CEMETERY SUNDAY
13 September 2009
Gormanstown Blessing of Graves
after 10 am Mass
St Brigid’s Rosary and Blessing of
Graves at 3.15 pm
New Abbey Mass with Blessing of
Graves at 4 pm
Mass in Old Kilcullen Graveyard on Friday 31st July 2009
at 7.30 pm.
18 July 2009
Parish Notices
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time 12th July 2009
1. Thank you for your contributions to the Peter’s Pence Collection last weekend. The total contributed was €1265.
2. The Blessing of Graves will take place at Old Kilcullen on Friday 31st July at 7.30 pm. The date for the other Graveyards is Sunday 13th September.
3. A member of the Pastoral Council will give us a brief report on the last meeting after Holy Communion.
4. Please take a copy of the Newsletter.
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time 12th July 2009
1. Thank you for your contributions to the Peter’s Pence Collection last weekend. The total contributed was €1265.
2. The Blessing of Graves will take place at Old Kilcullen on Friday 31st July at 7.30 pm. The date for the other Graveyards is Sunday 13th September.
3. A member of the Pastoral Council will give us a brief report on the last meeting after Holy Communion.
4. Please take a copy of the Newsletter.
05 July 2009
Parish Notices
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time 5th July 2009
1. The Annual Collection to support the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI and the Pontifical Charities takes place at Masses this weekend. It replaces the SHARE Collection. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has asked that the following message from him be read to introduce the Collection:
“The Annual Peter’s Pence Collection is one of the oldest annual collections in the history of the Church.
Pope Benedict from the beginning of his Pontificate has recalled all of us to a fundamental truth of our Christian faith, which on the one hand seems so fundamental as not to need repeating, and on the other hand is so easily overlooked in the day to day life of the Church. I am speaking about that simple yet profound fact that ‘God is love’.
The Church is the community which springs up as fruit and image of what that love of God means. Is we lose that true image of God then our faith can take on the false image of a harsh punitive God, rather than a God who loves us and who frees us.
I ask you to pray for Pope Benedict and for his mission in the Church. I ask you to contribute generously to today’s collection to enable the Pope to sustain the charitable work of the Church in parts of the world where it is most needed.”
2. The Parish Pastoral Council will meet on Monday.
3. There will be a meeting for Parents and Godparents in preparation for Baptism on next Sunday at 12 noon.
4. We are asked to pray for the safe return of the two Goal workers who were kidnapped in Sudan’s Western Darfur region on Friday evening; they are Sharon Commins from Clontarf in Dublin and Hilda Kawuki.
5. We are pleased to announce that Hannah Evans, who was with us on placement as part of her training to be a Pastoral Worker, has been appointed by the Archbishop as Parish Pastoral Worker to the Parish of Kilcullen. Hannah will work in collaboration with Fr Michael and Fr Paddy, the Parish Pastoral Council and the people of the Parish in the service of the Gospel and of the mission and ministry of the local Church.
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time 5th July 2009
1. The Annual Collection to support the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI and the Pontifical Charities takes place at Masses this weekend. It replaces the SHARE Collection. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has asked that the following message from him be read to introduce the Collection:
“The Annual Peter’s Pence Collection is one of the oldest annual collections in the history of the Church.
Pope Benedict from the beginning of his Pontificate has recalled all of us to a fundamental truth of our Christian faith, which on the one hand seems so fundamental as not to need repeating, and on the other hand is so easily overlooked in the day to day life of the Church. I am speaking about that simple yet profound fact that ‘God is love’.
The Church is the community which springs up as fruit and image of what that love of God means. Is we lose that true image of God then our faith can take on the false image of a harsh punitive God, rather than a God who loves us and who frees us.
I ask you to pray for Pope Benedict and for his mission in the Church. I ask you to contribute generously to today’s collection to enable the Pope to sustain the charitable work of the Church in parts of the world where it is most needed.”
2. The Parish Pastoral Council will meet on Monday.
3. There will be a meeting for Parents and Godparents in preparation for Baptism on next Sunday at 12 noon.
4. We are asked to pray for the safe return of the two Goal workers who were kidnapped in Sudan’s Western Darfur region on Friday evening; they are Sharon Commins from Clontarf in Dublin and Hilda Kawuki.
5. We are pleased to announce that Hannah Evans, who was with us on placement as part of her training to be a Pastoral Worker, has been appointed by the Archbishop as Parish Pastoral Worker to the Parish of Kilcullen. Hannah will work in collaboration with Fr Michael and Fr Paddy, the Parish Pastoral Council and the people of the Parish in the service of the Gospel and of the mission and ministry of the local Church.
28 June 2009
Parish Notices
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time 28th June 2009
1. During this week the Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin will launch a new programme of Evangelisation. Evangelisation is about bringing the name, the message and the love of Jesus with renewed vigour into our own lives and into the world in which we live. We pray that this programme of Evangelisation will truly open the lives of each of us to be embraced by God’s love and thus to become witnesses of that love to our world.
As the Year of Evangelisation begins, two priests are ordained for the Diocese and thirteen Pastoral Workers are commissioned for service in the diocese. The central role of the Pastoral Workers will be to support priests and Parish Communities in educating people in their faith, in supporting and in developing parish initiatives around prayer and the sacraments.
2. Monday 29th June is the Feastday of SS Peter and Paul and brings the Year of St Paul to a close.
3. Wednesday 1st July is the Feastday of St Oliver Plunkett.
4. Friday will be the First Friday of July. Mass will be offered for all whose names are on the Altar List of the Dead.
5. The annual collection of Peter’s Pence to support Pope Benedict and the Pontifical Charities will be taken up at all Masses next weekend. It will replace the Share Collection.
6. As part of the Celebration of the ‘Year for Priests’ which began last week, the Vocations Office of the Diocese is asking for people to volunteer to Become a Priest/Seminarian Prayer Friend and undertake to pray for that priest/seminarian each day during the ‘Year for Priests’. Arrangements can be made by contacting vocations@dublindiocese.ie or Txt or Phone 0868346071.
7. There is a special website offering support for the Year for Priests, www.worldpriestday.com. It contains prayers for priests and other useful material.
8. We wish all who are on holiday a safe, relaxing and happy beak from routine.
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time 28th June 2009
1. During this week the Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin will launch a new programme of Evangelisation. Evangelisation is about bringing the name, the message and the love of Jesus with renewed vigour into our own lives and into the world in which we live. We pray that this programme of Evangelisation will truly open the lives of each of us to be embraced by God’s love and thus to become witnesses of that love to our world.
As the Year of Evangelisation begins, two priests are ordained for the Diocese and thirteen Pastoral Workers are commissioned for service in the diocese. The central role of the Pastoral Workers will be to support priests and Parish Communities in educating people in their faith, in supporting and in developing parish initiatives around prayer and the sacraments.
2. Monday 29th June is the Feastday of SS Peter and Paul and brings the Year of St Paul to a close.
3. Wednesday 1st July is the Feastday of St Oliver Plunkett.
4. Friday will be the First Friday of July. Mass will be offered for all whose names are on the Altar List of the Dead.
5. The annual collection of Peter’s Pence to support Pope Benedict and the Pontifical Charities will be taken up at all Masses next weekend. It will replace the Share Collection.
6. As part of the Celebration of the ‘Year for Priests’ which began last week, the Vocations Office of the Diocese is asking for people to volunteer to Become a Priest/Seminarian Prayer Friend and undertake to pray for that priest/seminarian each day during the ‘Year for Priests’. Arrangements can be made by contacting vocations@dublindiocese.ie or Txt or Phone 0868346071.
7. There is a special website offering support for the Year for Priests, www.worldpriestday.com. It contains prayers for priests and other useful material.
8. We wish all who are on holiday a safe, relaxing and happy beak from routine.
20 June 2009
Parish Notices
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time 21st June 2009
1. Sincere thanks to all who turned out for Cruinniú Chríost and made it a memorable Parish Day.
2. Thank you for your contributions last weekend to the special collection for the Eucharistic Congress. The amount collected was €875.00
3. In the Dublin Diocese this Sunday is Matt Talbot Sunday. We pray for his canonisation. The prayer for his canonisation is available in the church.
