The A.G.M. and Registration for 2019 is Friday 25th Januaryat 2 pm in the Boylan Centre, Sussex Street. New members welcome. Activities include: Bridge, Indoor Bowling, Chair exercises, Arts and Crafts, Creative Writing, Theatre visits, Drama and Trips.

SCRIPTURE STUDY

Scripture Study Class with Fr. Tom McDonald on Monday 28th January 2019 at 7.30 p.m. in St. Michael's Hospital Chapel (entrance through main door of Hospital), Dun Laoghaire. Topic: The Parables of Jesus. Contact: 087 612 3675. All are welcome.

NEW PILGRIM PATH WEBSITE OF THE WEEK

The internet has made it possible for anyone with a broadband connection to access thousands of radio stations all over the world. There are many Christian stations – from CNN’s “Belief”, covering the faith angles of the world’s biggest news stories to Ireland’s “Soul Waves” which provides excellent weekly  interviews on a range of religious and social topics. In terms of television, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world, transmitting programming 24/7 to 148 million homes in 144 countries and also accessible on the internet. Access these, and several other inspiring stations at www.newpilgrimpath.ie

CHRISTMAS DUES

We wish to thank all those who have returned their Christmas Dues.

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

18th—25th JANUARY 2019 - THEME: JUSTICE AND ONLY JUSTICE YOU SHALL PURSUE

PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

God our Father, you are the Father of all equally, Father of Christians and Jews, Father of peoples holding other beliefs. Send your Holy Spirit, the Spirit who unites peoples, so that all may forget their differences, put aside their prejudices, and work together for the good of all. Hear the prayer of your Son, and make of one mind and one heart, all those who believe in him.

Let them concentrate on what unites them, and with love try to resolve what divides them, so that once more they may form one family, gathered around your table, to be fed with the one bread from heaven which builds up his Mystical Body here on earth, and give the pledge of Everlasting Glory. Unite also more closely the members of your Church, those who love only change, and those who love only traditions, so that your people may live in happiness and peace.

This Announcement is made annually in all parts of the World. It is known as the Epiphany Announcement.

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

The glory of the Lord has shone upon us, and shall ever manifest itself among us, until the day of his return. Through the rhythms and changes of time let us call to mind and live the mysteries of salvation.

The centre of the whole liturgical year is the Paschal Triduum of the Lord, crucified, buried and risen, which will culminate in the solemn Vigil of Easter, during the holy night that will end with the dawn of the Twenty-first day of April. Every Sunday, as in a weekly Easter, holy Church makes present that great and saving deed by which Christ has forever conquered sin and death.

From Easter there comes forth and are reckoned all the days we keep holy: Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten spring, the sixth day of March; the Ascension of the Lord, the Second day of June; and Pentecost, the Ninth day of June; the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, the Twenty-third day of June; the First Sunday of Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, the first day of December.

Likewise in the feasts of the Holy Mother of God, of the Apostles and Saints, and in the commemoration of the faithful departed, the pilgrim Church on earth proclaims the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord.

To Christ who was, who is, and who is to come, the Lord of time and history, be endless praise forever and ever! Amen!

IMPORTANT NOTICE

FOR YOUR SAFETY AND SECURITY CCTV CAMERAS ARE NOW INSTALLED IN THE CHURCH AND RECORDING ON A 24 HOUR BASIS

CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH

Margaret Brown, Organiser of the Free Christmas Day Lunch in the Blackrock R.F.C. would like to sincerely thank all the people who so kindly donated prizes, and for all the kind help received in the run-up to the event, and on Christmas Day itself. It made for a very memorable and happy occasion for so many people who would otherwise have been alone on the day. Buiochas Dia.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL ANNUAL CLOTHING APPEAL

The Annual Clothing Appeal and Bag Distribution will be held in our Parish on Saturday 26^th and Sunday 27^th January 2019. The bags will be distributed at the Saturday evening Vigil Mass and Sunday Masses. They will be collected the weekend of 2nd February at 6 pm and 3rd February at All Sunday Morning Masses.

