Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St. Nicholas, Galway
Tuesday 7 December 2010 @ 7.30 PM
(Eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception)
“Mary, Our Light, Our Hope”
In response to the spiritual needs of the people of Galway in these difficult times, Galway Cathedral will host a Liturgy of Hope, entitled “Mary, Our Light, Our Hope”.
Prof. Ray Kinsella, economist and senior lecturer in the School of Business, UCD recently wrote “We need a National week of prayer culminating on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, on December 8 … We will need these prayers in these most fateful days in the history of modern Ireland so that our parliamentary democracy is seen to act with calmness and courage and belief in resilience of the people they are privileged to represent (The Irish Catholic, December 2, 2010).”
This prayer service will provide the people of Galway with the opportunity to pray for themselves, their loved ones and their country.
The prayer service will involve Reflection, Scripture Readings and Petitions to Mary, Patroness of Galway Cathedral. There is an ancient tradition in Ireland of turning to Mary, Mother of God, in time of need.
Mass intentions for the week ahead
Tonight, Vigil Mass for the Holy Day
6.30 pm (the new time for our Vigil Mass)
Deceased members of Rockmount Road (40 yrs)
Wednesday 8th December Feast of the Immaculate Conception
10am Martin and Della Ryan
11.30 pm Delia Hoade and Fr. Anthony and 2. Alphonsus Dodd
6.30 pm Frank Broderick and Ann & Patsy Small.
Thursday 9th December
10am Bridie Whelan and Patrick O'Donohoe.
Friday 10th December
10am Tony Gavin and Heneghan and Gaughan families.
Saturday 11th December
Vigil Mass 6.30 pm Mark, Joseph, Colm, Padraig and Jude Walsh
Mary and John Connell.
Sunday 12th December 3rd Sunday of Advent, Gaudete (Rejoicing) Sunday
9.30 am Vinnie Byrne and Timothy Kyne
11 am Tom and Kathleen Casserly and deceased members of
Casserly and Murphy families.
2. Cliona Tierney
12.15pm Joe Hoade and John and Eileen O'Toole.
6.30 pm Nora Coyne and Kate Sweeney.
December 6th, Feast of Saint Nicholas, Patron of the City of Galway
Article below COPYRIGHT:
http://www.daughtersofstpaul.com/
Nicholas is the great patron of children and of Christmas giving. He lived in the fourth century. This famous saint was born in Asia Minor, which is modern-day Turkey. After his parents died, he gave all his money to charity.
Once a certain poor man was about to abandon his daughters to a life of sin because they did not have the money for a dowry. Nicholas heard about his problem. He went to the man's house at night and tossed a little pouch of gold through a window. This was for the oldest daughter. He did the same thing for the second daughter. The grateful father kept watch to find out who was being so good to them. When St. Nicholas came a third time, the man recognized him. He thanked Nicholas over and over again.
Later St. Nicholas became bishop. He loved justice. It is said that once he saved three men who had been falsely condemned to death. He then turned to their accuser. He made the man admit that he had been offered money to get rid of the three men.
St. Nicholas died in Myra, and a great basilica was built over his tomb. Many churches were dedicated in his name. When his relics were brought to Bari, Italy, this city became a famous shrine for pilgrims from all over Europe. Nicholas is the patron of sailors and prisoners. With St. Andrew, he is the patron of Russia.
It is thought that sailors and merchants, from their travels, brought devotion to him to Galway. Hence, he is the patron saint of our city, and patron of the ancient Collegiate Church of Saint Nicholas, and, along with our Lady Assumed into Heaven, patron of our cathedral.
The great charity of this saint has become legendary. Is there someone in my life who needs my love and generosity?
J.Lite Gospel Choir
Rehearsals every Wednesday night @ 7.30p.m in Galway Cathedral
All ages welcome... 087-7599571.
Latin Mass
Galway, Kilmacduagh & Kilfenora Diocese: Sunday, 12 December – 3 pm Mass, St. Patrick’s Garrison Chapel, Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Renmore, Galway. Celebrant: Rev Wulfran Lebocq, ICRSS
John Heneghan, Latin Mass Society of Ireland: 086-8530810
http://www.latinmassireland.org/
Liam Lawton Concert
"Fr Liam Lawton will be performing a "Christmas concert" in the church of the Immaculate Conception, Oughterard, on Friday 17th December. Tickets are €20 each, & can be purchased at Zhivago's shop street Galway, or online from the Liam Lawton website, or locally in Oughterard, e.g. tourist office etc.... Doors open @ 7.30pm concert begins @ 8pm. Further info from Nuala Joyce @ 087-671 9951
The Priests' Christmas Album
The Priests new Christmas Album “Noel” is available from Monday 6th December and is available from supermarkets, record shops and online from Amazon.co.uk and the single of "Little Drummer Boy" with Shane McGowan will be released on 12th December.
