St. Brigid’s Parish, Killester Newsletter January 2011

Dear Friends, No longer am I dreaming of a White Christmas!! The experiences of ‘slipping and sliding’ through December coupled with the extreme cold, not to mention wa- ter shortages, have helped many of us review that situation! Nevertheless, Christ- mas itself retains its own richness as we celebrate the extraordinary love our God has for us in sending his only Son so that we might have ‘life’ and experience it in all its richness. It is a message of Joy and Hope, a message our country so badly needs in these days of financial recession. Thank God that Jesus is Emmanuel, the “God who is with us” and accompanies us and gives us hope and strength for the days that lie ahead. Despite the dreadful weather very large numbers attended the Christmas Masses. A special word of gratitude must go to our Christmas Readers, Eucharis- tic Ministers and Choirs, whose combined efforts so enhanced our Liturgies. Tom O’Brien and his back-up staff did a wonderful job on the Crib, Christmas Tree and the general decoration of the Church, as did our Church Cleaners, Collectors and Counters. All in their own quiet and dignified way made and continue to make an enormous contribution to our Parish Community. To one and all, both Fr. Michael and I are deeply grateful. I came across the following short reflection during the Christmas and thought I might share it with you:

“When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the fridge, and I wanted to paint another one. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I thought it was good to be kind to animals. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make my favourite cake just for me, and I knew that little things are special things. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I believed there is a God I could always talk to. When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it’s all right to cry. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I looked..... and wanted to say thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking”. Fr. Alex

Parish contact details: Parish Office Ph. 01 833 2974 Parish email: [email protected] Website: www.killester.dublindiocese.ie Resource centre Ph. 01 853 4030 Resource Centre email: [email protected] Babushka Old grandmother Babushka, a good woman, is about to retire for the evening when, out of the fierce winter night, a knock comes on her door. It’s the Wise Men, and they tell her excitedly about the King born in Bethlehem; they urge her to come and honour him. She peeks out the door. It’s an awful night, cold and blustery. Babushka looks back at her warm bed, hesitates, and says, “I will see the Christ Child - tomorrow.” She returns to her bed and, lo, another knock at the door. This time it’s the shepherds urg- ing her to come and, if not, at least to give them a basket of goodies to bring to the Christ Child. Again, she looks at the weather, looks at her bed, hesitates, but finally replies, “I’ll bring them my- self - tomorrow.” Well, tomorrow comes and Babushka is as good as her word. She packs some food and off she goes to Bethlehem. But the stable is empty when she gets there. She is crestfallen, but deter- mined. She keeps looking. In fact, she looks for the Child for the rest of her life, joining all the wanderers who have ever lived. And in her endless journey she finds children, finds them every- where. She finds many a manger. She finds many a cradle. She finds many a mother nursing her baby. She leaves gifts at each place hoping that it is the Christ Child. She is now very old and near death. As she lies dying, the Christ Child appears to her wear- ing the face of every child she has ever touched and offered gifts to. She dies happily knowing that, in spite of her first hesitancy, she did indeed find the Child, not in the manger where she ex- pected him, but in the poor and needy where she never expected him. “Poor Old Charlie” – A January Saint with connections In March 1988 I was given an unusual task. As part of the process for his Beatification , I was asked to officiate at the formal opening of the coffin of Fr. Charles C.P., of Mount Argus to verify that his remains were truly present in the coffin and also to obtain some first class relics for forwarding to Rome. The Church had been closed to the public and the Passionist Community had gathered there along with some Coroners and Doctors who had prepared tables alongside the coffin. A welder, armed with helmet, goggles and blow torch, was also present and his task was to remove the lead covering which was over the wooden coffin. But who was Fr. Charles of Mount Argus? or better St. Charles of St Andrew, a Saint canon- ised by Pope Benedict in June 2007 and whose feast day is January 5th? John Andrew Houben was born in Holland in December 1821 into a large family of eleven chil- dren. He was not a brilliant student and found study hard. He joined the Army when 19 but wasn’t a great soldier. However, while on military service he heard of the Passionists and felt called to join them. This he did in 1845 in Belgium. Ordained a priest in December 1850, he was sent to England from 1852 -57 and before being transferred to Ireland to a newly-founded monastery at Mount Argus. He was to minister here for 9 years even though his English wasn’t great and this in turn did not help his preaching!. Nevertheless, he built up a reputation for his work in Confession and particularly with the sick. He loved the Irish and the Dubliners and through his ministry his healing gifts began to emerge. It also led him into trouble with the Church Authorities!. Holy Water that he blessed was be- ing sold by unscrupulous people and he was held responsible and moved back to England in 1866 for eight years. However, in Jan 1874 he came back to Dublin and was to remain here until his death on Janu- ary 5th 1893, aged 72. He continued his healing work and acquired a reputation for great holiness. Miracles of healing were attributed to him and crowds flocked to him from all over Ireland. The entire city mourned his passing. Huge crowds attended his funeral, bigger even than Parnell’s which had taken place two years earlier. His grave became a place of pilgrimage. Soil and pebbles were taken away as relics. Pope John Paul II in May 1979 proclaimed him a man of heroic virtue, and later Beatified him in October 1988 when he praised him for his ecumenical work, his ministry in the Sacrament of Penance and as one “who was daily concerned with the difficulties of others”. It was to prepare for the Beatifica- tion that I had been asked to open his coffin in March of that year – a coffin which had been first moved from the graveyard into Mount Argus Church in 1949. When the coffin was opened Fr. Charles’ skeleton was revealed under his Passionist habit. The remains of “Poor Old Charlie” (as he used describe himself) were taken to his old cell and his bones were later placed in a reliquary in St. Paul of the Cross Church, Mount Argus. Following on other proven miracles of healing, Blessed Charles – the name he had taken on first en- tering the Passionists so many years earlier - was canonised by Pope Benedict XVI on the 3rd of June 2007. The Pope allocated the 5th of January, which was “poor old Charlie’s” birthday, as his Feast day. Fr. Alex Recently deceased - please pray for the souls of:

