St. Brigid’s Parish, Killester NEWSLETTER JUNE 2008 Dear Friends, Last month we celebrated the First Communions and Confirmations of some of our younger Parishioners. This year, due in no small measure to the wonderful co-operation of parents and guardians in organising the home based ‘Do this in Memory’ Programme, the children were perhaps even better prepared than before. For so long we have relied almost exclusively on the wonderful ongoing work of our teachers in this area of preparation for the sacraments – a work they continue to do admirably. But it was time for the Parish and the Home to co-operate more fully in this work. After all, parents are the primary educators of their children and the School and Parish are there to assist them in this privileged responsibil- ity. So well done all concerned. Many of our teenage Parishioners are soon to be caught up in Exam fever, be it the Jun- ior, Leaving or University Examinations. They will be very much in our prayers this month. As the Summer commences may you have an enjoyable break and return home rested and refreshed. Fr. Alex. As requested by parishioners we provide below useful information re Mass times in local Churches. TIMES of MASSES in LOCAL CHURCHES 6.00 p.m. Vigil Raheny; St. Gabriel’s; St. John’s; Edenmore 6.30 p.m. Vigil Killester; Artane; Donnycarney; Coolock; Donaghmede; Kilbarrack 7.00 p.m. Vigil St. Anthony’s; Ardlea 7.30 p.m. Vigil Marino Sunday 8.30 a.m. Donnycarney; Raheny; Coolock 9.00 a.m. Killester; St. Gabriel’s (Irish); Ardlea 9.30 a.m. Donnycarney (Irish); Donaghmede; Kilbarrack; Marino 10.00 a.m. Raheny (Family); Artane; (Family); St. Anthony’s (Family); St. John’s (Family); Ardlea; Coolock 10.30 a.m. Killester; Donnycarney (Family); St. Gabriel’s; Edenmore 11.00 a.m. Ardlea; Coolock; Donaghmede; Kilbarrack; Marino 11.15 a.m. St. John’s 11.30 a.m. Raheny; St. Anthony’s 12.00 noon Killester; Artane (Family); St. Gabriel’s (Family); Donnycarney Ardlea; Coolock; Edenmore 12.30 p.m. St. John’s; Donaghmede; Kilbarrack; Marino 1.00 p.m. Coolock 5.00 p.m. Raheny (Folk – October to end of May) 5.30 p.m. St. Gabriel’s; Donaghmede 6.30 p.m. Killester; Donnycarney (Folk); Coolock 7.00 p.m. St. Anthony’s; Howth; Ballygall 7.30 p.m. Marino 8.30 p.m. Dominick Street 9.00 p.m. Merchant’s Quay LISTENING AT MASS TO GOD’S WORD PROCLAIMED (3) (a) The Word Proclaimed: In the Irish Bishops’ Guide to the Mass (2005) we read: “In pro- claiming the Word of God, Readers exercise their responsibility in mediating the presence of Christ. God speaks to the Assembly through them, and the impact of God’s message will de- pend significantly on their conviction, their preparation and their delivery”. Even more recently in 2007 Pope Benedict XV1 wrote: “I ask that the Liturgy of the Word always be carefully prepared and celebrated. I urge that every effort be made to ensure that the liturgical proclamation of the Word of God is entrusted to well-prepared readers. If it is to be understood properly, the Word of God must be listened to and accepted in a spirit of Communion with the Church and with a clear awareness of its unity with the sacrament of the Eucharist…... Christ speaks not in the past, but in the present even as He is present”. What a tremendous responsibility it is to proclaim God’s living word. Readers lend their voice so the living God can speak to and be heard by the congregation. (b) Why listen and not read? Some are puzzled as to why we are asked listen to and not read God’s Word at Mass. In the old days when the Mass was in Latin, it was not possible for most to understand God’s Word. Many had individual English/Latin hand missals and read the English translation while the priest read in Latin. Since Vatican II and the revision of the Roman Missal, a definite change of direction has been indicated. “When the Scriptures are read at Mass, God himself is speaking to his Peo- ple, and Christ, present in his own Word, is proclaiming the Gospel. The readings of God’s Word must therefore be listened to by all with reverence” (Introd. N.31). By listening atten- tively and prayerfully to the Readers or Priest we, the Assembly, are performing an act of wor- ship. The restored ministry of Reader requires that we no longer read the Scriptures at Mass as in the past, but rather listen now to their proclamation. This change challenges us to par- ticipate and engage in a new way at our Eucharist. But what of the hard of hearing? Even with the best of Readers and a good ‘Loop’ sound system, some parishioners may still have hearing difficulties. It is for this reason that texts of the Sunday readings