Christmas Masses in The Holy Family Parish - 2009
You will be very welcome to join us if visiting West Cornwall this Christmas and New Year | LINKS

Get the latest 'Holy Family Parish' newsletter
for other Mass times and all events over Christmas and New Year

St. Ives: directions & other information
Christmas Eve 5pm Vigil; Christmas Day 9.30am

Hayle: directions & other information
Midnight Mass, preceded by Carols from 11.30pm

Penzance: website | directions & other information
Christmas Eve: 7pm Vigil
Midnight Mass, preceded by Carols at 11.20
Christmas Day: 10.30am

Advent Penitential Liturgies
Several priests will be available to give the opportunity of this 'Life Giving' Sacrament in preparation for the celebration of the Feast of Christmas. All begin at 7pm.
Penzance on Mon 7th; Camborne Wed 9th, Falmouth Fri 11th.Truro on 18th;

If you are visiting please consider using the gift aid envelopes provided for any offering you wish to give in the Sunday collections, if you can donate with Gift Aid. Thank you. This really helps.

Funerals may alter weekday arrangements at short notice - see the latest newsletter

 (external links) Bishop Christopher's Advent reflections 2009
‘Come Home for Christmas’ - Nine days of prayer for those distant from parish life: 12-20 December 2009
Bishop Christopher's Pastoral Letter for the First Sunday in Advent - 29 November 2009  (external links)

EVERYONE IS MOST   AT ALL OUR SERVICES Get the Daily Mass Readings - from Universalis.com also | Information Office of Readings | Morning Prayer | Evening Prayer | Night Prayer | Calendar

NEW YEAR see the latest 'Holy Family Parish' newsletter
New Year Thoughts and Prayers | Choose a saint for the year

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes,  and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room  for them at the inn. Luke 2:7

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. Matthew 2:10

...and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. Matthew 2:9

And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men. 
Luke 2: 13-14

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke: 2-11

Christmas Prayer by Gerard Manley Hopkins
Moonless darkness stands between.
Past, the Past, no more be seen!
But the Bethlehem star may lead me
To the sight of Him who freed me
From the self that I have been.
Make me pure, Lord: Thou art holy;
Make me meek, Lord: Thou wert lowly;
Now beginning, and always,
Now begin, on Christmas day.

LINKS

Choosing a Saint for the New Year
This explanation is taken from the Divine Mercy Diary where then Sister, now Saint Faustina explains further about the custom of picking a saint. Many believe that there are special Graces with this.
NEW YEAR 1935 "Jesus likes to intervene in the smallest details of our life and He often fulfils secret wishes of mine that I sometimes hide from Him, although I know that from Him nothing can be hidden.
     There is a custom among us of drawing by lot, on New Years' Day, special Patrons for ourselves for the whole year.  In the morning during meditation, there arose within me a secret desire that the Eucharistic Jesus be my special Patron for this year also, as in the past.  But, hiding this desire from my Beloved, I spoke to Him about everything else but that.  When we came to refectory for Breakfast, we blessed ourselves and began drawing our patrons.  When I approached the holy cards on which the names of the patrons were written, without hesitation I took one, but I didn't read the name immediately as I wanted to mortify myself for a few minutes.  Suddenly, I heard a voce in my soul;  I am your patron. Read.  I looked at once at the inscription and read, "Patron for the Year 1935 -  the Most Blessed Eucharist"  My heart leapt with joy, and I slipped quietly away from the sisters and went for a short visit before the Blessed Sacrament, where I poured out my heart.  But Jesus sweetly admonished me that I should be at that moment together with the sisters. I went immediately in obedience to the rule." Suggestion: Put Saint's names on folded papers in a basket for people to choose one.
Links ~ List of Saints #1 (needs Internet Explorer) | List of Saints #2 |- List of Saints #3

From 2008 webpage:- Bishop Christopher has written a series of reflections for Advent and Christmastide 2008. He says: "Pope Benedict has named this year - 29 June 2008 to 29 June 2009 - as the Year of Paul. In response to this invitation, we will reflect on the second readings of our Lectionary, most of which come from St. Paul's writings". Read more on the Diocesan website

Give an ALTERNATIVE & DIFFERENT GIFT this Christmas and help change lives in some of the world's poorest countries ~ From World Vision | CAFOD - link for giving an alternative gift at anytime of the year

Four Christmas Gifts | A Christmas Alphabet | Christmas Greetings from the website team

Site map  ~ Christmas section | Mass Times page | Penzance homepage | Advent page (offline)

A Christmas Novena ~ external | The Reason For The Season ~ external
One Bright Shining Star ~ external
Crèches International at the University of Dayton - USA - Largest Collection of Nativity Scenes on Display

Multi Faith / Cultural links

Happy Chanukah (The C is silent in Chanukah) Hanukkah, also called "the Festival of Lights", celebrates the miracle of the holy oil that unexpectedly burned in the Temple for eight days after the Maccabees defeated the Syrians. This eight-day celebration is a joyous holiday filled with games, special foods, gifts, singing, and dancing. Jews all over the world celebrate Hanukkah by lighting the Menorah. On the first night, the shamash (helper candle) is used to light one candle. Each night, one more candle is added and lit. It is customary to light the menorah in the window so that all who pass by can see it and know which night of Hanukkah it is. The candles are traditionally placed in the Menorah from  right to left and lit from left to right so the newest is always lit first. The shamash is usually higher than, or set apart from, the rest of the candles.