High Ideals and Faith

‘If you abide in the love of Christ, rooted in the faith, you will encounter, even amid setbacks and suffering, the source of true happiness and joy. Faith does not run counter to your highest ideals; on the contrary, it elevates and perfects those ideals. Dear young people, do not be satisfied with anything less than Truth and Love, do not be content with anything less than Christ.’

- Pope Benedict XVI, Homily at Prayer Vigil with Young People on the Eve of World Youth Day, Cuatro Vientos Air Base, Madrid, 20^th August 2011

The Vocation to Marriage - Pope speaks at WYD

‘The Lord calls many people to marriage, in which a man and a woman, in becoming one flesh (cf. Gen 2:24), find fulfilment in a profound life of communion. It is a prospect that is both bright and demanding. It is a project for true love which is daily renewed and deepened by sharing joys and sorrows, one marked by complete self-giving. For this reason, to acknowledge the beauty and goodness of marriage is to realize that only a setting of fidelity and indissolubility, along with openness to God’s gift of life, is adequate to the grandeur and dignity of marital love.’

- Pope Benedict XVI, Homily at Prayer Vigil with Young People on the eve of World Youth Day, Cuatro Vientos Air Base, Madrid, 20^th August 2011

Funeral of Dónal Morkan, RIP, Ash Road

The remains of the late Dónal Morkan will be reposing at his home at 3 Ash Road, Shantalla this Wednesday, 31st July from 5.30pm with removal to the Church of the Sacred Heart here at 7.00pm. The Funeral Mass will be on Thursday, 1st September at 11.00am.

Eternal rest grant to him, Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

World Youth Day Stations of the Cross

‘As we were making our way with Jesus towards the place of his sacrifice on Mount Calvary, the words of Saint Paul came to mind: “Christ loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20). In the face of such disinterested love, we find ourselves asking, filled with wonder and gratitude: What can we do for him? What response shall we give him? Saint John puts it succinctly: “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 Jn 3:16). Christ’s passion urges us to take upon our own shoulders the sufferings of the world, in the certainty that God is not distant or far removed from man and his troubles.’

Pope Benedict XVI, Address after the Way of the Cross for World Youth Day, Plaza de Cibeles, Madrid, 19^th August 2011

Vocations to Priesthood

St Patrick's College, Maynooth

22 new seminarians began their studies for the priesthood at St Patrick's College, Maynooth yesterday (Sunday), including one young man for our Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora. There are now four students in formation for the diocese in Maynooth. Please remember them in your prayers and pray that others will also answer God's call.

If you feel the stirrings of a call to priesthood or religious life, don't hesitate to chat with Mons. Malachy or Fr Hugh and we will do what we can to help point you in the right direction.

Highlights of World Youth Day 2011

Obviously it is not possible for everybody to get to World Youth Day, but through the wonders of the internet, we can get a virtual taste of this great festival of faith. Click on the video and be inspired!



Parish Announcements for Sunday, 28th August 2011

• The annual special collection for CURA takes places at Masses this weekend. CURA is a voluntary organisation, which offers support and help to those who are faced with a crisis pregnancy. For information, see http://www.cura.ie/
 
• The First Friday of the month takes place this week on September 2nd. Mons. Malachy and Fr Hugh will bring Holy Communion to those who are housebound due to illness or old age. Please let us know of anybody who has become housebound recently and would like to receive Communion on the First Friday.
 
• Mass for Cemetery Sunday in Rahoon Cemetery will take place on Sunday, September 11th at 3pm.
 
• We remember in our prayers Dorothy Ryan, who died in Dublin this week, sister of Detta Lee, Colmcille Road.

 

Benedict XVI to youth: 'Seek truth while you are young...'

The young Fr Joseph Ratzinger seeking the truth

‘Youth is a privileged time for seeking and encountering truth. As Plato said: “Seek truth while you are young, for if you do not, it will later escape your grasp” (Parmenides, 135d).’

 - Pope Benedict XVI, Meeting with Young University Professors for Madrid World Youth Day, Basilica of the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain, 19^th August 2011

Pope meets young women religious at World Youth Day

The vocation to religious life is still an important element in the life of the Church. Great things are happening in many parts of the world with a new flowering of religious life. Therefore, we continue our glance through some highlights of last week's World Youth Day in Madrid with some of the Pope's words to young religious women.