For further information visit
http://www.thepriests.com/
Christmas Cards
1. Christmas cards are now on sale from the NUIG Chaplaincy.
Proceeds will go towards our Holy Land pilgrimage next May. The cover of the card is a detail from one of the stained glass windows in the College Chapel as illustrated in this picture:
A pack of twenty cards is priced at ten euro. Orders are now being taken at
chaplaincy@nuigalway.ie
Telephone 091 495 055 or call to the Chaplaincy Centre on Distillery Road.
Your support is greatly appreciated.
2. Please support our Galway Cathedral Bookshop
Our Cathedral Bookshop has a huge selection of Cards, gift ideas, liturgical and spirituality books.
Open everyday
Please support! 091- 563577
Support Trócaire
This Advent Trócaire is asking us to remember children in Somalia. Somalia is desperately dangerous with only 30% of children able to attend school and many are forced to become child soldiers. This Christmas through its Global Gifts Trócaire is hoping to keep 15 primary schools open giving 3,500 children the chance to go to school for a year and stay safe.
Advent reminds us that Christ's love encompasses everyone, in all nations. Let us remember the people in the developing world who struggle every day to find enough food to survive or don't know how they will keep their children safe. Help them through Trócaire's Christmas Global Gift appeal. www.trocaire.org/globalgift
David O'Hare
Press Officer
Trócaire
Office: 028 9080 8030
Mobile: +4479 0005 3884
http://www.trocaire.org/
Facebook: http://facebook.com/trocaire
Twitter: http://twitter.com/trocaire
YouTube: http://youtube.com/trocaire
Flickr: http://flickr.com/trocaire
Galway Choral Association presenting a Christmas concert in support of COPE Galway
Featuring Mozart's Missa Brevis in B flat, the programme includes choral music by Elgar and Rutter, as well as Handel's Hallelujah Chorus. The concert takes place in St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, at 8pm on Saturday 11 December.
Tickets €15 (€10 concessions) are available from choir members, Opus II in the Cornstore, COPE Galway or at the door.
Regards
Mary Curtin- PRO and membership officer, Galway Choral Association
Mary Curtin
mobile: +353851690116
Skype: mary.curtinNZ
Spirit Radio is launching in Dublin, Cork, Galway
Limerick and Waterford on January 27 2011
Upbeat and uplifting,
entertaining and inspirational,
Spirit Radio will play the best contemporary Christian music
plus a selection of positive hits.
Presenters will highlight stories
that show how ‘faith in God’ makes a real difference.
Spirit’s news and talk
will get Christian voices
speaking to the issues of the day.
The format will include heart warming
and thought provoking stories.
See website for more:
http://www.spiritradio.ie/
Áine Carvill
Marketing & Promotions
Spirit Radio - Passion for Life
T. +353 1 614 4839
M. +353 86 825 0777
Email. aine.carvill@spiritradio.ie
A Message from the Irish School of Ecumenics
Dear Friend,
As the Irish School of Ecumenics this month celebrates its 40th anniversary and our thoughts begin to turn upon the mystery of Christmas, we are happy once more to send you information and resources for the coming Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18th-25th January 2011). For this year, the Order of Service has been prepared by Christians in Jerusalem. They have chosen the biblical theme – “One in the Apostles’ teaching, fellowship and the breaking of bread” (Acts 2:42).
This witness of oneness in faith calls to mind the protracted suffering of the churches in Israel and Palestine and of the many people in that land, broken apart by the violence of war. As this letter goes to mailing, we in ISE are honoured to host a visiting delegation of Church Leaders from that place known familiarly to us as the “Holy Land”. We have heard first hand of their plight, their longing for an end to oppression and the restoring of peace and justice.
And so, in asking you in your different denominations in your particular place, to come together in a special service of prayer for Christian unity, bearing in mind Christ’s longing for the oneness of his church, I can find no better basis, no stronger encouragement today, than their plea to us to be in solidarity and prayer with them. It is a reminder to all of us that the world needs a more visible witness to reconciliation, justice, truth and koinonia.