4. Pope Benedict has declared a ‘Year for Priests’ beginning on 19th June. Your prayers are requested for priests and for vocations to the priesthood. The year marks the 150th anniversary of the death of St John Vianney, who will be declared patron saint of all priests during the year. Each Parish is asked to mark the beginning of the ‘Year for Priests’ by taking part in a diocesan wide 9 Day Novena in honour of St John Vianney. The Prayer Leaflets are available in the church.
5. Two men will be ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Dublin on next Saturday. Please keep them in your prayers.
6. This is also the time of year when Changes take place in the Diocese. On that account it can be an anxious time for priests. We request your prayers for their welfare.
7. There will be a Cake Sale in aid of Brannockstown School after 11 Mass in the Parish Centre. Your support will be appreciated.
8. We want to give you advance notice of Graveyard Sunday. It will be on Sunday 13th September.
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time 21st June 2009
1. Sincere thanks to all who turned out for Cruinniú Chríost and made it a memorable Parish Day.
2. Thank you for your contributions last weekend to the special collection for the Eucharistic Congress. The amount collected was €875.00
3. In the Dublin Diocese this Sunday is Matt Talbot Sunday. We pray for his canonisation. The prayer for his canonisation is available in the church.
4. Pope Benedict has declared a ‘Year for Priests’ beginning on 19th June. Your prayers are requested for priests and for vocations to the priesthood. The year marks the 150th anniversary of the death of St John Vianney, who will be declared patron saint of all priests during the year. Each Parish is asked to mark the beginning of the ‘Year for Priests’ by taking part in a diocesan wide 9 Day Novena in honour of St John Vianney. The Prayer Leaflets are available in the church.
5. Two men will be ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Dublin on next Saturday. Please keep them in your prayers.
6. This is also the time of year when Changes take place in the Diocese. On that account it can be an anxious time for priests. We request your prayers for their welfare.
7. There will be a Cake Sale in aid of Brannockstown School after 11 Mass in the Parish Centre. Your support will be appreciated.
8. We want to give you advance notice of Graveyard Sunday. It will be on Sunday 13th September.
Parish Notices
Corpus Christi 14 June 2009
1. Pope Benedict has decided that the Fiftieth International Eucharistic Congress will be held in Ireland in 2012. In order to cover the expenses of the Congress there will be a special National Collection on the Feast of Corpus Christi each year for the next three years. The first such collection is being held at Masses this weekend. It replaces the normal Share Collection.
2. The Youth Choir meet for practice on Monday at 7 pm in the Parish Centre.
3. Friday next is the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Prayer Leaflets with the Novena to the Sacred Heart are available in the church.
4. Pope Benedict has declared a special ‘Year For Priests’ beginning on next Friday 19th June. To mark the beginning of this ‘Year For Priests’ all parishes in the Diocese are asked to take part in a Nine-day Novena in Honour of St John Vianney, beginning on next Friday. St John Vianney is the patron saint of Parish Priests; however this year he will be declared patron of all priests. Prayer Leaflets for the Novena are available in the church.
5. Some notes regarding Cruinniú Chríost:
• The main gathering point is the Town Square at 2 pm.
• Walk to the venue if you can.
• There is parking for older people at the Community Centre and at the Cattle Mart. There is parking at Scoil Bhríde for the disabled only. Bring a picnic and a rug and sun protection.
• The procession from the Town Square will begin at 2.30.
• Groups will be given a number at the Town Square so that the Procession will have an order.
• The Blessed Sacrament will not be carried in the Procession.
• Songs will be sung during the Procession from after the traffic lights.
• The Procession will go around directly to the rear of Scoil Bhríde where Mass will begin at 3 pm.
• After Mass there will be the picnic and entertainment until 5 pm.
• Encourage one another to make Cruinniú Chríost a Special Parish Event that we will all want to remember.
6. There is a Newsletter this weekend. Please take a copy.
Corpus Christi 14 June 2009
1. Pope Benedict has decided that the Fiftieth International Eucharistic Congress will be held in Ireland in 2012. In order to cover the expenses of the Congress there will be a special National Collection on the Feast of Corpus Christi each year for the next three years. The first such collection is being held at Masses this weekend. It replaces the normal Share Collection.
2. The Youth Choir meet for practice on Monday at 7 pm in the Parish Centre.
3. Friday next is the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Prayer Leaflets with the Novena to the Sacred Heart are available in the church.
4. Pope Benedict has declared a special ‘Year For Priests’ beginning on next Friday 19th June. To mark the beginning of this ‘Year For Priests’ all parishes in the Diocese are asked to take part in a Nine-day Novena in Honour of St John Vianney, beginning on next Friday. St John Vianney is the patron saint of Parish Priests; however this year he will be declared patron of all priests. Prayer Leaflets for the Novena are available in the church.
5. Some notes regarding Cruinniú Chríost:
• The main gathering point is the Town Square at 2 pm.
• Walk to the venue if you can.
• There is parking for older people at the Community Centre and at the Cattle Mart. There is parking at Scoil Bhríde for the disabled only. Bring a picnic and a rug and sun protection.
• The procession from the Town Square will begin at 2.30.
• Groups will be given a number at the Town Square so that the Procession will have an order.
• The Blessed Sacrament will not be carried in the Procession.
• Songs will be sung during the Procession from after the traffic lights.
• The Procession will go around directly to the rear of Scoil Bhríde where Mass will begin at 3 pm.
• After Mass there will be the picnic and entertainment until 5 pm.
• Encourage one another to make Cruinniú Chríost a Special Parish Event that we will all want to remember.
6. There is a Newsletter this weekend. Please take a copy.
15 June 2009
Chruinniú Chríost 2009 in pictures
Here is a selection of pictures from the Chruinniú Chríost parish gathering on Sunday last.
06 June 2009
Parish Notices
Trinity Sunday 7 June 2009
1. The First Collection is for the support of the priests of the Parish as well as for the sick and retired priests of the diocese. Contributions to this collection have not fallen despite the recession and we want to thank you for your generosity every week.
2. There will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in preparation for Cruinniú Chríost this Sunday 3 to 5 pm.
3. The Finance Committee will meet on Monday.
4. The Pastoral Council will meet on Monday.
5. There will be a meeting for all Altar Servers on Tuesday at 7 pm.
6. The final meeting to organise Cruinniú Chríost will take place on Tuesday at 8 pm in the Parish Centre.
7. We encourage everyone to make a special effort to support our special Parish event next Sunday, Cruinniú Chríost, 2 – 5 pm. If you haven’t already done so, please take the Open Invitation letter to someone not at Mass and invite them to take part. Pray for fine weather. Organise your own picnic for after the Mass.
8. There will be three Area Gatherings in preparation for Cruinniú Chríost during this week: for Area West on Wednesday at Castlemartin Lawn at 7.30 pm; for Area North on Wednesday at Moanbane Green at 7.30 pm; and for Area East on Thursday at Brannockstown School at 8.30 pm. Please encourage one another to come out, gather and take part. There is a Prayer Leaflet available in the church for use at home over these days.
9. The Novena to the Sacred Heart starts on Thursday. The Parish Church is dedicated to the Sacred Heart and St Brigid. The Novena Prayer is available in the church.
10. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin will lead the Diocesan Eucharistic Procession on Thursday in Clonliffe College at 7.30 pm.
11. Pope Benedict has decided that the Fiftieth International Eucharistic Congress will be held in Ireland in 2012. In order to cover the expenses of the Congress there will be a special National Collection on the Feast of Corpus Christi each year for the next three years. The first such collection will be held at Masses next weekend. It will replace the normal Share Collection.
12. We give you advance notice of the Blessing of Graves; it will take place on Sunday 13 September.
13. There is a Newsletter this weekend. Take a copy.
14. The second collection is the normal Share Collection which supports Parishes in need and pays for a range of services in the diocese.
Trinity Sunday 7 June 2009
1. The First Collection is for the support of the priests of the Parish as well as for the sick and retired priests of the diocese. Contributions to this collection have not fallen despite the recession and we want to thank you for your generosity every week.
