CYRIL FULLARD,R.I.P.

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Cyril Fullard, 15 Costello Road. We extend our sympathy to his wife Kathleen, his mother Susan, son Gary, daughters Jacqueline and Linda, brother John, sister Carmel and all the family. Removal from his home this Friday evening at 6:30 to Saint Joseph's Church on Presentation Road where Mass will be offered tomorrow at 12 with burial afterwards in Rahoon Cemetery. Family flowers only, donations, if desired to COPE or Croí

BRENDAN MANNION,R.I.P.

Your prayers are asked today for the repose of the soul of Brendan Mannion of 14 Fursey Road and late of Eyre Street. We offer our sympathy to his wife Kathleen and all the family. Brendan's remains will be reposing at Irwin's Funeral Home on Bothar Irwin from 5 o'clock this Tuesday evening 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 Mount Saint Joseph Cemetery in Rahoon. May he rest in peace.

DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.

The next Mass in our First Communion Programme is on Sunday next, March 2nd at 11. Sister Mary will be in touch with the core group to arrange the liturgy. It really is wonderful to see the children and their parents being so well prepared. Also, thanks to all the teachers of the boys and girls from 3rd to 6th Class who brought the children to the church for their Lenten Confession.

MONTHS MIND MASS, MARCH 1ST.

Next Saturday, March 1st, there will be a Months Mind Mass at 11 for Geraldine Browne O'Neill of Keeraun, Rahoon and Ashe Road. Geraldine was a real character and we will miss her presence here in the Sacred Heart. She was a woman of deep faith, loyal, and with a caring heart. We continue to support her husband Patsy and the family, and, also, her dad Tom. Geraldine may the angels greet you and may you rest in peace.

BAPTISM,ALYSSA BRADLEY,24TH FEBRUARY 2008.

Today we welcomed baby Alyssa Aurora Helen Bradley of Corrib Park into the Christian Community. We congratulate mum Collette, dad Declan,and big brother Lucas. Collette and Declan were married in the Sacred Heart in September 2004 and Helen Conneely, one of the proud grannies, is a valued staff member of Scoil Bhride and always has a smile and the kettle on the ready when you drop into the staff room! Alyssa, may you be blessed and carry the light of faith always!

Irish Saints Days We Celebrated in February.

1st February, St. Brigid, Patroness of Ireland. County Kildare.

7th, St. Mel, gave St. Brigid the veil, came with St. Patrick. County Longford.

11th, St. Gobnait, cared for and cured the sick. County Cork.

17th, St. Fintan, founded the Monastery of Clonenagh. County Laois.

Why not google these Saints and find out more??  It's our GREAT  story as a people.

BE PROUD OF OUR IRISH CHRISTIAN CELTIC HERITAGE!!!

Also, don't forget, St. Valentine has an Irish connection! Google and find out!!

Wedding Bells,February 23rd.

Congratulations to David McDonagh from Ennis and Noreen Harty from Circular Road who were married in our church today. Every blessing to you both.

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT.

KEY WORD: WATER

Trócaires campaign this year is focusing on climate change and the issue of water. The water that is around us today is the same water that formed when earth began. No more can be added. We drink the same water that dinosaurs once swam in- the same water that was in Jacob's well.

READINGS: 

EXODUS 17: 3 - 7.

PSALM 94.

ROMANS 5: 1 -2. 5 - 8.

GOSPEL: JOHN 4: 5 - 42.

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK AHEAD FROM MONDAY ,FEBRUARY 25TH, 2008.

(For Masses up to Monday please scroll down)

Monday, February 25th, 10:00 Bernard Lee.

Tuesday, February 26th, 10:00 All our sick.

Wednesday, February 27th, 10:00 Thomas and Maria Jackson.

Thursday, February 28th, 10:00 Jimmy Cormican.

Friday, February 29th, 10:00 Bridie Whelan.

Saturday, March 1st, Saint David's Day, 11:00 MONTHS MIND MASS,

GERALDINE BROWNE O'NEILL.

Sunday,March 2nd, SATURDAY VIGIL,7:30 Kathleen Higgins.

9:30 Michael John Tierney.

11:00 Alacoque&Vincent Scally&their daughter Ursula.

12:15 Peter Coyne.

6:30 Jeremiah&Mary Bridget Morkan.

