Publication of the report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse in Dublin Archdiocese Statement by Martin Drennan, Bishop of Galway.

The investigation which led to this report was requested by survivors of sexual abuse who wanted the full truth about what happened so that they could move towards closure with their past. When they reported to Church authorities the abuse they had suffered, they felt that the Church put its own protection ahead of the welfare and protection of children.

The double trauma they endured upsets me deeply. First, there was the enormous damage done to them through sexual abuse. Then there was the added pain of feeling they were dealing with a self-defensive management system when they brought their plight to the attention of the Church. Their suffering was compounded. I humbly offer my apologies to all who suffered in these ways.

I believe them when they say that their experience was of not being listened to and of not being believed. I admire them for their persistence and courage, and I hope that this report will convince them that they have been heard and believed.

My fervent desire is that, learning from this report, we will understand why Church authorities failed these people and their families, and why, in the past, the Church didn’t act decisively in favour of the safety and welfare of children. Above all, I pray that all of those who have been hurt and abused in this sad chapter of our history will be able to move towards the healing and peace they are looking for and deserve.

I want to assure the faithful of the diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora that the highest possible training and standards apply to child welfare and safety in all our parishes so that such events may never happen again. Details of our policies and structures in this regard are located under Services on our diocesan website www.galwaydiocese.ie

OTHER LINKS:

www.dublindiocese.ie

www.catholicbishops.ie

http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/PB09000504

Mass Intentions for the week ahead, First Week of Advent.

Saturday 28th November
Vigil Mass 7.30 pm 1. James Scally
2. Bernie & Kathleen Cooke and Mary Hughes
PRAY FOR BILLY CREANE AT ALL MASSES
Sunday 29th November 9.30 am Edward Fitzgerald and deceased members of the
Fitzgerald & Hosty families.
1st Sunday of Advent 11.00 am 1. Maureen, Charles and Bunny Devlin.
2. Damien Dalton
12.15 pm 1. Teresa Kelly
2. Bridget Hughes.
6.30 pm 1. Timmie Mannion
2. Tony Moran deceased.
Monday 30th November 10.00 am 1. John & Noreen O’Connor
2. Billy Creane
Tuesday 1st December 10.00 am 1. Sick and 2. Mary Bridie Welsh.
Wednesday 2nd December 10.00 am 1. Annie, Paddy and Marty Lee and Baby Annaleigh Cleere.
2. Deceased members of Aran Bridge Club, St Marys Rd.
Thursday 3rd December 10.00 am 1. Bridget Ward and living and deceased members of
Ward and Mongan families.
Friday 4th December 10.00 am 1. Bridget, Ray and Edward Maloney
2. Anthony ‘Tony’ Gavin and deceased members of
Gavin and Heneghan families and Sean Gaughan.
7.30 pm 1. Eddie Brennan
2. Carmel Griffin.
Saturday 5th December
Vigil Mass 7.30 pm 1. Bridget & Colman Hernon
2. Geraldine O’Neill and Vera Browne.
Sunday 6th December 9.30 am Joe McDermott
2ndt Sunday of Advent 11.00 am 1. Robert Nolan.
2. John, Johnnie, Ellen and Nora Brennan and all the
Brennan family.
12.15 pm 1. Elizabeth Heenan.
2. Maureen, P.J. Hornibrook, Martin Flaherty and
Flaherty and Madden families.
6.30 pm 1. Mattie & Kenneth Frawley.
2. Michael Corcoran Snr.

Kids Corner, First Sunday of Advent, with Cian and Bella.

Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 • Be Alert
Cian: Hi there Guys, Bella is gone on a sleepover with her friend Emma so I am going to tell you about this Sunday’s Gospel. It is a really important Gospel for us to read and think about. It tells us that we should always keep our love of Jesus and others in our minds and hearts. It is important not to be impressed by other kids who may be bullying at school or gossiping downtown. Sometimes it is easy to forget about the right thing to do as that is often the most difficult thing to do, but being a decent person in our world is about respecting others, their difference and of course respecting ourselves by not letting ourselves down. Think about this and if you know kids who drag you down, stay away from them and always try to be a good friend by being honest and truthful. Tough job, but someone’s gotta do it! See you next week!
Don’t allow yourself to be influenced by negativity today!

Orla Walsh •Email walsh_orla@eircom.net
Illustrations by Connie Collins • Email collinsconnie@hotmail.com

Saint of the Week, Saint Francis Xavier.

