OUT AND ABOUT, MARCH 31ST.

1. Welcome to our parish!

2. The church from Arch Motors.

3. The church from the pedestrian crossing.

4. Westside Shopping Centre.

5. Holy Family Shrine at the church.

First Friday.

Next Friday, April 4th, is the First Friday in April. The old and the sick will be visited as usual. If you know anyone who would like to be on our visitation list please let us know.

Baptism, Sunday, March 30th.

Today we welcomed Baby Sophie Anna Foley from Bun an Chnoic, Rahoon Road, into our Christian Community. Congratulations to her family and friends. May you carry the flame of faith bravely little Sophie!

Our Church, Easter 2008.

Mass Intentions for the week ahead, Monday, March 31st.

For earlier intentions please scroll down. This is the first week we are having shared Masses due to the pressure on the Mass Diary. We ask for your understanding; this way people won't be disappointed.

Monday, Mass at 10 for Stephen Conway and deceased of Conway and Murphy families.

Tuesday, Mass at 10 for all our sick and ill.

Wednesday, Mass at 10 for Margaret and Charles Gannon, Thomas Tully and Des Donovan.

Thursday, Mass at 10 for Patrick, Margaret, Paddy and Jimmy Cummins and Pat and Ena Lydon.

Friday, First Friday of April, Mass at 10 for William and Bridget Powell, Evening Mass with Benediction at 7:30 for Catherine Keane.

Saturday, Month's Mind Mass at 11 for Maria Donaldson, Gaelcarrig Park, 

Vigil Mass at 7:30 for Third Sunday of Easter, offered for Charles and Maureen Devlin,

9:30 for Sean and Michael Ridge and deceased of family, 11 for Winifred and Philip O'Gorman, 12:15 for Stewart Murphy, 6:30 for Dudley Molloy. Pray for Fred Knight, Greenview Heights at all Masses.

Second Sunday of Easter/Divine Mercy Sunday.

There are two utterances we might make today, the first of Saint Thomas, whom we meet in the Gospel,"my Lord and my God" and the beautiful central cry of Divine Mercy, "Jesus, I trust in you". To believe and trust is not easy these days but we are Easter people and alleluia is our song.

For more information on Divine Mercy visit www.divinemercy.org

Scripture Course with Bishop Drennan.

This liturgical year is the year we listen at Sunday Mass to Saint Matthew's Gospel and Bishop Drennan is offering a Scripture Course on it over three consecutive Monday evenings in The Pastoral Centre, beginning on Monday, April 7th. It will begin at 7:30 and end with refreshments at 9. The Pastoral Centre is beside The Mercy Convent Secondary School in Newtownsmith in the city centre and buses number 2, 4, 5 and 7 all stop nearby. Click on the link for The Pastoral Centre on the right for more details of this and other upcoming events. ADMISSION IS FREE.

Easter Envelopes.

We will be delivering the Easter Envelopes to homes over the next week or two or you can pick them up in the church. We are aware Easter is very early this year and, consequently, it's not that long since we appealed to you at Christmas, so no worries with getting them back; anytime over the next few weeks until the end of April is good. As always, thank you very sincerely for all the support you give us which is very much appreciated.

WANTED............your ideas.

The church will be twenty five years old in June.We are looking for your ideas as to how we might celebrate it. Let us know! You'll get all our contact details by clicking the link opposite and ,don't forget, our Parish Office is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:30 until 1:00.

A BIG THANK YOU.

A BIG thank you to all who helped out and participated in ANY way over the last week with our ceremonies. Whatever you did big or small it was valued and appreciated. Your efforts build up our Christian Community.

Indian Community News.

The Monthly Mass will be on Wednesday next, Easter Wednesday, March 26th, beginning with Confessions at 5:30.

The Weekly Prayer Meeting and Gathering takes place every Friday in the Church Rooms at 6:30.

Our Faithful Departed.

We pray for the following who have gone home to God.....

 Kevin Hunt, 265 Corrib Park, Kevin's remains will be reposing at O'Flaherty's Funeral Home on Munster Avenue from 5:00, tomorrow, Easter Monday, until 6:30 when they will be removed to our church where Mass will be offered on Easter Tuesday at 11 with burial afterwards in Mount Saint Joseph Cemetery, Rahoon.