'In a world of relativism and mediocrity, we need that radicalism to which your consecration, as a way of belonging to the God who is loved above all things, bears witness.'

'Gospel radicalism finds expression in the mission God has chosen to entrust to us: from the contemplative life, which welcomes into its cloisters the word of God in eloquent silence and adores his beauty in the solitude which he alone fills, to the different paths of the apostolic life, in whose furrows the seed of the Gospel bears fruit in the education of children and young people, the care of the sick and elderly, the pastoral care of families, commitment to respect for life, witness to the truth and the proclamation of peace and charity, mission work and the new evangelization, and so many other sectors of the Church’s apostolate.'

- Pope Benedict XVI, Meeting with Young Women Religious for World Youth Day, Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain, 19th August 2011

Fr Sean Kilcoyne's Knock Mini Vigil

Fr Seán Kilcoyne,

Chaplain, Bons Secours Hospital, Renmore

The Mini-Vigil organised annually by Fr Seán Kilcoyne will take place at Knock Shrine (Old Church) on Friday, September 9th 2011 from 8.15pm until midnight.
The homily will be given by Bishop Brendan Kelly of Achonry and reflections during the Holy Hour will be given by Sr Alphonsus P.B.V.M.

Bus leaving:

Bushy Park Church @ 5.15pm

Galway Cathedral @ 5.30pm

Renmore Church @ 5.45pm

Castlegar Church @ 6.00pm

Fare €10.

This is usually a prayerful and happy occasion, a chance for some peace, prayer, and reflection.

Enquiries to Fr Seán - Telephone 087 235 9576 or (091) 523459.

Mass intentions for the week ahead 28th August 2011

Saturday 27th August
Vigil Mass  6.30 pm Della and Willie Lally and Briidie and Edward Courtney
Sunday 28th August
9.30 am  Deceased members of the Lee family
11am      Paddy Kennedy and Ned Walsh and Michael Walsh

12.15 pm  Niall Thornton
6.30 pm    Kate, Martin and Peter McDonagh

Monday 29th August 10am  Intention free
Tuesday 30th August 10am  For all the Sick and Ita Hanley
Wednesday 31st August 10am  Jack Holland
Thursday 1st September  10am  Cis Berry and family.
Friday 2nd September  10am Colman Hickey and deceased members of
                                              the family.
Saturday 3rd September
Vigil Mass  6.30 pm  Sybil Ryan and Stephen Burke

Sunday 4th September
9.30 am  Intention free
11am      Intention free
12.15 pm  Bridie Russell
6.30 pm    Bridget Corcoran

'They will wonder what the secret of your life is...'

'Dear friends: be prudent and wise, build your lives upon the firm foundation which is Christ. This wisdom and prudence will guide your steps, nothing will make you fear and peace will reign in your hearts. Then you will be blessed and happy and your happiness will influence others. They will wonder what the secret of your life is and they will discover that the rock which underpins the entire building and upon which rests your whole existence is the very person of Christ, your friend, brother and Lord, the Son of God incarnate, who gives meaning to all the universe.'

- Pope Benedict XVI, Welcoming Ceremony with Young People for World Youth Day in Madrid, Plaza de Cibeles, Madrid, 18th August, 2011

Mass intentions for the week ahead 21st August 2011

Saturday 20th August
Vigil Mass 6.30 pm  Mary and Frank Nally and Tony Higgins

Sunday 21st August
9.30 am  John Madden
11 am  Raymond O'Neill and deceased members of the Hehir and
           O'Neill families.   Jackie O'Reilly
12.15 pm  Caroline Feeney and Joseph Hoade
6.30 pm    Gary Daly and deceased members of Daly family.

Monday 22nd August
10am  Michael and Josephine  Osmond
Tuesday 23rd August
10am  For all the Sick
Wednesday 24th August
10am  Intention free
Thursday 25th August
Mary Breeney (Months Mind Mass)
Friday 26th August
10am  Marguerita Burgess

Saturday 27th August
Vigil Mass   6.30 pm  Della and Willie Lally and Bridie and Edward Courtney

Sunday 28th August
9.30 am    Deceased members of Lee family.
11am        Paddy Kennedy and Ned and Micheal Walsh
12.15       Niall Thornton
6.30 pm   Kate, Martin and Peter McDonagh.

Pope Benedict's Schedule for World Youth Day

(N.B. These are Madrid times, one hour ahead of Ireland.)

