TALK ON PRAYER IN THE PASTORAL CENTRE .

Fr. Murchadh O'Madagáin will give a talk on his field of expertise, Centering Prayer, in the Pastoral Centre, Newtownsmith, City Centre, (bus no's 2, 5, 4&7 all stop nearby)next Wednesday at 8. 

www.pastoralcentre.ie for more details

MICHAEL MELIA AND MICK FOLEY, R. I.P.

We pray today for the repose of the soul of Michael Melia of Collinamuck, Rosscahill, whose wife Maria is from our parish, from Davis Road. Michael's funeral took place during the week in Collinamuck. Maria you and the little ones and Michaels mum and grand dad are very sincerely in our thoughts and prayers.

Please pray too for the repose of the soul of Michael (Mick) FOLEY of 11 Rockmount Road, Highfield Park.
Mick will be reposing at his home tomorrow, Sunday, from 4pm to 7pm. Private removal on Monday to our church. Funeral after 11am Mass to Rahoon Cemetery. Bríd and the family we are with you also in thought and prayer.



Receive their souls and present them to God the most high....

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK AHEAD, APRIL 27TH. CLICK ON THE POSTER TO SEE IT CLEARER.

CONFIRMATION.

Next Friday the Sixth Class boys and girls of Scoil Bhride will be making their Confirmation. We pray for them in a special way and pray that they will shine like bright lights in the world, being true to their faith and to the gifts and fruits they will receive.

Sixth Sunday of Easter, April 27th 2008.

COPYRIGHT, FR. MARTIN TIERNEY, SUNDAY THOUGHTS.COM. "The Gospel of today opens with the conjunction 'if'. It's a big if. Jesus says 'if you love me ... I will ask the Father' . In this passage Jesus seems to make the gift of the Spirit conditional upon the disciples' love of Jesus and keeping the commandments. This is covenant language reminiscent of the great 'if' of the book of Exodus. 'If you hearken to my voice, and keep my covenant, you will be my special possession, dearer to me than all other people'.

God cannot force himself into our lives. He has given us the gift of free will. He has to be, warts and all, invited into our lives. The gift of the Spirit cannot be given, because it cannot be received in one who does not love Jesus and try to live according to his word. In other words, there is no such a thing as 'cheap grace'. There is a price to be paid in this life. There are demands placed on us in our friendship with Jesus.

In working with married couples we say that love is a decision, not a feeling. When love is a decision there is a price to be paid! We decide to love despite our feelings. We don't base the most important relationship in our lives on how we feel today. It is in overcoming one's feelings of apathy, disinterestedness, that one grows in love. True love is a demanding path. Love is its own reward, for it is in paying the price that"

Saint of the Day, April 25th-St. Mark.

St. Mark - Saints & Angels - COPYRIGHT-Catholic Online: "The second Gospel was written by St. Mark, who, in the New Testament, is sometimes called John Mark. Both he and his mother, Mary, were highly esteemed in the early Church, and his mother's house in Jerusalem served as a meeting place for Christians there.

St. Mark was associated with St. Paul and St. Barnabas (who was Mark's cousin) on their missionary journey through the island of Cyprus. Later he accompanied St. Barnabas alone. We know also that he was in Rome with St. Peter and St. Paul. Tradition ascribes to him the founding of the Church in Alexandria.

St. Mark wrote the second Gospel, probably in Rome sometime before the year 60 A.D.; he wrote it in Greek for the Gentile converts to Christianity. Tradition tells us that St. Mark was requested by the Romans to set down the teachings of St. Peter. This seems to be confirmed by the position which St. Peter has in this Gospel. In this way the second Gospel is a record of the life of Jesus as seen through the eyes of the Prince of the Apostles. He is the patron saint of notaries."

News, April 22nd.

Please pray for the repose of the souls of the following:

Anne O'Malley, the mother of Amanda Dempsey, 41 Grangemore.
Paddy O'Connor, the brother of Maureen Burke, McDara Road.
Patsy Hanafin, the brother of Mrs Dodd, 112 Inishannagh Park.
Bernie Nash, Clare.