PRAY FOR FATHER PHILIP CRYAN WHOSE ANNIVERSARY OCCURS.

YOUTH 2000 LENTEN RETREAT.

Youth 2000 and the Galway Diocesan Pastoral Centre will together host a retreat for young adults between 18 and 35. It takes place on Sunday, March 9th, from 11:30 to 6:00. No booking is necessary but a phone call to 091-565066 would be appreciated in order to get an idea of numbers. 

SACRED LISTENING-PRAYING WITH THE SACRED SCRIPTURES.

Father Conor Cunningham will give a talk at the Galway Diocesan Pastoral Centre on Wednesday next, February 27th, at 8 PM. Entitled 'Sacred Listening- praying with the sacred scriptures' it will offer an introduction to Lectio Divina. All are welcome and refreshments will be served. More details can be found by clicking the link for the Pastoral Centre on the right. The Pastoral Centre is in the City Centre, in Newtownsmith, beside the Mercy Convent Secondary School. The numbers 2, 7, 4 and 5 buses all stop nearby. Father Conor Cunningham is Director of the Pastoral Centre.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER.

EVERYONE,men,women and children are invited to this years World Day of Prayer Service,prepared by the women of Guyana,South America.

8 PM, FRIDAY, MARCH 7TH.

THE UNITED METHODIST/ PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, VICTORIA PLACE (CITY CENTRE, OFF EYRE SQUARE, AROUND THE CORNER FROM THE A.I.B )

SPEAKER: SISTER AILEEN MURPHY.

REFRESHMENTS SERVED AFTERWARDS.

Baptism,Alan Padraig Feeney.

Today, Sunday, February 17th, we welcomed Baby Alan Padraig Feeney of Carn Ard into our Christian Community. Little Alan, may you carry the flame of faith bravely! 

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK AHEAD,FEBRUARY 18TH 2008.

Monday, February 18th, 10:00, Tess Purcell.

Tuesday, 10:00, All Our Sick.

Wednesday, 10:00, Owen Sheppard.

5:30, Indian Community Mass.

Thursday, 10:00, Paddy Walsh.

Pray for Ellen Regan.

Friday, 10:00, Susan Dooley.

Saturday, NO MORNING MASS.

Sunday, February 24th, Saturday Vigil, 7:30, Thomas Glynn.

9:30, Mary Coyne.

11:00, Kathleen Diviney.

12:15, Michael Burke&Deceased of Family.

6:30, Ellen&Patrick Hession&Deceased of Family.

Pray for Owen Sheppard, Sean Callaghan&Bernard Lee.

DAY OF RECOLLECTION&RENEWAL FOR READERS.

A day of Recollection and Renewal for all our Ministers of the Word will take place in the Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Newtownsmith on Saint David's Day, Saturday, March 1st. Please give your names to Father Malachy,Father David or Bernie in the Parish Office before Monday, February 25th. Click on the link on the right for more details.

Second Sunday of Lent.

Key Word: Transfiguration/ Transformation.

A thought from the Trócaire Lenten Campaign for this Sunday: Trócaire's Lenten Campaign focuses on climate change and we have been reminded many times in recent years that human activity has changed, TRANSFORMED, our world until it is "sick unto death". Can we now, each of us, begin another TRANSFORMATION. To begin to undo whatever part we have played in that ruination, to begin to restore the planet to health and to ease our fears, anxieties and guilt. Please remember to pick up a Trócaire box in the church or go online by following the link at the right of this page to see what you can do.

Sunday Readings: Genesis 12: 1 to 4

Psalm 32

Second Timothy 1:8 to 10

Matthew 17: 1 to 9

Congratulations to Brian McDonagh&Kathleen Sweeney on their Marriage.

Congratulations and every blessing to Brian McDonagh and Kathleen Sweeney who got married in our church today. Kathleen is from our parish, from Camillaun Park, and Brian is from Ballinfoyle Parish, Ballinfoyle Park. The Wedding Mass was celebrated by Father David.

Leo Gilligan, R.I.P. +

Your prayers are asked for the repose of the soul of Leo Gilligan of The Baily on Circular Road. Leo was a regular in the Sacred Heart. He was a native of Manorhamilton in County Leitrim. His remains will be reposing at O'Flaherty's Funeral Home on Munster Avenue from 4 to 6, tomorrow, Monday, with removal at 6 to Saint Joseph's Church, Presentation Road, where Mass will be offered on Tuesday at 11 with burial afterwards in Rahoon Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Trócaire Campaign 2008.

