Dear Friends,
Today is the Third Sunday of Advent – “Gaudete Sunday”
Saint of the Week – Saint John of the Cross (1542 – 1591)
John was born near Avila, Spain. He was a Carmelite friar and mystic. He came to know St. Teresa of Avila and joined her in a reform movement of the Carmelite Order, known as the Discalced Carmelites. Houses of this Order are in Clarendon St. and in ‘Avila” on Morehampton Road. John is one of the foremost Spanish poets of the 16th century. Three of his famous poems are The Dark Night; The Spiritual Canticle and The Living Flame of Love. He wrote a commentary on the first of them, entitled, The Ascent of Mount Carmel. John died on this day (14thDecember) in 1591.
Advent Reflection Morning
This will take place on Friday, 19th December in the John Sullivan Room from 11.30am -12.00noon, immediately after the 11.00 Mass. This will be a brief time to reflect together on the mystery of the coming Christmas through readings from scripture, poetry and seasonal music. This proved to be very popular last year.
Upcoming Christmas Concert
Today, Sunday, The Choral Group, Visionaries will give a Christmas Concert here in Saint Francis Xavier, Gardiner Street from 4,00pm to 6.00pm. Admission will be only10 euro. Visionaries is a choir of some 30 voices, singing in four-part harmony. The members of the choir are visually impaired and any money raisedwill be for Fighting Blindness. They will sing seasonal and Christmas pieces. Please come along to support them and to enter into the spirit of the season.
Times for Christmas Masses
On Christmas Eve there will be a Children’s Mass at 6.00pm
Christmas Eve Vigil Mass will be at 9.00pm
Christmas Day Mases will be at 9.15 am and 11.00am
Reading Club
Our next meeting will be on Monday, 12th January 2026. We will begin a reading of The Return of the Prodigal by Henri Nouwen.
Fr. Brendan
LAST WEEK’SCOLLECTION
Church: €758 Share: € 134. Card reader: € 275. IDonate: € 40
Thanks for your continued support
GIVE A GIFT THAT CHANGES LIVES
This winter, thousands of children in Syria are facing the cold without proper clothing. You can help keep them warm and safe.
After years of conflict and hardship, Syrian families continue to face bitter winters without essentials. As temperatures fall below zero, children and the elderly are most at risk. Your gift will provide a warm winter jacket, hat, scarf, pants, shoes, T-shirt, and jumper, all purchased from local markets. This gift saves lives.
Your supportbrings real warmth, dignity, and hope to those who need it most.
Give a WinterKit today by calling Irish Jesuits International at 01 836 6509 or visiting our office at 20 Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin 1. www.iji.ie
BL. JOHN SULLIVAN SJ MONTHLY MASS Blessing of the sick and thanksgiving for his life on Saturday 20th December at 1 pm.
CHRISTMAS CARDSAND SEASONAL GIFTS
Our Shop has a large selection of Christmas cards, calendars and seasonal Gifts. You can also find a varied range of publications, magazines and books which would make an ideal present for Christmas.
CHRISTMASOFFERINGS
Envelopes for the Christmas Offerings are available on the table at the back of the church. Inside each envelope you will find details of the times of Masses for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Please note that there will be 9.15 am Mass on Christmas Day.
Your offerings this Christmas will go toward the cost of heating and lighting the church. We will be very grateful for your contributions.
WE INVITE YOUTO VISIT OUR CRIB AT OUR LADY’S Chapel. Special thanks to Brady’s Butchers for their generous straw donation, and to Padraig for assembling the crib.