 

USED POSTAGE STAMPS

KOINS FOR KIDS

This is a small voluntary charity putting all their efforts into the funding of life-saving equipment for “The New Children’s Hospital” when building is complete. Koins for kids collects out of date and damaged currency and one & two cent coins. They are open to any donation. None is too big or small. To date they have raised over €80,000. If you have any coins or foreign currency which can be repatriated please leave into the Parish Office.

Full text of the Pope's video message at the Opening of the World Meeting of Families.

Dear Friends,

"As I prepare to visit Ireland in a few days' time for the World Meeting of Families, I send a warm word of greeting to all the Irish people. I am excited at the thought of returning to Ireland.

"As you know, the World Meeting is a celebration of the beauty of God's plan for the family. It is also an occasion for families from all over the world to meet and support one another in living out their special vocation.

"Families today face many challenges in their efforts to embody faithful love, to bring up children with sound values and to be a leaven of goodness, love and mutual concern in the larger community. You know all this.

"I hope that this festival will be a source of renewed encouragement to families everywhere, especially those families that will be present in Dublin. May it remind us all of the essential place of the family in the life of society and in the building of a better future for today's young people.

"Young people are the future! It is very important to prepare them for the future, preparing them today, in the present, but also rooted in the past: young people and grandparents. This is very important.

"Although the specific reason for my visit to Ireland is the World Meeting of Families, I would like to include all the members of the Irish family.

"I know that many people are working hard to prepare for my Visit, and I thank all of them from my heart. I ask everyone to pray that this great festival will be a moment of joy and serenity, a caress of Jesus' tender love for all families, and indeed, for all God's children.

"I assure you of my closeness in prayer, and I would ask you to pray for me. From my heart, I send you my blessing.

"May God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, bless you. Amen

EUROPEAN DATA PROTECTION LAW

A new European Data Protection law, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), is being introduced on 25 May 2018. This new law applies to any organisation, including our parish that manages and processes people’s personal information. The Diocese is now working on ways of ensuring that what Parishes do with your information is compliant with this new law. It is a work in progress and over the next few months we will keep you informed through the parish website and in the newsletter as policies are put in place. If you have any questions about this please do not hesitate to contact the parish office.

PRAYING THE ROSARY

Rosary for Peace at 3 p.m. every Saturday in St. Michael’s Church, Dun Laoghaire.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION AND ROSARY INTENTION

The Rosary Intention and Eucharistic Adoration after the 10 am Mass each morning will be for the family and for the protection of the unborn child. Booklets on the table beside the Adoration signing register. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will be held Tuesday to Friday from 10.30 to 11.30 a.m. Adorers unable to attend at this time may continue Adoration before the Tabernacle at their usual hour.

NEWSLETTER

Items for the Newsletter must be received by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call into Parish Office not later than

12.30 p.m. on the preceding Monday.

PRAYER FOR FAMILIES

God, our Father, we are brothers and sisters in Jesus your Son, one family, in the Spirit of your love. Bless us with the joy of love. Make us patient and kind, gentle and generous, welcoming to those in need. Help us to live your forgiveness and peace. Protect all families with your loving care,   especially those for whom we now pray:

(We pause and remember family members and others by name.)

Increase our faith, strengthen our hope, keep us safe in your love, make us always grateful for the gift of life that we share. This we ask, through Christ our Lord, Amen. 

Mary, Mother and guide, pray for us. Saint Joseph, father and protector, pray for us.  

Saints Joachim and Anne, pray for us. Saints Louis and Zélie Martin, pray for us.

ST. MICHAEL’S PARISH 

BETHANY BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP

If you were recently or long-time bereaved the Bethany Group are there to support you. Please contact the Parish Office on 01 280 4969 for further details.

AIFREANN 10 A.M. (SUNDAY IRISH MASS)

Fáilte roimh gach éinne, (óg, sean agus mean-aosta!) chun canadh agus chun ceol a dhéanamh leis an gcór, in onóir Dé. Siúl isteach! Fáilte romhat gach Domhnach ag 9.45 a.m. 

 POPE FRANCIS ENCYCLICAL 

A limited number of copies on sale in the Sacristy at €5. Companion and study guide to the encyclical by Pope Francis published by the Irish Catholic available to order. Tel: 01 687 4095. Cost: €12.99.