Makes one weak!
Many moons ago I say a notice in small chapel which said “Seven days without prayer makes One weak”. It’s a nice pun. Obviously a whole week without prayer is a long time. There are many opportunities for us to get a ‘jump start’ for prayer. In our Schools the pupils are advised to take up something and to give up something! Maybe give up sweets or sugar, and take up praying a little more.
On Monday we begin the ‘Novena of Grace’ (4th to 12th March), Fr. Kevin from Clonskeagh and myself are going to do the Lions share between us. So, we’re doing it with our twinned parish!
One particular phrase, from the Novena prayer, always strikes me. “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.”
Now, imagine what a difference it would make to us all, if we used this criterion for all our prayer and maybe even for our decisions in life. We will have pieces of paper to write petitions on. These will be brought up to the Altar during Mass. So, think about what you would like to pray for, or whom you’d like to pray for. Of course it would be a good idea to make a decision to attend as many of the masses as possible. Fr Kevin and I have look at the readings of the Day for the week, so you can go to either church and hopefully it will be similar.
With the Conclave happening very soon it would be great to think that many of us were praying for the Cardinals and for the new Pope! Of course a Novena is NINE days, don’t mind the Week or Weak!
Fr. Philip Adm (Strong in Faith?)
Thank you for the €1,411 which you donated to last Sunday’s collection for the Support of Priests of the Parish (& Dioceses) and for the Share Collection which amounted to €1,008.
HYMN BOOKS:
The copies of the Hymnal which are available in the church are on loan from a neighbouring parish. We ask parishioners to refrain from taking these books home with them!
Condolences to the families and friends of the late Klaus Rubesamen
Congratulations to Amy Gaynor and Marco Losi who were married in our church last week.
FAMILY LITURGY GROUP:
Parents of young children are invited to attend a meeting after today’s 10am Mass. At this meeting we will be continuing our discussion on a Parish Family Mass/ Children’s Liturgy of the Word
ANOINTING OF THE SICK (for those of the faithful whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age) will take place at today’s 11.30am Mass.
NOVENA OF GRACE will commence in Milltown Parish and our twinned Parish of Clonskeagh at the 10am Mass on this Monday March 4th and will continue until Tuesday, March 12th.
PRAYER WITH SCRIPTURE:
This Parish Group continues to meet during Lent at 8pm on Tuesday evenings in the Parish Pastoral Centre. They extend an open invitation to anyone who wishes to join them.
LENTEN LECTURES IN MILLTOWN:
What has happened to Vatican II? The next lecture in this series will be on Wednesday March 13th. Una Agnew will talk on ‘Spirituality of Everyday Life; the Universal Call to Holiness’. Further details on this series of talks are on our Parish Notice Boards.
The Parish Census Sub Committee will meet at 7pm on Thursday, March 7th
Milltown Parish Pastoral Council will meet at 8pm on Thursday, March 7th.
The Milltown Branch of the I.C.A. will have their March meeting in the Parish Pastoral Centre on Thursday 7th at 7.30pm. New members welcome.
Trocaire boxes are available at the back of the church. Please collect one on your way out. Ailish Ni Rian from Trocaire will address the congregation at all Masses next weekend.
The Dublin Simon Community will have a church gate collection after all Masses at Milltown Church next weekend. Simon have long relied upon the support they receive from the community in order to continue their work with the homeless. Their aim is to address the underlying causes of homelessness and support people in moving from the chaos of sleeping rough back to regain their independence. Their ultimate goal is to help their service users develop the confidence to find a home of their own, get a job and re-integrate into the community. Please be as generous as you can.
The Milltown Parish Active Retirement Group have arranged a visit to the Chester Beatty Library on Tuesday March 12th. A guided tour will commence at 11.30am.
RECRUITMENT OF CHURCH CLEANERS -
We urgently need some additional volunteers to help with the weekly cleaning of our church. If you have an hour or two to spare during the week perhaps you could consider joining this ministry. Please give your name to Fr. Philip if you are interested in joining this group of parish helpers
Rathmines Parish:
St Paul and his letters a series of Lenten talks by Sean Freyne will take place in St Mary’s Community Centre, Richmond Hill, Rathmines on the 13th & 20th March starting 7.30pm all are welcome.
MILLTOWN PARISH BRIDGE CLUB Parishioners are invited to apply for membership of the Bridge Club. There are a limited number of places now available. Players of all standard are welcome. Play night is Wednesday of each week from 7.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. approximately. Unfortunately there are no lessons available for beginners March.2nd t at 7.30pm. New members welcome
CHURCH SPEAKERS IN THE PARISH CENTRE: It’s a pity to see parents with their children standing in the porch during Mass. Why not pop over to the Parish Pastoral Centre if you feel your children need a little break? With the help of our newly installed speakers you will still be able to hear what is happening in the church. Feel free to return to the church after your children have had a little break.
Fr. Philip Bradley
FRENCH CLASSES FOR CHILDREN:
There are French Classes available on Wednesday afternoon in the Parish Pastoral Centre for 5 – 12 year olds. Class sizes are small with plenty of individual attention given to each pupil. The children learn through fun activities such as games, role play, rhymes and stories. For further details please contact Zinit May at 086, 1044498 or email Zinit at Zinit.may@gmail.com.