May the angels greet them...

The Easter Offerings are being taken up throughout the Sundays of April.
If we could have your Trócaire boxes by May 1st we would be most grateful.

We congratulate all the boys and girls who made their First Confession today from our school and a big thank you to the teachers and all who prepared them so well.

Tonight we have the Ceremony of Light for the Confirmation Children, always a very moving moment when the parents pass on the Baptismal Candle to the children indicating that as Confirmed Christians they will now be responsible for carrying that light. Confirmation is on Friday week, May 2nd.

Every Tuesday our Mass is offered for all our sick and ill, all those in our Book of the Sick and all those in need of healing wherever they are, in our hospitals, our hospice, our clinic, our homes. To include anyone in our Book of the Sick just pop in after any of the Masses or call into Bernie on Monday's, Wednesday's or Fridays from 10:30 until 1:00 in the Parish Office (Tel:524305).May the healing Lord visit them all.

Thanks for all your ideas to date for the Twenty Fifth Birthday/ Silver Jubilee of the Church in June. A good meeting was had on the same last Wednesday and thanks to all who attended. Keep those ideas rolling in!!!

Holy Family Shrine at our church.

Thank you to Marina Naughton for this beautiful picture. The shrine was dedicated in June of the Jubilee Year 2000 and takes its inspiration from a old church in our diocese in Kilmacduagh. Behind the candle shelf a stone from the Holy land is set in the wall. The candles are on sale in the church.

April 21st, Feast of Saint Anselm of Canterbury.

St. Anselm.
Canterbury Cathedral.

"'No one will have any other desire in heaven than what God wills; and the desire of one will be the desire of all; and the desire of all and of each one will also be the desire of God' (St. Anselm, Opera Omnia, Letter 112)."

Why not google Saint Anselm and find out more about this holy man of Canterbury who contributed so much to the thinking of the church and whose fearless legacy endures to this day.... it's our Catholic heritage....guard it...be proud of it!!

FIRST CONFESSION.

First Confession/ Penance takes place next Tuesday at 12 noon. We look forward, as always, to seeing the joy on the childrens faces as they receive God's forgiveness. Thank you to all who are preparing them so well for this beautiful sacrament.

INDIAN COMMUNITY MASS.

The monthly Indian Community Mass will take place next Wednesday, April 23. Confessions will be before the Mass at 5:30.

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK AHEAD, APRIL 20TH...CLICK ON THE POSTER TO SEE IT CLEARER...

"I am the way, the truth and the life..."

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, APRIL 20TH.

COPY RIGHT, MICHEL DE VERTEUIL ,LECTIO DIVINA WITH THE SUNDAY GOSPELS.


"Lord, there was a time when the teaching of Jesus meant nothing to us.

We were drifting,

we could not accept the values which had guided us in the past.

Then one day, almost miraculously, we knew you were with us again.

It was like coming home;

in fact, we felt an inner freedom and security

such as we had never known before.

Looking back on that journey,

we see that our hearts need not have been troubled;

you had left us on our own for a while,

but only to prepare this wonderful place for us to be."

Bridget Joyce,R.I.P.

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Bridget Joyce of Bealadangan, Connemara and 19 Tulach Ard.
Bridget's Funeral Mass took place on Thursday in Leitirmóir. To her family and friends we offer our support and prayers as a Christian Community. 'Lord, for your faithful people, life is changed not ended'.

THIS FRIDAY...GALWAY GOSPEL CHOIR WITH A FRENCH TWIST AT OUR CHURCH!

This Friday, April 18th, at 8:00 the Galway Gospel Choir, along with a choir from La Rochelle in France, will perform at our church. It promises to be an excellent ensemble as the Galway Gospel Choir, as we know from past experience, always deliver and the French twist should make it an even more enjoyable evening. Admission is free but donations are appreciated. For more info check out http://www.galwaygospelchoir.com/events

Recommended Read.....

