Author: John

We are delighted to extend a very warm Ballygall welcome to Fr. Kevin Bartley and wish him every success.

A Phibsboro native, Fr. Kevin initially served Glasthule, Baldoyle and Sutton Parishes as curate. He has very special memories of his time working with disabled children in St. Mary’s Hospital, Baldoyle. He was appointed Parish Priest of Clonskeagh Parish in 2009, and before moving to Rush in 2017, served briefly in DCU and Newman University Church, Stephen’s Green.

A member of the Dublin Preparatory Committee for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress, Fr. Kevin has also been a member of the Dublin Diocesan Council of Priests.

With a long-standing interest in the history of his city and diocese, Fr. Kevin was asked by Bishop Raymond Field to undertake an editorial role on the Veritas publication, “Penal Places, Artefacts and People in the Archdiocese of Dublin.”

Please remember Fr. Kevin in your prayers as he embarks on his role as Moderator of our Partnership of Parishes with responsibility for Ballygall & Iona Road.

The Summer Dues has become an important initiative in recent years, helping to return the Common Fund to a healthy position, supporting priests in parishes, and sick and retired priests throughout the diocese. The Summer Dues has played a central role in restoring the priests’ stipend back to the level it was pre-COVID. Envelopes are available in the porch and can be returned over the summer period. This is also being supported through the ‘Tap & Go’ machine at the back of the church

Photo Gallery

Archbishop Dermot Farrell celebrated 11.30am Mass in Ballygall on Sunday 16th June to celebrate the parish’s 60th Anniversary.  60th Anniversary Prayer

11.30 Mass was followed by a social gathering in Sacred Heart school. Refreshments were served.

Many thanks to the Legion of Mary in our neighbouring parishes who took on the task of delivering invitations to every house in the Parish. The banner has been put up outside the church to remind passersby that our parish is celebrating this great milestone.  Thanks to all who helped in any way with the preparations for the day, which was a lovely occasion.  

We launched the 60th anniversary of our wonderful parish of Ballygall over the weekend of 27th/28th April. Members of the anniversary Committee addressed the congregation at all Masses. This video chronicling 60 years of parish life was played before all Masses.

Many of our parishioners identify with the old tin church, which came to us in 1960 as a Chapel of Ease to Glasnevin Parish. It was 1964 before Our Mother of Divine Grace was officially constituted as a parish.

Early comers to each Mass will have seen a history  of Ballygall with archives going back to the early days of the parish. We are blessed to have a Parish Archivist/photographer Noel, who shared his wealth of history with us, and who, together with the website team has made this beautiful Gallery. You will have plenty of opportunities to see it over the coming months.

The tin church was always intended to be a temporary structure. However, it was 1988 before our wonderful new Church was opened. In our video, you will see the construction and opening of the Church. So many great events have been celebrated here, Year of Mercy, Special Olympics, ordinations and many of your special occasions, your weddings, the baptisms of your children, the funerals of your loved ones.

And so we commence celebrating 60 years of parish life. Some may think, “that’s no biggie!” but if the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s to celebrate and appreciate. You will hear a lot about this over the coming weeks – 60 years of faith, 60 years of sacraments, 60 years of volunteers, 60 years of community.

The Jubilee Mass in June was a wonderful event. Your family and friends, who may no longer live in Ballygall,  returned and helped us celebrate. After Mass, there were refreshments, another chance to view the video and parish memorabilia along with an opportunity to meet old and new friends.

Ballygall has never been just about the building. It is now and always has been about you, our congregation and community. The people, past and present, have been the heartbeat of our parish and have made Ballygall great.

 

 

Diamond Jubilee 2024

Greetings to the following families and friends away from home this special occasion as we celebrate the 60th Jubilee of Our Mother of Divine Grace parish.

To Geraldine and family in Jordan, love from Sarah & Charlie

Best wishes to Jackie & John Heron, Long Lake, New York

Greetings to the Tevlin family and the Whelan Family

Paddy & Monica Carr and Anne-Marie Gregory and family in Scotland.

Sadie Farrelly in England

Triona Lonergan, Denver, Colorado late Ferndale Ave

Andrias and Bernice O’Shaughnessy in Bristol

Saoirse O’Shaughnessy and Aidan Giles in Sydney.

Greetings to the Nestor “Quilty” family in London, New York, Salmon Arm and Vancouver in Canada and various family members throughout Ireland.

Glenn & Elise Cunningham & family in Boston

Dorothy & Francis Vollmer & family in France

Audrey & Colm Corcoran & family in Australia

Mary Killalee-Schubert, Virgin Islands.

 

In recent weeks we learned that Fr Joe will be leaving Ballygall. This will be happening at the end of June.  In appreciation for his work and dedication in our parish the PPC are inviting parishioners who would like to contribute to a parting gift to do so. Envelopes are available in the church porches and can be returned to the parish office or either post box in the porches. 

As part of our 60th anniversary celebrations, we intend to have a “Ballygall Abroad” similar to the one we do at Christmas. If you would like to send greetings to your loved ones, living abroad, on the occasion of the parish’s 60th anniversary on 16th June, please drop in their details to the parish office before Thursday 13th June.

60th Anniversary Prayer

You are warmly invited to join once again with every parish in the diocese in a Novena to the Holy Spirit – our dedicated period of prayer, reflection and planning for the renewal of the Church in the Archdiocese of Dublin.

The Novena will take place in the nine days from 12th – 20th May beginning on the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord, through Pentecost and continuing to the Feast of Mary, Mother of the Church. A number of Building Hope Novena.

Prayer Cards have been left in the front porch.

Building Hope Prayer
Pilgrim God, we give you thanks and praise. You constantly journey with us even in our darkness and doubts. We seek your way of loving kindness to walk together as one family. Open our eyes to recognise you in the faces of one another, in the breaking of bread and in the splendour of creation. May the risen Christ sow seeds of hope and new
life deep within us. May our hearts and minds be filled with your Word, bringing forth truth, justice and peace. May the Holy Spirit working in and through us do much more than we can dare to imagine as we live out our baptismal calling in humble and loving service. We make this our prayer through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.
St Laurence O’Toole, pray for us.
St Kevin, pray for us.
St Brigid, pray for us

Each year the Archbishop, along with a team of priests, meet to plan the future of the Diocese and location of the priests. During the week a number of changes were announced.  Fr. Joseph Ryan has been appointed to the parishes of Saggart, Rathcoole, Brittas & Newcastle.

Fr. Kevin Bartley, Rush Parish, has been appointed as Moderator of our Grouping of Parishes with responsibility for Ballygall and Iona Road. The moves are due to take place on the weekend of 6th/7th July.

The Lay Ministry Collection will take place on the weekend of April 27/28 and will replace the Share collection. We call upon your support to help shape the future of our Church through lay ministry. Your donation can make a significant difference. By encouraging one another, we can collectively make a profound impact on the future of lay ministry and the strength of our parish community.

Archbishop Farrell’s Letter re Lay Ministry

Lay Ministry Poster

Lay Ministry Collection Brochure 

Details on the range of programmes offered for Lay Ministers