Thursday, 18 August 2011

9:30 - Departure by plane from Ciampino Airport for Madrid
12:00 - Arrival at Madrid-Barajas International Airport
Welcoming ceremony at Madrid-Barajas International Airport
19:15 - Walking with young people through the Puerta de Alcalá to Plaza de Independencia
19:30 - Welcoming celebration by the young people at Plaza de Cibeles

Friday, 19 August 2011

7:30 - Private Mass at the Chapel of the Apostolic Nunciature of Madrid
10:00 - Courtesy Visit to Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain at Palacio de la Zarzuela
11:30 - Meeting with the women religious at Patio de los Reyes de El Escorial
12:00 - Meeting with young university professors gathered in the Basilica de San Lorenzo de El Escorial
13:45 - Luncheon with the young people at the Hall of Ambassadors in the Apostolic Nunciature of Madrid
17:30 - Official meeting with the Prime Minister of Spain in the Apostolic Nunciature of Madrid
19:30 - Way of the Cross with young people at Plaza de Cibeles

Saturday, 20 August 2011

9:00 - Sacrament of penance to some young people taking part in the 26th WYD at the Jardines del Buen Retiro
10:00 - Holy Mass with seminarians at the Cathedral of Santa María la Real de la Almudena
12:45 - Luncheon with Spanish Cardinals, Bishops of the Madrid Province, the Auxiliary Bishops of Madrid and  Papal Entourage at the Residence of Cardinal Archbishop of Madrid
17:00 - Meeting with the Organizing Committee of the 26th WYD at the Apostolic Nunciature of Madrid
19:40 - Visit to Fundación Instituto S. José for disabled youth
20:30 - Prayer vigil with young people at Cuatro Vientos Airport of Madrid

Sunday, 21 August 2011

9:30 - Holy Mass on the occasion of the 26th World Youth Day at Cuatro Vientos Airport of Madrid
12:45 - Luncheon with the Spanish Cardinals and the Papal Entourage at the Apostolic Nunciature of Madrid
17:00 - Departure from the Apostolic Nunciature of Madrid
17:30 - Meeting with volunteers of the 26th World Youth Day at Pavilion 9 of the new Trade Fair-IFEMA
18:30 - Farewell ceremony at Madrid-Barajas International Airport
19:00 - Departure by plane from Madrid-Barajas International Airport for Rome
21:30 - Arrival at Rome/Ciampino Airport

Pope Benedict's homilies and talks on occasions like these are always excellent and well worth following as the days unfold. You can follow them all here:
http://www.madrid11.com/en

As a taster, click here to read the Pope's message in preparation for WYD.

Our prayers and best wishes go with the group of young people from our Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora, accompanied by Bishop Martin Drennan.
World Youth Day benefits not just those in attendance, but the whole world. It is part of the New Evangelisation, helping a new generation of young people to love our Lord and their Catholic faith. As Pope Benedict says in his message,

'Dear young people, the Church depends on you! She needs your lively faith, your creative charity and the energy of your hope. Your presence renews, rejuvenates and gives new energy to the Church. That is why World Youth Days are a grace, not only for you, but for the entire People of God.'

Notices sent in

We have received requests to include the following notices:

Grow: World Community Mental Health Movement in Ireland
Summer BBQ fundraiser on Sunday 21st August 2011 @ 3pm, Westwood House, Dangan.
Tickets: €20 adults, €10 children 5-15 years, free for children under 5.
Music, raffle prizes, etc.
Tickets available from: Westwood Hotel (091) 521442; Mary 085 1499838; Aideen 086 8032731

Returning to Third Level Education
Galway City Partnership is organising a series of workshops for people who have been out of the education system for a period and are now returning to third level education. Dr Seamus Morrisey will facilitate three free lunchtime workshops:
* Preparing to start your course - Tues, 6th Sept
* Study skills and how to write assessments - Tues, 4th Oct
* Research skills and writing research projects - Tues, 8th Nov
These workshops will run from 1-2pm in Westside Resource Centre, Seamus Quirke Road.
To book, contact (091) 773466 or email seamus@gcp.ie

Assumption Mass Times for Monday 15th August 2011

We celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven this Monday, August 15th. Mass times here in the Church of the Sacred Heart will be at 10.00am, 11.30am and 6.30pm on the day itself. (The Mass the evening before is for the Sunday.)