This is a beautiful book for Vocations Sunday...Andrew Robinson, a young seminarian, is dying of cancer. Order it from Amazon by clicking this link www.amazon.co.uk then enter Tears at Night Joy at Dawn in the search engine;click on used and new and you'll get it for a very good price. Alternatively, pop into the Cathedral Bookshop and ask the girls there to order you a copy, Tears at Night Joy at Dawn by Andrew Robinson.

Mass Intentions for the week ahead, April 13th. Click on the poster to see it clearer...

Fourth Sunday of Easter- Good Shepherd/ Vocations Sunday.

COPY RIGHT, JACK MCARDLE, AND THAT'S THE GOSPEL TRUTH, COULMBA PRESS.

Abraham Lincoln pointed to a sheep one time, and asked someone close by: 'Supposing that sheep's tail was a leg, how many legs would it have?' 'Five legs', came the instant reply. 'No, no', replied Lincoln, 'pretending that its tail is a leg doesn't make it a leg, so the sheep would still only have four legs!'

Is today's gospel fact or fantasy for you? Is it nothing more than just a nice idea, a pretty concept, or is Jesus really who and what he is, when he tells us that he is the Good Shepherd, and we - you and I - are actually members of his flock, who follow him, and for whom he takes total responsibility?"

Mary Traynor, R.I.P.

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Mary Traynor, Corrib Park/Willow Park and formerly 10 Cookes Terrace, Bohermore. Mary's remains will be reposing at Irwins Funeral Home, Bothar Irwin (off Eyre Street), from 5:30 on Saturday, April 12th, until 7 when they will be removed to Saint Patrick's Church on Forster Street where Mass will be offered on Sunday at 12 with burial afterwards in the New Cemetery, Bohermore. May choirs of angels welcome her.

A Challenge!

Vita Ethiopian Challenge 2008

23rd October—2nd November



Are you prepared for your challenge of a lifetime?

Enjoy a 10 day trip to Ethiopia - experience the many facets of Ethiopia and the challenges faced by its people and at the same time make a difference.



For more information contact Jenny in Vita on/jennydouglas2@vita.ie

or visit the website at www.vita.ie



Vita is a small but very effective Irish not-for-profit organisation, founded in 1989, whose mission is to bring about lasting positive change in the living conditions of poor and marginalised people in our priority countries of Eritrea and Ethiopia. We achieve this by developing and supporting income generation activities with marginalised and deprived communities. At the core of our commitment to Building Sustainable Livelihoods in the Horn of Africa is ensuring that poor people take part in poverty analysis and programme design at a local level.

Our Church Rooms.

Creative Writing Classes in the Westside Library. Click on the poster to see it clearer...

Dominic Healy, R.I.P.

Today we pray for the repose of the soul of Dominic Healy, 6 Camillaun Park and formerly of 7 Reddington Road. Dominic will be reposing at Conneely's Funeral Home, Flood Street, tomorrow, Wednesday, from 5pm with removal at 8 to our chuch. Funeral Mass on Thursday at 12 noon with burial afterwards in Mount Saint Joseph Cemetery, Rahoon. To the family of Dominick we offer our sincere sympathy and support. Be assured we are praying for you and are privileged to journey with you in whatever way we can as a Christian community.

Our School...Scoil Bhríde...United in Diversity.

Thought for the Day.....

"The science of charity reform is not transmitted through books and at assemblies' tribunes as much as by climbing stairs in the home of the poor, kneeling at his bed, suffering from the same cold as he does, and discovering the secret of a grief-stricken heart in the course of a friendly conversation. When we have accomplished this ministry, not for months, but over long years; when we have thus studied the poor at home, at school, at the hospital, not only in one city but in several, and also in the country, in whatever condition God placed him, then we can start to know the formidable problem of misery, then we are entitled to propose serious measures...."

Blessed Frederic Ozanam, 1848

Blessed Frederic Ozanam founded the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. The SVP meets every Monday night in the Church Rooms at 7:45. New members are always welcome; come along to find out more.