Michael Curran, Road Rita Doyle, Brookwood Meadows Elizabeth Cartwright, Middle Third Anne McCann, Vernon Ave Dolores Fogarty, Killester Park Marie Logan, Ennafort Philomena McManus, Clanawley Road

Baptisms—We are happy to welcome into our Christian Community: Rosanna Drew-Iliev, The Demense Emma Redmond, Ennafort Eoghan Murray, Killester Avenue Robert Creane-Bolster, Howth Road Daniel Lawless, Danieli Drive Casey Feeney, Howth Road Elana Conroy, Bettyglen Eimear McLoughlin, Howth Road Rian O’Neill, Brookwood Glen Christian Mura, Watermill Avenue

Diocesan Day for Consecrated Life The annual Diocesan service for the Celebration of Consecrated Life will be held in St. Bri- gid’s Church, Killester on Wednesday February 2nd at 7.30 p.m. It will be attended by around 300 members of religious orders, male and female, in the presence of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. All are welcome to attend.

Resource Centre Notes

S.B.S. - St. Brigid’s Seniors’ Club The Club reopens again after the Christmas break on Wednesday 26th January at 11 a.m. until 12.30 p.m. We look forward to meeting all our members ready and looking forward to a new year of activities and outings.

Singing for Joy Starting back again on Friday 28th Jan. at 11 a.m. until 12, with Emma Andrews. Do you like singing in a group? Come along and sing all your favourite songs and learn some more. It’s great fun and a “feel good” thing.

Classes Creative Writing, Weight Loss and all our usual classes are starting up again in January. Details from Reception, or ph. 01-853 4030

Coffee Dock The Coffee Dock is back in full swing again so come along for that coffee and chat.

Weight Loss on your Doorstep In the privacy of your home Tailored Nutrition plus Exercise Plan Be taken through a step-by-step programme by a qualified Personal Trainer Phone 087 289 3675

