DON BOSCO CHURCH, NASHIK - PARISH NOTICES - SUNDAY, 21 DECEMBER 2008

• Today is the Fourth Sunday of Advent. The Season of Advent is a time to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of the Lord. Christmas is almost upon us. On the 26 December we keep the Feast of St. Stephen. Next Sunday 28 December is the Feast of the Holy Family.
• Carol singing in our parish will conclude on December 22 Monday (in Zone C). Other details of the Christmas programs are on the notice-board.
• On Tuesday 23 December we will have a special Advent Penitential Service with the priests available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There is no better way to prepare for Christmas than to set right our relationships with God and others through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The reconciliation service will begin at 6 pm and end with the Eucharist celebrated at 7:30 pm.
• There will be no evening mass on Wednesday (24th December). The solemn Christmas mass will be celebrated at 11 pm. At 10:30 pm there will be the singing of carols to prepare for the Eucharistic celebration. Other details regarding the mass schedules till New Year’s Day are available on the notice-board. Please collaborate with your zonal leaders to fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to your zone.
• During the masses of Christmas you are all welcome to make your contribution of food grain and other gifts for the poor and needy. This will be a tangible sign of our desire to share the Christmas spirit with those less fortunate.
• In the recent parish council meeting there was a suggestion that in solidarity with our Christian brothers and sisters who are facing many hardships in Orissa after the recent spate of persecution, we simplify our Christmas celebrations and send some contribution to help them have a happier New Year 2008. Those of you who wish to contribute to this venture are requested to put the money into a separate envelope and to hand it in either in the collection at the Christmas masses or to your area leaders or to the parish office. We are in touch with the “Bishop's Kandhamal Relief Fund” and will send the total amount to them by the first week of December. Mr. Henry Menezes will be coordinating the collection and sending of the funds.