remain available in book form at St. Brigid’s. Obviously, there is still great importance attached to private Scripture Reading, and it is to be encouraged. Never- theless it is now clear that during Mass the Scripture texts should ideally be listened to and not read. Fr. Alex. Parish Pastoral Council The last meeting of the Parish Pastoral Council took place on Tuesday, 13th May. Among the topics for discussion were: 1. The Report of the review of the Parish Pastoral Councils of the Archdiocese which took place some months ago, the results of which were made known at an afternoon gathering of representatives in Kil- macud Church on Sunday, 27th April. The Report contained a number of interesting statistics: · The Archdiocese consists of five pastoral areas, 16 deaneries and 200 parishes. · 98% of parishes in the Archdiocese have a Parish Pastoral Council. · The number of members involved is 1,642. 2. The draft document “Our Sunday Eucharist” was discussed. It was approved by the Council with a few minor alterations. This document is to be distributed to parishioners at all Masses on the week- end of 17/18th May. On 8/9th June parishioners will be invited to express their preference re new Mass timetable in St. Brigid’s. 3. Some discussion took place on the Sound System in the Church. The Sound Engineer is working on it and improvements have already taken place which will be completed when the cost of the project has been approved by the Finance Committee. 4. The annual Mass of celebration for special wedding anniversaries will take place later in the year. Recently deceased - please pray for the souls of Kathleen Kavanagh, Craigford Drive Kathleen Adrien, St. Annes’ Court, Raheny Veronica Kiernan, Dunluce Road James (Tony) McManus, Ennafort Avenue Agnes Dolan, Killester Avenue Julia Dandy, Killester Avenue Breda O’Connor, Furry Park Road Donal O’Leary, The Pines Mark Whelan, Gracefield Avenue Brian Lenehan, late Venetian Hall Baptisms - we are happy to welcome into our Christian Community: Nina Clara Gaughan, Gainsborough Green, Malahide. Ryan Matthew Lyons Brazel, Ennafort Road. Emily Oonagh Smyth, Dunluce Road. Christopher Gerard Duffy, Clanawley Road, Donnycarney. Recent Weddings Christopher Proudfoot and Edel Cahill, Moatview Drive, Dublin 17 Karl Hills and Sarah Frances Creane, Ashfield Rise, Balbriggan Michael O’Connor and Claire Heffernan, New Haven Bay, Balbriggan RESOURCE CENTRE NEWS VOLUNTEERS’ NIGHT On Saturday 31st. May at 7.30 p.m. All Volunteers in St. Brigid’s Parish are invited to a night of Music & Entertainment, starting with supper at 7.30 p.m. It is hoped that all present will have a most enjoyable night. We appreciate their invaluable help throughout the year. ART EXHIBITION A mini Art Exhibition will be held on Tuesday June 3rd in the Centre. Official opening at 8.00 p.m. Original Art at amazing prices. MID-SUMMER SHOWTIME Takes place on Sunday June 8th in the Resource Centre. Last year’s Showtime was a great success. Tickets €25 each can be obtained at Reception. We have limited space - so do buy your ticket early. The Annual Pilgrimage to Knock of the St. Joseph’s Young Priests’ Society will take place on Saturday June 28th. The Killester Branch of the Society have organised a bus for Knock on that date. Cost of trip €14. The bus leaves at 7.40 a.m. from outside St. Brigid’s Church. En- quiries to Tom O’Brien at the Sacristy or Mary Keane at 831 3589. Posters concerning the Pilgrimage arrangement will be in the Church Porch. St. Brigid’s Parish Shop, Killester The Parish Shop which is located at the side of the Church nearest car park has in stock a large selec- tion of religious items including Mass cards, Mass bouquets, pictures, angel pins, crucifixes, holy water fonts, candles and christening candles, medals, rosary beads, prayer leaflets and a lot more. There is also birthday, retirement and get well cards. There is also a small glass holy water bottle which is suitable for taking on holidays or for a car or hand- bag. Catholic papers and magazines are supplied on a weekly and monthly basis and are located at the back of the Church. Payment for these should be deposited in St Anthony’s Shrine box. Why not call into the shop and see for yourself the large array of religious goods available. The shop is open after all the Masses at weekends. Please note that all proceeds from the sale of the various items go to parish funds. Parish email address: [email protected] Parish website: www.killester.dublindiocese.ie Resource Centre email address: [email protected] You can also access this newsletter on-line on the parish website.