2nd Sunday of Advent, year A. Readings and prayers for the day can be found:

NEW MISSAL: 5

Readings only, OLD MISSAL: 115

First Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10 A prophecy of the Messianic times, that begin with the birth of Jesus

Second Reading: Romans 15:4-9 St Paul advises us to treat each other in the same friendly way as Christ has treated us

Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12 John the Baptist announces his message of repentance. 

Music (Sunday)

Sunday 8 December (The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is transferred to Monday 9 December). There will be a Mass in English celebrated at 10am on Monday in St Alphonse for the feast.

Opening Hymn: 109 Lo he comes with clouds descending
Kyrie:   Lourdes
Gospel Acclamation: Celtic Alleluia
Preparation of the Gifts: Blest are you, Lord, God of all creation  603
Sanctus: Bodley
Eucharistic Acclamation: ‘Laudate, omnes gentes’ Taizé
Agnus Dei:  Deiss, Lourdes
Communion: :  607 Let all mortal flesh keep silence
Closing Hymn:  366 Holy Virgin by God’s decree

The annual Intermedi Christmas concert will take place in the evening of Sunday December 8. The programme, including information about the causes supported, may be found here. Always, Intermedi are superb, and the concert will be a good, if early, introduction, to Christmas!

Fr Al Reid, a Redemptorist based in Clonard monastery in Belfast, passed away peacefully on Friday 22 November. Fr Reid was a huge player in the peace process in the North of Ireland, bringing together people from opposite ends of the political and religious spectrum in a dialogue that led to the present peace process. The details of the funeral arrangements in Dublin and Belfast can be found here. Events in Clonard may be followed on the live webcam — including the funeral Mass at 12:00 on Wednesday 27 November. There will undoubtedly be full coverage on RTE and BBC Northern Ireland.  RIP.

We now have a wide selection of Mass cards available, and cards for various occasions. If you would like to send a Mass card, you may find one in the display at the back of the church. To have the Mass said, please write down who it is for, what is the occasion (eg. anniversary of death, special intention, someone who is lately dead, get-well etc) and when you would like the Mass said. If the date is important, please also add your contact details. Then give the information to me. You may, if you wish, include an offering, but this is not required. I will sign the card, and celebrate the Mass for that intention. Fr Ed

Advent is almost upon us, which means that Christmas is not far behind! The celebrated vocal ensemble, Intermedi, are performing a concert of music and readings in preparation for Christmas, at 18:00, December 8 in the Konvict Chapel. Entrance is free, and a retiring collection will be taken for Friendship Luxembourg asbl. Full details can be found here.