Recent Happenings
Church Centenary Book Launch
ST CRONAN’S CENTENARY BOOK
St Cronan’s Centenary Book was launched on Sunday December 1st immediately after 11am Mass by Michael Commins of Mid -West Radio and The Mayo News.
This 96 page colour production contains a variety of articles that detail the history of St. Cronan’s, Balla and its people as well as happenings in the other areas of our parish, namely Belcarra, Clogher and Manulla.
The publication has some marvellous photographs of the beautiful windows and sanctuary. It is very well produced and sells at €10. It is a must for people in the area and for those whose roots are in Balla. The committee responsible for its publication deserve great credit for what they have achieved. We are indebted to them.
All were welcomed to come along on Sunday for the launch and to join in light refreshments afterwards in the nearby Community Room.
Fr Denis’s Christmas Message
Christmas Message
On July 20th 1969 Apollo 11 landed on the moon and millions watched as Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the lunar surface followed shortly by fellow astronaut Buzz Aldrin. It was a remarkable achievement. When Armstrong put his feet on the surface of the moon he said ‘ That’s one small step for man, and a giant step for mankind’. It was seen as the greatest event in human history.
Some years later another astronaut, James Irwin also walked on the moon and he was prompted to say that the most significant happening of our age is not that man stood on the moon, but rather that God in Christ stood on the earth. At Christmas we celebrate God sending his Son to walk on this earth, to journey with his people and to win for us the promise of eternal life.
At Christmas time we celebrate Christ revealing the love and mercy of the Father. Jesus shares life’s journey with us. We are never alone, even in our darkest hour. Christ is the light shining in our darkness offering us the light of hope.
Jesus reveals God’s love to us and in so doing He invites us to share that love with others in acts of kindness, care and support. He invites us to live his message and Christmas gives us the opportunity to reach out in love to all in our community, especially those most in need. May we all do our bit to make it a happy Christmas for everyone. As we celebrate God’s opening his heart to us, let us strive to open our hearts to others.
May the blessings of Christ be with you all this Christmas time wherever you are. May the presence of Christ bring you and yours the precious gifts of love, joy and peace.
Happy Christmas
Fr Denis
