St. Brigid’s Parish, Killester NEWSLETTER October 2010 Half Full or Half Empty? Dear Friends, Those of us who are old enough remember the historic visit of the late Pope John Paul II to Ireland in September 1979. People still speak nostalgically about the open air Mass in the Phoenix Park and the incredible emotion as the Papal plane flew over them. They also remem- ber the message of the Pope to the young people in Galway, and those famous seven words which generated sustained applause and cheering lasting over ten minutes: ‘Young People of Ireland I love you’. Such days will probably never be repeated, but there are signs of hope and optimism all around us especially among our young people. Here in St. Brigid’s Parish one has to be very proud of our young people and their im- mense generosity and sensitivity in answering the call to provide practical help and companion- ship to people suffering across the world. Over the last few months we have listened to their ap- peals at the end of Mass. We have contributed generously to their collections, and I personally have been in awe of their dedication and their courage. One young man even busily planned his trip in the middle of studying for the Leaving Certificate! The challenge for all of us is to redouble our efforts to ensure that our young people know that our local Church here in Killester cares for them and is interested in them. Many may not regularly attend Mass, but they do believe in God and appreciate the Church at the pivotal mo- ments of their lives. They are living signs of hope for the future. They are the ones who daily bear witness to the practical Gospel of Christ: ‘in so far as you did it to the least of mine, you did it to me’. So the next time you hear someone being critical of the youth, remind them that the glass is not necessarily half empty, it may well be half full! Till the next time, Fr. Michael. We will remember them Next month we remember in a very special way our loved ones who have died. November can be a sad month - the trees are without their leaves, the evenings are long, and we begin the month with the annual Commemoration of All Souls. This day was first established by St. Odilo at his Abbey of Cluny in 998. The custom soon spread to the entire Church. During November our minds also reflect on our own mortality, and certain families in our parish will sadly have an empty chair at the Christmas Dinner table. The Second Book of Maccabees tells us that ‘It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed of their sins’. As you know each First Friday two Masses are offered for all those whose names are on the Parish Altar list of the Dead. This list is placed in front of the Altar on that day, as we recall in a very particular way the strong bond that re- mains between us and our beloved dead. The great German theologian of the Twentieth Cen- tury, Karl Rahner, said the following about our relationship with the dead ‘That’s why my heart is now with them, with my loved ones who have taken their leave of me. There is no substitute for them; there are not others who can fill the vacancy when one of those whom I have really loved suddenly and unexpectedly departs and is with me no more. In true love no one can replace an- other, for true love loves the other person in that depth where they are uniquely and irreplacea- bly themselves. And thus, as death has trodden roughly through my life, every one of the de- parted has taken a piece of my heart with them, and often enough my whole heart’. The Annual Parish Mass for all those who have died during the past year will be cele- brated at 12 Noon on Sunday 7th November. All are welcome to attend. Fr. Michael. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament In preparation for the Eucharistic Congress due to be held in Dublin in 2012, and in response to requests from a number of parishioners, we propose to have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament each First Friday of the month after the 10 a.m. Mass until 3 p.m. The Pope in his letter to Irish Catholics encouraged us to have recourse to the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist in repara- tion for the sins against the young. We have already got the support of our new Parish Pastoral Council, the Eucharistic Ministers and the St. Joseph’s Young Priests’ Society for this proposal. To ensure that there is always someone praying before the Blessed Sacrament we will supply a sheet where people can add their names indicating times when they will attend during the day. We trust this proposal will be received well and we believe that it will bring many graces and blessings to our Parish. Message from Fr. Michael Simpson My sincere appreciation for the energy and efficiency of the excellent work you all put in to the Farewell Reception. I enjoyed the occasion immensely and will treasure the many and lasting good memories of my years in St. Brigid’s, Killester. I was overwhelmed with the generosity of the gift. Sincere Thanks from Fr. Michael Simpson. P.S. The pride held and ongoing effort put in by you all in the Resource Centre is a credit to everyone involved and supporting. Fr. Michael. Congratulations to all our Friends and Families Who lived through the 1940's, 50's, 60's and 70's ! When...... We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes we had no hel- mets or shoes, not to mention the risks we took hitchhiking. We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle. Take away food was limited to fish and chips, no pizza shops, McDonalds, KFC. Even though all the shops closed at 6.00 p.m. and didn't open on the weekends, somehow we didn't starve to death! We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this. We could collect old drink bottles and cash them in at the corner store. We ate buns, white bread and real butter and drank lemonade, but we weren't overweight because...... WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING! We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on. No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.! We would spend hours building our go-carts out of old prams and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. We did not have Playstations, Nintendo Wii, X-boxes; no video games at all, no 999 channels on SKY, no video/DVD films, no mobile phones, no personal computers, no Internet or Internet chat rooms..........WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them! We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents. Only girls had pierced ears! You could only buy Easter eggs and Hot Cross Buns at Easter time... We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just yelled for them! Mum didn't have to go to work to help dad make ends meet! Rugby and Cricket had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that! Getting into the team was based on MERIT. Our teachers used to hit us with canes and gym shoes, and bullies at times ruled the playground at school. The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law! Our parents didn't invent unusual names for their kids like 'Kiora' and 'Blade' and 'Ridge' and 'Vanilla' We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL! And YOU are one of them! - Congratulations! Recently deceased - please pray for the souls of: June Fennelly, Howth Road Agnes Conlon, Maryville Road Kathleen Kinsella, Maryville Road Teresa Mulligan, Killester Park John Moloney, Ennafort Park Baptisms—We are happy to welcome in to our Christian Community: Charlotte Young, Clongriffin Alex McDonnell, Tyrellstown Arthur Collins, Brookwood Glen Brian Heary, The Meadows Cole Adams-McCarthy, Donnycarney Isaac Ryan, Maryville Road Wedding — our congratulations to: Naomi Creevey and Edward Feeney, Donnycarney A prayer from Blessed John Henry Newman - Peace at the last May he support us all the day long, till the shades lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in his mercy may he give us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Resource Centre Notes Volunteers’ Night If you are a Volunteer in St. Brigid’s Killester, in the Church or the Centre, PLEASE let us know a.s.a.p. if you are available on Saturday 16th October at 7.30 p.m. to come to our Celebration of Volunteers. Please phone Pauline at 853 4030, or call in to the Centre to let us know.