PARISH NEWSLETTER
BALLYDALY-CULLEN-MILLSTREET
Fourth Sunday of Advent
20th December 2020
Canon John Fitzgerald P.P.
Tel Nos. Millstreet 029-70043/Mobile 087-7752948
Email: millstreet @dioceseofkerry.ie www.dioceseofkerry.ie
PARISH OFFICE OPENING HOURS
MONDAY-TUESDAY- WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY
10.00a.m.-1.00p.m. & 2.00p.m.-5.00p.m.
Your prayers are requested for the repose of the souls of the following:
RECENT DEATHS: Frank Brosnan, Rathduane; Donie Casey, Cloghoula; John Magee Snr., England.
ANNIVERSARIES: Han & Luke O’Keeffe, Tanyard; Patrick M. O’Sullivan, Minor Row; Mary Cotter, Murphy’s Terrace; Tim Duggan, West End; Paul Fitzgerald Jnr., Clara Road; Helen Moynihan, Lackadota; Denis & John O’Riordan, Knocknakilla; Daniel & Margaret Healy, Curracahill; Patrick & Margaret Healy, Curracahill; Timmy & Julia Murphy, Coolikerane; William Buckley, Lislehane; Timothy, Mary & the deceased members of the Lynch Family, Lislehane; Patie Hickey, Mologhroe; Jer & Mary Jo O’Donoghue, Curragh; Jim & Hannah Galvin, Macroom; Denis Murphy, Banteer; Jerry Dennehy, Bolomore; Denis O’Sullivan, Newmarket; Con, Eileen, John & Niall Leahy, Macroom; Oona & Pat O’Reilly, Dublin; Mary & John Thomas Randles, Kilgarvan; Sr. Eileen O’Donoghue, Cahirbarnagh & England; James O’Sullivan, Dooradoyle; Jeremiah Cronin, Kilcorney; Jerry Lucey, Canada; Teresa & Eugene Sweeney, Dublin
MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEKEND:
Saturday 19th December:
Millstreet Vigil 6.30p.m: John Kelleher, Station Road
Sunday 20th December:
Ballydaly 9.00a.m: Eddie Murphy, Ballydaly
Cullen 10.15a.m: Eileen, Tony & Michael Moynihan, Coalpits
Millstreet 11.30a.m: People of the Parish
MASS INTENTIONS NEXT WEEKEND:
Saturday 26th December:
Millstreet Vigil 6.30p.m. Michael Lane, Carriganima
Sunday 27th December:
Ballydaly 9.00a.m: Donnchna Murphy, Ballydaly
Cullen 10.15a.m: Andy & Kitty Walsh, Knocknageeha;
Dan Meade, Ahane
Millstreet 11.30a.m: Bridie & Cornelius Keane, Drimoleague
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE COMING TWO WEEKS:
Monday 21st: Mass for Pádraig Creedon, Mushera (recently deceased) at 7.30p.m.
Tuesday 22nd: Mass at 10.00a.m. – Christmas Mass
Wednesday 23rd: Mass at 10.00a.m. & 7.30p.m. – Christmas Mass
Tuesday 29th: Mass for Lena O’Keeffe, Main Street at 10.00a.m.
Wednesday 30th: Mass at 10.00a.m.
Friday 1st January: Mass at 11.00a.m.
CHRISTMAS EVE & CHRISTMAS DAY
Thursday 24th December:
Mass in Cullen at 5.00p.m. & 7.30p.m.
Mass in Millstreet at 6.30p.m. & 10.00p.m.
Friday 25th December:
Mass in Millstreet at 8.30a.m. & 11.30a.m.
Mass in Ballydaly at 9.00a.m.
Mass in Cullen at 10.15a.m.
Please note all of these Masses are now fully booked – I am asking that you
attend the Mass you have booked and please do not put our stewards in
an awkward position by just turning up. If you are not able to attend for any reason please contact our Parish Office. We have facilitated the needs of our Parish as best we can and your continued co-operation and understanding is appreciated. All Masses from Millstreet Church will be
live-streamed on churchservices.tv/millstreet.
MASS INTENTIONS WEEKEND 2nd/3rd JANUARY 2021:
Saturday 2nd January:
Millstreet Vigil 6.30p.m. Nono O’Keeffe, Ducon Houses
Sunday 3rd January:
Ballydaly 9.00a.m:
Cullen 10.15a.m: Michael Dineen, Cullen
Millstreet 11.30a.m: Pat O’Connell, Canon O’Donovan Centre
VIRTUAL CAROLS & SONGS OF HOPE RECITAL 2020
On next Tuesday night, 22nd December, we will be live streaming a virtual
Carol recital, which our dedicated choir have been working on over the last
number of weeks. This can be viewed on churchservices.tv/millstreet and on our local Church TV between 8.00 & 9.00p.m.
I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank our choir for the
dedication they have shown during our lockdown by virtually recording
hymns which we have been playing during our Masses. The outstanding commitment they have given to the parish over many years is greatly appreciated and we look forward to the day when they will be able to return
and enhance our ceremonies as they always have. I also want to thank Edel and the Fraser family for the work they done to put these recordings together. If you would like to join our Choir please contact any of the Choir members – new voices always welcome.
PARISH OFFICE
Our Parish office will close on Wednesday 23rd at 5.00p.m. until Tuesday 5th
January. Please note there will be no newsletter next weekend 26th/27th.
MESSAGE AT CHRISTMAS TIME
As we prepare to celebrate the beautiful Feast of Christmas, we are unfortunately doing so in the shadow of COVID 19. This has been a very hard year for everyone and instead of looking forward and planning to have our family and friends around us, we must instead reduce our contacts, continue to observe Government & NPHET restrictions and try to keep each other safe.
I want to express my thanks to everyone who has ensured the safety of our Churches during this time – our Parish Covid committee, those who clean our Churches and our stewards, your willingness to help is very much appreciated.
On a personal note, I want to acknowledge the support that you have continued to give during the year – both financially and in the messages of support I received throughout the periods of lockdown. During this time, we were fortunate to have the dedicated service of Seán Radley who transmitted both daily and weekend Masses through Cork Music Station. This provided solace to people from our town, parish and community and gave them a much-needed connection. Live-streaming has been installed in Millstreet Church and from statistics received from the provider we are being viewed world-wide already. Thank you to everyone who have made donations towards this project
Finally, I want to wish the families of our Parish a very happy and peaceful Christmas. I say thank you to everyone who has assisted in Parish life during the year and we remember in our prayers the families who have lost loved ones during the year.
During a Christmas Homily in 2002, Pope John Paul said that tonight (Christmas Eve) is a night of faith, love and hope. So, as we remember the simple family who welcomed the Saviour of our world in such humble surroundings, may we embrace and remember those three words as we face a new year with new challenges.
Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright,
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child.
Holy Infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
