St Mary s Parish, Bennekerry Third Sunday of Advent. Time Out. 1 Corinthians 13 A Christmas Version.

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1 Fr. Tom Little Fr Liam Morgan Sr. Joan Pierse ASKEA PARISH COLLECTIONS Development 1,919 Offertory 1,544 *************** Emergency Priest on Duty Askea Parish Community Centre Phone & Fax Mass Times: Askea 9.30am Mon-Fri Sat 7pm; Sun 9am, 10.30am & 12 Noon Bennekerry Sun 11.30am Tinryland Wed 9.30am Sunday 10am ************ Deadline for items for Newsletter if 5pm on Wednesday by phone or fax to or to Website: 22 nd December 2013 Vol 24 No 4 Fourth Sunday of Advent Time Out We re almost there! The run-up to Christmas can sometimes feel like exactly that a run, or even a marathon. No matter how much we try every year to pay attention to Advent and focus on the important things in our Christmas preparation, the last few days can pass in a bit of a blur. We want our Christmas dinner to be just right. We like to put a lot of through and preparation into our gifts for loved ones. Many of us are on the move over these few days, perhaps visiting friends with cards and gifts and Christmas wishes, or preparing to return home to our families. There are parties, concerts and carol services. This fourth Sunday of Advent is the perfect time for a time out. Today we find ourselves at the heart of the Christmas story. This is how Jesus Christ came to be born, the Gospel tells us. In the midst of the festive frenzy, it can be easy to lose sight of how our Advent preparation is going. Why not take the time for some quiet prayer today? Spend a few moments in silence reflecting on today s readings, get away from it all with a walk in the great outdoors, or take the younger members of the family to your local church to visit the crib. A pre-christmas break can help focus your heart and mind. Perhaps it is a good time to remember the wise words of Max Ehrmann s Desiderata: Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. Tríona Doherty Intercom Magazine St Mary s Parish, Bennekerry Third Sunday of Advent 1 Corinthians 13 A Christmas Version. 22 nd December 2013 If I decorate my house perfectly with fancy bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny ornaments, but do not show love to my family, I m just another decorator. If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of mince pies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautiful adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I m just another cook. If I work in the soup kitchen, sing carols in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing. Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to spend time with family. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn t envy another s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens. Love doesn t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can t. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

2 Christmas Mass Times: 24 th Dec 25 th Dec Askea: 6.30pm & 9pm 9am, 10.30am & 12 Noon Bennekerry: 11pm 11.30am Tinryland: 8pm 10am Penitential Service for Christmas takes place in Askea Church on Monday 23 rd December at 7.30pm. Confessions will also be available on Tuesday 24 th December from 11am to 12 Noon in Askea Church. Mass Times for New Year s Day Askea am Bennekerry am Tinryland 10 am Mass Times for the Feast of the Epiphany 6 th January 2014 No Vigil Mass on Sunday 5 th January 2014 Askea: 9am and 10.30am Bennekerry 11.30am Tinryland 10am Calendars The Students from Presentation College, Carlow will be selling calendars as you leave the Church today for 5 each with the proceeds going to Kaoma in Zambia. St Mary s Parish, Bennekerry Fr Tom Little PP Phone / Fr Liam Morgan CC Newsletter Items Deadline for News items: - 9pm Wednesdays Emergency Number for the Priest on Duty Parish Office Website: office@askeaparish.ie Anniversaries Sunday 22 nd December at 11.30am John Kane, Sion, Bennekerry Wednesday 25 th December at 11.30am James Nolan, 86 John Sweeney Park Sunday 29 th December at 11.30am André Dooley, Johnstown Michael Cushen, Rutland, Carlow Pauline Hendricken (née Hutton), Rutland Terrace and USA also her brother Seamus Hutton, Rutland Terrace and her sister Kathleen Murtagh Bennekerry Offertory 234 Development 156 PALATINE G.F.C. Lotto Results:- 1, 4, 22, 24 No Jackpot Winner. 2 match 3 Winners 100 each Winner Seller Holly & Meg Brigid Reid Mark Campion, 21, Meadow Grove Owen/ Dolmen Stores Promoter 70 Evan/Dolmen Stores Next Draw on Monday 23 rd December 2013 in Palatine Clubhouse at 10:00pm. JACKPOT:- 17,800.