COPYRIGHT: www.daughtersofstpaul.com

This great missionary was born at Xavier Castle in Spain in 1506. He went to the University of Paris when he was eighteen. Here he met St. Ignatius Loyola, who was about to start the Society of Jesus. St. Ignatius tried to get Francis to join him. At first the happy-go-lucky young man would not think of it. St. Ignatius repeated to him the words of Jesus in the Gospel: "What does it profit a person to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" At last, Francis saw clearly that his place in life was among the Jesuits.
When Francis was thirty-four, St. Ignatius sent him as a missionary to the East Indies. The king of Portugal wanted to give him presents to take along and a servant. Francis refused his kind offer and explained: "The best way to acquire true dignity is to wash one's own clothes and boil one's own pot." During the course of his amazing career in Goa, India, Japan and other lands of the east, St. Francis made thousands of converts. In fact, he baptized so many people that he became too weak to raise his arms. He gathered the little children around him and taught them the Catholic faith. Then he made little lay apostles of them. He invited them to spread the faith they had learned. There was nothing St. Francis wouldn't do to help people. Once he faced a fierce band of raiders, alone, with no weapon but his crucifix. They backed up and did not attack his Christian tribes. The saint also brought many bad-living Christians to repentance. His only "tools" were his gentle, polite ways and his prayers.
In the midst of his painful journeys and great labors, the saint was full of a special joy coming from God. St. Francis longed to get into China, into which no foreigner was permitted. At last, the arrangements were made, but the great missionary became ill. He died almost alone in 1552 on an island off the Chinese coast. He was just forty-six-years-old. Francis Xavier was proclaimed a saint by Pope Gregory XV in 1622. He was in the best of company at the canonization ceremony in Rome. Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila, Philip Neri and Isidore the Farmer were also proclaimed saints that day.
Francis' love for Jesus was so strong that he could not rest at the thought of so many people who had never heard the Gospel. What would happen if I were able to share my faith with at least one person in my life?

We wish the Jesuit Community here in Galway a very happy Feast of St. Francis Xavier, and thank them for their great contribution to the life of our city and diocese. Visit the Irish Jesuits at www.jesuit.ie and don't forget the great Jesuit Sacred Space site; you'll find the link on the sidebar menu of this page.

Forget - Them - Not.

Forget - Them- Not is a unique business that provides products, accessories and services for the bereaved. They are now open at Unit 12, Westside Enterprise Park, Bothar le Cheile (behind Ballard House).

T: 087- 1303166

E: forgetthemnot at gmail.com

Table Quiz for Poor Clare's.

There will be a Table Quiz in aid of the Poor Clare's building and renovation fund in The Clybaun Hotel, Knocknacarra, on Thursday, December 10th at 8:30. Tables of are €40. The main prizes are for the winning table and there will also be raffle and spot prizes on the night. Please call 091- 865374 for more details, and to book a table (table booking is advisable but not necessary).

www.poorclares.ie

(You'll always find the link to The Poor Clares on the menu bar of this page)

First Saturday Devotions.

First Saturday Devotions will take place in the Dominican Convent, Taylors Hill, next Saturday, December 5th, with Adoration at 3 PM, and Mass at 4. Do come and bring a friend.

Interested in being a lay missionary??

Viatores Christi is a lay missionary volunteer association that recruits, trains and sends people to work in areas of need in Africa, Asia, Central and Latin America, as well as parts of the USA and Europe. If you are interested in this experience, you are invited to the Westside Community Resource Centre on Thursday, December 10th, at 7:30.

www.viatoreschristi.com

Announcements, First Sunday of Advent.

Daily Mass here in the Sacred Heart every morning at 10, Mass on Tuesday is for the sick and ill.

Adoration takes place every night from 8 to 10. New Adorers are most welcome.

Confessions are on Saturdays from 6:30 to 7:30.

The Irish Catholic is on sale after Mass, also the Sacred Heart Messenger for December.

http://www.irishcatholic.ie/

http://www.messenger.ie/

We have now begun our Advent journey, and as we await the coming of Christ this Christmas, Bishop Martin Drennan along with Fr. Charlie Davey and Mrs. Eileen Kelly will accompany us into the season of Advent by sharing their thoughts on the themes of "Awaiting" "Hope" and "Family". These reflections will take place over three Monday nights beginning this Monday 30th November in the Diocesan Pastoral Centre Arus de Brun, Newtownsmith at 8p.m.

http://www.pastoralcentre.ie/

(You'll always find the link to the Pastoral Centre website on the menu bar at the side of this page)

The recent flooding has left a dire situation it its wake as you are well aware. As well as praying for the victims, practical action is needed, and so the second collection here on the weekend of the 12^th and 13^th of December will be for the flood victims. The St. Vincent de Paul society would also welcome any non perishable items (bedding, tinned food etc.) at their shop on Merchants Road.

Talking about climate and geography, there is a display behind the Advent Wreath on the Bishop’s Pastoral on Care for the Earth. It would be defeating the purpose of the pastoral if we were to order 100 copies for the church, so, each week, we will publish a section of it on that display board and you’ll find a link to it on the menu bar at the side of this page.

