3rd Sunday of Advent
18th December 2022
Saint Joseph’s Passionist Church
Tel: (01) 42 27 28 56 [Int’l + 33 1]
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.stjoeparis.org
Saturday: Vigil Mass: 6.30 p.m.;
Sun Mass: 9.30, 11 & 12.30pm, 6.30pm
CHRISTMAS:
24 Dec: Morning Mass 11am followed by Confessions 11:30 to 12:30
Christmas Masses:
Christmas Eve: 5:30pm, 7:30pm, 10pm (Carols 9:30pm)
Christmas Day 25 Dec: One Mass at 11:00am.
31st Dec & New Year: Mass times as on a normal weekend
Christmas Pageant & Carol Service is this Sunday 18th December at 3 pm. The dress rehearsal will take place at 2 pm, on the same day. All children are invited to take part in this Christmas story.
For more info: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
CHRISTMAS FAIR 2022: Last week was a success, raised 801,57€. Thanks to All organisers & participants.
5 more Christmas Tree on sale. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Gretchen for more info. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Collections 11th Dec: Weekend collections: €1826.11; ADP: 1822€; screens: €104; candles: €13. Thanks for your constant support.
Marriage Preparation Course: Blessing of all couples on 15 January 11am Mass. Applications for next Course in Feb.2023 to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bible Study: Wednesdays 10.30 – 12.00 resumes 11 jan 2023 at 10:30am
The Film group will be meeting on Sunday22 January on zoom (8:30-10 pm) For link: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Schedule on www.stjoeparis.org
RCIA: will resume January 12th at 8 pm. Adults are preparing for Sacraments of Initiation at Easter 2023 Applications parish office: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Stewardship of Church: preparation of our Church, cleaning public areas each Saturday from 11.30 a.m. This is essential for the worthy reception of people for Mass and for hygiene reasons. Sanitizing of Church between Sunday Masses is cared for by Facilities Group.
Parish Pastoral Council: Nex tis on 11 January at 7:30pm in the hall.
CCD will resume January 8th. Last call to FHC parents: send Baptism cert of your child to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
A donation of €50 per child is asked to cover cost for books, zoom or Hall. Hand in envelope with child’s name in collection, or online from website with email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with child ‘s name
Giving Tree: Your generosity is always so appreciated, to make this season brighter for so many who are in need! Please provide your gifts under the tree by 18 December. Contact Gretchen for more info. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
TEEN FAITH MINISTRY For teenagers 13-17 years. Meets at St. Joseph’s on Saturdays 2.00-4.00 pm. Resumes 14 January Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
PATIENCE
Today we reflect on Mary and Joseph and their indispensable role in the birth of the savior. They were faced with the mystery
of God’s action in their lives and responded with faith and trust. We pray that we too will have some
of their deep faith and know the presence and action of God in our lives.
For us, faith will often take the form of patience. Patience is a virtue and one of the most important values presented during Advent. We are pilgrims on the way but we have not yet arrived at our destination. Sometimes the road is uneven, winding and long. Will it ever end and will we ever arrive, we wonder.
In our life of faith, we long to encounter the Lord and to experience his presence with us. Sometimes we are lucky when for a brief moment we feel the warmth of his love and the consolation of his mercy. But maybe most of the time we feel alone and God seems far away. It is in these moments that we need the virtue of patience and the gift of endurance. Keep going; don’t give up; don’t loose heart.
Advent reminds us that God is close; he is just up ahead drawing us ever onwards. He has prepared a welcome for us and is encouraging us to keep going, one foot in front of another with as much love and enthusiasm as we can muster. The newborn Jesus was named Emmanuel, which means “God is with us”. God is closer to us than our own breath but He does not always make himself seen or felt. It is faith that clings to the strong conviction that every breath I breathe and every beat of my heart are tangible signs of God’s creative and sustaining presence in my life.
The infant Jesus gave God a human face full of kindness, gentleness and compassion. God loves us with all the warmth and compassion of Jesus. In the midst of our daily affairs it is easy to be distracted and to forget or loose sight of God. However, it is also easy to recall God’s presence and God’s love when we feel the warmth of our breath and the beat of our heart signaling the presence of our loving creator renewing the gift of life in every moment.
