Thursday, March 15, 2012

Weekly Bulletin 17th & 18th March2012

MORE on Pastoral Guidelines from the Diocese.

In a previous Newsletter (Jan 2012) I wrote about Baptism, so now we can look at other Sacraments of Initiation , including when adults want to become Catholic. These Sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) for adults are never to be separated but are celebrated in one rite of initiation, preferably at the Easter Vigil.

Sometimes, there is a request for First Penance and Communion for a child whose parents aren’t Catholic. The first issue is to ascertain if this is being done under the influence of an upcoming First Communion or Confirmation and that the child is asking of its own volition. As with all Sacraments, the Faith Context in which the Sacrament is administered should be taken into account. All Sacraments are administered within the Faith Community.

Confirmation: when we celebrate Confirmation we are CONFIRMING/Strengthening Baptism. A confirmation name is not necessary but is a strong custom. It is preferable that the name chosen be that of a Saint who will become, in a way, the young person’s Patron or that of an exemplary Christian they know e.g. Godparent or Grandparent. I remember talking to Confirmation Candidates in a Primary School some years ago, saying that it should be someone who the child admires. I was immediately asked if they could choose ‘David Becham’. I had to clarify that they should admire the person for Christian virtues. I added, ‘Pop Stars’ are not that appropriate either.

The Sponsor for Confirmation: the title’ God Parent’ is actually the same as Sponsor. The Sponsor is always in addition to the Parents. Usually a Sponsor/God Parent is required to be over 16 years of age. Also, particularly for Baptism the requirement is for one Sponsor/God Parent, where there are two, they are to be male and female.

Fr. Philip Adm (more than 16 years old)

Thank you for the €1,348 which you donated to last Sunday’s collection for the Support of Priests of the Dioceses and for the Share Collection which amounted to €914.

Mass on Bank Holiday, Monday 19th March, will take place at 11am.

The Parish Liturgy Group will meet at 7pm on Tuesday, March 20th.

Milltown Parish Pastoral Council Will meet at 8pm on Tues. March 20th

The 10am Mass on Sunday next, March 25th th is part of the preparation for pupils from Alexandra College who will be Confirmed here in our parish at 11.30am on Tuesday, April 24th.

You’re on Candid Camera!
For security reasons cameras will soon be installed in our Parish Church. Prevention is better than cure!
Fr. Philip

CLAMPING IN PROGRESS!
During the last week a number of parishioners who parked their car on the road outside of the church have had their cars clamped at 11.05am – 5minutes after the free parking time!

The Milltown Parish Adult & Toddler Group meets in the Parish Pastoral Centre at 10.30am on Friday morning. All welcome.

Please leave your name and contact details in the Sacristy or the Parish Office if you wish to be included in a draw for tickets for the closing Mass of the I.E.C. This Mass will take place in Croke Park on Sunday 17th June. Each parish will be allocated 6 tickets per thousand parishioners.

Host a Pilgrim for the Congress: Congress organizers are looking for Dublin homes to host a pilgrim between Saturday 9th June and Monday 18th June 2012. Host homes would provide pilgrims with a simple clean bedroom along with breakfast each day. All pilgrims will be over 18 years of age. The host family must not include children under 18 years or vulnerable adults. If you would be willing to offer free accommodation and if you live in an area of Dublin along the DART line or a direct bus route to the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) in Dublin 4 please contact us on 01 2349919,

A minimum of three months notice is required for all marriages in the Dublin Diocese. Pre Marriage Courses are available at Accord 4780866

Child Protection:
The Designated Person in the Dublin Archdioceses for Child Protection is Mr. Andrew Fagan, Director of the Child Safeguarding and Protection Service. The Deputy Designated person is Ms. Sinead Mc Donnell, Child Protection Officer. Both Andrew and Sinead are contactable at 01-8360314.

The Dublin Welsh Male Voice Choir will perform in the Church of the Ascension of the Lord, Balally Parish, Dublin 16, in a fundraising Concert for the New Pastoral Centre. The event takes place on the 23rd March 2012, at 8.00pm. Tickets €10 on sale after all weekend Masses and from the Parish office: contact 2954296 or parishofbalally@eircom.net

Viatores Christi, a Catholic association, founded in 1960, recruits, trains and places people with skills and life experience in roles with our mission partners in areas of need overseas. We are currently seeking people over the age of 21 (retired people especially welcome) who are interested in overseas volunteering. We offer a comprehensive training programme to help you discern whether overseas volunteering is for you and full support before, during and after your placement if you do decide to go overseas. For further information, please visit our website www.viatoreschristi.com or email Colette at colette@viatoreschristi.com
Tel. 01-868 9986

Date for your Diary:
Pieta House DARKNESS INTO LIGHT 5K EVENT is on Saturday 12th May, 2012.On line and postal registration for this event will be from Monday 5th March, 2012.

GARDINER ST CHURCH
Fr Dermot Lane will speak on his new book, Stepping Stones to Other Faiths on Tuesday March 20th at 7.30 p.m. Fr Lane, well-known theologian and author, is PP at Balally, Dublin and President of Mater Dei Institute of Education. Admission is free, donations are welcome.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Weekly Bulletin 10th & 11th March2012

Thank you for the €1,238 which you donated to last Sunday’s collection for the Support of Priests of the Dioceses and for the Share Collection which amounted to €963.

