Come and receive God’s Mercy! The Sacrament of God’s Forgiveness will be available on Christmas Eve 11.00am to 12.00 noon in Clara and in Horseleap.

Adoration of the Blessed Eucharist
CLARA: Monday & Friday – 5.00pm-6.00pm
CLARA: Tuesday & Wednesday – after 7.30pm Mass to 9.00pm.
HORSELEAP: Tuesday – 7.00pm-9.00pm
All are welcome!
Come and find peace in the Lord.

Please pray for Mary  Delaney, Beechmount;  recently deceased.  R.I.P.

How Jesus Christ came to be born.
This Sunday, we hear St. Matthew’s account of the events leading up to Christ’s birth and it begins with an almost matter-of-fact declaration: “This is how the birth of Jesus came about.” A few sentences later, it concludes with Joseph awakening from a dream and doing what he was told to do: “He named him Jesus.” That’s it. But is it? We too need to be awake. Joseph was only able to do what the angel told him after he’d awakened from sleep. He welcomed a new day and saw the path before him with fresh clarity and focus. And from that moment on, he quietly, purposefully set out to do what God wanted and he surrendered to the Lord’s will for his life. Likewise, we need to shake off our slumber and welcome Jesus as we would a new day. Joseph gave his child the name by which he’d be known; in a similar way, we’re also called to make known the name of Jesus. That means more than just singing “Away in a Manger” on Christmas Eve. It means making that name matter, announcing it to the world in what we do, how we live and how we love — not just in late December, but all year long. The birth of Jesus that came about 2,000 years ago involved faith, courage and a willingness to see the world with new eyes and new hearts, And it was all rooted in God’s boundless love for his broken world. Matthew was telling us more than a story. He was offering us a lesson in how to bring Jesus into our world again and again — to make every day, every moment, Christmas…

The lighting of the fourth candle signifies the virtue of love which encapsulates the essence of Christ’s message to humanity. As the fourth candle is illuminated, it serves as a poignant reminder to us of the boundless love that God bestowed upon the world through the gift of his Son.

Collections 13th/14th December- Development Fund: €1,175; Plate: €1,085; Christmas Offerings: €130.
Thank You Very Much!

For less than the cost of a cup of coffee, you can support our parish with a quick and simple donation, by simply clicking the button below: 

Rosary will be recited at 11.00am before Mass in Clara for the Sundays of Advent, finishing on Christmas morning.

Clara Musical Society present The Magic of Christmas, a night of festive music and song on Monday 22^nd December at 7.30pm in St Brigid’s Church Clara. Admission €10, children €5. Tickets are available on www.clarams.com or on the door on the night.   

Rahan C.C.E. Annual Table Quiz in The Thatch, Rahan, December 29th @ 8.00pm. All proceeds to UNRWA (Palestine relief). Your support is greatly appreciated! 

May God, Our Loving Father bless us all with a Christmas of Joy and Peace, and Hope and Health in the New Year.
Amen.
Happy Christmas to All!

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