Sacred Heart Church, Séamus Quirke Road, Galway, Ireland Fr. Kevin Keenan PP. 091 524751 Mrs Bernie Scally, Parish Secretary, 091 524305. Office hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings 10.00 to 1.00 pm Parish Pastoral Council 2024 Miriam Browne (Chairperson) Nora Delargy (Secretary) Eleanor Costello, Maureen Kelly, Moira Byrne, Dawn O Connor, Bernie Scally (Local Safeguarding Officer)
27 August 2008
25 August 2008
Indian Community.
Sympathies.
Some feast days we celebrated in the last week. Let's CELEBRATE our Catholic heritage!
23 August 2008
Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time. Zoom in by clicking on the images.
18 August 2008
Sympathies.
'When the body of our earthly dwelling lies in death, we gain an everlasting dwelling place in Heaven' (Preface of Christian Death I)
16 August 2008
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
14 August 2008
The Feast of the Assumption.
Virgin by William Wordsworth.
Mother! Whose virgin bosom was uncrost
Woman! above all women glorified,
Our tainted nature's solitary boast;
Purer than foam on central ocean tost;
Brighter than eastern skies at daybreak strewn
With fancied roses, than the unblemished moon
Before her wane begins on heaven's blue coast;
Thy image falls to earth. Yet some, I ween,
Not unforgiven the suppliant knee might bend,
As to a visible Power, in which did blend
All that was mixed and reconciled in thee
Of mother's love with maiden purity,
Of high with low, celestial with terrene!
August 14th, Maximilian Kolbe.
COPYRIGHT: catholic.org Maximilian was born in 1894 inPoland and became a Franciscan. He contracted tuberculosis and, though he recovered, he remained frail all his life. Before his ordination as a priest, Maximilian founded the Immaculata Movement devoted to Our Lady. After receiving a doctorate in theology, he spread the Movement through a magazine entitled "The Knight of the Immaculata" and helped form a community of 800 men, the largest in the world.
Maximilian went to Japan where he built a comparable monastery and then on to India where he furthered the Movement. In 1936 he returned home because of ill health. After the Nazi invasion in 1939, he was imprisoned and released for a time. But in 1941 he was arrested again and sent to the concentration camp at Auschwitz.
On July 31, 1941, in reprisal for one prisoner's escape, ten men were chosen to die. Father Kolbe offered himself in place of a young husband and father. And he was the last to die, enduring two weeks of starvation, thirst, and neglect. He was canonized by Pope JohnPaul II in 1982. His feast day is August 14th.
11 August 2008
St. Clare
COPYRIGHT: CATHOLIC.ORG Clare was a beautiful Italian noblewoman who became the Foundress of an order of nuns now called "Poor Clares." When she heard St. Francis of Assisipreach, her heart burned with a great desire to imitate Francis and to live a poor humble life for Jesus. So one evening, she ran away from home, and in a littlechapel outside Assisi, gave herself to God. St. Francis cut off her hair and gave her a rough brown habit to wear, tied with a plain cord around her waist. Herparents tried in every way to make her return home, but Clare would not. Soon her sister, St. Agnes joined her, as well as other young women who wanted to be brides of Jesus, and live without any money. St. Clare and her sisters wore no shoes, ate no meat, lived in a poor house, and kept silent most of the time. Yet they were very happy, because Our Lord was close to them all the time. Once, He saved them from a great danger in answer to St. Clare's prayer. An army of rough soldiers came to attack Assisi and they planned to raid theconvent first. Although very sick, St. Clare had herself carried to the wall andright there, where the enemies could see it, she had the Blessed Sacrament placed. Then on her knees, she begged God to save the Sisters. "O Lord, protect these Sisters whom I cannot protect now," she prayed. A voice seemed to answer: "I will keep them always in My care." At the same time a sudden fright struck the attackers and they fled as fast as they could. St. Clare was sick and suffered great pains for many years, but she said that no pain could trouble her. So great was her joy in serving the Lord that she once exclaimed: "They say that we are too poor, but can a heart which possesses the infinite God be truly called poor?" We should remember this miracle of the Blessed Sacrament when in Church. Then we will pray with great Faith to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist: "Save me, O Lord, from every evil - of soul and body." Her feast day is August 11.
Our city would be a much poorer place without The Poor Clares who have been part of our story since 1642. They are now online, visit them at www.poorclares.ie
10 August 2008
Thanks from the V de P.
Cemetery Sunday.
9 August 2008
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
8 August 2008
Thanksgiving.
We pray for all the athletes who will represent Ireland in The Olympics in Beijing, that they will be fair minded and show true sportsmanship, and that they will give thanks to God for the honour of representing our country and for the athletic gifts he has given them.
7 August 2008
Sympathies.
Feasts of the Week.
Saint John Vianney, August 4th.
Transfiguration of the Lord, August 6th.
St. Dominic, August 8th.
Saint Edith Stein, August 9th.2 August 2008
Galway Cathedral Recitals.
1 August 2008
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
50th Wedding Anniversary.
31 July 2008
St. Alphonsus Liguori, August 1st.
At the University of Naples he received, at the age of 16, a doctorate in both canon and civil law by acclamation, but soon gave up the practice of law for apostolic activity. He was ordained a priest and concentrated his pastoral efforts on popular (parish) missions, hearing confessions, forming Christian groups.
He founded the Redemptorist congregation in 1732. It was an association of priests and brothers living a common life, dedicated to the imitation of Christ, and working mainly in popular missions for peasants in rural areas. Almost as an omen of what was to come later, he found himself deserted, after a while, by all his original companions except one lay brother. But the congregation managed to survive and was formally approved 17 years later, though its troubles were not over.
Alphonsus’ great pastoral reforms were in the pulpit and confessional—replacing the pompous oratory of the time with simplicity, and the rigorism of Jansenism with kindness. His great fame as a writer has somewhat eclipsed the fact that for 26 years he traveled up and down the Kingdom of Naples, preaching popular missions.
He was made bishop (after trying to reject the honor) at 66 and at once instituted a thorough reform of his diocese.
His greatest sorrow came toward the end of his life. The Redemptorists, precariously continuing after the suppression of the Jesuits, had difficulty in getting their Rule approved by the Kingdom of Naples. Alphonsus acceded to the condition that they possess no property in common, but a royal official, with the connivance of a high Redemptorist official, changed the Rule substantially. Alphonsus, old, crippled and with very bad sight, signed the document, unaware that he had been betrayed. The Redemptorists in the Papal States then put themselves under the pope, who withdrew those in Naples from the jurisdiction of Alphonsus. It was only after his death that the branches were united.
At 71 he was afflicted with rheumatic pains which left incurable bending of his neck; until it was straightened a little, the pressure of his chin caused a raw wound on his chest. He suffered a final 18 months of “dark night” scruples, fears, temptations against every article of faith and every virtue, interspersed with intervals of light and relief, when ecstasies were frequent.
Alphonsus is best known for his moral theology, but he also wrote well in the field of spiritual and dogmatic theology. His Glories of Mary is one of the great works on that subject, and his book Visits to the Blessed Sacrament went through 40 editions in his lifetime, greatly influencing the practice of this devotion in the Church.
THE REDEMPTORISTS ARE FAMILIAR TO US HERE IN GALWAY FROM THEIR ANNUAL NOVENA AND THEIR RETREAT WORK IN ESKER, NEAR ATHENRY. CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE OF THE IRISH REDEMPTORISTS AT: www.redemptorists.ie
St. Ignatius of Loyola, July 31st.
29 July 2008
July 29th, Feast of Saint Martha.