Milltown Parish Active Retirement Group
On Wednesday, March 14th, the Active Retirement Group has arranged a ‘Tour of the Abbey Theatre’. If you wish to take part in this outing please meet in the Foyer of the Abbey Theatre at 12 noon. This tour will cost €5.

Please note that the proposed visit to Aras an Uachtarain which was to take place on the 24th of March has been postponed for the present. A new date for this visit will be announced in due course.

St. Patrick’s Day:
Next Saturday, March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day. The Vigil mass will take place at 6pm on Friday evening. Mass on Saturday morning will be at 10 & 11.30am. . Tea & Coffee will be available in the Parish Centre after both of these Masses.

As agreed in our recent poll, Mass on Bank Holidays will take place at 11am. This was the most popular time suggested by parishioners in our recent poll. Next Monday, March 19th is a Bank Holiday and Mass will be at 11am.

The Parish Liturgy Group will meet at 7pm on Tuesday, March 20th.

You’re on Candid Camera!
For security reasons cameras will soon be installed in our Parish Church. Prevention is better than cure!
Fr. Philip

Emmanuel Concert:
Next Tuesday 13th, Wednesday 14th, & Thursday 15 March in the Helix over 2000 young people from schools around the diocese will perform in this annual program of Liturgical Music. It is a fantastic night out for people, especially choirs and people who wish to support our young people. To book these concerts email www.thehelix.ie – concessions are also available.

Host a Pilgrim for the Congress:
Congress organizers are looking for Dublin homes to host a pilgrim between Saturday 9th June and Monday 18th June 2012. Host homes would provide pilgrims with a simple clean bedroom along with breakfast each day. All pilgrims will be over 18 years of age.The host family must not include children under 18 years or vulnerable adults. If you would be willing to offer free accommodation and if you live in an area of Dublin along the DART line or a direct bus route to the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) in Dublin 4 please contact us on 01 2349919,

Date for your Diary:
Pieta House DARKNESS INTO LIGHT 5K EVENT is on Saturday 12th May, 2012.On line and postal registration for this event will be from Monday 5th March, 2012.

A minimum of three months notice is required for all marriages in the Dublin Diocese. Pre marriage courses are available at Accord 4780866

Dr. Bill Phillips, 1997 Nobel Laureate in Physics will give a lecture entitled: "Ordinary Faith, Ordinary Science” on Thursday 29th March at 6.30pm in The Theatre, The Helix, Dublin City University. Admission will be free, but registration is necessary, and places will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. A link to the registration page will be provided shortly at http://www.cis.org.uk/ireland/

Prayer for the Canonization of Blessed John XX111
O God who raised Angelo Giusseppe Roncalli to the dignity of the priesthood, and subsequently to the dignity of Archbishop of Areopolis, and subsequently to the dignity of being Vicar of Christ, Pope John XX111, thus showing the world a model of simplicity in greatness, grant that soon he may be canonized, raised to the honours of the altar, and grant that he may continually intercede for the poor of this world, and the reception of your love and mercy by all humankind.

Time Out!
The Presentation Brothers are holding a weekend of reflection and information for men interested in a religious vocation: 11am Sat. 31st March - 2pm Sun. 1st April at Presentation Brothers, Glasthule. Full details are available from Br Anthony at 021-4304975. Visit www.PresentationBrothers.org

How to book for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress:

1) Telephone the IEC2012 Booking offices on 01 2981122. .

2) Book Online on the Congress website www.iec2012.ie/registration or

3) Download a paper booking form from the Congress website at: www.iec2012.ie/registration .

Advance bookings are open until the 9th of May 2012. After that date, all bookings are onsite at the RDS.

Volunteer for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress – Closing date: 17th March: Volunteers are needed for the period of Wednesday 6th June until Tuesday 19th June 2012, for a minimum of 5 days. The closing date for volunteer applications is Saturday 17th March 2012 Volunteer now and get involved! To register as a volunteer fill in the online form available on www.iec2012.ie/volunteer.

Special invitation to Young People to the 50th International Eucharistic Congress
Young people from 17 to 25 years of age from all across Ireland are invited to celebrate their faith at this summer’s International Eucharistic Congress 2012 (from 10-16 June) in an event that is being described as one of the most ambitious youth ministry programmes ever presented in this country. ‘Go! Be Church!’ is the name of the Youth Programme, where around 2,500 young people will gather and experience a lively and international Church while rediscovering the meaning of communion. Come and participate in this event with workshops, dramas, interactive catechesis, concerts, social activities, games, art, fun and much more! Booking is required and youth can register as individuals or groups on www.iec2012.ie/registration. For more information on the youth programme go to www.iec2012.ie/youth

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Weekly Bulletin 3rd & 4th March2012