Trócaire, the Irish word for mercy, is the Irish Bishop's Overseas Development Aid Agency. It is based in the grounds of Saint Patrick's College, Maynooth, Co.Kildare. Every year their Lenten Campaign focuses on a different issue and the Trócaire Box has become a powerful symbol in Irish homes each Lent. You can pick up the box in the church and put into it your donations over Lent, maybe that money you would have spent on sweets, cigarettes, alcohol, whatever. This years focus is on Climate Change and how it is the worlds poor, ironically the people who do the least to affect it, who are suffering from this. Ground that was arable is now dry and dusty. Your money to Trócaire this Lent will be used in proactive projects to help the poor combat climate change by being enabled to embrace new ways of farming and production that they would not have had the chance of otherwise. All the details are on the Trócaire website www.trocaire.org and on the information leaflet you receive with your box.

First Sunday of Lent, February 10th 2008.

Readings: 

                   Genesis 2:7-9

                   Psalm 50

                   Romans 5:12-19

                   Matthew 4:1-11

Key Words: soil, tree, life, fruit, knowledge, good, evil, wash, guilt, cleanse, sin, actions, forty, temptation, support, angels, devil, serve, bread, stones, kingdoms

Question: As you struggle in your daily life with your crosses, your temptations, do you also struggle for peace and justice?

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SHROVE/PANCAKE TUESDAY,February 5th.

Traditionally on this day people used up all their eggs and milk before Lent began the next day,hence the delicious pancake was born!

Why not google pancake recipes? A good site is www.pancakerecipes.net

Today is also the Feast of Saint Agatha, an early martyr of the church from Catania in Sicily mentioned in the Roman Canon or First Eucharistic Prayer. "The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians" as the early church father Tertullian wrote. Check out www.americancatholic.org/features/SaintofDay

Don't forget! Two Masses tomorrow for Ash Wednesday, 10&7:30, with ashes distributed after each. Morning Prayer of the Church will take place each morning for Lent at 9:50.

PRIEST'S OF THE PARISH.

VERY REV. MALACHY CANON HALLINAN, P.P, V.F., MOUNT CARMEL HOUSE, CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART, SEAMUS QUIRKE ROAD, GALWAY. (TEL: 091-522713)

REV. DAVID MURPHY, CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART, SEAMUS QUIRKE ROAD, GALWAY.(TEL: 091- 524751)

PARISH E-MAIL:     sacredheartgalway@eircom.net

PARISH SECRETARY: MRS BERNIE SCALLY

PARISH OFFICE: OPEN MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY FROM 10:30 TO 1:00 (TEL: 091- 524305)

Confessions.

Confessions are heard on Saturdays at 6:3o

or by request.

Mass Times.

Morning Prayer for Lent.

Every weekday morning for Lent we will have Morning Prayer of the Church at 9:50, just before the 10 Mass. Why not make it part of your Lenten journey?

Our Parish Office

Our parish office is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:30 to 1:00. During these times our secretary, Mrs Bernie Scally, will be delighted to meet you and help you with enquiries and in searching for certs. The phone number during these times is 091- 524305 and the office is at the front of the church, the next door after the front door in the direction of the shopping centre.

First Communion/Confession and Confirmation.

First Confession is on Wednesday, April 23rd at 12 Noon, First Communion is on Saturday, May 24th at 11 and Confirmation on Friday, May 2nd at 11.

We are very blessed in our parish to have such a wonderful school with such dedicated staff who are responding so well to the challenges of modern education and to the diverse environment we have in our school, with over twenty three different nationalities. This year, for First Communion, we are following, along with the rest of the Diocese, the Do This in Memory of Me Programme , and we are very lucky to have such a capable Co-Ordinator in Sister Mary Doyle who has a wealth of experience, along with our  very loyal Pre-Sacramental Team. Sister Mary will be in touch with all parents about the Monthly Masses which they are invited to attend with their children.

