MORAL HAZARD
Have you noticed the phrase ‘Moral Hazard’ being used a lot recently? I seem to hear Pat Kenny, among others, use it a lot, often when they are talking about negative equity and mortgage/debt forgiveness. The hazard being: if people who are seriously in debt are forgiven their debt too easily, then others might not make a realistic effort to clear their own debts, in the hope that they too will be forgiven their debts. The kindness might be counterproductive! (Moral Hazard) The concept seems to have suddenly come to the minds of people. This is my real surprise! Surely most people know the expressions ‘being cruel to be kind’, tough love even the Old fashioned one of ‘sparing the rod and spoiling the child’. We’ve all been in a dilemma as to what is the truly kind response in different circumstances. Often in helping people with addictions the whole family or group is brought in to the full picture to help them understand that there is Moral Hazard at play.The concept of enabling was for me very new when I heard it first. So, if the person living with the alcoholic keeps on tidying up after them. If they clear out the empties, fix the broken chair, subsidies the ‘offender’ they are actually making things worse or at least not helping because they hide the consequences of the bad behavior. (Moral Hazard)If our Social Welfare system gets to the stage where people can’t afford to take a job because they’d loose income then we enable or possibly encourage people to stay on social welfare. (Moral Hazard)For the Christian we often feel that we should give to others, but maybe our giving has to be very precise and exact.It may even call us to get more involved in the care of others.
Fr. Philip (Hazard warning!)
Vocations Sunday:
A Special Collection to support our students for the Priesthood replaces today’s usual Share Collection. Your support is very much appreciated.Please keep in your prayers our seven seminarians who are answering the call of God to give themselves generously in the service of the Lord. May God give them strength and peace as they respond to His call. Please God we will add to this number in the coming months so please keep all those who are contemplating a vocation to the diocesan priesthood in your prayers.Fr Eamonn Bourke, the director of Vocations would be delighted to hear from anyone who feels they have a vocation to the priesthood. He can be contacted in confidence and without obligation at: vocations@dublindiocese.ie
Thank you for the €1,372 which you donated to last Sunday’s collection for the Support of Priests of the Dioceses and for the Share Collection which amounted to €1024. The Fourth National Collection for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress will replace next weekend’s Share Collection.
Thanks to parishioners who have already handed in their Easter Dues.
Trocaire Boxes may be returned to the Parish where Trocaire will collect them.
The Sisters of the Holy Rosary will have their Annual Churchgate Collection after all our Masses next weekend.
Condolences to the family and friends of the late Judy O’Dea whose Funeral took place here last week.
Our Annual Mass for all those who were baptised here during the last year takes place at today’s 11.30 am Mass. During this celebration Stephen O’Sullivan, Isobel Owens and Joshua Maguire will be baptised into our church. We welcome them into our Christian community and congratulate their parents and Godparents
Next Friday, May 4th is the First Friday of the month. The 10am Mass on the day will be offered for all who are recently deceased and those whose names are on the Altar List of the Dead.
Irish Alzheimer’s’ Association:
There will be a Tea Morning in aid of the Irish Alzheimer’s’ Association in the Parish Pastoral Centre on this Friday morning, May 3rd. All are welcome to attend.
The Milltown Branch of the I.C.A. will have their monthly meeting in the Parish Pastoral Centre at 7.30pm on Thursday evening, May 3rd. Following the meeting, Niall Hatch from Bird Watch Ireland, will give a talk at 8.15pm. Members of the Milltown Parish Active Retirement Group are invited to attend.
In line with Government policy, the Garda Commissioner has directed that from the 30th April 2012, Donnybrook Garda Station will close to the public from 9pm to 7am daily. Members of the public wishing to call into the Garda Station during these hours should instead call to Irishtown Garda Station, Ph. 6669600 or in the event of an emergency phone 999/112.
The Milltown Parish Adult & Toddler Group meets in the Parish Pastoral Centre at 10.30am on Friday morning. All welcome.
In preparation for the Parish’s Journey to the 50th International Eucharistic Congress,
An Evening Retreat of Prayer & Reflection will take place between 7.30pm and 10pm on Monday April 30th ,
In Part 1, (7.30pm – 8.20pm) some young adult volunteers from Gonzaga College will speak of their experience on a Social Justice Project in Africa. Also, a Jesuit scholastic from Kenya will talk of his faith journey.
Part 2 (8.20pm – 9.05pm) will consist of a presentation on ‘The Catacombs – The Cradle of Christian Art’ .This section will be presented by Fr. Michael Collins, who is an author priest from the Dublin Diocese.
Part 3 (9.05pm – 9.50) will be a time of prayer focussed on ‘Eucharist is …healing’.
This part of the evening has been prepared by Sile O’ Reilly, parishioner.
The evening will end with Benediction at 9.50pm.
You are welcome to join us for all or part of this programme. Tea/coffee will be available in the Parish Pastoral Centre throughout the evening.
Run4Unity is designed as a youth pastoral programme which through the medium of Sport which offers young people the challenge of living authentic Christianity today. This programme meets the needs of both the CSPE and religious Education Junior Certificate project work. It is designed to enhance the personal development of the young people who participate. Further details of this programme can be found by contacting a member of our local Focolare group at 086, 0898740, or at www.youthforunity.org
There will be a Confirmation Ceremony in our Church on Thursday, May 3rd for students from Enable Ireland.
