Second Sunday of Advent Year C

Did You Know?........

Normally we should not come up for Holy Communion unless we have been at the Mass. If we come into the Church after the Gospel, we actually have missed Mass. Therefore........

Fabric and Finance Group

The next meeting of this group will take place on Monday 7^th December at 7.00pm in the Conti Room. Please enter by main hall door.

Parish Pastoral Council

The PPC will meet on Monday 14^th December at 7.30pm in the main hall. Please enter by main hall door.

Messengers

The newsletter and Christmas cards will be ready for collection next weekend.

Parish Census

Just to let you know at the first weekend in November 643 people came to Mass here. This is opposed to 770 for the same week the previous year. Part of the difference in numbers is the fact that so many people are not well at the moment.

St Joseph's Parish 200 Club November Draw

Congratulations to our latest winners

£100    Nancy Toppin

£  30   Rosemary McHugh

£  20    May Flanagan

The next draw will take place on Sunday 20^th December.

SVDP Appeal

Do you have past papers (standard or higher grade) or new/unused clothes that SVDP could use locally or elsewhere? Please contact Clare Bremner directly or by email to arrange uplift: .

St Joseph's Bumper Christmas Raffle - TODAY

A big THANK YOU to everyone for the very generous donations towards our Bumper Christmas Raffle. Raffle tickets will be on sale in the Church hall after all Masses and the draw will take place TODAY (Sunday) at 12.15pm.

Football Boots for Mitsidi

Any unused or outgrown football boots (and / or socks) in reasonable condition, for boys of secondary school age, will be accepted with delight at the Mitsidi table this weekend. The Mitsidi football team won the final of the Naotcha Zone recently - they play barefoot.

Mitsidi Crafts Preview

A selection of crafts will be on sale after Mass on Sunday 6^th December - Christmas stockings, jewelry, knitwear, Christmas decorations etc.

St Joseph's 60+ Club

........will meet on Mondays from 2pm - 3.30pm in the main hall. The main feature this week will be a talk by Len Murray on Gecas, the war criminal. Tea and coffee will be provided and there is a suggested donation of £2.  All welcome.

Art and Craft Fair - Church Hall

This will be held on Saturday 12^th December 10am - 3.00pm and Sunday 13^th December 11.00am - 3.00pm. A wide variety of art and craft stalls as a fundraiser for Mitsidi Primary School. Please come along and support us.

Music Group's Advent Reflection

This will be held in the Church on Wednesday 16^th December at 7.30pm. All welcome. Mulled wine and mince pies will be served in the hall afterwards.

The White Cockade - January 9^th

The story of the Jacobites written and narrated by Len Murray with music by Tha tigh'n fodham.. This will be held in the Church Hall on Saturday 9^th January at 8.00pm. Tickets £5 by contacting Bill Paterson on 570 2853.

St Joseph's Primary - Eco Schools Rag Bag Appeal

Please give us all your unwanted textiles - clothes, blankets, sheets etc., - the more and the heavier the better! Please bring the textiles to school in plastic bags. If you are unable to bring donations to school, please telephone 956 1600 and the school will collect. Pick up date is Monday 21^st December. Thanks for supporting this very worthwhile initiative which helps people in third World countries.

Advent Lectures

An invitation from Father David Cotter and the people of Saint Aidan's, Johnstone, to join them in their Advent reflection series - Light in Darkness. Pleas see noticeboard for dates, times and speakers.

Prepare the Way

16 - 35 years old? Come along to an evening of Advent prayer at the Archdiocesan Youth Pastoral Centre at Our Lady of Consolation, 130 Inglefield Street on Monday 14^th December. Musicians are invited to bring instruments. More details on the noticeboard.

Kinnoull Retreats

Advent Retreat 14^th - 18^th December with Fr Gerry Mulligan C.Ss.R.. Year End Retreat 27^th - 31^st December "Healing in the Spirit: A Spirituality of True Self-Esteem" with Jim McManus C.Ss.R. and Miss Marie Hogg. Please see noticeboard at side door for further details.

ADVENTure 2009

ADVENTure is now in its third year and is an inspiring and fantastic catholic event for young people (17 - 35 years old) focusing on advent. Dates are Mondays 23^rd November - 14^th December from 7-8.30pm in St Margaret's Church, Sinclair Street, Clydebank. Further details from Suzanne Bunniss or Joan Beattie on . or www.bebo.com/adventadventure.

Marriage and Consecrated Religious Life

Fr Antony Jukes, a Franciscan brother and priest, will deliver a series of four talks each Wednesday of Advent at 7.30pm in the Church of Blessed John Duns Scotus, 270 Ballater Street, Glasgow. Please see the noticeboard for further details.

Westerton Male Voice Choir

"Joy to the World" featuring highlights from Handel's ‘Messiah' to be held in Cairns Church on Saturday 19^th December at 7.30pm. Tickets £10 includes refreshments are available by ordering via or by calling 0141 942 3702.

Being Catholic

Being Catholic has been established by the Bishop's Conference of Scotland as an opportunity in Scotland for Catholics to grow in faith. Visit the website http://www.beingcatholic.org/ for information on courses and opportunities to learn more about our faith.

Some Interesting Websites

Here are some interesting sites with regard to bioethics and morality for our Catholic community: http://www.academiavita.org/; http://www.linacre.org/; and http://www.catholicbiothics.org.uk/.

PLEASE PRAY FOR

Seriously Ill

Margaret McGowan, Diane Shields, Rose Varghese (Sr Marina's mother), Brian Crines, Mary McCann (nee Stevenson), Pat Boyle, Thomas Grehan, Frances Grehan, Marianne Mitchel,  and Lena Roe.

Anniversaries

Jim McCance and Albert Haswell Jnr.