Deck-chairs and Life-rafts.
Believe it or not, some people have already filled in their Census forms and returned them through the post. You may have noticed that the post is paid by the parish (the Licensee). The beauty here is that we are charged an annual fee for the license and then we’re charged for only the actual envelopes used. This is the first part of the Census, the second phase will be in the Autumn, when we will be looking for volunteers to call to households who haven’t fill in a form. More about that in August!
While we are gathering information on parishioners, we are also asking parishioners for their ideas. The ‘info stuff’ is on the front of the form and your ideas, in response to a number of questions are on the back. It will require some thinking and creativity, and it will require us as a parish to see what initiatives are possible too.
I often talk about the ‘five year plan’ at the Parish Pastoral Council, by this I hope to focus on where we are going as a parish. Are we doing the right things to enable a sense of community etc in the Parish. Some management consultant, whose name I can’t remember says, ‘to be efficient is to do the thing right, to be effective is to do the right thing’ the chap who was stacking deck-chairs on the Titanic may well have been efficient: he may have been arranging a lot of them per hour, but to be effective in saving himself and others he should have been breaking them up and making a raft.
In five years time, what do we want the experience of a visitor to the parish to be? Will they experience a sense of welcome and joy in our Church whether there is Mass on or not.
The Baptism Pilot that we are doing with three families, as part of a group of 10 parishes in the Diocese, is another way of planning for the future.
So, keep the forms coming, don’t forget to fill in the back of the form, and enjoy reading the history and information on the Parish Pastoral Centre too!
Fr.Philip Adm (fully in my Senses!)
Thank you for the €1,372, 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 €1029.
Thank you to those who have already returned their Easter Dues. Dues envelopes may be placed in the collection bags at Mass, given to one of the priests or handed into the Sacristy or the Parish Office.
Conor Mc. Dermott was baptised in our church last weekend. We welcome him into our Christian community and congratulate his parents and Godparents
Your Trocaire Boxes may be returned to the Parish where they will be collected by Trocaire.
PARISH CENSUS.
Please collect a Census Pack, (one for each household) and return your completed Census Form to the Parish. Returning a completed form will mean that a parish representative will not have to call to your home in the Autumn.
Mass on Bank Holiday Monday, May 6th will be at 11am
Next Sunday pupils from Alexandra College will receive their First Holy Communion in our church at the 10am Mass.
Adult & Toddler Group meets in the Parish Pastoral Centre at 10.30am on Friday morning
The Holy Rosary Missionaries, Killeshranda Sisters will have their annual church gate collection after all Masses next weekend.
As part of the Bealtaine Festival, Dublin City Council is hosting ‘The Importance of Being Oscar’ in the Parish Pastoral Centre at 3pm on Tuesday May 7th. Admission is free on a first come first served basis.
PRAYER WITH SCRIPTURE:
this group have decided to have a weekly meeting until Pentecost. These meetings take place at 8pm on Tuesday evenings in the Parish Pastoral Centre. For further details please contact Sile at 2028263 after 7pm.
Saint John Of God Hospital, Public Lectures Series 2013:
Minding the Mind. The fourth lecture in this series will take place at 8pm on Monday, 13th May, in St. John of God Hospital Stillorgan. The title of this lecture is ‘Dementia and the Family’ . Further details of this series of lectures are on the Parish Notice Boards.
MINISTERS OF THE WORD:
Avilla are hosting a two night training course for new Ministers of the Word. The second session will take place on Thursday, May 9nd. Please contact Fr. Philip if you are interested in becoming a member of this Parish Ministry group.
Clonskeagh Parish has arranged a series of evenings called “Amazed and Afraid:
The Revelation of God become Man”. The fourth evening in this series will take place in Clonskeagh Parish at 7.30pm on Wednesday, May8th . The videos, which will be shown on these evenings, are presented by Fr. Robert Barron. A discussion will follow the screening.
There will be a Tea Morning in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society on Thursday morning, May 9th in the Parish Pastoral Centre. All welcome!
Festival of the Peoples.
Each year those from abroad who have come to make their home in Ireland are invited to a celebration of the Eucharist at St. Mary’s Pro Cathedral. This year the gathering will take place on Saturday May 18th at 6pm – the Vigil of Pentecost. A Massed Choir from many different countries will join with the Dublin Diocesan Music Group to lead the music on the day with songs in many languages and traditions. Those who would like to be part of this Massed Choir of the Peoples are invited to attend one practice in Clonliffe College on Monday May 13th at 8pm.
Milltown Residents Association will have their AGM in the Milltown Parish Pastoral Centre at 8pm on Monday May 13th. Further details are on the Parish Notice Boards.
Marriage and relationship Counselling
If you find that you are having difficulty talking to each other then talk to ACCORD. We are there to help you. For further information or to make an appointment please phone – 4780866 / 4784400”
ACCORD offers a safe, professional and confidential process facilitating couples and individuals to explore, reflect upon and resolve difficulties in their marriage & relationship. Marriage and families are today experiencing new and more complex challenges than ever before. Our service is available to all regardless of marital status.
ACCORD Counsellors are trained to the highest professional standards. Our training is accredited by the National Association of Pastoral Counsellor and Psychotherapists.
We are a non-profit organisation and, while we ask our clients to make a donation if circumstances allow them, nobody is refused counselling due to a lack of money.
Annual Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour will take place in Foxrock Parish from 20th – 29th May 2013.