Michéal Doherty, Dublin (Murphy family from Buttermilk Walk, Cousin of Esther Roche, 1 Cluainin and Paddy Murphy, 70 Carn Ard).

Sister Margaret, Los Angeles (Sister of Kathleen Ward, Laurel Park).

Thomas Fox, Annaghdown (brother of Margaret Allen, Highfield Park).

Paddy Hession, Turloughmore (brother of Bernie Maloney, 53 Gaelcarrig Park).

John O'Connor, 99 Upper Newcastle.

Nan Mongan, Glasgow (sister of Catherine Deeney, Rahoon Road).

To all their families we offer our prayerful support and may the promise of the resurrection give them hope in the darkness and pain of their loss.

Masses for the week ahead,Easter Monday,March 24th.

Easter Monday, Mass at 10, Offered for Sarah&John L.O'Sullivan&Family.

Easter Tuesday, Mass at 10, Offered for all our sick&ill.

Easter Wednesday,Mass at 1o, Offered for Michael Hannon.

                     Indian Community Monthly Mass beginning with Confessions at 5:30.

Easter Thursday, Mass at 10, Offered for the Deceased Members of the King and Duignan Families.

Easter Friday, Mass at 10, Offered for Bridie Whelan.

Second Sunday of Easter,Divine Mercy Sunday, Saturday Evening Vigil Mass at 7:3o offered for John&Tom Devaney.

9:30, Bridget Fitzgerald&Deceased Members of the Fitzgerald&Hosty Families.

11:00, Mary Corbett&the Deceased Members of the Crowley Family.

12:15, Ellen&Patrick Casserly&Thomas&Bertie Brodie.

6:30, Paddy&Dorothy Gavin.

Pray for George Welsh at all Masses.

EASTER SUNDAY, MARCH 23RD 2008.

A VERY HAPPY AND HOLY EASTER TO YOU AND ALL YOUR LOVED ONES. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT AND PRAYERS ALWAYS. YOU BUILD UP THIS CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY AND MAKE IT A SPECIAL PLACE TO BE. ALL OUR EASTER SUNDAY MASS TIMES ARE BELOW.

EASTER VIGIL, SATURDAY, MARCH 22ND.

10:3o P.M, Saturday, March 22nd, after the Easter Vigil.....What a special occasion it was this year with the Baptism of Laurence Cohen. Laurence's son, Adam, is in our First Communion Class and it was so moving in these challenging times to see an adult embrace the faith. It was a reminder too to all of us cradle Catholics to reflect on the gift that our faith is and never to become complacent. Well done and every blessing to you Laurence, Mrs Cohen and little Adam.

EASTER VIGIL MASS OFFERED FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH AND WORSHIPPING COMMUNITY(INCLUDING AN ADULT BAPTISM) AT 7:30. (PRAY FOR MARY DOYLE AND KEVIN KILLEEN)

CONFESSIONS FROM 6 TO 7.

EASTER SUNDAY MASSES AT THE USUAL SUNDAY TIMES OF 9:30 (MAUREEN FORDE), 11:00 (KEVIN FITZGERALD), 12:15 (THE KEANEY FAMILY) AND 6:30 (FRANCES&JOE DALY&DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY).

GOOD FRIDAY, MARCH 21ST.

CEREMONIES AT 3.

CONFESSIONS AFTER CEREMONIES FROM 4 TO 6.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS AT 8.

MASS OF THE LAST SUPPER, HOLY THURSDAY, MARCH 20TH.

MASS OF THE LAST SUPPER AT 8 IN OUR CHURCH (Pray for Bridget&John Ward).

CONFESSIONS AFTER THE MASS FROM 9 TO 10.

THE BLESSED SACRAMENT WILL BE REPOSING IN THE ADORATION CHAPEL UNTIL 10:30.

CHRISM MASS, HOLY THURSDAY, MARCH 20TH.