A message from Father Iomar Daniels, Chaplain at the University.

I am the recently appointed Chaplain at NUI, Galway and I am leading a group of young people from the College, under the charity organisation Habitat for Humanity, to Zambia in May to help build houses for those who don’t have proper shelter. We are in the process of fundraising for this very worthwhile project. To this end I have organised a concert, by the Coole Quartet, in the College Chapel for Sunday 13th April at 7pm. Tickets are 15 euro and the concert is preceded by a cheese and wine reception at 6.30pm kindly sponsored by Friars Restaurant and Duggans of Renmore. It would be greatly appreciated if you could support us by attending the concert. I can say that the Coole Quartet is excellent. Yours sincerely, Iomar.

E-mail: iomar.daniels@nuigalway.ie

http://www.nuigalway.ie/student_services/chaplains

DO THIS IN MEMORY FIRST COMMUNION PROGRAMME.

Our next Mass of Preparation will be Sunday next, April 13th, at THREE. Please note the later time which is due to us having a wonderful cause of celebration as five of our children for First Communion will be baptised, Coralie, Manasse and Jennifer Ithere, Ashley Fonyonga and Gabriel Dossen. Don't forget to bring your candle children and take away your copy of The Grapevine. Also this time we will have a little bottle of Easter Water for you to take home with you.

A BIG welcome to our Christian Community.

This weekend we welcome into our Christian Community babies Eileen Ward, Claremont Park, and Amy Louise Corcoran, Corrach Bui. To the mums and dads, Godparents, friends and family, a big congratulations and encouragement as you set them out on the road of Christian faith and commitment. Thank you too to our Baptismal Team who put in so much hard work preparing families for the Sacrament of Baptism.

Mass Intentions for the Week Ahead, April 6th 2008.

PAT HARRINGTON R.I.P

Your prayers are asked today for the repose of the soul of Pat Harrington, 49 Carn Ard and formerly of Baltimore, Co. Cork. Pat's Funeral Mass will take place today at 12 noon, with burial afterwards in Mount Saint Joseph Cemetery, Rahoon. To Anne, the children, and all Pat's family and friends we offer sincere sympathy and support.

We also continue our journey of sympathy love and support with the family of Maria Donaldson, 21 Gaelcarrig Park, whose Month's Mind Mass takes place today at 11.

"Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life.........."

Third Sunday of Easter-Emmaus.

6 April - Third Sunday of Easter
COPYRIGHT, FATHER MARTIN TIERNEY ,FROM HIS BOOK SUNDAYTHOUGHTS.COM

The Third Sunday of Easter
Readings: Acts 2:14, 22-33, 1Pet 1:17-21, Lk 24:13-35

What happened on the road to Emmaus changed everything for the disciples. That experience is not for the privileged few but for all God's people.

In his biography of a remarkable First World War chaplain, Fr Willie Doyle, Alfred O'Rahilly tells the story of a Dublin Fusilier who happened to be home in Dublin on leave at the time of Fr Doyle's death. Meeting a friend who told him the news, he kept repeating incredulously; 'He's not dead. He couldn't be killed.' When at last he was shown a paper describing the padre's death, the soldier spontaneously knelt down on the pavement and began to pray. Then, to the crowd that had gathered round him, he recounted how; when he was lying wounded in an exposed position and expecting every moment to be killed by a shell, Fr Doyle had crept out to him and carried him to a place of safety. I am sure the two disciples on the road to Emmaus had similar feelings of confusion, sadness and desolation at the death of Jesus.

IMPORTANT! CHANGE OF VENUE FOR SCRIPTURE COURSE.

THE SCRIPTURE COURSE WITH BISHOP DRENNAN ON ST.MATTHEW'S GOSPEL ON APRIL 7th, 14th and 21st has changed venue to St. Mary's College. More details on the course can be found by scrolling down to the post below or by visiting The Pastoral Centre Site by clicking below...
www.pastoralcentre.ie

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.