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.
We thank you for last Sunday’s Offertory Collection of €1,521 and the Share Collection which amounted to €1,109.
We offer our condolences to the family & friends of the late Bridget Shorthall from Ramleh Villas. Her Funeral Mass will take place at 10am on Monday morning.
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 Office.
The Milltown branch of the I.C.A. will meet in the Parish Pastoral Centre at 7.30pm on this Thursday, February 3rd. New members welcome to attend
Catholic Youth Care acknowledges with thanks the donation of €2863 which they have received from Milltown Parish.
Spring Gathering in Holy Cross College
This will take place on Sat. Feb. 5th . Details of the workshops available are on the Notice Boards. Please contact the Parish Office if you would like to attend this seminar.
A ‘Developing Parish Seminar’ will take place on 28th February & 1st March 2011 in All Hallows College, Drumcondra. The theme of this seminar is ‘Honesty, Healing And Hope’ 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.
Tuesday, Feb. 1st:
St. Brigid - secondary Patron Saint of Ireland and first day of spring.
Wednesday, Feb. 2nd:
Candlemas Day - The Presentation of the Lord and also World Day for Consecrated Life. Candles will be blessed at 10am.
Thursday, Feb 3rd:
St. Blaise -Bishop and Martyr. Blessing of throats will take place during Mass
19th World Day of the Sick
Saturday 5th Feb. & Sunday 6th February
This year the diocesan World day of the Sick committee have been working in conjunction with the national Chaplaincy to Deaf People (N.C.D.P.) They have invited other organisations who work with deaf people to organise a conference which will be held on Saturday, Feb. 5th in All Hallows College. The annual Diocesan Mass with Anointing of the Sick will take place on Sunday, Feb. 6th 3pm in St. Anthony’s Church, Clontarf. Further details of both these events are on the Parish Notice Boards.
Friday Feb. 11th: Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.
On Monday night. The Parish Baptism Team will meet with the parents of children who are to be baptised in our church during February.
Valerie Mc. Coy will recommence her ‘Gentle Activity to Music Classes’ at 10.30 am on this Tuesday, February 1st. All welcome to attend, cost will be confirmed at first class.
Spirit Radio -Dublin 89.9
‘Spirit radio is reaching into homes, cars and offices bringing a message of hope and direction. It is helping people take fresh steps in their relationship with God’.
The Parish Pastoral Centre is open for Tea/Coffee every weekday and Sunday morning. Do drop in to meet some of your fellow parishioners.
Distribution of bags for The Annual Church Clothing Appeal for the Society of St. Vincent De Paul will take place at Clonskeagh, Dundrum, Meadowbrook and Ballinteer Church on Feb. 13th. Collection date for the returned filled bags is January 16th. The annual clothing appeal in Milltown will take place on the 29th May and the June 5th.
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!
