Bits n Pieces
Two weeks ago I wrote about meetings that were held in the 5 areas of the Diocese re the Mission/Evangelisation hopes, and the financial situation of the diocese. The Archbishop said that the details would be put on the Diocesan Website. The good news is that they are up on the site now; this was picked up in an article in Wed’s Irish Times too. Google: Archdiocese of Dublin, then go to ‘Finance Area meetings’ and you’re there. It makes for good reading. At the end of ‘info’ there are 9 questions for consideration.
These questions are for consideration by Parish Finance Committees and Parish Pastoral Councils. Both Parish groups will meet shortly to discuss these issues. We are interested in your opinion too. Do have a look and let us know what you think.
Cloyne Report: I’m half way through. It’s not difficult to read, but it’s 421 pages! As ever, nothing is simple. If you Google ‘Cloyne Report’ it will come up and you/one can download it, then you can read it at your leisure. I could use bits of it out of context and say virtually anything. I’ll write more when I’ve read the whole report, Also there is a further report on the Dublin Report, however it’s only 2 pages.
Preparation continues for the International Eucharist Congress (IEC 2012) some of our volunteers have been for training, we could always do with more (June 10-18th 2012). You may remember that at the National Congress last June that a Candle was blessed at Knock, two parishioners went with our candle, as delegates. We have decided to place it beside the IEC 2012 Notice Board in the Church and to light it during all Masses. This is a sort of link from the National Congress at Knock this year and the Parish and, the IEC 2012.
The Timetables for Christmas are available at the Church; do please help with the distribution if you can!
Fr. Philip Adm. (Making bits of myself!)
Thank you for last Sunday’s Offertory Collection of €1,259 and the Diocesan Collection for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which has to date, amounted to €20,410. The Offertory Collection on the 8th December was €465 and the Share Collection amounted to €240.
This Sunday’s 10am Mass is part of the ‘Do this in Memory of Me’ programme for children who will be receiving their First Holy Communion in May. We welcome the children their parents and families
Volunteers from the Volunteer Missionary Movement will address the congregation at this weekend’s Masses. They will speak about their experiences on the missions and the work of the V.M M. Envelopes will be made available to parishioners who would like to make a donation to this registered charity.
The Parish Christmas card, Calendar and Dues envelopes need to be distributed to all homes in the next number of days. We ask parishioners to call into the sacristy after Mass and collect a bundle of these items to distribute on their own roads. Your help in this mater is very much appreciated.
Also, some additional stewards are required for Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Masses. Please contact the Parish Office if you are available to help out.
The loss of music at our Saturday evening Mass has been noted by many. With this in mind we are appealing to any parishioner who can play the organ or help in anyway to contact Fr. Philip re the possibility of playing at our evening Masses.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
A Penitential Service will take place in Milltown Church at 8pm on this Wednesday December 21st and in Bird Ave. Church at 8pm on Thursday, December 22nd.
Ministers of the Eucharist & Ministers of the Word are asked to collect envelopes in the Sacristy which contain copies of the Rota for the coming weeks and also contact details of fellow ministers.
Softlight Photography DSLR Beginners Photography course.
A photography training course will take place in the Parish Pastoral Centre from 10-12 am on Saturday January. This two hour course teaches you the basic principals of SLR photography. This is a hands on course with lots of practical experience. The course costs €45 per person. For further details call 087 6866026 or log onto www.softlight.ie/courses to register.
PARISH CHRISTMAS ARRANGEMENTS
Christmas Eve
Saturday 24th December
Morning Mass: 10am
Children’s Mass / Vigil Mass: 6pm
Night Mass: 9pm
Christmas Day
Sunday 25th December
Morning Mass: 10am & 11.30am
No evening Mass on Christmas Day
St. Stephen’s Day
Monday 26th December
Morning Mass: 11am
Feast of the Epiphany
Friday 6th January
Vigil Mass: Thursday 6pm.
Morning Mass; 10am & 11.30am
Evening Mass: 5.30pm
PARISH PASTORAL CENTRE
The Parish Pastoral Centre will close on Friday December 23rd.
Tea & Coffee will be available between 10.30 – 11.30 am on Thursday 29th and Friday 30th.
The Centre will open for tea / coffee after morning Masses on Sunday January 1st.
The Centre will fully reopen on Tuesday, January 3rd.
THE OCTAVE OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 2012
This Octave of Prayer will be observed as usual from the 18th to 25th January. Its inauguration in Dublin will take place at an Interdenominational Service here in our Parish Church at 8pm on Wednesday January 18th. The Church of Ireland’s Archbishop of Dublin, Dr. Michael Jackson will be homilist. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin will preside. Priests and people of the diocese are welcome to attend.
