1st Sunday of Advent, November 29, 2020

Intentions - 28 Nov. - for the parishioners of St. Gabriel and St. 's soul being carried away by angels after his death. He Michael parishes. thereupon ordered for a mass to be said in his honour. Brendan's monastery at Birr was later to produce the MacRegol 29 Nov. - for the parishioners of St. Gabriel and St. Gospels, which are now housed at the Bodleian Library in Oxford. Michael parishes.. Advent is a time that helps us prepare for

Intentions are $15.00 “If you become Christ's you will stumble upon Christmas, a time where we hope to slow wonder upon wonder and every one of them true .” down and consider the value of the good Offertory Collection things that we have. However, it seems to be - St. Brendan of Birr November 15 $1035.50 more of a busy time of restlessness as we do

November 22 $ 835.00 Thank You Save your empty bottles for our continuing and gather and prepare for a few days of cele- bration. November 29 BOTTLE DRIVE. Jesus asks us to prepare ourselves, not by doing more and be-

Please drop off at Church Hall. Brendan of Birr: (died c. 572) was one of the early Irish coming less, but by doing less to become more. We live in a 205 Bayview Drive culture where having and to doing more seems to be the way to monastic . He was a monk and later an abbot, of the 6th century. 10:00 am - thru 12:00 pm on Dec 12th. He is known as "St Brendan the Elder" to distinguish him from his happiness, but too often it leads to carelessness when we focus contemporary and friend St Brendan the Navigator of Clonfert. He too much on getting somewhere better rather than being better We Must Act Now: In his recent TED Talk on climate change, Pope was one of the Twelve Apostles of , a friend and disciple right where we are. This is the kingdom within that Jesus Francis stated, “Science tells us, every day, with more precision, that of Saint . speaks about, being awake and aware of the things that really urgent action is needed - and I am not dramatizing, this is what In early Christian Ireland the druid tradition collapsed with the spread science says - if we are to keep the hope of avoiding radical and matters. of the new faith. Study of Latin learning and Christian theology in catastrophic climate change, we must act now. This is a scientific The great gift that Jesus asks us to prepare for the coming of monasteries flourished. Brendan became a pupil at the monastic fact.” Parishes can help by implementing sooner than later actions Christmas is that the gifts of divine unity with our humanity is school at Clonard Abbey. During the sixth century, some of the most that show care for God’s creation. Helpful actions may be found in not something that we need to reach out and above ourselves, significant names in the history of Irish studied at the the Archdiocesan Guide for Parishes. Further info: John Dorner but that it is something has already been given to us to discover Clonard monastery. It is said that the average number of scholars ([email protected]). under instruction at Clonard was 3,000. Twelve students who studied within. Jesus asks us to care for ourselves by preparing to receive the under Saint Finian became known as the Twelve Apostles of Ireland; https://www.ted.com/talks/ Brendan of Birr was one of these. gift of his incarnation. This may not be what you prepare for at Brendan of Birr is said to have been of a noble Munster family. It was his_holiness_pope_francis_our_moral_imperative_to_ Christmas, but it surely is what you need. at Clonard that Brendan became a friend and companion of Ciarán of act_on_climate_change_and_3_steps_we_can_take? Peace be with you, Saigir and Brendan of Clonfert. language=en He founded the monastery at Birr in central Ireland in about 540, Fr John serving as its abbot. He emerges from early Irish writings as a man of Lost and Found generous hospitality with a reputation for sanctity and spirituality who Periodically , please check the lost and found basket at the church Homemade Christmas Tourtieres and Fruit Pies was an intuitive judge of character. He was considered one of the entrance for articles you may have left behind. chief prophets of Ireland. This is evidenced both in his title ('Prophet Check our website for order form: of Ireland'), and by his attendance at the synod of Meltown, in Prayers for the Sick. Please pray for the sick among www.stgabrielparish.ca which Saint Columba was brought to trial over his role in the Battle of our families and friends, especially Jean Cassidy, Order early before we sell out Cúl Dreimhne in 561. Brendan spoke on Columba's behalf, prompting Patricia Cassidy, Diane Goddard, Carter Lalonde, Guy the assembled clerics to sentence Columba with exile rather than Lauzon, Don Pajot, Father Michael Ruddick and excommunication. His friendship and support for Columba resulted in Lorraine Stafford. The names will remain on the list important connections between Birr and the Columban until we are otherwise advised. No orders accepted after December 12th. foundations. An adviser of Columba said that the saint saw a vision of