St. Brigid's Parish Shop, Killester The Parish Shop which is located at the side of the Church nearest the car park has in stock a large selection 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 are also birthday, retirement and get well cards. A new CD by Bryan Hoey called ”Just for Today and Always” has been released and includes “Una Furtiva Lagrima” , “M’appari” and “Caro Mio Ben” - just some of the selection on this magnificent CD. There is also a small glass holy water bottle which is suitable for taking on holidays or for a car or handbag. 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 sales go to Parish funds. TOOLEN ELECTRICAL 360 Howth Road John Quill F.A.O.I. Ophthalmic Optician Balloons & Bouncy Castles Dublin 5 Complete spectacle service Balloons for All Occasions Domestic and Commercial 20 year ESTB Registered for P.R.S.I. and Beautiful First Communion Displays Family Business. Personal Quality Service guaranteed. Medical Card holders House re-wiring - Fuse Board replacement - Grant work Free Delivery in the Parish Additional Sockets and Lights - Shower installation - Large selection of budget www.DublinBalloons.com Garden Lights and fashion frames Super Bouncy Castles for Hire Connecting New Appliances – Maintenance 157a Killester Avenue, Dublin 5 www.DublinBouncyCastles.com Emergency Call out Phone 831 2558 Tel: 087 9444 849 Fully insured ECSSA Free estimate Phone: 831 5682 Des: 087-266 1843 Roy: 087-211 1406 Raheny Carpets House Buyer requires Killester School of Ballet and 8 Main Street, Raheny, Dublin 5 unrenovated Modern Theatre Dance end-of-terrace house Tel: 831 9340 R.A.D. Ballet and I.S.T.D. Modern for all levels. “Ballet for Babies” – 31/2 – 5-yr. olds on in St. Anne’s Estate Saturdays 11.30 – 12.00 noon. Open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Strictly by appointment. Call 087 995 8011 Enquiries to Ann Coffey Tighe Monday to Saturday 831 4535 or 086-804 6790 BEST START PRESCHOOL Kirwan’s AND MONTESSORI Stafford's – Family Funeral Directors Infants / Toddlers - Montessori / Project Over three generations Funeral Directors Bubbles. Playgroup age: 1-3 (9am-12.30 pm / 1pm-4.30pm) Full time / Part time Telephone 855 0555 24 Hour Service - After school care (Collections / Hot 24 Hour Service meal/Snack / Fitness classes) H/Q 60 Opening Times 8 am -6 pm Tel: 833 4444 Branch office: Maypark, Road 26 Killester Park D5 Contact Lina 087 9662 609 / 846 5507

Scoil Rince Cill Easra Evening Funerals Home Instead Senior Care. We help older people stay at home by pro- Adult Ceili Classes every Thurs The Resource Centre is offering viding light housekeeping, meal preparation, 8 pm in Resource centre a Catering Service transportation, post–hospital care, personal Childrens’ Dancing Classes in the Coffee Dock. care and Alzheimer care. Venue 126 Abbeyfield for families who wish to cater for the Further details from: Peter Taylor Monday -Thursday Evening Funeral Ph. 01-853 5048 Mobile: 087-298 3555 3.30 p.m. onwards Telephone Vivienne www.homeinstead.ie Contact Jacqueline 087 213 7365. email: [email protected] at 831 8654 and 086-256 1000

Bill and Ben Gardening Services Classical Five-Element Acupuncture Free Pre-School Year at the Complete garden maintenance Orchard Montessori Landscaping services Treatment for most conditions including: 19, The Orchard from January 2010 Tree felling can be arranged Arthritis, Asthma, Back Pain, Depression, Rheumatism, Migraines, Morning session We are fully insured 8.45 - 12.00 12.30 - 3.30 Contact: Sean 848 1146 (home) Digestion and bowel problems, No energy. Purpose-built premises with qualified 087 228 7371 (mobile) Practice in The Demesne, Killester. and experienced staff. For more information contact Joe 833 5768 (home) Tel: Seán O’Neill on 086 087 2098 Mandy at 086 893 7350 (mobile) www.5elementacupuncturedublin.com 01-831 6848 or 087 775 8149

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Georgina Ryan, Tax Consultant Ladies Aerobics - 12 week course Car Servicing A personal and efficient service Registration Monday 6th Sept. Full Service from €145 10—10.30 a.m. for all Accounting and Tax. Oil change from €28 Tuesday 7th Sept. PAYE Tax Claims Self Employed Anti-freeze replenished from €24 Income Tax Rental Income Tax Re- 7.30—8.30 p.m. Course begins: Pre N.T.C. Inspections turns Capital Gains Tax Free local collection and delivery 01-8310543/ 086 6007434 Monday 13th Sept. 10 - 11 a.m. Tuesday 14th Sept. 7.30 — 8.30 p.m. Fully insured [email protected] Contact Olive 087 265 3296 Ph. Anthony 833 8533 085 725 6667