2. There will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in preparation for Cruinniú Chríost this Sunday 3 to 5 pm.
3. The Finance Committee will meet on Monday.
4. The Pastoral Council will meet on Monday.
5. There will be a meeting for all Altar Servers on Tuesday at 7 pm.
6. The final meeting to organise Cruinniú Chríost will take place on Tuesday at 8 pm in the Parish Centre.
7. We encourage everyone to make a special effort to support our special Parish event next Sunday, Cruinniú Chríost, 2 – 5 pm. If you haven’t already done so, please take the Open Invitation letter to someone not at Mass and invite them to take part. Pray for fine weather. Organise your own picnic for after the Mass.
8. There will be three Area Gatherings in preparation for Cruinniú Chríost during this week: for Area West on Wednesday at Castlemartin Lawn at 7.30 pm; for Area North on Wednesday at Moanbane Green at 7.30 pm; and for Area East on Thursday at Brannockstown School at 8.30 pm. Please encourage one another to come out, gather and take part. There is a Prayer Leaflet available in the church for use at home over these days.
9. The Novena to the Sacred Heart starts on Thursday. The Parish Church is dedicated to the Sacred Heart and St Brigid. The Novena Prayer is available in the church.
10. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin will lead the Diocesan Eucharistic Procession on Thursday in Clonliffe College at 7.30 pm.
11. Pope Benedict has decided that the Fiftieth International Eucharistic Congress will be held in Ireland in 2012. In order to cover the expenses of the Congress there will be a special National Collection on the Feast of Corpus Christi each year for the next three years. The first such collection will be held at Masses next weekend. It will replace the normal Share Collection.
12. We give you advance notice of the Blessing of Graves; it will take place on Sunday 13 September.
13. There is a Newsletter this weekend. Take a copy.
14. The second collection is the normal Share Collection which supports Parishes in need and pays for a range of services in the diocese.
31 May 2009
Parish Notices
Pentecost Sunday 31 May 2009
1. Mass on Monday, the public holiday, will be at 11 am.
2. The Blood Donation Clinic will be in the Community Centre on Tuesday from 4.30 to 8.30 pm.
3. There will be a Festival Weekend in honour of St Kevin in Glendalough next weekend. Details are on the notice board. St Kevin is Patron Saint of the Diocese of Dublin and his Feastday falls on Wednesday 3 June.
4. Cruinniú Chríost will take place in two weeks time, on Sunday 14 June, 2 to 5 pm. The representatives from each Area who carried the Cross last year in the Cruinniú Chríost Procession will collect it again at 11 am Mass this Sunday and bring it to their Area in preparation for the Area Gathering.
There will be an Area Gathering in preparation for Cruinniú Chríost for Parishioners living roughly South of the traffic lights, on Thursday of this week at Nicholastown Green at 7.30 pm. All are welcome.
The Area Gathering for North of the traffic lights will be on Wednesday week 10 June at Moanbane Green at 7.30 pm.
For the Area East of the traffic lights, it will be on Thursday week 11 June at Brannockstown School at 8.30 pm.
5. There is a Letter of Invitation to Cruinniú Chríost along with a Prayer available in the church. You might like to take it to friends and neighbours and encourage them to take part in the Area Gatherings as well as on the day itself, Sunday 14 June.
6. Friday next will be the First Friday of June. The Mass will be offered for all whose names are on the Altar List of the Dead.
7. There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Friday from midday to 9 pm. Parishioners are invited to come and pray before the Blessed Sacrament in preparation for Cruinniú Chríost.
8. Please make sure you exercise your right to vote on Friday.
9. Kilcullen Lions Club are holding a Health Fair next Saturday 10 am to 4 pm at Nolan Brophy Auctioneers, Main Street. Tests include: Diabetes, Blood Pressure & Eye Health. All free of charge.
10. There will be a meeting in preparation for Baptism next Sunday at 12 noon.
11. There is a Newsletter this weekend. Please take a copy.
Pentecost Sunday 31 May 2009
1. Mass on Monday, the public holiday, will be at 11 am.
2. The Blood Donation Clinic will be in the Community Centre on Tuesday from 4.30 to 8.30 pm.
3. There will be a Festival Weekend in honour of St Kevin in Glendalough next weekend. Details are on the notice board. St Kevin is Patron Saint of the Diocese of Dublin and his Feastday falls on Wednesday 3 June.
4. Cruinniú Chríost will take place in two weeks time, on Sunday 14 June, 2 to 5 pm. The representatives from each Area who carried the Cross last year in the Cruinniú Chríost Procession will collect it again at 11 am Mass this Sunday and bring it to their Area in preparation for the Area Gathering.
There will be an Area Gathering in preparation for Cruinniú Chríost for Parishioners living roughly South of the traffic lights, on Thursday of this week at Nicholastown Green at 7.30 pm. All are welcome.
The Area Gathering for North of the traffic lights will be on Wednesday week 10 June at Moanbane Green at 7.30 pm.
For the Area East of the traffic lights, it will be on Thursday week 11 June at Brannockstown School at 8.30 pm.
5. There is a Letter of Invitation to Cruinniú Chríost along with a Prayer available in the church. You might like to take it to friends and neighbours and encourage them to take part in the Area Gatherings as well as on the day itself, Sunday 14 June.
6. Friday next will be the First Friday of June. The Mass will be offered for all whose names are on the Altar List of the Dead.
7. There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Friday from midday to 9 pm. Parishioners are invited to come and pray before the Blessed Sacrament in preparation for Cruinniú Chríost.
8. Please make sure you exercise your right to vote on Friday.
9. Kilcullen Lions Club are holding a Health Fair next Saturday 10 am to 4 pm at Nolan Brophy Auctioneers, Main Street. Tests include: Diabetes, Blood Pressure & Eye Health. All free of charge.
10. There will be a meeting in preparation for Baptism next Sunday at 12 noon.
11. There is a Newsletter this weekend. Please take a copy.
23 May 2009
Parish Notices
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord 24 May 2009
1. Cruinniú Chríost, our Parish Gathering, will take place this Sunday three weeks. We ask that a Team from each of the Four Areas of the Parish would meet on Monday at 8 pm in the Parish Centre. Each Team is asked to organise a local Gathering or gatherings during the two weeks before 14 June. At the meeting on Monday we will finalise dates and arrangements.
The day itself will follow the same form as last year. We gather at the town Square at 2 pm. We process to Scoil Bhríde at 2.30 pm. Mass will be celebrated at 3 pm followed by picnic and entertainment.
Now is the time to start planning your day and the picnic and encouraging neighbours and friends to take part so as to make it once again a memorable Parish Day.
2. There will be Prayerful Reading of St Paul in the Parish Centre on Tuesday morning at 10.30 am.
3. We have invited those confirmed earlier this year to take part in a Post Confirmation Programme which will take place next Friday and the following Friday in the Parish Centre.
4. The Youth Choir will sing at 7.30 Mass next Saturday and the singing practice for the Youth Choir is on Mondays at 7 pm in the Parish Centre.
5. Next Sunday will be the Feast of Pentecost. The representatives from each Area who carried the Cross last year in the Cruinniú Chríost Procession will collect it again at 11.00 Mass next Sunday and bring it to their Area in preparation for the Area Gathering.
6. The Parish Pilgrimage to Knock will take place next Sunday. Those wishing to travel should give their name at the Parish Office or to Patty Bagnell.
7. PRAYER FOR EXAMINATIONS:
Lord, as I prepare to study, send your Holy Spirit to guide me.
Keep me calm. Help me to do the best I can on the day of my exam.
Give me peace, understanding and wisdom.
Be with me today and always. Amen.
8. Please pray for the happy repose of those who died recently:
Jack O’Connor, Kilgowan;
Teresa Kelly, Avondale Drive;
May they rest in peace.
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord 24 May 2009
1. Cruinniú Chríost, our Parish Gathering, will take place this Sunday three weeks. We ask that a Team from each of the Four Areas of the Parish would meet on Monday at 8 pm in the Parish Centre. Each Team is asked to organise a local Gathering or gatherings during the two weeks before 14 June. At the meeting on Monday we will finalise dates and arrangements.