Grace in Sin out, Sin out Grace in!
This quote is from a Theology lecturer I had in the Seminary. It’s not a bad motto to live by.
This Sunday is the beginning of the Novena of Grace. The Novena of Grace originated in Naples in 1643, when a Jesuit was cured through the intercession of St Frances Xavier,(who was a Jesuit Priest) who promised that those who made the nine days of prayer in preparation for the anniversary of the canonisation of the saint would receive many graces and favours. Thus the name, Novena of Grace.
It was first held in Dublin in 1712, in the church at Mary’s Lane, now Halston St Parish. This year is the 300th anniversary. I’ve been doing a little work with Fr. Kevin from Bird Ave Parish and we hope to swap places during the Novena. Of course not every Parish has the blessing of having a Jesuit Priest (Fr. Alan Mowbray SJ), Bird Ave parish have a Jesuit House too.
As it is also the Year of the International Eucharistic Congress we hope to include Eucharist themes.
I find one phrase in the actual Novena Prayer particularly interesting and meaningful; “But if what I ask is not for the glory of God or for the good of my soul, obtain for me what is most conducive to both”. I think we could use this for all of our petitions to God.
The Novena begins on Sunday 4th and runs for nine days (as all Novena’s do!!).

Fr Philip Adm (Gracefully!)

Thank you for the €1,423 which you donated to last Sunday’s collection for the Support of Priests of the Dioceses and for the Share Collection which amounted to €986.

Mass of Enrolment: This Sunday’s 10am Mass will include an Enrolment Ceremony for the pupils from Alexandra College who are due to be confirmed this year.

The Parish Liturgy Group will meet at 8pm on this Tuesday, March 6th.

Ministers of the Eucharist are invited to attend a meeting in the Parish Pastoral Centre at 8pm on this Thursday, March 8th.

The 10am Mass on Sunday next, March 11th 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

Mass on Bank Holidays will take place at 11am. This was the most popular time suggested by parishioners in our recent poll.

Milltown Parish Active Retirement Group
On Wednesday, March 14th, the Active Retirement Group has arranged a ‘Tour of the Abbey Theatre’. If you wish to take part in this outing please meet in the Foyer of the Abbey Theatre at 12 noon. This tour will cost €5.

Please note that the proposed visit to Aras an Uachtarain which was to take place on the 24th of March has been postponed for the present. A new date for this visit will be announced in due course.

Novena Grace Prayer: O most lovable and loving St. Francis Xavier, in union with you, I reverently adore the Divine Majesty. While joyfully giving thanks to God for the singular gifts of grace bestowed on you during your life and your gifts of glory after death, I beseech you with all my heart’s devotion to be pleased to obtain for me, through your efficacious intercession, the greatest of all blessings: the grace of living a holy life and dying a holy death. Moreover, I beg of you to obtain for me [mention here the spiritual or temporal favor you wish to obtain]. But if what I ask of you so earnestly does not tend to the glory of God and the great good of my soul, please obtain for me, I pray, what is more conducive for both. Amen.
Petition Forms for the Novena Grace are available at the Church entrance. Please write your prayers, enclose them in envelope provided and place them in the Petition Box..These will be included in the Novena prayers each day.

Lecture in St. Mary’s Haddington Road, Dublin 4.
Sr. Margaret MacCurtin OP will give a lecture in St. Mary’s Church, Haddington Road, Dublin 4 on Thursday 8th March 2012 at 8.00 p.m. The lecture is entitled “Whatever happened to Vatican II?” Admission is free and all are welcome to attend.

Pioneer Lenten Pledge: The Pioneer Association Appeals to the public to consider their 2012 Lenten Pledge: The Pioneer Lenten pledge is a short-term pledge that can be taken for the six weeks of Lent during which takers choose to abstain from alcohol and to recite the Pioneer prayer or reflection twice daily. For many people, Lent can be the one time of year when they stop drinking alcohol for a limited period of time. Further information on the Pioneer Lenten pledge is available from www .pioneerassociation.ie

How to book for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress:
1) Telephone the IEC2012 Booking offices on 01 2981122. .
2) Book Online on the Congress website www.iec2012.ie/registration or
3) Download a paper booking form from the Congress website at: www.iec2012.ie/registration .
Advance bookings are open until the 9th of May 2012. After that date, all bookings are onsite the RDS.

Volunteer for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress – Closing date: 17th March: Volunteers are needed for the period of Wednesday 6th June until Tuesday 19th June 2012, for a minimum of 5 days. The closing date for volunteer applications is Saturday 17th March 2012 Volunteer now and get involved! To register as a volunteer fill in the online form available on www.iec2012.ie/volunteer.

Special invitation to Young People to the 50th International Eucharistic Congress
Young people from 17 to 25 years of age from all across Ireland are invited to celebrate their faith at this summer’s International Eucharistic Congress 2012 (from 10-16 June) in an event that is being described as one of the most ambitious youth ministry programmes ever presented in this country. ‘Go! Be Church!’ is the name of the Youth Programme, where around 2,500 young people will gather and experience a lively and international Church while rediscovering the meaning of communion. Come and participate in this event with workshops, dramas, interactive catechesis, concerts, social activities, games, art, fun and much more! Booking is required and youth can register as individuals or groups on www.iec2012.ie/registration. For more information on the youth programme go to www.iec2012.ie/youth