Guercino, The Assumption of Mary (1655)

Finally, the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into Heavenly glory and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her son, the Lord of Lords and conqueror of sin and death.

Pope Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus 44

World Youth Day Madrid 2011



This week, a very important occasion on the Church calendar occurs in Madrid, Spain. World Youth Day was born from Pope John Paul II's evangelising outreach to young people. During his pontificate, enthusiasm for this gathering of Catholic youth from all over the world continued to grow. Pope Benedict has continued papal involvement in WYD. In reality, the event now spans a full week, culminating with Mass celebrated by the Pope on the final day, World Youth Day itself, which will be next Sunday, 21st August 2011.

Great fruit has come of WYD as thousands of young people have become alive in their faith due to the experience. They bring home a sense of the joy of believing in Jesus and belonging to the universal Church.

Why not taste the atmosphere during this momentous week? You can follow coverage here at EWTN.

Mass intentions for the week ahead 14th August 2011

Saturday 13th August
11.00 am  Molly Cleary (Months Mind Mass)
Vigil Mass   6.30 pm  Derek O'Neill and 2. Mary and Peter O'Brien
                                  and their daughter Carmel McNulty.
Sunday 14th August
9.30 am  Winnie, Michael, Bridget and Sean Ridge
11am      Aengus Murphy and 2. John Lovett and Christina Furey
12.15pm Martha Brennan and 2. Sue Small
6.30 pm  Paula Burke-Collins

Monday 15th August  Feast of the Assumption
10am Fred Hanley and the deceased members of the family.
11.30 am  William, Mary and Bridie Coyne
6.30 pm  Kathleen Walsh

Tuesday 16th August
10am  For all the Sick
2.00 pm   Special Lourdes Mass
Wednesday 17th August
10am  Deceased members of Reidy family.
6.00 pm  -  8.00 pm  Indian Community Mass
Thursday 18th August  
10am  Bridie Whelan
Friday 19th August  10am  Tom and Nora O'Halloran

Saturday 20th August
Vigil Mass  6.30 pm  Mary and Frank Nally and 2. Tony Higgins

Sunday 21st August
9.30 am     Intention free
11am         Raymond O'Neill and deceased members of Hehir and
                 O'Neill families.  2. Jackie O'Reilly.
12.15 pm  Caroline Feeney and Joseph Hoade
6.30 pm    Gary Daly and deceased members of Daly family.

Blog will soon be back in action

New parish blog editor, Fr Hugh Clifford CC

Greetings from the new parish blog editor! I had not operated a blog before, so I visited former Sacred Heart Curate, Fr David Murphy, in Clarinbridge today and he kindly gave me a training session in blogging. As I get settled in to the parish here, I hope to get the blog back up and running. Thanks to regular readers for your patience in the meantime.

Cemetery Sunday, Bohermore will take place on Sunday 21st August.
Mass will begin at 11  am.

Cemetery Sunday, Rahoon will take place on Sunday 11th September.
Mass will begin at 3 pm.

National Public Novena in honour of our Lady of Knock

14th August to 22nd August 2011
The above novena  is being held at Knock shrine twice daily
afternoon at 3pm and evening at 8.30 pm.
and on Sundays and Holy Days at 2.30 pm

Mass intentions for the week ahead 7th August 2011

Saturday 6th August
Vigil Mass   6.30 pm

Sunday 7th August
9.30 am    Annie and Michael McDermott
11 am       Paddy Feeney and deceased members of Gill and Feeney families.

12.15 pm  Noel Dunne and Anne O'Brien
6.30 pm    Intention free

Monday 8th August          10am  Pauline Flynn
Tuesday 9th August          10am  For all the Sick
Wednesday 10th August  10am  Patrick and Michael O'Donohue
Thursday 11th August      10am  Intention free
Friday 12th August           10am  Intention free


Saturday 13th August  11 am  Molly Cleary (Months Mind Mass)
Vigil Mass   6.30 pm Derek O'Neill and 2.  Mary and Peter O'Brien and
                                                                   their daughter Carmel McNulty.
Sunday 14th August
9.30 am     Winnie, Michael, Bridget and Sean Ridge.
11am         Aengus Murphy and 2. John Lovett and Christina Furey.
12.15 pm   Martha Brennan and 2. Sue Small
6.30 pm     Paula Burke-Collins.