Martha was the sister of Mary and Lazarus. They lived in the little town of Bethany near Jerusalem. They were dear friends of Jesus, and he often came to visit them. In fact, the Gospel tells us: "Jesus loved Martha, and her sister Mary and Lazarus." It was St. Martha who lovingly served the Lord when he visited them. One day, she was preparing a meal for Jesus and his disciples. She realized that the task would be easier if her sister would help. She watched Mary sitting quietly at Jesus' feet, listening to him. "Lord, tell my sister to help me," Martha suggested. Jesus was very pleased with Martha's loving service. However, he wanted her to know that listening to God's Word and praying is even more important. So he said gently, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious about many things, but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part."
St. Martha's great faith in Jesus was seen when her brother Lazarus died. As soon as she heard that Jesus was coming to Bethany, Martha went to meet him. She trusted Jesus and felt the freedom to say: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." Then Jesus told her that Lazarus would rise. He said, "He who believes in me, even if he die, shall live. Do you believe this?" And Martha answered, "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the world." Jesus worked a great miracle and raised Lazarus from the dead!
Later, Jesus came again to have supper with Lazarus, Martha and Mary. St. Martha served them at table as always. This time, though, Martha had a much more loving attitude. She served with a joyful heart.
Today we might want to repeat Martha's profession of faith in Jesus: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." (Jn 11:32-33)
27 July 2008
First Friday, Benediction and Adoration.