CHRISM MASS WITH THE BISHOP AND PRIEST'S OF THE DIOCESE IN THE CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY ASSUMED INTO HEAVEN&ST.NICHOLAS AT 11. LET'S MAKE IT A GREAT GATHERING OF OUR DIOCESE BY TAKING PART!

SPY WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19TH.

MASS AT 10, OFFERED FOR MICHAEL 'MICK' CAULFIELD.

MEETING TO PLAN THE LITURGIES FOR HOLY THURSDAY, GOOD FRIDAY AND THE EASTER VIGIL IN THE CHURCH ROOMS AT 8. ALL ARE WELCOME TO COME AND VOLUNTEER THEIR HELP!

TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK, MARCH 18TH.

MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK, MARCH 17TH, 2008.

MASSES AT 10 (OFFERED FOR KATE O'BRIEN&DECEASED OF O'BRIEN&CORLEY FAMILIES)AND 11:30. BOTH MASSES WILL BE THE MASSOF MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK BUT PRAYERS TO SAINT PATRICK WILL BE SAID AND SHAMROCK WILL BE BLESSED.

PALM SUNDAY.

Feast of Saint Joseph.

The Feast of Saint Joseph, like the Feast of Saint Patrick, has had to be moved because it falls during Holy Week. It will be celebrated this Friday, March 14th. Saint Joseph is special to us here because Saint Joseph's is our sister parish and Sacred Heart was originally part of Saint Joseph's Parish and so we share many links. We have a lovely stained glass window depicting Saint Joseph in our church which you can see above. Why not visit the lovely historical church of Saint Joseph on Presentation Road and,also,if you are visiting our beautiful Cathedral, why not stop to say a prayer to Saint Joseph at the lovely shrine there?

"Lazarus, here! Come out!"

Mass Bookings.

Even at this early stage of the year we are already under pressure with the Mass Diary, so we have no choice but to begin shared Masses from April 1st. There will be no more than two intentions per Mass and we ask for your understanding. It just makes it fairer as we have we have had so many people the last while disappointed when there was no available date for their loved ones Anniversary Mass. Remember nobody "owns" a Mass as the Mass is offered for the whole people of God, for the intentions of the Pope, Bishop and Clergy and, at every Mass, all the Faithful Departed are prayed for. Thank you for the devotion you always show for the great gift of the Mass. Several visitors have commented on the reverent and prayerful atmosphere in our church.

Fifth Sunday of Lent.

Jesus raises Lazarus from the Dead.

Theme: Jesus is a friend in time of need.

Trócaire's Lenten Campaign 2008.

Fifth Sunday in Lent- New Life: New Creation.

The resurrection of Christ is the beginning of a new creation. "In Him a new age has dawned, the long reign of sin is ended, a broken world has been renewed and human beings are once again made whole". Our world is enduring another "brokenness"- despoiled, pillaged, polluted. It is surely time for another "New Creation". Let us pray that the Spirit will inspire us to "renew the face of the earth" so that all who come after us "may have life and have it to the full."

Readings:

Ezekiel 37: 12 -14.

Psalm 129.

Romans 8: 8 - 11.

John 11: 1 - 45.

Mass Intentions for the week ahead, Monday, March 10th..

For earlier Mass Intentions please scroll down the page to the relevant posting.

Monday, March 10th, 10:00, Patrick Flaherty and deceased of Flaherty Family.

Tuesday, March 11th, 10:00, All Our Sick.

Wednesday, March 12th, 10:00, Patrick&Annie Ward.

Thursday, March 13th, 10:00, Michael O'Malley and deceased of O'Malley Family.

Friday, March 14th, Feast of Saint Joseph,10:00, Mary Wims and deceased of Wims and Gannon Families.

Saturday, March 15th, Feast of St. Patrick, Patron of Ireland, celebrated today as Monday, March 17th, is the Monday of Holy Week (although we will have two Masses at 10 and 11:30 on Monday and, also, the blessing of the shamrock.)

11:00, Bob Harrington.

Palm Sunday, March 16th, SATURDAY VIGIL, 7:30, Mary Murphy.

9:30, Ivan Canavan.

11:00, Michael Corcoran.

