CHILD PROTECTION
Our current Child Protection Officer’s term of office is coming to an end and the Parish wants to record its appreciation for her commitment to this role over the last four years.
We are currently addressing the appointment of a new Child Protection Officer. To ensure a smooth transition both the outgoing and incoming Child protection Officer will work together for a number of months.
The Parish values and encourages the participation of children and young people in all parish activities that enhance their spiritual, physical, emotional and social development. We are committed to ensuring their protection.
The role of the Child Protection officer is an integral part of this commitment. The responsibilities of the person appointed to this position are:
• To implement the Parish’s Child Protection Policy and to promote its awareness.
• To ensure the public has contact details for the Diocesan child Protection Authorities, the local Garda station and the relevant H.S.E. officials.
• To facilitate the Parish in bringing an allegation or suspicion of child abuse to the attention of the Director of Child Protection.
The person appointed is given a specific role and will be required to undergo training. He/she will be able to draw on expert help and support from the Diocesan Director of Child Protection.
The appointment and functioning of a Child Protection Officer in the Parish is in line with the comprehensive and unified approach of Child protection in the Dublin Diocese.
The protection of children is paramount. Dublin Dioceses wants its Child Protection policy to be ‘world class” and is therefore subject to regular review and where necessary improvement. However its robustness depends on its application at parish level. The Parish of St. Columbanus & St. Gall has to date fully applied the Dioceses Child Protection guidelines and is committed to implementing any further changes the Dioceses propose.
An Ecumenical Service to celebrate the Week of Prayer for Church Unity (18th – 25th Jan.) will take place at 3pm on this Sunday January 23rd, in St. Philips Church, Temple Rd. Fr. Philip Bradley will preach at this service. All welcome.
Prayer for Christian Unity
Lord Jesus, Son of God,
Our brother and our savour,
We give you glory.
Protect your Church and make us one.
Send your spirit to guide us and
Lead us back to unity and love.
We thank you for last Sunday’s Offertory Collection of €1,457 and the Share Collection which amounted to €939.
We thank those of you who have already returned your Christmas Dues. Dues envelopes may be placed in the collection bags at Mass, given to one of the priests or handed into the Sacristy or the Parish Office.
The Parish Adult & Toddler Group meets in the Parish Pastoral centre at
10.30am on Friday mornings.
Today’s 10AM Mass is part of the ‘Do this in Memory of Me’ programme for children who will be receiving their First Holy Communion next year. We welcome the children their parents and families.
The Grouped Parishes of Sandford and St. Philips Milltown will host a Table Quiz at 8pm on Thursday January 27th in St. Philip’s hall on Temple road in Dartry. Further details of this event are on the Parish Notice Boards.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Catholic Schools Week
30th January – 5th February 2011
.The purpose of this week is to highlight and celebrate the wonderful contribution that Catholic schools make to our local communities and society in general. This year’s theme is ‘Catholic Schools – Rooted in Jesus Christ’ This theme suggests that all our school communities need to be rooted in Jesus Christ. ‘Plants, trees and flowers that lose their roots are blown hither and thither. We too can be uprooted, lacking any true guidance in our lives, drawn this way and that, unsure how to respond. During this week we are asked to renew our roots in Christ.
Feb 1st. St. Brigid, Secondary Patron of Ireland and first day of spring.
Feb. 2nd: Candlemas Day - The Presentation of the Lord and also World Day for Consecrated Life. Candles will be blessed at 10am.
Feb 3rd: St. Blaise Bishop & Martyr. Blessing of throats will take place during Mass.
Spring Gathering in Holy Cross College
This will take place on Sat. Feb. 5th . Details of the workshops available are on the Notice Boards. Ples contact the Parish Office if you would like to attend this seminar.
Scripture Weekend - January 28-30, in Orlagh Retreat Centre led by Kieran O’Mahony. Under the title Our hearts are restless, Kieran will explore the spiritual quest in John’s Gospel. The weekend runs from 5.30pm on Friday to 2.00 pm on Sunday. Cost: €160 (residential) and €110 (non-residential).To book for this event contact Orlagh Retreat Centre, Old Court Road, Dublin 16.Tel (01) 495 8190; Email: komahony1@me.com
Upcoming General Election!?
Postal Vote
Do you know that your request for a Postal Vote in any election must be received by the Registrar of Elections within 48 hours of the calling of the election? Fr. Philip
COMMUNION IN THE HOME
We invite parishioners to inform the priests if any members of their families or neighbours who may be housebound and would wish the Eucharist to be taken to them periodically.
The Parish Pastoral Centre is open for Tea/Coffee every weekday and Sunday morning. Do drop in to meet some of your fellow parishioners.
2012 Eucharistic Congress
I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me,
Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ in me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down
Christ when I arise, Christ to shied me,
Christ in the heart of everyone
who thinks of me,
Christ in the heart of everyone
who speaks of me,
I arise today!
A silver brooch has been found in the Church. Please call to the Parish Office if you have lost this piece of jewellery