The day itself will follow the same form as last year. We gather at the town Square at 2 pm. We process to Scoil Bhríde at 2.30 pm. Mass will be celebrated at 3 pm followed by picnic and entertainment.
Now is the time to start planning your day and the picnic and encouraging neighbours and friends to take part so as to make it once again a memorable Parish Day.
2. There will be Prayerful Reading of St Paul in the Parish Centre on Tuesday morning at 10.30 am.
3. We have invited those confirmed earlier this year to take part in a Post Confirmation Programme which will take place next Friday and the following Friday in the Parish Centre.
4. The Youth Choir will sing at 7.30 Mass next Saturday and the singing practice for the Youth Choir is on Mondays at 7 pm in the Parish Centre.
5. Next Sunday will be the Feast of Pentecost. The representatives from each Area who carried the Cross last year in the Cruinniú Chríost Procession will collect it again at 11.00 Mass next Sunday and bring it to their Area in preparation for the Area Gathering.
6. The Parish Pilgrimage to Knock will take place next Sunday. Those wishing to travel should give their name at the Parish Office or to Patty Bagnell.
7. PRAYER FOR EXAMINATIONS:
Lord, as I prepare to study, send your Holy Spirit to guide me.
Keep me calm. Help me to do the best I can on the day of my exam.
Give me peace, understanding and wisdom.
Be with me today and always. Amen.
8. Please pray for the happy repose of those who died recently:
Jack O’Connor, Kilgowan;
Teresa Kelly, Avondale Drive;
May they rest in peace.
17 May 2009
Parish Notices
6th Sunday of Easter 17 May 2009
1. Thank you for your contributions last Sunday to the Collection for the support of Students for the Priesthood. The total was €1190.
2. We congratulate the children from Brannockstown and Halverstown who made their First Holy Communion on Saturday.
3. The Parish can benefit from claiming the tax relief for donations by Parishioners to the Parish. We want to thank Parishioners who have returned the Tax Relief Form which is necessary for the Parish to make the claim.
4. There will be Prayerful Reading of St Paul on Tuesday morning at 10.30 am in the Parish Centre. There will be a Plainchant Concert on Thursday night 7.30 pm in the Parish church in honour of St Paul.
5. There will be a public forum on Jobs Creation on Thursday night in the Burlington Hotel Dublin. Details on the notice board.
6. There will be Funeral Ministry training in the Parish Centre next Saturday 23 May from 10 am to 1 pm. It is for the Parishes of our Cluster which includes Ballymore and Dunlavin. It is open to anyone who wishes to attend but we do need to know who is coming by Wednesday.
7. ISANDS, the Irish Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Society, will have their Blessing of Remembrance in Glasnevin Cemetery next Sunday at 3 pm.
8. In preparation for Cruinniú Chríost, there will be a meeting on Tuesday at 8 pm in the Parish Centre to plan the Area Gathering for Sunbury Close, St Brigid’s Avenue and Grove, Conroy Park, Nicholastown and Avondale. People from these areas are asked to attend and to help plan the Gathering. There will be a meeting for all Area Teams on Monday week at 8 pm in the Parish Centre.
9. Next Sunday will be the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord.
10. A member of the Pastoral Council will give us a brief summary of the last meeting after Holy Communion.
6th Sunday of Easter 17 May 2009
1. Thank you for your contributions last Sunday to the Collection for the support of Students for the Priesthood. The total was €1190.
2. We congratulate the children from Brannockstown and Halverstown who made their First Holy Communion on Saturday.
3. The Parish can benefit from claiming the tax relief for donations by Parishioners to the Parish. We want to thank Parishioners who have returned the Tax Relief Form which is necessary for the Parish to make the claim.
4. There will be Prayerful Reading of St Paul on Tuesday morning at 10.30 am in the Parish Centre. There will be a Plainchant Concert on Thursday night 7.30 pm in the Parish church in honour of St Paul.
5. There will be a public forum on Jobs Creation on Thursday night in the Burlington Hotel Dublin. Details on the notice board.
6. There will be Funeral Ministry training in the Parish Centre next Saturday 23 May from 10 am to 1 pm. It is for the Parishes of our Cluster which includes Ballymore and Dunlavin. It is open to anyone who wishes to attend but we do need to know who is coming by Wednesday.
7. ISANDS, the Irish Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Society, will have their Blessing of Remembrance in Glasnevin Cemetery next Sunday at 3 pm.
8. In preparation for Cruinniú Chríost, there will be a meeting on Tuesday at 8 pm in the Parish Centre to plan the Area Gathering for Sunbury Close, St Brigid’s Avenue and Grove, Conroy Park, Nicholastown and Avondale. People from these areas are asked to attend and to help plan the Gathering. There will be a meeting for all Area Teams on Monday week at 8 pm in the Parish Centre.
9. Next Sunday will be the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord.
10. A member of the Pastoral Council will give us a brief summary of the last meeting after Holy Communion.
09 May 2009
Cruinniú Chríost
Sunday 14 June 2009
Area Teams Meeting Monday 25 May
8 pm in the Parish Centre
Cruinniú Chríost is our Parish celebration of Corpus Christi, the gift of Jesus to us in the Eucharist, which we acknowledge in a very public way by a Procession through the Streets followed by outdoor Mass and a picnic. It will take place in five weeks time on Sunday 14 June, the Feast of Corpus Christi. The day itself will be a repeat of last year’s model.
In preparation we are asking each Area to form an Area Team to think through and plan Area Gatherings during the two weeks prior to 14 June.
On Sunday 31 May the representatives from each Area who carried the Cross last year are invited to collect it again from 11.00 Mass at the Parish church and to bring it to their Area. Over the following two weeks each Area might decide to have the Cross in a different venue or home each night.
Each Area is invited to host its own gathering or gatherings during those two weeks. The Cross will give the Gathering a focus. The venue could be indoors or outdoors in someone’s home or garden or a neutral venue.
The Gathering would involve an element of Prayer, Reflection, Blessing and Refreshment. A particular feature of the Gathering will be to provide people with an opportunity to bless Family Members, Home, Car, Business or Live Stock. Holy Water and a Prayer leaflet will be provided for the purpose.
There will be a meeting for the Area Teams on Monday fortnight,
25 May at 8 pm in the Parish Centre to finalise arrangements.
9 May 2009
Sunday 14 June 2009
Area Teams Meeting Monday 25 May
8 pm in the Parish Centre
Cruinniú Chríost is our Parish celebration of Corpus Christi, the gift of Jesus to us in the Eucharist, which we acknowledge in a very public way by a Procession through the Streets followed by outdoor Mass and a picnic. It will take place in five weeks time on Sunday 14 June, the Feast of Corpus Christi. The day itself will be a repeat of last year’s model.
In preparation we are asking each Area to form an Area Team to think through and plan Area Gatherings during the two weeks prior to 14 June.
On Sunday 31 May the representatives from each Area who carried the Cross last year are invited to collect it again from 11.00 Mass at the Parish church and to bring it to their Area. Over the following two weeks each Area might decide to have the Cross in a different venue or home each night.
Each Area is invited to host its own gathering or gatherings during those two weeks. The Cross will give the Gathering a focus. The venue could be indoors or outdoors in someone’s home or garden or a neutral venue.
The Gathering would involve an element of Prayer, Reflection, Blessing and Refreshment. A particular feature of the Gathering will be to provide people with an opportunity to bless Family Members, Home, Car, Business or Live Stock. Holy Water and a Prayer leaflet will be provided for the purpose.
There will be a meeting for the Area Teams on Monday fortnight,
25 May at 8 pm in the Parish Centre to finalise arrangements.
9 May 2009
Parish Notices
Fifth Sunday of Easter 10 May 2009
Priesthood Sunday
1. Congratulations to the 50 children from Scoil Bhríde who celebrated their First Holy Communion on Saturday. 17 children will make their First Holy Communion in Gormanstown next Saturday.
2. In the Dublin Diocese this Sunday is called Priesthood Sunday. We pray for our Seminarians who journey towards priesthood and we pray for vocations to the priesthood. There is also a Special Collection to support the formation of students for the priesthood. It replaces the usual SHARE Collection.