12: 15, Pat Cunningham.

6:30, Richie Ryan.

Pray for Patrick Rickey Keane whose anniversary occurs.

Pray for the repose of the souls of the following.....

The light of Heaven to all our departed, may they rest in peace and may their families be consoled by the promise of the Resurrection.

Maria Donaldson, 21 Gaelcarrig Park. Maria's remains will be reposing at O'Flaherty's Funeral Home on Munster Avenue from 7:30 today, Monday, March 3rd, until 8:30 when they will be removed to our church. Mass for Maria tomorrow at 11 with burial afterwards in Mount Saint Joseph Cemetery, Rahoon. Our sympathies to all Maria's family and friends. We will remember her as a kind, welcoming lady.

Bridget Griffin, Shantalla Road. Bridget's remains will be reposing at O'Flaherty's Funeral Home on Munster Avenue from 4:30 today, Monday, March 3rd, until 6:30 when they will be removed to St. Joseph's Church on Presentation Road where Mass will be offered tomorrow at 11 with burial afterwards in Clynegh Cemetery, Connemara. Our sympathies to Bridget's family and friends.

Fred Creaven, Rockbarton Green, Salthill. Fred, who died last week, was involved with the Le Cheile group here in the Westside for many years. Sincere sympathies to his wife Loretta and family.

FATHER MALACHY IS MADE VICAR GENERAL OF OUR DIOCESE!

Laetare Sunday is rejoicing Sunday and we have an extra good reason to do so this year as our Father Malachy has been made Vicar General of our diocese. It is a great honour for our Parish and Worshipping Community and we acknowledge and give thanks for all the hard work Father Malachy does for all of us and his witness and commitment to the faith. A simple explanation of Vicar General is that it is like being Tánaiste or Deputy Prime Minister, in our case the second in command to the Bishop! Father Malachy is also a Canon (group of advisory senior priests) and a Vicar Forane (responsible for this particular area of the Diocese). Heartiest congratulations from all of us Father Malachy!

Laetare Sunday/Mother's Day.

This Fourth Sunday of Lent is known as Laetare Sunday. The word laetare is Latin and it means rejoice. In other words, we rejoice because we have passed the half way mark in this penitential Season of Lent and the great feast of Easter and the Season of Easter is drawing ever nearer. We wear lighter coloured vestments on this day as a mark of this.

This Fourth Sunday of Lent is also Mother's Day so we pray God's blessing and invoke the Virgin Mary's protection on all our mother's in their wonderful vocation. We remember and give thanks for the mother's who have gone home to God also on this day. The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

Mass Intentions for the week ahead, Monday, March 3rd.

For Masses before Monday please scroll down and click the February postings link at the bottom of the page.

Monday, March 3rd, 10:00, Teresa and William Dilleen.

Tuesday, March 4th, 10:00, All our sick.

Wednesday, March 5th, 10:00, Special Intention.

Thursday, March 6th, 10:00, Patrick and Mary Lawrence and Pat and John Joe Ward.

Friday, March 7th, FIRST FRIDAY, 10:00, Delia O'Connor.

7:30, Michael, Bridget&Joe Haugh&Deceased of Haugh, Guare, Fahy and Dallaghan Families.

Sunday, March 9th, SATURDAY VIGIL, 7:30, Tom and Ethel Whelan.

9:30, Nonie O'Flaherty.

11:00, Teresa Heaney.

12:15, Eileen Walsh.

6:30, Margaret Faherty.

Pray for Patrick Rickey Keane whose anniversary occurs.

Fourth Sunday of Lent.

Key Word: Blindness.

Trócaire's Lenten Campaign- Climate Change.

Our inner blindness has, in the past, prevented us from seeing the damage we have been doing to creation. Nowadays the information we have on climate change and the devastating effect it is having on those who are least able to cope in the developing world surely means that we can no longer claim " blindness" as an excuse. The question for each one of us is "what am I going to do with this gift of new sight and understanding? What can I do to help those most in need?"

Readings: 1 Samuel 16: 1. 6-7. 10-13.

Psalm 22.

Ephesians 5: 8-14.

John 9:1-41.