This Friday coming is August 1st, the First Friday. The sick and housebound will be visited as usual and there will be Evening Mass on Friday at 7:30, followed by Benediction.
Monthly Indian Community Mass.
GOOD NEWS! GOOD NEWS!

The following e-mail arrived from Bishop Drennan on Thursday:
26 July 2008
Feast of Saint James.

Friday was the Feast of the Apostle James. Why not google his name to find out more? The painting above is by the great master Rembrandt. In Europe there is the great tradition of the Camino or walk to the tomb of the apostle in Santiago in Spain. Check out the Irish Society of the Friends of Saint James for an Irish perspective on this ancient walk by clicking here www.stjamesirl.com
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
22 July 2008
St. Bridget of Sweden, July 23rd, Patroness of Sweden and Europe.
St. Mary Magdelene, July 22nd.
Reek Sunday.
A great and ancient tradition takes place on Saint Patrick's Holy Mountain in Mayo, Croagh Patrick, next Sunday, the last Sunday in July, known as Reek Sunday. Pilgrims, many in their bare feet, will be climbing from early morning. Indeed, the mountain and many of the traditions probably date back even before Saint Patrick and Christianity. Archbishop Neary will be celebrating Mass, in the chapel on the summit, at 11 a.m and this will be broadcast live on RTE 1.
19 July 2008
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Weeds in the Garden.
Pray for our clergy.

Please pray this weekend for all our clergy taking up new appointments. You'll find the changes at www.galwaydiocese.ie
Our parish is not affected so you'll either be very happy or very sad!!!
18 July 2008
17 July 2008
Festival Time!
16 July 2008
Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel - Saint of the Day - COPYRIGHT- www.americancatholic.org : Hermits lived on Mount Carmel near the Fountain of Elijah (northern Israel) in the 12th century. They had a chapel dedicated to Our Lady. By the 13th century they became known as “Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.” They soon celebrated a special Mass and Office in honor of Mary. In 1726 it became a celebration of the universal Church under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. For centuries the Carmelites have seen themselves as specially related to Mary. Their great saints and theologians have promoted devotion to her and often championed the mystery of her Immaculate Conception.
St. Teresa of Avila called Carmel “the Order of the Virgin.” St. John of the Cross credited Mary with saving him from drowning as a child, leading him to Carmel and helping him escape from prison. St. Theresa of the Child Jesus believed that Mary cured her from illness. On her First Communion she dedicated her life to Mary. During the last days of her life she frequently spoke of Mary.
There is a tradition (which may not be historical) that Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock, a leader of the Carmelites, and gave him a scapular, telling him to promote devotion to it. The scapular is a modified version of Mary’s own garment. It symbolizes her special protection and calls the wearers to consecrate themselves to her in a certain way.
Welcome, Reverend Martin Whelan.
WORLD YOUTH DAY 2008, SYDNEY.
For those youth who could not make it to Oz, don't forget the Youth Festival in Knock coming up. See the side bar menu for details.
Sympathies, Little Aoife Regan.
'It is to such as these that the Kingdom of God belongs'
11 July 2008
Sympathies, Cyril O'Brien, R. I. P.
Christ has died, Christ has risen..........
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.... How does your garden grow?
1st Reading: Isaiah 55: 10-11, Does the word of God spring to life in our community and are we willing to do the work of the sower?2nd Reading: Romans 8: 18-23, Do you believe that we are only truly liberated when we accept Christ is in the driving seat?
Gospel + : Matthew 13: 1- 23, Parables are meant to make us sit up. Can we see? Can we listen? It's not just about physical senses but the seed that takes root in the heart.
8 July 2008
Delia Delaney,R.I.P.
St. Killian,July 8th.
God, you called missionaries from Ireland with Saint Killian
to take the message of the gospel to Franconia and Bavaria;
Grant that the church may draw strength from their examples,
and never lack zeal to proclaim your love when the going is difficult:
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
For more on this great Irish Missionary check out:
www.allsaintsbrookline.org/celtic/saints/kilian.html
