1. Scoil Bhride, Shantalla Road, Galway. (Tel:091-525052)

2. Our Principal is Frank Keane.

3. Remember a faith commitment is required for First Communion and Confirmation. If you have been away from your faith we are happy to welcome you home and encourage you to begin again. Don't be shy! The school programme is excellent and your child will be your best teacher when you share the programme with them. As with marriage, we are not looking for picture postcard Catholics, just an open heart. It's so sad to think of all the children who are presented for First Communion and Confirmation who are not encouraged to practice and engage with their faith either before or after.

Baptism and Marriage.

Baptisms are on Sundays at one. Please give very good notice. Once you fill in the application form a member of our Baptism Team will be in touch. They will visit you in your home to help you prepare for this very special moment in your child's life. We are delighted to talk to adults who wish to become Catholics and we will facilitate you in every way.

For Marriages we ask again for very good notice, a very minimum of three months. New civil regulations came into force on November 5th. Please arrange a meeting with the Registrar in Shantalla (091-546216/546277). The office there at 25 Newcastle Road is open from 10:00 to 4:30, Monday to Friday. You must also book a Pre-Marriage Course. This can be done at the Galway Diocesan Pastoral Cenre, Arus de Brun, Newtownsmith (091-562331). A weekend course is available in Esker Retreat House near Athenry (091-844549). When you come to visit us we will give you a list of all the other particulars you need and tell you about the Pre-Nuptial Form you will fill in with us.

Points to Remember:

1. It's our great privilege to help and journey with you.

2. Remember that both Baptism and Catholic Marriage require a faith commitment. We are delighted to welcome you home if you've been away from the practice of the faith,but do think seriously about what you're doing if you are not open to the faith,willing to practice or just going through the motions to keep your parents, grandparents or whoever happy. We are not looking for picture postcard Catholics, just an open heart.

3. Please book us and come and talk to us BEFORE you book the hotel!

4. Civil Marriage Information can be had at www.groireland.ie

5. www.gettingmarried.ie is an excellent website.

6. The Cathedral Bookshop here in Galway has excellent resource material for Baptisms and Marriage. Also check out Knock Shrine Bookshop and Veritas on the web.

Indian Community.

The Indian Community have brought new life and vitality to our parish and worshipping community. They meet every Friday for prayer at 6:30 upstairs in the church rooms, followed by a get-together. Once a month an Indian Priest comes from Dublin to celebrate Mass for them and hear Confessions. Check the notice boards for details and information.

LENT IS COMING!

Wednesday next,February 6th, is Ash Wednesday and marks the beginning of Lent. We have two Masses on the day, 10 O'Clock and 7:30, at which ashes will be distributed. Remember the ashes are not a lucky charm but a reminder that we are dust and to dust we shall return, and, during the season of Lent, we are called to turn away from sin and believe in the Gospel, to prepare and reflect, so that, come Easter Sunday on March 23rd we will be renewed in body, soul and mind, ready to greet the Resurrected Lord.

Candlemas( February 2nd)and Saint Blaise(February 3rd)

The beautiful Feast of Candlemas recalls the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, forty days after his birth. We, like Simeon and Anna, are called to be light bearers in an often dark and confused world. Candlemas is also World Day of Consecrated Life.
Saint Blaise was a Bishop in Armenia in the Fourth Century invoked against ailments of the throat. Throats will be blessed at all Masses on the Feast day, Sunday 3rd.

WHO WAS SEAMUS QUIRKE?

The road on which our church stands is called after Seamus Quirke. Seamus,a Cork man, was staying at a house in the Docks here in Galway and was a fighter in the War of Independence. At this time the infamous Black and Tans, auxilary troops sent to Ireland to put down the rebellion, were causing terror and strife throughout Ireland. In Galway, on September 8th 1920, they were fired up by one of their lorry drivers, a man called Krumm. Krumm had spent the evening drinking and terrifying people in a pub by lining up beer bottles and shooting at them to prove his prowess. They murdered Sean Mulvoy at Ceannt Station on that evening and, during the early hours of September 9th, Seamus Quirke was taken from his lodgings and shot eleven times in the stomach dying a slow and cruel death. He was attended by the famous Father Griffin, who would very shortly after be taken from his own house at Montpellier Terrace and murdered. We pray for all from the Island of Ireland who died in all the terrible conflicts of the Twentieth Century and we pray, that, in this time, we will have peace and healing among all traditions of this beautiful island we share.