3 Kildare & Leighlin Weekly Lotto Results For Wed 18 th December. Numbers drawn were 3, 17, 25 & 27. No Jackpot Winner. 7 Match 3s shared 1, each There were Match3s from Askea / Bennekerry. New Jackpot 20,000. Winner Promoter Claire Darcy Reeda Byrne Bernie Harmon Michael Shannon Kathleen Breen Norah Holohan Tickets 2 each available from Askea Parish Centre. Please note the draw takes place on Wed at 4.30pm in Portlaoise. Tickets must be returned by 5pm each Tuesday to Askea Parish Centre. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament The last day for Exposition is Wednesday 18 th December The first day of 2014 for Exposition is Wednesday 8 th January. Askea Parish Centre Holiday arrangements The Parish Centre will re-open after the Christmas break on Thursday 2 nd January. Requests for anniversaries may be telephoned to or left into the Sacristy. Wishing all our patrons a Happy and Holy Christmas and all the best for CUISLE NA NOLLAG: The Carlow Cd of popular Irish Christmas carols, poems and music is available from the Parish Centre. The cd includes Adeste Fideles and O Sanctissima sung by the Poor Clare Sisters, Graiguecullen as well as a host of local choirs and soloists. It costs 10 and is an ideal Christmas gift. Aspiro Choir - A real post- Christmas treat! Aspiro performing ensembles & guests perform A Boy Was Born Sunday 29th December, Carlow Cathedral 8.30pm. Tickets available NEWSWORLD, Burrin Street, Carlow. 10, 8 & 28 (Family 2+2) The Marie Cashin School of Dance Classes every Saturday in Eire Og Club House. Last chance to join in January 2014 to be a part of June show! Girls and boys aged 5-19yrs. Lots of styles of dance, singing and more! Ring Marie Cashin on: / Askea Senior Citizen s Our annual Christmas Party in the Seven Oaks Hotel was a great day. Over 80 people were there. Thank you to everyone who supported us this year, including with our fundraising activities. We will be back the end of January and would love to see new members coming to our monthly night wishing all our Senior Citizens a Happy Christmas and New Year. Amy Lawler Memorial Fund - Palatine Celtic Soccer Club are playing a Charity Soccer Match to raise funds for the Amy Lawler Memorial Fund. Our A Team will take on our Over 35's team. The match will take place on Friday 27th December at 2 p.m. on the Carlow Vocational School pitch. There is no cover charge for the match, donation buckets will be distributed on the side line - your support would be greatly appreciated. Legion of Mary The Legion of Mary wish you all a very Happy Christmas and appeal to you to watch out for the most vulnerable this Christmas. Meetings will resume on the 13 th January in Cathedral Parish Centre, College Street, Carlow. New members are always welcome. Pregnancy Yoga on Wednesday evenings at 7pm. Classes are small and no previous yoga experience needed. For queries and bookings contact Mary on Mats available to borrow. Yoga classes For Beginners and improvers. For more details contact Mary on Mama and Baby Yoga suitable from 6 weeks. Promoting gentle post natal exercises for both mothers and babies. Infant Massage suitable from newborn. Infant massage has many benefits including: * Helping to calm and soothe babies and help them to sleep better ; * Aid digestion and help relieve colic, wind and constipation For more information and bookings please contact Mary on

