Faith for Life is a course to help you discover new ways to live out your faith in the reality of today’s world through relationships in family, parish, workplace, and the events of daily life.
Here in Ballygall we are willing to sponsor those who may be interested in taking part in this programme. If you are interested in taking part or willing to sponsor someone please contact the parish office for more details.
See www.dublindiocese.ie for full details of the programme.
12 of us from the parish travelled to Knock Shrine last week for an overnight trip/pilgrimage. Having arrived to Knock in time for the 3pm Mass on Sunday June 2nd we heard Fr Richard share some reflections on the great feast of the Ascension. After a relaxing evening that included rosary in St Mary’s chapel and some spiritual reflections on the same feast of the Ascension we were ready to rest in the peaceful surroundings of St Mary’s hostel (formerly convent).
On Monday we celebrated Mass in the Apparition chapel. In the afternoon on our way home we stopped in St. Mel’s Cathedral, Longford for a glimpse of the recently refurbished cathedral. There we saw two beautiful stained glass windows done by the famous Harry Clarke.
Thanks to those who joined with us for a wonderful time and a chance to meet some of the Ryan family for a reunion meeting.
(Fr. Joseph Ryan)
Every 10 years the passion play is performed in Oberammergau, Germany. As a grouping of parish we intend to go in June 2020. It is a 5-day trip, costing €1,525 p.p.s. If you would like to go on this trip names need to be in ASAP and a €300 non-refundable deposit is required. Click on link below for full details of our proposed trip and/or contact Map Travel directly for booking details. Closing Date for booking is 28th June.
Having been at it in 2010 it is definitely a once in a life time event and well worth going. (Fr Joseph Ryan)
On Saturday 27th April we travelled to Knock to join in the diocesan pilgrimage to Knock. Well done to all who organised the pilgrimage. As a grouping of parishes we travelled together and stopped off in the traditional Longford Arms for breakfast, then onto Knock where we joined with parishes from all over the diocese of Dublin for a short history of the 140th anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady to Knock given by the rector of the Shrine, Fr Richard Gibbons. After a relaxing lunch we had an opportunity for confession and then the anointing of the sick followed by Mass celebrated by Archbishop Diarmaid Martin. Dinner in Knock House Hotel and then it was back home with the required bottles of Knock water.
Thanks to all who travelled and shared in a wonderful day. Deacon Gerard Reilly and his team who did the groundwork to make the day so special. It was great to have Fr Richard Sheehy and Fr Frank Reburn with us on pilgrimage. For those who hadn’t been to Knock in a long time or only recently many graces are sure to follow. Thanks to Robert Fitzpatrick our driver who had a lovely attitude and was so patient and helpful throughout. Thanks to the five parishes of the grouping, Glasnevin, Iona Road, Corpus Christi, Ballymun Road and of course Ballygall for sending their best. An early start of 7.30 and back home by 10pm.
Well done all.
Roll on next year’s pilgrimage to Oberammergau. A little further than Knock but a special year 2020 marking the Passion play performance every 10 years in thanksgiving for saving a little village from being destroyed by a plague in 1633, almost 400 years ago. See https://www.passionsspiele-oberammergau.de/en/home for more details.
In August 2018 Pope Francis celebrated Mass in the Phoenix Park. Thanks to Fr Damian we were offered the cross used at that mass to replace the cross that was made locally for the opening of Ballygall church and hung in a dominant position for the past 30 years above the altar. As with all ventures there was a mixed reaction to the idea of the new cross coming to Ballygall and importantly what would become of the old one. The intention is to use the four plaques of the Evangelists and place them on the four corners of the church which were anointed when the church was consecrated in 1988.
When the old cross was taken down it was noticed that there had been some fire damage but thanks to the solid workmanship the cross didn’t take fire and do severe damage to not only the cross but the whole church.
(Fire damage mark on one of the arms of the cross)
The new cross was designed from the Penal days when the Catholic Church was under persecution. Blessed Margaret Ball who lived in what is now Hillcrest Park lived and died during that time of persecution. She witnessed with her life to the Christian faith and is a wonderful role model for us today in a time when our church is being purified for the mistakes of the past and a reminder that Christ will persevere.
(On the new cross the arms of Jesus are much larger than normal reminding us of the far reaching arms of God to us in love and compassion)
There will also be a number of extra lights to add to the celebration of our liturgies in Ballygall. This will add to the brightness of the church and also the words of comfort on the back wall will be brighter. There will be a light highlighting the Tabernacle during the daytime drawing us into a deeper relationship with Jesus, the Bread of Life. There will also be a spotlight focusing on the Baptismal Font to be used on Holy Saturday night and during Baptisms when our new members will be welcomed into the community of Ballygall parish.
See also Fr. Damian’s piece on the new cross here
Glasnevin Grouping of parishes is organising a series of talks entitled “The Difference Faith Makes” taking place on Thursday evenings starting at 7.30pm in the Margaret Aylward Centre on Glasnevin Hill. All are welcome. These continue this Thursday 28th March with Carol Barry sharing some of her faith journey.
Here in Ballygall as for most other churches around Dublin and Ireland. Trocaire boxes are available. They can be got in most schools as well if you have children attending. If not get one in your local church.
With Lent around the corner, Trócaire is one of the great agencies that works on our behalf in other countries.
Glasnevin Grouping of Parishes has organised a bus to join with the Dublin Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock on Saturday 27th April, 2019. Leaving Ballygall church at 7.30am and picking up at Glasnevin, Iona Rd, Corpus Christi and Ballymun Rd churches.
Evening Dinner in Knock House Hotel.
All in cost €35
Places all booked. Thank you to all who have booked!
Knock: Dublin Diocesan Pilgrimage takes place Sat 29th April. The Glasnevin grouping of parishes intends to organise a bus to travel.
Oberammergau 2020
Every 10 years the village of Oberammergau in Southern Germany performs a special Passion Play in thanksgiving for the village being saved from destruction in 1664. As a grouping of parishes we intend to travel towards the end of June 2020.
More information about both trips in due course. Keep an eye out on the parish newsletter over the coming weeks.
As many of you will be aware the Office for Evangelisation is taking a group of 30 young people to Panama to celebrate World Youth Day with Pope Francis and thousands of others from around the globe on 26th/ 27th January.
A mirror event, Panama in Dublin will take place in Emmaus Retreat Centre Swords on the same weekend.
Following the reports from the Synod on Young People in the Church, one of the areas that was highlighted was the need for young people to gather, learn and celebrate their faith.
An overnight event Panama in Dublin will link in live to Pope Francis’ addresses at the Welcome ceremony , Vigil and closing Mass. There will be a wide range of events in Emmaus and opportunities for young people to connect and develop their faith, with people involved youth ministry from all over Ireland leading these sessions. 40 trained volunteers will also be helping facilitate this unique experience.
Attached is a flier for the event and an outline timetable which also includes a Safeguarding Statement and accommodation details which have been overseen by Garry Kehoe from the Diocesan Safeguarding Office, who will also attend the event.
Who is this for?
Booking is done directly with Emmaus at www.emmaus.ie and click in Upcoming Events “Panama In Dublin”
It promises to be a great weekend so I encourage you to spread the message and encourage the Parishes in your Deanery to get involved.
(Fr. Paul Thornton, Brackenstown, Swords)