3. The Pastoral Council will meet on Monday.
4. The Parish Race Night will be in Naas Racecourse on Wednesday.
5. We continue to honour the Year of St Paul this week with Prayerful Reading of his Letter to the Romans on Tuesday at 10.30 am and a film on his life on Thursday at 7.30 pm, both in the Parish Centre.
6. The Parish Pilgrimage to Knock will be on Sunday 7 June. Booking through the Parish Office or Patty Bagnell.
7. We have had technical difficulties with the Parish Website for some time. There is a parallel site which you can access by inserting blogspot; so for the moment the Parish Website address is www.kilcullenparish.blogspot.com .
8. This weekend we welcome Fr Ciarán O’Carroll who is going to talk to us about the Year of Evangelisation in the Dublin diocese.
Fifth Sunday of Easter 10 May 2009
Priesthood Sunday
1. Congratulations to the 50 children from Scoil Bhríde who celebrated their First Holy Communion on Saturday. 17 children will make their First Holy Communion in Gormanstown next Saturday.
2. In the Dublin Diocese this Sunday is called Priesthood Sunday. We pray for our Seminarians who journey towards priesthood and we pray for vocations to the priesthood. There is also a Special Collection to support the formation of students for the priesthood. It replaces the usual SHARE Collection.
3. The Pastoral Council will meet on Monday.
4. The Parish Race Night will be in Naas Racecourse on Wednesday.
5. We continue to honour the Year of St Paul this week with Prayerful Reading of his Letter to the Romans on Tuesday at 10.30 am and a film on his life on Thursday at 7.30 pm, both in the Parish Centre.
6. The Parish Pilgrimage to Knock will be on Sunday 7 June. Booking through the Parish Office or Patty Bagnell.
7. We have had technical difficulties with the Parish Website for some time. There is a parallel site which you can access by inserting blogspot; so for the moment the Parish Website address is www.kilcullenparish.blogspot.com .
8. This weekend we welcome Fr Ciarán O’Carroll who is going to talk to us about the Year of Evangelisation in the Dublin diocese.
02 May 2009
Parish Notices
Fourth Sunday of Easter 3 May 2009
Day of Prayer for Vocations.
1. On Monday the public holiday Mass will be celebrated at 11 am.
2. Cruinniú Chríost will take place on Sunday 14 June. Cruinniú Chríost is our Parish celebration of Corpus Christi, the gift of Jesus to us in the Eucharist, which we acknowledge in a very public way by a Procession through the Streets followed by outdoor Mass and a picnic. We will follow a similar model to last year. People from the different areas of the Parish are invited to come and gather in the Town Square at 2 pm and then process through the Main Street and down to Scoil Bhríde for Mass at 3 pm. Bishop Eamonn Walsh will be the principal celebrant of the Mass.
The main meeting to organise the event will take place on Tuesday at 8 pm in the Parish Centre. People from the different areas of the Parish are asked to attend in order to work out how the different areas of the Parish will respond on the day.
3. The Alzheimer Society of Ireland will hold a Tea Day on Thursday. We are having it in the Parish Centre from 10 am to 12 noon. Its purpose is to raise money for people with Alzheimer’s and their carers.
4. To make the Year of St Paul we have a number of events planned for the Month of May. On Thursday at 7.30 pm in the Parish Centre we will have a guest speaker talking about the Life and Conversion of St Paul. All are welcome. On Tuesday mornings beginning this Tuesday at 10.30 am we will have Prayerful Reading of some of the writings of St Paul.
5. The Liturgy Team will meet on Friday at 8.30 pm in the Parish Centre to plan the Liturgy for Cruinniú Chríost.
6. On Saturday next at 11 am we celebrate First Holy Communion with the children from Scoil Bhríde.
7. At Masses next weekend Fr Ciaran O’Carroll, who has responsibility for Evangelisation in the Diocese, will speak to us about the Year of Evangelisation which is about to take place in the diocese.
8. There will be a Preparation Meeting for the Sacrament of Baptism next Sunday at 12 noon.
9. Next Sunday there will be a special collection to support the formation of Students for the Priesthood. It will replace SHARE.
Fourth Sunday of Easter 3 May 2009
Day of Prayer for Vocations.
1. On Monday the public holiday Mass will be celebrated at 11 am.
2. Cruinniú Chríost will take place on Sunday 14 June. Cruinniú Chríost is our Parish celebration of Corpus Christi, the gift of Jesus to us in the Eucharist, which we acknowledge in a very public way by a Procession through the Streets followed by outdoor Mass and a picnic. We will follow a similar model to last year. People from the different areas of the Parish are invited to come and gather in the Town Square at 2 pm and then process through the Main Street and down to Scoil Bhríde for Mass at 3 pm. Bishop Eamonn Walsh will be the principal celebrant of the Mass.
The main meeting to organise the event will take place on Tuesday at 8 pm in the Parish Centre. People from the different areas of the Parish are asked to attend in order to work out how the different areas of the Parish will respond on the day.
3. The Alzheimer Society of Ireland will hold a Tea Day on Thursday. We are having it in the Parish Centre from 10 am to 12 noon. Its purpose is to raise money for people with Alzheimer’s and their carers.
4. To make the Year of St Paul we have a number of events planned for the Month of May. On Thursday at 7.30 pm in the Parish Centre we will have a guest speaker talking about the Life and Conversion of St Paul. All are welcome. On Tuesday mornings beginning this Tuesday at 10.30 am we will have Prayerful Reading of some of the writings of St Paul.
5. The Liturgy Team will meet on Friday at 8.30 pm in the Parish Centre to plan the Liturgy for Cruinniú Chríost.
6. On Saturday next at 11 am we celebrate First Holy Communion with the children from Scoil Bhríde.
7. At Masses next weekend Fr Ciaran O’Carroll, who has responsibility for Evangelisation in the Diocese, will speak to us about the Year of Evangelisation which is about to take place in the diocese.
8. There will be a Preparation Meeting for the Sacrament of Baptism next Sunday at 12 noon.
9. Next Sunday there will be a special collection to support the formation of Students for the Priesthood. It will replace SHARE.
18 April 2009
Parish Notices
2nd Sunday of Easter 19 April 2009
1. Fr Michael and Fr Paddy wish to thank all who have sent in Easter Dues Offerings. Dues Offerings throughout the year form roughly one third of priests’ income. Sincere thanks for your continued generosity.
2. We wish to acknowledge all who participated in the Holy Week Liturgies: cleaners, decorators, singers and musicians, servers, sacristan, all who participated and all who attended. Together we helped make it a worthy Holy Week in 2009.
3. We celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday this afternoon at 3 pm. The afternoon will be led by Fr Andrew O’Sullivan.
4. Trocaire are asking people who have not already done so to make a donation this weekend. Envelopes are available in the church to facilitate donations from people who did not have a Trocaire box during Lent.
5. The Youth Choir will meet on Monday at 7 pm in the Parish Centre.
6. A reminder that the Parish Office and Shop is located beside the church in the Parish Centre and is open on weekdays for Parish business as well as Sympathy and Intention Mass Cards, First Holy Communion and Confirmation Gifts and Books and Religious Goods.
7. Hannah, our candidate Pastoral Worker, is here at Mass to say her goodbyes to us.
8. Please remember in your prayers those who have died recently:
Fr Jim O’Sullivan, who served in Kilcullen in the early 1960’s;
Teresa Hilliard, Avondale Drive:
Reception Of The Body At The Church: Monday 7.30 pm.
The Funeral Mass: Tuesday 11 am.
May they rest in peace.
2nd Sunday of Easter 19 April 2009
1. Fr Michael and Fr Paddy wish to thank all who have sent in Easter Dues Offerings. Dues Offerings throughout the year form roughly one third of priests’ income. Sincere thanks for your continued generosity.
2. We wish to acknowledge all who participated in the Holy Week Liturgies: cleaners, decorators, singers and musicians, servers, sacristan, all who participated and all who attended. Together we helped make it a worthy Holy Week in 2009.
3. We celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday this afternoon at 3 pm. The afternoon will be led by Fr Andrew O’Sullivan.
