BULLETIN 25 DECEMBER 2005

CHRISTMAS DAY

CHURCH SERVICES

Saturday 24 December	Confession on request from 4.45 to 5.15 pm Vigil Mass at 5.30 pm Vigil Mass at 8.00 pm
Sunday 25 December	Sunday Mass at 11.00 am
Monday 26 December	No Mass
Tuesday 27 December	Mass at 10.00 am for Rona McNamara
Wednesday 28 December	Mass at 10.00 am for Cosimo and Arturo Farro
Thursday 29 December	Mass at 10.00 am for Mary and David Stirling
Friday 30 December	Mass at 10.00 am for Isobel O'Hare Rae
Saturday 31 December	No Mass Vigil Mass at 5.30 pm

PARISH CENTRE EVENTS
There are no events in the Parish Centre this week.

PRAYERS
Please remember in your prayers:
   Ronnie MacIntyre and William Lindsay who died recently;
   Margaret Shanks 1966, Tom Finn 1993, Isobel O'Hare Rae 2004,
   Patrick Quinn 1969, Molly Cosgrove 1994, Arthur Robertson,
   Arturo Farro 1994, Mary Dorian Stirling 1999 and Father Joseph Glendinning 1993
   whose anniversaries occur at this time;
   and those who are sick.

SUNDAY COLLECTION
Last weekend's collection amounted to £647.90 - many thanks.
Banker's Orders amount to an average of £4000 per month. Each month £4000 is repaid to the Diocese for the building loan and levy.

PARISH CENTRE COLLECTION
Last weekend's collection for the Parish Centre amounted to £307.85 - many thanks.

BANKER'S ORDERS
Paying your collection by monthly or quarterly banker's order makes money handling much safer. Banker's Order forms are available in the porch.

BURNS SUPPER
The Burns Supper will be held in the Parish Centre on Saturday 28 January. Tickets costing £10 each are available from Kate and Gerry.

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME
A grid is on the notice board in the Parish Centre to allow parents to add their child's name for the Sunday of their choice on which they wish to celebrate the Sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation.

SCOTTISH CATHOLIC INTERNATIONAL AID FUND (SCIAF)
In 2005, a total of £2006.44 was sent to SCIAF in your name.

SUNDAY TEAS AND COFFEES
Many thanks to all the teams who provide tea and coffee after 10.00 am Mass on Sundays. The total raised this year was £2690.42.

DONATIONS
Thanks to the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides for their donation of £650 and the Thursday Club for £150 for the use of the Parish Centre.

50/50 CLUB
Father Matt acknowledges with thanks £500 to Parish support from the 50/50 Club.

DISCLOSURE SCOTLAND
Due to unforeseen circumstances, there has been a considerable delay at the Churches' clearing office. Hopefully, this matter will be resolved early in the new year and rotas can be issued to all who volunteered to help with Children's Liturgy and Sacramental Preparation.

PORCELAIN NATIVITY SET
The winner of the Porcelain Nativity Set was John Dolan.

A HAPPY AND PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS
Father Matt wishes everyone a happy and peaceful Christmas.

TRUE CHRISTMAS JOY

'Twas the day before Christmas, a long time ago
And our beautiful earth was all covered with snow
Down the street with their sleighs came two manly boys
Who paused at the window to look at the toys

Already two others were there looking in
But their faces were sad and their clothes old and thin
And the little one said, "Is it because we're so poor
That Santa doesn't come to our house anymore?"

The older one patted his wee brother's head
And hugged him up closely, as softly he said
"Oh, maybe he will come tonight, little Tim
If we ask in our prayers for the Lord to send him!"

The little face smiled but the boys saw a tear
In the eye of the one who quelled little Tim's fear
Then slowly and sadly the waifs went their way
To the place they called home where that night they would pray

The boys with their sleighs followed closely behind
And neither one spoke but in each childish mind
A beautiful though said as plain as could be
"I'll share with those poor boys what Santa brings me."

When the two reached their home to their father they ran,
And eagerly told him their unselfish plan
He was proud of his boys who now felt that same love
That sent our dear Saviour from His Home above

Next morning still thrilled with their beautiful thought
They scampered downstairs to see what Santa brought
And they with the help of their father and mother
Selected the presents for Tim and his brother

And as the first light of dawn came into view
The two went their way with the toys bright and new
And crept very quietly up to the door
Where they'd seen the boys enter the evening before

As they hurried back home toward their own Christmas joys
They could not even dream how the other two boys
On finding that Santa had really been there
Sent their joy to the One who had answered their prayer

That night, when the 'Santa's' were ready for bed
With a hand of their father on each curly head
They knew as they thought of two poor happy boys
What's the truest and choicest of all Christmas joys

He who has no Christmas in his heart
will never find Christmas under a tree.