Author: John

Sacred Heart Boys’ School

Applications are open for the academic year of 26/27 see www.sacredheartballygall.ie for more information

Dates for your Diary
Friday 14th November at 7.30pm – Annual Mass for the Deceased
Thursday 4th December @ 7.00pm – Christmas Concert
Wednesday 10th December – Reconciliation Service with the Franciscans.

A service of prayer, music and reflection will take place on Monday, September 29, 8pm, at the Monastery of St. Alphonsus, Drumcondra, D09 HN53.

www.rednuns.com/webcam

A special Church Gate Collection in Aid of the Order of Malta will take place next weekend. A demonstration on CPR will also be given, after mass. (weather permitting).

Gathering as a community on the Lord’s Day to celebrate the Eucharist has always been at the heart of our Church.

However, changes in society – some brought by the Covid19 pandemic – have seen some people’s connect with Sunday Mass weakened.Ireland’s Catholic Bishops have launched material in print and online with which they invite people to reflect on the profound importance of Sunday Mass.

He continued, “There is no doubt that the COVID pandemic disrupted the long-standing practice of attending Sunday Mass. People were confined to their homes and learned to participate online. New habits took shape, and not everyone has since returned.”

“Of course, declining attendance at Mass is not new, and it calls for a much broader conversation. The reality is that some no longer feel connected to the Church or to the Sunday assembly. Others are uncertain in their faith and feel unsupported in their searching. Some feel unwelcome, while many have been deeply discouraged or outraged by the abuse scandals.”

The pastoral message is designed to spark conversation in every parish about how we can become more welcoming and enrich the celebration of Mass – for ourselves and for others.”

Bishop Nulty concluded, “I am grateful to all who helped produce this material, and I encourage everyone to share the message Why Sunday Matters. To those who are not currently attending, our heartfelt appeal is that you consider returning to Mass in person, where possible. We miss you, and we look forward to welcoming you back around the table of the Lord, here on holy ground.”

We think of all the children in our Parish who will be returning to school after their long summer break and also those
preparing to start school for the first time. We hope that your school journey will be a happy and healthy one.

Also, we remember those who will receive their Leaving Cert Results, may they be guided by the Holy Spirit in whatever decisions they have to make over the next couple of weeks.

You are all in our prayers and we wish you well.

Friday 15th August is a Holyday of Obligation – the Assumption of Our Lady.

Mass times are Vigil (Thursday evening): 6.30pm, 7.25am and 10.00am.

Sunday 24th August has been designated by Archbishop Farrell as a day of prayer and reflection for Gaza. 

Please join in 24 hours of prayer & reflection in your homes and in our parish on Sunday 24th August. Light a candle in your home, attend Mass, spend time in front of the Blessed Sacrament, pray the Rosary, make some small personal penance or sacrifice, and on that day let the light of hope radiate out from the island of Ireland for peace, for Gaza and for the future of its people.

 

Fr. Joe has been writing a weekly column for over ten years. It is called “Rumblings from the Bunker”. Starting this week, the column will be a feature of our Ballygall Parish website. See more details and this week’s column here.

You may also pick up a copy in the church porches weekly.

We are delighted to extend a very warm Ballygall welcome to Fr. Joe McDonald who has joined our parish.  

Originally from Belfast, Fr. Joe was a founder member of the Roncalli Community and has featured regularly on TV and radio discussing faith matters.  

He previously served in a number of Dublin parishes including Ballyfermot and Celbridge.

We wish Fr. Joe well and hope that he is very happy here.