There’s a huge variety of events on these weeks as we begin the season of Advent. Why not take a look at the main notice board of the church and you’re bound to find something of interest, or scout around the different posts you'll find on this site.

Friday is the First Friday of the month. Fr. David will be doing his Communion Calls on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. Monsignor Malachy will not be doing his calls as he is on annual leave, but will connect with them on his return.There will be Evening Mass on Friday at 7:30 with Benediction.

We pray for all our loved departed ones especially today:

1. Dr. Séan Tedders, who has died suddenly in Australia, late of Highfield Park; Séans remains will be arriving from Australia at the end of this week and he will be reposing at O’Flaherty’s Funeral Home, Munster Avenue, on Sunday, December 6^th, from 6:00 to 8:00, when he will be removed to our church. His Funeral Mass will be on Monday, December 7^th, at 11 with burial afterwards in Mount Saint Joseph, Rahoon Cemetery.

2. Eileen Spelman, 33 Colmcille Road, whose Funeral Mass took place here during the week.

This weekend we remember too: James Scally, Bernie and Kathleen Cooke and Mary Hughes, Billy Creane, Edward Fitzgerald and Deceased of Fitzgerald and Hosty Families, Maureen, Charles and Bunny Devlin, Damien Dalton, Teresa Kelly, Bridget Hughes, Timmie Mannion and Tony Moran.

Youth for Christ Galway Youth for Christ event postponed owing to adverse weather.

The Youth for Christ Event for this Friday is rescheduled owing to the adverse weather conditions. We will let you know as soon as a new date is announced.

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Eileen Spelman, R. I. P.

Your prayers are asked for the repose of the soul of Eileen Spelman, 33 Colmcille Road, Shantalla. Eileen's remains will be reposing at Conneely's Funeral Home, Flood Street, Wednesday, from 5 to 7 PM, when they will be removed to our church. Funeral Mass for Eileen will be on Thursday at 12 noon, followed by burial in Mount Saint Joseph, Rahoon Cemetery.

'We gain an everlasting dwelling place...'

Emmaus Retreat Centre - Swords, Co Dublin - December Programme

There are a number of events taking place at the Emmaus Retreat Centre during the month of December and details of these are listed below. For more information on any of the events just click on the relevant title. If you would like to booka place on any of the programmes just call us on 01-8700050 or email reservation! s@emmauscentre.ie.

Confidence & Assertiveness for MEN - 5th December - Maria Lynch
Do you tend to avoid conflict and withdraw because you are not sure what to do or say ? Are you facing bullies in your line of work ? If yes, this is the workshop for you.

Advent Retreat In Preparation for Christmas - Fr Derek Laverty SS.CC 11th- 13th December
Theme : "WHEN IS HE COMING" Our lives are an Advent , a time of waiting, listening and hoping, a time of openness to the unimaginable gift of God. This weekend will provide the opportunity to prepare for God's gift to us in the Incarnation.

An Advent Introduction to Centering Prayer Denis Gleeson cfc 1st December - 3 Tuesday Mornings
Take an important step in your spiritual development. These mornings are an introduction to centering prayer based on the writings of Thomas Keating.

Confidence & Assertiveness for Women Workshop - 10th December - Maria Lynch
Do you tend to avoid conflict and withdraw because you are not sure what to do or say ? Are you facing bullies in your line of work ? If yes, this is the workshop for you.

Stop the World for a Day or Two In Preparation for Christmas
Renew your spirit and refresh your mind with some personal time out at the Emmaus Centre, Dublin.
You deserve some personal time out for quiet reflection. To meditate. Read. Write. Or just BE. You'll find that time at the Emmaus Centre, Dublin, Ireland.

© 2009 The Emmaus Retreat & Conference Centre, Dublin, Ireland

Change of venue and time for Older and Bolder Report.

Older & Bolder will be launching our report, “Feeling the Pinch”, Older People’s Experience of the Recession on Wednesday, November 25, 2009. The launch will take place in The Westin Hotel, Westmoreland Street, Dublin, at 2:15 PM. There will be presentations from the authors of the report Liza Costello and Stephen O’Hare and from Professor Eamon O’Shea, Irish Centre for Social Gerontology, NUI Galway. I hope that you, or a colleague from your organisation, will be able to join us on this occasion. Please confirm your attendance by ringing 01-8783623 or emailing mary.cleary@olderandbolder.ie

Do This In Memory Mass.

The next Mass in our First Communion Preparation Programme is tomorrow, Sunday 22nd, at the usual time of 11. Don't forget your leaves and candles!

Sympathies.

We have been remembering our Holy Souls this month, and the November Lists of the Dead will be left on the altar until the last day of the month.