4. Trocaire are asking people who have not already done so to make a donation this weekend. Envelopes are available in the church to facilitate donations from people who did not have a Trocaire box during Lent.
5. The Youth Choir will meet on Monday at 7 pm in the Parish Centre.
6. A reminder that the Parish Office and Shop is located beside the church in the Parish Centre and is open on weekdays for Parish business as well as Sympathy and Intention Mass Cards, First Holy Communion and Confirmation Gifts and Books and Religious Goods.
7. Hannah, our candidate Pastoral Worker, is here at Mass to say her goodbyes to us.
8. Please remember in your prayers those who have died recently:
Fr Jim O’Sullivan, who served in Kilcullen in the early 1960’s;
Teresa Hilliard, Avondale Drive:
Reception Of The Body At The Church: Monday 7.30 pm.
The Funeral Mass: Tuesday 11 am.
May they rest in peace.
04 April 2009
Highlights from the April Pastoral Council meeting.
On Wednesday April 1st, the Parish Pastoral Council had a very productive meeting.
With a view to producing a weekly newsletter a sample one was produced and ideas of format discussed. It is hoped to have this up and running in the near future.
Representatives from Kilcullen & Gormanstown met with representatives from the other churches in our Cluster (Ballymore Eustace, Hollywood, Dunlavin, Davidstown & Donard). It was agreed to set up a joint Funeral Group and instigate a training programme.
The Faith Formation / Confirmation Committee are focusing on the Year of St. Paul. During May various events on this theme will take place including a guest speaker, an evening of Gregorian chant, and a film on the life of St. Paul.
There will also be Lectio Divina (prayerful reading of scripture) on Tuesday mornings. Students from Cross & Passion College are running events in parallel with those in the main Parish.
This year's Confirmation students will be invited to two evenings based on the Four Pillars of Faith (Creed, Sacraments, Morals and Prayer).
The website www.yfaith.co.uk is worth a visit for children and adults alike.
The Liturgy Team is working on ways to enliven the Mass and other public forms of worship. Their first focus is on the Easter ceremonies.
Cruinniú Chríost, the parish celebration of Corpus Christi, will be held on Sunday June 14th. Anyone interested in coming forward to support the venture are invited to a meeting to be held in early May. The date and venue will be announced closer to the time.
Youth Affairs -The new Youth Choir participated in their first Mass on March 28th. It is hoped to co-ordinate a Youth Team to support the choir with a view to having a youth orientated Mass on the last Saturday of each month.
The meeting on child protection was well attended by representatives from groups that use parish facilities. A training day in child protection issues will be held on Saturday April 18th, from 9.30 to 4.30. Please contact Fr. Murphy if you wish to attend.
The Council discussed the recession and its effect on our parish. Ideas were put forward for ways and means of providing practical assistance.
On August 5th 1869 the foundation stone of the Parish church was laid. We welcome any ideas on to how to mark the 140 years of worship.
Our Pastoral worker, Hannah, will leave us on Easter Sunday. She was warmly praised for all her sterling work since her arrival.
On Wednesday April 1st, the Parish Pastoral Council had a very productive meeting.
With a view to producing a weekly newsletter a sample one was produced and ideas of format discussed. It is hoped to have this up and running in the near future.
Representatives from Kilcullen & Gormanstown met with representatives from the other churches in our Cluster (Ballymore Eustace, Hollywood, Dunlavin, Davidstown & Donard). It was agreed to set up a joint Funeral Group and instigate a training programme.
The Faith Formation / Confirmation Committee are focusing on the Year of St. Paul. During May various events on this theme will take place including a guest speaker, an evening of Gregorian chant, and a film on the life of St. Paul.
There will also be Lectio Divina (prayerful reading of scripture) on Tuesday mornings. Students from Cross & Passion College are running events in parallel with those in the main Parish.
This year's Confirmation students will be invited to two evenings based on the Four Pillars of Faith (Creed, Sacraments, Morals and Prayer).
The website www.yfaith.co.uk is worth a visit for children and adults alike.
The Liturgy Team is working on ways to enliven the Mass and other public forms of worship. Their first focus is on the Easter ceremonies.
Cruinniú Chríost, the parish celebration of Corpus Christi, will be held on Sunday June 14th. Anyone interested in coming forward to support the venture are invited to a meeting to be held in early May. The date and venue will be announced closer to the time.
Youth Affairs -The new Youth Choir participated in their first Mass on March 28th. It is hoped to co-ordinate a Youth Team to support the choir with a view to having a youth orientated Mass on the last Saturday of each month.
The meeting on child protection was well attended by representatives from groups that use parish facilities. A training day in child protection issues will be held on Saturday April 18th, from 9.30 to 4.30. Please contact Fr. Murphy if you wish to attend.
The Council discussed the recession and its effect on our parish. Ideas were put forward for ways and means of providing practical assistance.
On August 5th 1869 the foundation stone of the Parish church was laid. We welcome any ideas on to how to mark the 140 years of worship.
Our Pastoral worker, Hannah, will leave us on Easter Sunday. She was warmly praised for all her sterling work since her arrival.
Passion Sunday
We are at the beginning of Holy Week. If we want truly to be Christian, this week ought to be a time when we share in a special way in the passion of Christ. We do this not so much by indulging in pious feelings, but by bearing the burdens of our life with simple fortitude and without ostentation. For we share by faith in the passion of our Lord precisely by realising that our life is a participation in his destiny. We find this difficult, because so often we fail to understand that the bitterness and burden of our own life do - or should - give us a mysterious share in the destiny of all human beings… If we were aware of this…we would understand that his passion is the unique acceptance of the passion of humankind, in which it is accepted, suffered, redeemed and freed into the mystery of God.
Karl Rahner SJ
We are at the beginning of Holy Week. If we want truly to be Christian, this week ought to be a time when we share in a special way in the passion of Christ. We do this not so much by indulging in pious feelings, but by bearing the burdens of our life with simple fortitude and without ostentation. For we share by faith in the passion of our Lord precisely by realising that our life is a participation in his destiny. We find this difficult, because so often we fail to understand that the bitterness and burden of our own life do - or should - give us a mysterious share in the destiny of all human beings… If we were aware of this…we would understand that his passion is the unique acceptance of the passion of humankind, in which it is accepted, suffered, redeemed and freed into the mystery of God.
Karl Rahner SJ
Parish Notices
Palm Sunday of The Lord’s Passion 5 April 2009
Year of St Paul, Apostle, 28 June 2008 – 29 June 2009, commemorating the 2000th anniversary of his birth.
The Conversion of St Paul, 25 January; Solemnity of SS Peter and Paul, Apostles, 29 June.
Holy Week
Holy Week is the Great Week when we open ourselves to the Paschal Mystery of the Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ so that the new life of the Holy Spirit may be more deeply rooted within us.
1. The Easter Schedule along with Easter Dues envelopes have been delivered to the homes of the Parish. Extra copies are available in the church.
2. There is a typing error on the Schedule. Our Parish celebration of the Sacrament of Penance in preparation for Easter will be on Monday at 7.30 pm.
3. There will be training for all Altar Servers on Monday at 6 pm in the Parish Church.
4. All Ministers of Holy Communion are asked to attend Mass on Tuesday at 7.30 pm.
5. The Sacrament of the Sick will be celebrated on Wednesday at 7.30 pm. Anyone who is sick is invited to receive the Anointing of the Sick.
6. On Holy Thursday we commemorate the Last Supper in a special way at 5 pm and 8 pm. A Collection for those in need will be taken up at these Masses.
7. On Good Friday we meditate on Christ’s suffering and death with the Liturgy of the Passion at 3 pm and the Stations of the Cross at 12 noon and 7.30 pm and also in Gormanstown at 7.30 pm.
8. The highlight of the Liturgical Year is the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday at 9 pm.
9. There will be an extra Mass on Easter Sunday at 12 noon.
10. Hannah, our Candidate Pastoral Worker, will finish her time with us at Easter.
11. There will be a Child Protection Training Course on Saturday of Easter Week in the Parish Centre. Anyone interested in taking part should let us know by Easter Sunday.