4 MONSTER CHRISTMAS BINGO In Graiguecullen Hall this Sun 22nd Dec at 3pm. OVER 5,500 IN PRIZE MONEY Great Money to be won ALL LINES CHECKS 50; Double Lines 60; ALL FULL HOUSE S 150/ 200; PLUS JACKPOT, INTERVAL & FLYER ON THE NIGHT. All Welcome & Bring a Friend. Éire Óg News Bingo every Thurs in Éire 8.30pm and Live Music every Sat night with no cover charge. ÉIRE ÓG LOTTO WINNING NO s Mon Dec 16th No Jackpot winner.2 Match 3s received 150 each For a good Cause c/o Andrea Ellis, Kim & Avril Buggy c/o Séan Buggy..Our Jackpot now stands at 4,100...Next week s Match 3 win or share 150 Tickets may be purchased from the Club, Flower Shop Fairgreen, and Riverside Stores in Hanover. NEXT WEEKS JACKPOT 4,100. Draw takes place every Monday night in Teach Asca at 9.00pm. Would you like support to Stop Smoking? 6 week HSE stop smoking group starting on Monday 6th January from 2.30pm 3.30 pm. If you are interested in joining this group contact Bernie O Brien at or Certificate in English Language Teaching (CELT) The only Department of Education recognised TEFL Course in the south-east will begin in Carlow on 4th February 2014 part-time. Graduate by June! Information Evening on 19:00HRS in the ELI Schoolhouse, Carlow. Also information from info@englishlanguage.ie / / Carlow Day Care Centre News Church Gate Collection Sincere thanks to all who contributed and to the volunteers who helped out on the day. A total of 830 was raised. Holiday Arrangements The Day Care Centre will close on Friday 20 th December and re-open on Thursday 2 nd January Wishing all our patrons a happy and holy Christmas. Looking forward to seeing you all in Coláiste Eoin, Hacketstown Enrolments are now being taken for the following evening classes at Coláiste Eoin, Hacketstown. Fetac Level 5 Communications, Special Needs Assisting, Human Growth & Development, Nursing Theory & Practice. Level 6 Childcare. Contact / CALENDAR Wednesday 25 th :-The Nativity if Our Jesus Christ Thursday 26 th :-St Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was one of those in charge of the poor and needy. He is outstanding for his forgiveness of his enemies. Patron of deacons, stonemasons and bricklayers. Friday 27 th :-St John brother of James, son of Zebedee, the disciple whom Jesus loved, is traditionally said to have died at Ephesus. He is considered to be the author of the Fourth Gospel, The Book of Revelation and three Letters. The Letter especially teaches the law of love; he is said in his old age to have preached only one message Love one another. Saturday 28 th :-The Holy Innocents, martyrs Sunday 29th:-The Holy Family is seen as the model for the human family, the religious community and the Church itself. The celebration of the incarnation has brought us to see God s closeness. In the Holy Family we see the ordinariness of the life of Jesus, the simple acceptance by Mary and Joseph of the marvel of God. In the daily life of family and community we can touch the Divine, we can come close to God. But we have to learn to live centred on God, with respect and love for each other. Tuesday 31st:-St Sylvester died in 335 after being bishop of Rome for 21 years. Being elected in the year after the Edict of Milan he was free to build many churches in Rome.

5 Extracts from Bennekerry School Newsletter Christmas Cards Our Christmas card project was a great success and the feedback from parents was very positive. Pupils got the opportunity to design their very own Christmas cards and have them printed professionally. Thanks to all parents who purchased packs of cards in aid of school funds. Staff News We are delighted to welcome Ms. Sara Reidy from Bennekerry and Ms. Colette Holden from Tullow who have recently been appointed to permanent teaching positions in Bennekerry N.S. We wish them every success in their future careers here. Ms. Niamh Dempsey from Ballinacarraig is covering a maternity leave position with Senior Infants. Congratulations to Ms. Laura Clack, Ms. Amy Roberts and Ms. Anne Minchin who announced their engagements over the mid-term break. (We had a great excuse to celebrate!) Best wishes to all the newly engaged couples. THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK The Mother and Child A curious child asked his Mommy, why are some of your hairs grey? The mother tried to use the occasion to teach her child it is because of you, dear. Every bad action of yours still turns one of my hairs grey. The child replied innocently:- Now I know why grandmother has only grey hair on her head The True Meaning of Christmas Once again it's Christmas Time, time for us to be, Busy wrapping presents and setting up the tree. It seems we have so many things, to think of and to do, We may forget that Christmas, has a deeper meaning too. A meaning that goes far beyond, the things the eye can see, Such as Holly wreaths, Mistletoe, and Gifts beneath the tree. For these are only Symbols, of what happened Christmas morn, When in a little manger, GOD's only Son was born. GOD put HIM here upon this Earth, with one idea in mind. To put New Hope around the World, and LOVE in all Mankind. So even though we're busy, and have many things to do, Let's not forget that Christmas, has a deeper Meaning too. Eugene W. Miller

6 Blessings There s always so much to be done, It makes me feel stressed and blue, Another lady sits alone and bored There s not much for her to do. I don t know what to cook for dinner, Am sick of chicken, pasta or rice. A homeless man rummages in a bin, Thinking a slice of bread would be nice. My teenager's music is far too loud, It s almost driving me crazy. Others are strung out on drugs, Their minds all muddled and hazy. My husband s late home from work, I find this annoying each day Another husband s looking for work, A long time since he had a pay. Thinking how others struggle in life, Then who am I to complain? Having so much to be thankful for, Will count all my blessings again. Vivien Wade