I take this occasion to thank you for your continuing support of the Irish School of Ecumenics. Firmly ensconced now in Trinity College, our students following the Masters and PhD programmes are benefitting enormously from their study and practical preparation to play their part as ambassadors of reconciliation in their varied walks of life. Yet, we continue to struggle to sustain our range of community-based, church-related and ecumenical courses and events, in Northern Ireland, even as we plan to pilot a new programme in partnership with some parishes in the wider Leinster area. It is by faith rather than assurance that we dare to plough new furrows. So too, with sensitivity to the impact of the astringent economic conditions, and to the many pressing demands that churches are facing, I ask you once more to donate the proceeds of the collection at the service, whether you hold it at the traditional or alternatively chosen time.
As we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, may Christ, the Shalom of God be with you and yours this Christmas, and the Holy Spirit journey with you all throughout the coming year.
Yours sincerely
Dr Geraldine Smyth OP
Head of Irish School of Ecumenics
Development Office
Irish School of Ecumenics Trust
Trinity College Dublin
Milltown Park
Dublin 6
Phone: +353 (0)1 2601144 ext. 105
Direct Line: +353 (0)1 2180533
email: isedev@tcd.ie
Web:
http://www.tcd.ie/ise
Speaking of things ecumenical... Statement of Archbishop Michael Neary on the retirement of Bishop Richard Henderson, Church of Ireland Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry to take up a new post in the diocese of Carlisle, Church of England (Bishop Henderson’s Anglican Diocese includes a large portion of our own Catholic Diocese)
Since 1998, we here in Ireland have been privileged to know and work closely with Bishop Richard Henderson. His departure to assume a new ministry in the diocese of Carlisle will be mourned, not only by his own people in the Church of Ireland but also by the faithful and clergy of our own Church.
He combined a very keen intellect with a wonderfully warm personality. As a scientist he was acutely aware of the importance of the dialogue between science and theology.
He combined word and witness in a most attractive way and this made him a very effective communicator of Christ’s message.
Ecumenism has been a very significant part of his ministry. This gentle, joyful and very reflective Bishop has been a great source of inspiration to all of us. I take this opportunity to wish him every blessing in his new responsibilities.
+ Michael Neary
A message from The Catholic Teachers Association
The Association of Catholic Teachers (ACT) is a group of primary teachers who seek to improve their teaching of the Catholic faith by sharing resources and ideas. If you are a primary teacher and would like to receive the monthly e-bulletin, which is full of useful resources and ideas-mail contact:
irishcatholicteachers@gmail.com
and you will be added to the contact list.
Youth Matters
1. World Youth Day 15th - 22nd August, 2011
Anyone interested in travelling to Madrid with the Galway Diocese?
Contact Siobhán Bradley at (091)565066.
2. Christmas Youth 2000 Retreat
Youth 2000 runs regular weekend residential retreats for 16-35 year olds as well as weekly prayer groups. Their next event, a National Christmas Retreat for Young People, takes place at Newbridge College, Newbridge, Co Kildare from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th December 2010. This retreat will be comprised of talks, prayer, sharing, games and craic and promises to be a great opportunity for young people from all around Ireland to explore their Catholic faith and make many new friends.
No charge for the weekend - donation only. Free buses available from some locations - all food provided - just bring a sleeping bag!
Contact Youth 2000 office 01 6753690 or 085 8289231 (from NI 07842881878)for information.
More information is available from
http://www.youth2000.ie/
Coming up in Croí Nua
1. HEALING LIFE’S HURTS
Celebrating the healing power of Advent
Saturday 18th, December 10.00 - 4.30p.m.
Facilitated by Helen Dorai Raj, Patsy Kelly MSC & Michael Screene MSC
2. PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS
Reflecting on Christmas especially with family in mind
Sunday 19th December 10.00 - 4.30p.m.
Facilitated by Eileen Kelly & Michael Screene MSC
(Eileen Kelly, mother and Director of Galway Diocesan Pastoral Centre will lead our reflection on Christmas with its rich associations with home and family)
3. CHRISTMAS SERVICE OF RECONCILIATION
“He will save his people from their sins...” (mt.1.21)
Monday 20th December 2010, 8.00p.m.
Facilitated by Croí Nua team
Welcome!
Venue: Croí Nua Centre, Rosary Lane, Taylor’s Hill, Galway (Opposite Scoil Róis)
Phone: (091)520960
Mobile: (087) 6833195
E-mail:
croinuacentre@eircom.net
Website:
http://www.croinua.com/
Prison Chaplains attack inhumane conditions behind prison walls
Prison chaplains have produced another grim report on conditions in the country’s prisons, saying violence and drug use continues to escalate in prisons and overcrowding is adding to inhumane conditions.