12. Cruinniú Chríost will take place on Sunday 14 June.
May this Holy Week be for all of us in Kilcullen Parish a time of renewal and new hope.
Palm Sunday of The Lord’s Passion 5 April 2009
Year of St Paul, Apostle, 28 June 2008 – 29 June 2009, commemorating the 2000th anniversary of his birth.
The Conversion of St Paul, 25 January; Solemnity of SS Peter and Paul, Apostles, 29 June.
Holy Week
Holy Week is the Great Week when we open ourselves to the Paschal Mystery of the Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ so that the new life of the Holy Spirit may be more deeply rooted within us.
1. The Easter Schedule along with Easter Dues envelopes have been delivered to the homes of the Parish. Extra copies are available in the church.
2. There is a typing error on the Schedule. Our Parish celebration of the Sacrament of Penance in preparation for Easter will be on Monday at 7.30 pm.
3. There will be training for all Altar Servers on Monday at 6 pm in the Parish Church.
4. All Ministers of Holy Communion are asked to attend Mass on Tuesday at 7.30 pm.
5. The Sacrament of the Sick will be celebrated on Wednesday at 7.30 pm. Anyone who is sick is invited to receive the Anointing of the Sick.
6. On Holy Thursday we commemorate the Last Supper in a special way at 5 pm and 8 pm. A Collection for those in need will be taken up at these Masses.
7. On Good Friday we meditate on Christ’s suffering and death with the Liturgy of the Passion at 3 pm and the Stations of the Cross at 12 noon and 7.30 pm and also in Gormanstown at 7.30 pm.
8. The highlight of the Liturgical Year is the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday at 9 pm.
9. There will be an extra Mass on Easter Sunday at 12 noon.
10. Hannah, our Candidate Pastoral Worker, will finish her time with us at Easter.
11. There will be a Child Protection Training Course on Saturday of Easter Week in the Parish Centre. Anyone interested in taking part should let us know by Easter Sunday.
12. Cruinniú Chríost will take place on Sunday 14 June.
May this Holy Week be for all of us in Kilcullen Parish a time of renewal and new hope.
28 March 2009
Child Protection Issues
In 2006 the government set up a Commission of Enquiry to investigate the handling by the diocesan authorities of child sexual abuse by clergy working in the Archdiocese of Dublin. The Commission of Investigation is expected to present its report to the Minister for Justice in the near future and the report will be published. It will bring to the surface once again many things we would prefer to forget; but we can’t afford to forget them. As Jesus once remarked “the truth will set you free.” I am alerting you now because I don’t want people to be taken unawares when the report is published.
It will be a painful time for all of us, priests and parishioners alike. Our instincts may be to distance ourselves from it and say it has nothing to do with us. By accepting the pain, however unfair it may seem, we will be in solidarity with the many children whose innocence was stolen from them, and with their parents and all who love them. Their pain is surely far greater than ours.
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has devoted an enormous amount of time and energy to ensuring that children are safe-guarded in all activities associated with the Church. From time to time he has also provided an up-date on child protection issues in the Archdiocese of Dublin. The most recent up-date includes statistics which indicate that during the period from 1940 up to the present time:
• Allegations have been made against 77 priests of the Diocese.
• Suspicions have been raised concerning 9 priests of the Diocese.
• Allegations have been made against 54 Religious priests or priests from other Diocese who held an appointment in Dublin.
• Allegations have been made against 9 Religious priests or priests from other Diocese which related to their doing supply in Dublin.
• Suspicions have been raised concerning 3 Religious priests who held appointments in the Diocese.
These statistics date over a period of 68 years. Since 1940 over 1,350 Diocesan priests have served in Dublin and around 1,450 priests from Religious Congregations have held appointments from the Archbishop of Dublin.
These statistics include all the allegations made irrespective of the eventual outcome of the investigation. It is the policy of Archbishop Martin that all allegations and suspicions are reported to the civil authorities, in accordance with the policy document Our Children Our Church. Eight priests have been convicted in the criminal courts. Three Dublin Diocesan priests who have been the subject of allegations of child sexual abuse are currently before the courts.
One thing we can do is to ensure that our Parish Child Protection procedures correspond with best practice. I want to be sure that Parish property is the safest possible place for children. To that end I am calling all individuals, groups and organising working with children and or young people, under the aegis of the Parish or using Parish property, to a meeting on Monday 30 March at 8.30 pm in the Parish Centre. The purpose of the meeting will be to spell out the implications of our Parish Child Protection Policy for all ad rem individuals, groups and organisations. That meeting will be followed by a Child Protection Training Day which will take place on Saturday 18 April from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm in the Parish Centre.
In the meantime, can I ask you all to be vigilant and, if you become aware of any indication that children may be at risk, please don’t remain silent. I am sorry that you will have to go through all of this again, but I am all the more sorry for the pain that has been caused to children and their families through the actions of priests or, in some cases, the failure to act of the Church authorities.
The Parish Child Protection Policy is on display in our two Churches and in the Parish Centre and copies of it are available to take away. The text of what I have just said is also available to take away.
Fr Michael Murphy, 1st March 2009.
In 2006 the government set up a Commission of Enquiry to investigate the handling by the diocesan authorities of child sexual abuse by clergy working in the Archdiocese of Dublin. The Commission of Investigation is expected to present its report to the Minister for Justice in the near future and the report will be published. It will bring to the surface once again many things we would prefer to forget; but we can’t afford to forget them. As Jesus once remarked “the truth will set you free.” I am alerting you now because I don’t want people to be taken unawares when the report is published.
It will be a painful time for all of us, priests and parishioners alike. Our instincts may be to distance ourselves from it and say it has nothing to do with us. By accepting the pain, however unfair it may seem, we will be in solidarity with the many children whose innocence was stolen from them, and with their parents and all who love them. Their pain is surely far greater than ours.
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has devoted an enormous amount of time and energy to ensuring that children are safe-guarded in all activities associated with the Church. From time to time he has also provided an up-date on child protection issues in the Archdiocese of Dublin. The most recent up-date includes statistics which indicate that during the period from 1940 up to the present time:
• Allegations have been made against 77 priests of the Diocese.
• Suspicions have been raised concerning 9 priests of the Diocese.
• Allegations have been made against 54 Religious priests or priests from other Diocese who held an appointment in Dublin.
• Allegations have been made against 9 Religious priests or priests from other Diocese which related to their doing supply in Dublin.
• Suspicions have been raised concerning 3 Religious priests who held appointments in the Diocese.
These statistics date over a period of 68 years. Since 1940 over 1,350 Diocesan priests have served in Dublin and around 1,450 priests from Religious Congregations have held appointments from the Archbishop of Dublin.
These statistics include all the allegations made irrespective of the eventual outcome of the investigation. It is the policy of Archbishop Martin that all allegations and suspicions are reported to the civil authorities, in accordance with the policy document Our Children Our Church. Eight priests have been convicted in the criminal courts. Three Dublin Diocesan priests who have been the subject of allegations of child sexual abuse are currently before the courts.
One thing we can do is to ensure that our Parish Child Protection procedures correspond with best practice. I want to be sure that Parish property is the safest possible place for children. To that end I am calling all individuals, groups and organising working with children and or young people, under the aegis of the Parish or using Parish property, to a meeting on Monday 30 March at 8.30 pm in the Parish Centre. The purpose of the meeting will be to spell out the implications of our Parish Child Protection Policy for all ad rem individuals, groups and organisations. That meeting will be followed by a Child Protection Training Day which will take place on Saturday 18 April from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm in the Parish Centre.
In the meantime, can I ask you all to be vigilant and, if you become aware of any indication that children may be at risk, please don’t remain silent. I am sorry that you will have to go through all of this again, but I am all the more sorry for the pain that has been caused to children and their families through the actions of priests or, in some cases, the failure to act of the Church authorities.
The Parish Child Protection Policy is on display in our two Churches and in the Parish Centre and copies of it are available to take away. The text of what I have just said is also available to take away.
Fr Michael Murphy, 1st March 2009.
Introduction to our New Pastoral Council January 2009 to January 2012
This weekend it is my responsibility to introduce the new Parish Pastoral Council which came into being at the beginning of this year and will serve for a three year term. The formality will take place at 11 Mass.
