Keep you in the Loop
Milltown Parish is in the Donnybrook Deanery. The Priests’ Council is made up of representatives of all the Deaneries in the Diocese, plus a number of priests appointed by the Archbishop. So, I’m the Donnybrook Deanery Rep on the Priests’ Council. The first issue that the Archbishop brought to the Council to address was the issue of how to fund the employment of Parish Pastoral Workers and the general position of Finances of the Diocese.
So, the Financial Secretariat of the Diocese gave a presentation on the Finances to the Council of Priests. The presentation is quite interesting and certainly opened up the whole finances of the Diocese. The advice of the Priests’ Council was that this presentation should be made to all the Priests of the Diocese. This happened over the summer and the issues were discussed at the Oct Deanery meeting. The general response of the Priests was that the people of the Diocese should be brought in on the whole situation. Thus members of the Parish Pastoral Councils and Parish Finance Committees were invited to a meeting as reps of the Parishes.
On Thursday 24th Nov Mgr Enda Lloyd’s area meeting took place in Bray. Most of the Milltown contingent went on the 24th, we were addressed by the Archbishop and the Finances of the Diocese were explained by Kieran O Farrell Diocesan Financial Administrator. There was a question and answer session in the second half. The presentation took about 1 ½ hrs. The Archbishop said that the detail of the presentation would go onto the Diocesan website as soon as possible (I don’t think that it’s on yet) we’ll let you know when its there.
Two new sections have been added to the Diocesan offices, and Office for Child Protection, and Human Resources. These offices are at the disposal of the Parishes of the Diocese.
There’s also a property surveyor. He was the one who organised the tender for the work done to the Presbytery in Ramleh Pk where I live. Thank god he was there, I’d have been lost!
Back to the immediate question of how to pay the 33 Parish Pastoral Workers who are at various stages of their training. They are employees at the moment and normal Labour Law applies. The hope was that there would be one in each of the 55 clusters of parishes around the Diocese. These are changing times for our Church.
Fr. Philip Adm (Watch this space!)
Thank you for last Sunday’s Offertory Collection of €1,397 and the Share Collection which amounted to €1017.
Parish Advent Programme.
Sr. Celine Mangan O.P. will present the second talk of her three weeks series in our Parish Advent Programme. This talk will take place at 8pm on Monday evening, Dec. 5th. The final talk will take place on the following Monday, Dec. 11. . It is not necessary to attend the three talks as each presentation is complete in itself. The title of the course is: The Bible and Ecology. These sessions are a dialogue with the Scriptures to see what they might say to us about present-day ecological concerns.
A copy of the Radharc film on St. Columbanus & Gall is available on loan from the Parish Library.
Christmas Craft & Home Produce Fair
Thanks to all who supported our Annual Christmas Craft & Home Produce Fair last weekend. Particular thanks to our parishioners who donated home made cakes and produce. To date the fair has raised €2,849. There is a sales table in the Parish pastoral Centre that has some craft items for sale. Do drop in and have a look!
Milltown Parish / Foroige Youth Club
This club commenced last Friday in the Parish Pastoral Centre. New members are welcome to join. Please leave your name and contact details in the Parish Office if your children would like to join this group.
Next Thursday, December 8th is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Mass on Wednesday evening will be at 6pm. Mass times on Thursday are 10am, 11.30 am & 5.30pm.
Diocesan Church Collection for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
This collection will replace the Share collection at all Masses next weekend. It is probably unnecessary to say that a successful Christmas Church Collection is vital in enabling the Society to expand their programme of assistance to those in need throughout the Dioceses in 2011. This year they have spent over €17 million in the Dublin Dioceses. Please be s generous as you can.
The Parish Liturgy Group will meet at 8pm on Tuesday, December 13th
Dublin Children’s Pilgrimage to Lourdes.
There will be an outdoor collection after all Masses this weekend for the Dublin Children’s Pilgrimage to Lourdes.
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.
Being Confident of our Place in the World is the theme of the DAY FOR YOURSELF in Orlagh,on Saturday , December 10th. The day will be led by John Byrne and Dr. Bernadette Toal and will run from 10.00am to 4.30pm with the option of staying on for Mass at 4.30. Cost €50 (including a full lunch). For further information and booking, contact Fr. John Byrne OSA, Orlagh, Old Court Road, Dublin 16. Tel (01) 495 8193; Email: info@orlagh.ie, Website: www.orlagh.ie
Church of the Good Shepard
This year the Church of the Good Shepherd Nutgrove Ave, Churchtown, is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. They are having a concert in the church at 8pm on Tuesday December 20th . Tickets cost f €20 and are available from the Churchtown Parish Office / Sacristy / Parish Centre. Liam Lawton will sing at this concert. Tickets may also be bought on line at www.ticketsireland.com
PARISH CHRISTMAS ARRANGEMENTS
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
A Penitential Service will take place in Milltown Church at 8pm on Wednesday December 21st and in Bird Ave. Church at 8pm on Thursday, December 22nd.
Advent Carol Service
An Advent carol Service will take place during the afternoon of Sunday 18th December. The exact time of this Service will be confirmed in next week’s notices.
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 be open as usual, after morning Masses on Sunday January 1st. The Centre will fully reopen on Tuesday, January 3rd.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Parishioners who attend the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in our church are invited to consider taking responsibility for the removal of the Monstrance at the end of the exposition. Please contact Fr. Philip if you are prepared to undertake this ministry.
The Parish Adult & Toddler Group meets in the Parish Pastoral Centre at 10am on Friday morning.
MILLTOWN PARISH / FOROIGE YOUTH CLUB have started meeting in the Parish Pastoral Centre on Friday nights. Please contact the Parish Office if you require further information on this club’s activities
