellFr. Barry Matthews CC

Fr. Paul Murphy CCOur Lady of Lourdes Presbytery

041-9831899Deacon David Durrigan

Deacon John TaaffeTHe BARBiCAn,St. Peter’s Parish Centre.Phone 041 - 9807416.St. Peter’s Church Shop …Opening times: 11.00am – 3.00pmTuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday

St. Peter's Parish NewsletterYear C of the Sunday Cycle. :            www.saintpetersdrogheda.ie

Sunday 23rd December 2018St. Peter’s Parish is part of the St. Oliver’s Pastoral Area.

Sunday Masses:St Peter’s Church:- Saturday Vigil 6.15pm; Sunday 8.00am; 11.00am;12.15pm

Our Lady of Lourdes:- Saturday Vigil 7.30pm; Sunday 9.30am;10.30am; 12 noon.

Christmas Arrangements 2018 in St. Peter’s Parish

MassesChristmas Eve Monday morning 24th DecemberSt.Peter’s Church 10.30am.onlyOur Lady of Lourdes Church 10.00am.

First Mass of Christmas - Monday 24th DecemberSt.Peter’s Church 8.30pm.Our Lady of Lourdes Church 6.30pm. and 9.00pm.

Christmas Day Tuesday 25th DecemberSt.Peter’s Church 8.00am,11.00am & 12.15pm.Our Lady of Lourdes Church 9.30am.10.30am.& 12 noon

ConfessionsCommunal Penance Service in Our Lady of Lourdes Church on Monday17th December at 7.30pm.

Monday 24th DecemberSt. Peter’s Church 12.30pm - 2.00pmOur Lady of Lourdes Church 12 noon - 1.00pm 4.00pm - 6.00pm

Weekday Masses 26th – 29th DecemberSt.Peter’s Church 10.30am.Our Lady of Lourdes Church 11.00am

The Legion of Mary will host a Holy Hour at 11pm followed by the celebration of Mass at 12midnight in St. Joseph’s Church, Mell on New Year’sEve 31st December.Tuesday 1st January Feast of Mary, Mother of God (World Day of Peace)Mass TimesSt. Peter’s Church 12noon (including St. Anthony’s Novena).Our Lady of Lourdes Church 10.00am

Sunday 6th January Feast of the EpiphanySt. Peter’s Church: Saturday Vigil 6.15pmSunday 8am, 11am & 12.15pmOur Lady of Lourdes Church Saturday Vigil 7.30pmSunday 9.30am, 10,30am & 12noon.

Friday 4th January is the First Friday of January. Divine Mercy Chaplet willbe recited after the 10am Mass in Our Lady of Lourdes. Mass for the Pastoralarea will be celebrated in Tullyallen Church at 7.30pm.

St Vincent de Paul if you need help or wish to become a volunteer contact041-9835914Drogheda Women’s and Children’s Refuge Centre Ltd. Helpline open 24 hoursper day 7 days per week. Tel 041-9844550 website www.droghedarefuge.org SOSAD Suicide Bereavement Support Group, further details on 086-6698735Amen: Group Meetings for Male victims of Domestic Abuse. For further in-formation, contact 046-9023718GROW a group that supports people with mental health issues. Every Tuesdayat 7pm in the Community Office, Park St., Dundalk, 086-7706067.

Church collection for the weekend 15th /16th December 2018Loose €2,166 Envelopes €1,842 Total €4,008

One to one Bereavement Support, confidentiality assured. Appointment notnecessary, no cost involved. Thursday mornings 10.30am – 12.30pm. Theservice will resume on Thursday 10th January 2019. Enquiries 042-9336393,Armagh Diocesan Pastoral Centre, The Magnet, The Demesne, Dundalk.

Eucharistic Adoration Adorers are required for the following times:Sunday 3.00.- 4.00pm, Tuesday 1.00.- 2.00pm & Saturday 2.00. – 3.00pm.For further information or to volunteer phone Anna on 9836661 or Breda on9836896.

The monthly Mass of the Secular Franciscans, highlighting the Crib, will be celebrated on Wednesday 2nd January 2019 in the Augustinian Church, ShopStreet at 7.30pm. Everyone welcome.

Dietitian led X-PERT course for Type 2 Diabetes will start in St. Theresa’aBuilding, hardman’s Gardens,Drogheda on Friday 18th January 2019. This isa free course which will run for 6 weeks. If you are interested in attending,please contact Ger Nolan on 041-6850675 for further information.

Just a reminder that there will be only one collection at our ChristmasMasses. Thank you for your support.

Today is the Fourth Sunday of Advent.

As part of our Christmas programme, we invite you to send a photo of the cribin your home to be displayed on our website and Facebook page.

The Parish Team wishes all parishioners and friends of the parish a veryHappy and Peaceful Christmas.

St. Peter’s Church Shop will be closed during the Christmas break. It will re-open on Thursday 3rd January 2019 at the usual times. Anyone wishing to geta Mass card, in the meantime, may do so in the Sacristy in St. Peter’s. A wordof thanks to our shop volunteers and all those who have supported us since itopened.

WMOF2018 Behind the Scenes Documentary will air on December 31st 2018at 6:30 pm on RTÉ 1. It will also be available on the RTE Player from the 1st tothe 7th of January 2019.

BaptismsWe welcome into the Christian communityConor Philip Delahan, Scarlet Street

Baptism Due to the need to plan ahead, our Baptism Team re-quests that parents give 4 weeks advance notice to a priest of the

parish at either presbytery. Congratulations to all parents blessed with a newbaby. We will endeavour to help you celebrate the sacrament of Baptism withjoy.

DeathsWe pray for the repose of the souls ofSr. Genevieve McCrea MMM, BeechgroveWillie Healy, Thomas StreetMay they rest in peace. Amen

Bereavement Counselling on a one-to-one basis is available at the DroghedaCommunity Services Centre, Scarlet Crescent, Drogheda. There is no charge forthis service and a panel of trained counsellors is available during the day andevenings to see clients on an individual basis. For more information contact theCentre on 041-9836084.

The Novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal is recited on Wednesdaymornings after the 10.30am Mass in St. Peter’s Church..The monthly Mass in honour of St. Oliver Plunkett will be celebratednext Saturday at 6.15pm in St. Peter’s Church.

The Parish Office will re-open on Monday 7th January 2019.