WELCOME TO OUR LITURGY: Here we are near the end of the year. Am I able to say, “For all that has been, thank you and for all that is to come, yes?” Have I been hardened by the events of the past year or have I come to this day with a gracious heart like Mary? The cares of this life will harden our hearts unless we practice constant prayer. Constant prayer will lift me from our smallness to give me another view and the reminder that God wants to be near us.

First Reading
2 Samuel 7: 1-5, 8-12, 14, 16.

1 Now when the king dwelt in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies round about,
2 the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent."
3 And Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart; for the LORD is with you."
4 But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan,
5 "Go and tell my servant David, `Thus says the LORD: Would you build me a house to dwell in?
8 Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David, `Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel;
9 and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth.
10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly,
11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house.
12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.
14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. When he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men;
16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me; your throne shall be established for ever.'"

THE PHILOMENA: The latest edition of ‘The Philomena’ will be available after Mass today. One copy per family.

VIGIL MASS: December 24th
Greeters: Trevis Family
Altar Servers: K Grainger and V Cox
Readers: Jemma Mallon and G Grainger Intro & Prayers of the Faithful: B Raisin
Offertory: Fromont Family
Eucharistic Ministers: B Alvis, I McGill and S Wells