Author: Fr Joseph Ryan

Do You Wish to Donate Your Unwanted Christmas Gifts?

We will take in your unwanted Chrismtas gifts and will pass them to Crosscare who will redistribute them this time next year to people living in their homeless services and family hub. These gifts may be left at the foot of our Christmas tree during the coming week until Monday 7th January.

Michael Mc Donagh on behalf of Crosscare thanks parishioners in the Archdiocese of Dublin for their extraordinary generosity at the start of the month (December) when an incredible 60 tonnes of non-perishable food was collected for distribution to families in need at Christmas. Archbishop Diarmuid  Martin launched the appeal on the first weekend in December. As a result, Crosscare was able to distributed hampers which consisted of 24,000 meals to those who need it most. 120 volunteers gave their time to sort the food collected from parishes in Crosscare’s main foodbank in Glasnevin, ensuring hampers were delivered to families on time.

A special New Year’s Eve celebration takes place in Our Lady of Dolours church, Glasnevin. Starts at 11.30pm with prayerful reflections, music and quiet time to ring in the New Year. Do come along for a different way to begin the New Year.

New Year’s Day is a Bank Holiday and there will be a special Mass at 10am to celebrate the feast of Mary, The Holy Mother of God and also to mark World Day of Peace. (After mass the church will be closed).

As we often make new year’s resolutions let us plan to deepen our faith in God and God’s people. Perhaps an extra prayer and an awareness of those around us may be enough resolutions to make a difference. Maybe it might be to say thank you to others and to God for little things.

Our Annual Advent Penance Service with the Franciscan Fathers takes place on Wednesday, 19th at 7.30pm in Ballygall Church.

Do come along for a very special time of prayer and reconciliation in preparation for Christmas.

 

It is always a very gentle and prayerful experience to be forgiven and be at peace with one another before Christmas.

A huge thank you to those who were in a position to help out this morning (Saturday 15th) with cleaning of the church. It was a rotten day so we didn’t venture outside but to those who helped out in the cleaning inside, Well Done. I was away with a funeral and when I returned I could see and smell the shining. Cobwebs gone, windows sparkling, plaques and seats gleaming. Even though the numbers were small the dedication and pride was obvious. 

Well done ladies and gents. 

Fr. Joseph

(On a side note, we were thinking of putting up the outdoor crib at 2pm on Tuesday afternoon and the indoor crib and decorations on Thursday morning after 10am Mass. Perhaps you might like to come and give a hand at either of these activities. As my father used to say, “Many hands make light work, especially at the table”).

Thanks again to those who ventured out this morning and braving the elements.

If you would like to greet your family members who are living overseas, during our Christmas Masses and WebCam Broadcast, please leave their Names/Town/Country in the Parish Office. 018369291.

They will be welcomed through our internet broadcasts on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day before our Masses begin.

Please leave details no later than Saturday Dec. 16th to guarantee inclusion.

Mass Times:

Christmas Eve (24th) 6.30pm (Carol singing from 6pm) and 8.30pm (Carol singing from 8pm) 

Christmas Day (25th): 9am (choir), 10.30 (family mass group), 12.00 (Couples for Christ choir)

During Christmas week there will be just the 10am mass each week morning. This continues until 7th January when mass times resume as normal.

Confession:

Our Advent Penance Service with the Franciscans takes place on Wednesday, 19th December at 7.30pm.

Christmas Eve: 10.30 – 12 and 2-4pm.

Our annual Mass in remembrance of those who have died over the past year was celebrated on Friday 2nd November. At this mass those who have died during the 12 month period October 2017 – September 2018 were remembered by name and were invited to light a candle in memory of their loved ones before the altar.

Some pictures taken during the Mass….

Just a reminder that masses for the holy day are:

Wednesday (vigil Mass) – 6.30 pm

Thursday (1st Nov) – 7.25am & 10.00am

{All soul’s day, Friday, 2nd Nov mass times 7.25 & 10 am. With special mass to remember those who have died over the past year at 7.30pm}

Our annual Mass in remembrance of those who have died over the past year will be celebrated on Friday 2nd November @ 7.30pm. At this mass those who have died during the 12 month period October 2017 – September 2018 will be remembered by name. Families will be invited to light a candle in memory of their loved ones before the altar.

Refreshments will be served afterwards. 

Places are still available for the grouping pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi in September. Places are no longer reserved for our parishes but members of the public are now invited to join with us. See the previous post for more details.

Fr. Joseph Ryan, Spiritual Director.