The report says “conditions in many of our prisons are an insult to the decency of any human being and an affront to the basic tenets of decency,” and they say a culture of conformity exists within the system which resists any criticism or challenge.
There are 27 prison chaplains, priests, religious and lay people, working in 14 prisons in Ireland. They work every day with men and women who are imprisoned, and their families.
Fr Ciarán Enright of the chaplaincy team in Arbour Hill Prison said, “It is frustrating and depressing to have to come out with similar reports year after year, with little or no sign of any positive action being taken by those in charge.” He said chaplains blame a politicisation of the criminal justice system, which is failing to address the real issue of crime and prevention.
Overcrowding got so bad this year that on one night during the summer 129 prisoners in Mountjoy had no beds to sleep in – and some did not even have a mattress to sleep on. In Wheatfield a 75 year old male prisoner was sleeping on a mattress on the floor. Up to four men can be placed in a cell with no toilet facilities - other than a chamber pot - the same space they have to live and sleep in.
The chaplains also highlight how leaks to the media concerning prisoners are destructive of their attempts to manage their sentences and to resettle in the community. They single out the management and leaks around the release of Larry Murphy as resulting in a “media circus” which fuelled fear and anxiety in society. The endangerment of a person’s life and the creation of unnecessary panic among the public is of concern to them. In another incident this year, some media were waiting outside a hospital when a prisoner was escorted to an outpatient appointment.
On violence they state prisoners are under threat from inside and outside prison walls and “the most common form of attack is to use a blade to slash a prisoner’s face, leaving a long and permanent scar, often from ear to mouth.”
St Patrick’s Institution for young people and children (16 to 21) is highlighted as a cause of serious concern. Chaplains say:
• St. Patrick's is in direct contravention of the UN convention on the rights of the child, which prohibits the imprisonment of children (under 18s) with adults.
• Protections, regulation and guidelines relating to children in institutional care do not apply in St Patrick’s.
• The Ombudsman for Children is explicitly prohibited from investigating complaints or allegation by young people in St Patrick’s
• One in four of the young prisoners are 'on protection' - locked up for 23 hours a day with nothing to do.
• The prison workshops for young people are described as “a waste of money providing no useful training”.
The report recommends the pressing need to explore non-custodial options for prisoners who have committed less serious offences. It concludes “Current prison policy is a disaster for both prisons and society. Making our prisons safer and drug free is in everyone’s interest. The only obstacle is political will.”
A full copy of the report is now available on
http://www.catholicbishops.ie/
And
http://www.dublindiocese.ie/
Further information:
Fr Ciarán Enright, Chaplaincy Team, Arbour Hill Prison (01) 459 3354, 00353 (0) 87 799 7297
Martin Long, Director of Communications 00353 (0) 86 172 7678
Brenda Drumm, Communications Officer 00353 (0) 87 310 4444
Kid’s Corner, Second Sunday of Advent
Click to zoom.
Copyright: http://www.redcoms.org/
Cian and Bella.
Matthew 3:1-12 • He will Baptise you with the Holy Spirit
Cian: Hi Bella, where were you yesterday?
Bella: We were at my new cousin Fionn’s baptism!
Cian: Cool! What was it like?
Bella: It was a lovely day. We all went to Dunboyne Church in Co Meath and his Mam Teresa and her Dad Gerard, oh and not forgetting his two big sisters Amy and Ruth welcomed us to celebrate Fionn’s baptism.
Cian: Was there anyone else there? Anyone with a football?!
Bella: Doh Cian! Yes actually his big cousin Jack was there with his rugby ball and other cousins were there too, in fact there were millions and zillions of them!
Cian: Sounds cool, the Gospel today is about being baptised with holy water and with the Holy Spirit. Did Fionn cry when the holy water was poured over him?
Bella: No, he smiled and Mam said that the Holy Spirit was pouring onto him with the Holy water so I reckon the Holy Spirit is warm!
Cian: Ha! That means that all of us who have been baptised are filled with the warm glow of the Holy Spirit.
How can you show others that you have been filled with the Holy Spirit since your baptism?
Don’t forget! This Sunday is the Monthly Mass for our First Communion Preparation Programme, Do this in Memory of Me, at the usual time of 11. Remember your candles!