Your prayers are asked for the repose of the following who died recently:

1. Séan Tedders, who has died suddenly in Australia, late of Highfield Park, Funeral Arrangements later.
2. Paddy O'Connor, St. John's Terrace, Father of Derek O'Connor, Davis Road.
3. Betty Walsh, Laurel Park and Oughterard.
4. Chrissie Maher, Nottingham, the sister of Sister Labouré, Presentation Convent, Shantalla.
5. Rose Lee, Highfield Park.
6. Peter Griffin, Letteragh.
7. Mary McDonagh, Rosaveal, the mother of Mary Ann Burke, Rahoon.
8. Eileen Cloherty, Fr. Burke Road, the mother of Mary Darcy, Corrib Park.
9. Patsy Glynn, Beach Court.

Mass Intentions, Week of November 22nd.

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Feast of Christ the King.

John 18:33-37
1 The feast we have today, and the Gospel, give us an opportunity to reflect on the different ways in which we, and others, exercise influence and leadership. The authority of Pilate came from position and power. The authority of Jesus came from his integrity and what he stood for. Recall leaders you have known whose influence was like that of Jesus.
2 The values of the kingdom of God cannot be imposed. It is never a matter of fighting battles, or forcing others into compliance. Perhaps through experience you have learned the limitations of the use of force, as a parent, a teacher, a group leader. What has been the good news, the learnings for you, in this?
3 Jesus came to bear witness to the truth and we are all created for a purpose. What do you believe is the purpose of your life? Recall times when you have been able to bear witness to this. What fruit has this witness had for yourself and/or others?
John Byrne OSA
Email john@orlagh.ie

A very happy Feast Day to the Church of Christ the King in Salthill.

November 21st, Feast of the Presentation.

WE WISH THE PRESENTATION SISTERS IN OUR PARISH, IN SHANTALLA AND 160/61 CORRIB PARK, A VERY HAPPY FEAST DAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE LIFE OF OUR COMMUNITY, OUR DIOCESE, AND THE IRISH AND UNIVERSAL CHURCH.



COPYRIGHT: www.americancatholic.org
Mary’s presentation was celebrated in Jerusalem in the sixth century. A church was built there in honor of this mystery. The Eastern Church was more interested in the feast, but it does appear in the West in the 11th century. Although the feast at times disappeared from the calendar, in the 16th century it became a feast of the universal Church.
As with Mary’s birth, we read of Mary’s presentation in the temple only in apocryphal literature. In what is recognized as an unhistorical account, the Protoevangelium of James tells us that Anna and Joachim offered Mary to God in the Temple when she was three years old. This was to carry out a promise made to God when Anna was still childless.
Though it cannot be proven historically, Mary’s presentation has an important theological purpose. It continues the impact of the feasts of the Immaculate Conception and of the birth of Mary. It emphasizes that the holiness conferred on Mary from the beginning of her life on earth continued through her early childhood and beyond.



Comment:
It is sometimes difficult for modern Westerners to appreciate a feast like this. The Eastern Church, however, was quite open to this feast and even somewhat insistent about celebrating it. Even though the feast has no basis in history, it stresses an important truth about Mary: From the beginning of her life, she was dedicated to God. She herself became a greater temple than any made by hands. God came to dwell in her in a marvelous manner and sanctified her for her unique role in God's saving work. At the same time, the magnificence of Mary redounds upon her children. They, too, are temples of God and sanctified in order that they might enjoy and share in God's saving work.

Quote:
"Hail, holy throne of God, divine sanctuary, house of glory, jewel most fair, chosen treasure house, and mercy seat for the whole world, heaven showing forth the glory of God. Purest Virgin, worthy of all praise, sanctuary dedicated to God and raised above all human condition, virgin soil, unplowed field, flourishing vine, fountain pouring out waters, virgin bearing a child, mother without knowing man, hidden treasure of innocence, ornament of sanctity, by your most acceptable prayers, strong with the authority of motherhood, to our Lord and God, Creator of all, your Son who was born of you without a father, steer the ship of the Church and bring it to a quiet harbor" (adapted from a homily by St. Germanus on the Presentation of the Mother of God).

Kids Corner.

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COPYRIGHT: REDEMPTORIST PUBLICATIONS.

Fundraiser for Poor Clares.

In aid of The Poor Clares Building and Restoration Fund, the Corrib Rowing and Yachting Club in Earl's Island (down by AIB Bank Distillery road and follow the signs) are hosting a coffee morning and a duck race on Sunday the 13th December from 11:30 until 2:30 with a raffle and Santa calling in. Coffee tickets are €10 each, also Duck tickets, and are available from The Poor Clare Convent, The Franciscan Abbey Shop, Fallers Jewellers, O'Mailles on High Street, Park Jewellers at The Corrib Shopping Centre, Corrib Rowing and Yachting Club and Maddens in Oranmore.

http://www.poorclares.ie/

(You'll always find the link for The Poor Clares Website on the menu bar of this page)