Pastoral Councils were mandated in the diocese four years ago. In terms of the history of the Church they are somewhat new, and as for all of us and as with life, there is a journey involved and Pastoral Councils are at the beginning of their journey. We don’t quite know where that journey will lead us. The leader in this case is the Holy Spirit. So we can trust the journey. But we can only describe the part of the journey that is before us at this time.
At different stages of the history of the Church different things get emphasis as to the way the Church understands itself. In our time, collaboration is a key term to understand how the Church needs to be now to fit the circumstances of our time. Collaboration between all members of the Church, whether Pope, Bishops, Priests, People and Parishes so that we can maximise our resources. Another key term is mission. We are all sent out from every Mass on mission to revitalise the Church in our neighbourhood.
When I came into the priesthood most priests did not see themselves as team players. They were for the most part lone rangers doing their own thing in their own patch. That has all changed. Priests in the Dublin diocese who want to work in Parishes now have to sign up to the fact that all ministry, from now on, will mainly be team style in practice. If you don’t see yourself as a team member there is a problem. The Holy Spirit is blowing us all in that direction whether we want to go or not.
All these terms, ministry, mission, teamwork, collaboration, partnership apply to the Pastoral Council. In ten years time it is very unlikely that there will be a priest dedicated fulltime to one parish. Already appointments in the diocese are being made across clusters of parishes. We will be doing well if in ten years time there will be two priests who will be as old as I will be then to work across the three Parishes of our cluster, where we have seven churches. Every Parish does need a properly constituted Pastoral Council, if it is to survive in the new circumstances ahead. Every Parish will not have a resident priest.
The coming into being of a new Pastoral Council is a very significant step in the life of the Parish. Our Pastoral Council consists of fourteen members, twelve parishioners along with Fr Paddy and myself. Six members are elected and six are selected. The experience of the first Pastoral Council was very positive. I am looking forward to what will come our way through the ministry of our new Pastoral Council. Our collective task is to provide pastoral leadership and share pastoral responsibility for the Parish and we do so mindful of our neighbours in Ballymore and Dunlavin Parishes. We have begun to establish links with these neighbours with a view to sharing resources, planning joint initiatives and learning from each other.
The members of the pastoral council are the eyes and ears of the Parish. A team of fourteen can do more than one or two individuals. Each member must have care for the whole Parish community, taking a community view of issues and focusing on what is the best option for the whole Parish.
By virtue of Baptism we all share in the one priesthood of Jesus Christ, whether ordained or lay. Members of the Pastoral Council are by definition baptised, confirmed and nourished by the Eucharist.
The Pastoral Council is concerned with issues that affect the lives of Parishioners rather than the administration or financial management of the Parish. Areas of pastoral concern, which particularly affect the Pastoral Council, are the same pastoral activities as those which apply to the Parish Priest which are described in the documents of Vatican II and the Code of Canon Law. They consist as follows:
• The proclamation of the Word of God
• Faith formation and catechesis
• Liturgy, justice and peace
• Family life
• Evangelisation
• Caring for the sick and poor
• Encouraging Parishioners to become actively involved in the mission of the Church
This is not a comprehensive list. That list is constantly evolving. The Pastoral Council is concerned with fulfilling the mission of Christ in the local community at this time and attending to all that affects the faith life of that community at the present moment.
The bottom line is: who is going to carry forward the mission of this Parish at this time? Who is going to dream and plan the future of the Parish of Kilcullen? Collectively and individually, that’s the task of the Pastoral Council. And we do not work in a vacuum. We are not an isolated unit. Rather we are part of a diocese which is part of the universal Church, that great reality we define as the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
We meet once a month. Ongoing training and formation and reflection are vital to keep us up to speed for the task.
Prayer is central to the work and life of the Pastoral Council as its source of inspiration and vision. This is not book-end prayer that opens and closes meetings, but prayer that aims to change hearts and minds, prayer that sincerely searches out the mind of God in relation to the needs of this Parish at this time.’ If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do the builders labour.’
This weekend it is my responsibility to introduce the new Parish Pastoral Council which came into being at the beginning of this year and will serve for a three year term. The formality will take place at 11 Mass.
Pastoral Councils were mandated in the diocese four years ago. In terms of the history of the Church they are somewhat new, and as for all of us and as with life, there is a journey involved and Pastoral Councils are at the beginning of their journey. We don’t quite know where that journey will lead us. The leader in this case is the Holy Spirit. So we can trust the journey. But we can only describe the part of the journey that is before us at this time.
At different stages of the history of the Church different things get emphasis as to the way the Church understands itself. In our time, collaboration is a key term to understand how the Church needs to be now to fit the circumstances of our time. Collaboration between all members of the Church, whether Pope, Bishops, Priests, People and Parishes so that we can maximise our resources. Another key term is mission. We are all sent out from every Mass on mission to revitalise the Church in our neighbourhood.
When I came into the priesthood most priests did not see themselves as team players. They were for the most part lone rangers doing their own thing in their own patch. That has all changed. Priests in the Dublin diocese who want to work in Parishes now have to sign up to the fact that all ministry, from now on, will mainly be team style in practice. If you don’t see yourself as a team member there is a problem. The Holy Spirit is blowing us all in that direction whether we want to go or not.
All these terms, ministry, mission, teamwork, collaboration, partnership apply to the Pastoral Council. In ten years time it is very unlikely that there will be a priest dedicated fulltime to one parish. Already appointments in the diocese are being made across clusters of parishes. We will be doing well if in ten years time there will be two priests who will be as old as I will be then to work across the three Parishes of our cluster, where we have seven churches. Every Parish does need a properly constituted Pastoral Council, if it is to survive in the new circumstances ahead. Every Parish will not have a resident priest.
The coming into being of a new Pastoral Council is a very significant step in the life of the Parish. Our Pastoral Council consists of fourteen members, twelve parishioners along with Fr Paddy and myself. Six members are elected and six are selected. The experience of the first Pastoral Council was very positive. I am looking forward to what will come our way through the ministry of our new Pastoral Council. Our collective task is to provide pastoral leadership and share pastoral responsibility for the Parish and we do so mindful of our neighbours in Ballymore and Dunlavin Parishes. We have begun to establish links with these neighbours with a view to sharing resources, planning joint initiatives and learning from each other.
The members of the pastoral council are the eyes and ears of the Parish. A team of fourteen can do more than one or two individuals. Each member must have care for the whole Parish community, taking a community view of issues and focusing on what is the best option for the whole Parish.
By virtue of Baptism we all share in the one priesthood of Jesus Christ, whether ordained or lay. Members of the Pastoral Council are by definition baptised, confirmed and nourished by the Eucharist.
The Pastoral Council is concerned with issues that affect the lives of Parishioners rather than the administration or financial management of the Parish. Areas of pastoral concern, which particularly affect the Pastoral Council, are the same pastoral activities as those which apply to the Parish Priest which are described in the documents of Vatican II and the Code of Canon Law. They consist as follows:
• The proclamation of the Word of God
• Faith formation and catechesis
• Liturgy, justice and peace
• Family life
• Evangelisation
• Caring for the sick and poor
• Encouraging Parishioners to become actively involved in the mission of the Church
This is not a comprehensive list. That list is constantly evolving. The Pastoral Council is concerned with fulfilling the mission of Christ in the local community at this time and attending to all that affects the faith life of that community at the present moment.
The bottom line is: who is going to carry forward the mission of this Parish at this time? Who is going to dream and plan the future of the Parish of Kilcullen? Collectively and individually, that’s the task of the Pastoral Council. And we do not work in a vacuum. We are not an isolated unit. Rather we are part of a diocese which is part of the universal Church, that great reality we define as the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
We meet once a month. Ongoing training and formation and reflection are vital to keep us up to speed for the task.
Prayer is central to the work and life of the Pastoral Council as its source of inspiration and vision. This is not book-end prayer that opens and closes meetings, but prayer that aims to change hearts and minds, prayer that sincerely searches out the mind of God in relation to the needs of this Parish at this time.’ If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do the builders labour.’
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