COVID – 19 LEVEL 5 RESTRICTIONS

We regret that all public Masses will be suspended, until further notice from December 26th due to Level 5 Restrictions which have been reintroduced by the government.

St. Michael's Church is open daily for private prayer. The number attending funerals is 10 people.

ST. MICHAEL'S PARISH OFFICE

The Parish Office is open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 12.30 p.m. If you wish to contact the parish office please email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone 01 280 4969.

ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH DUN LAOGHAIRE

We are concerned for the safety of everybody and it is important to remember that the obligation to attend Mass in person was lifted at the start of the pandemic and will continue for some time to come.

Face masks are highly recommended, please bring your own.

The dispensation, issued by the Irish Bishops Conference, from attending Mass on Sundays and holydays remains in place. You don’t have to attend Mass on Sundays and holydays but you might like to attend the weekday Mass (Monday to Saturday) at 10 a.m.

Physical Distancing:The capacity of the church has been reduced, numbers attending have to be restricted. Please enter & leave the church in an orderly manner. Do not cluster in aisles or doorways. Follow the instructions of ushers & signs around the Church. Pews have been marked to facilitate physical distancing. Please remain in your pew throughout Mass. Those in the same household may enter and sit together. All others please maintain a distance of 2 meters (6ft). There will be no Offertory Procession or Sign of Peace. Holy Communion will be distributed to the congregation in their seats and may only be received in the hand.

Hygiene: Always cough or sneeze into a tissue/elbow. You are encouraged to carry & use hand sanitiser. The Celebrant, Eucharistic Ministers & Ushers, will wear face masks if they approach the congregation. If you are feeling unwell please do not attend church services.

GARDINER STREET PARISH - NOVENA OF GRACE 2021: LET US DREAM

We are pleased to announce that the Novena of Grace is going ahead as usual on 4^th March 2021. This year we will have one evening Mass at 7.30pm.  It will be online only (given the restrictions). During Lockdown Pope Francis has invited us to dream … what have we learned from this pandemic and what kind of people can we be after it? Our preachers; Fr. John Callanan SJ, Dr. Jessie Rogers and Fr. Ashley Evans SJ, will help us understand our lockdown experience and prepare us for the future. 

How to join the Novena: Connect to online Masses at 7.30pm nightly via our website: www.gardinerstparish.ie

Petitions: Cards available at our front office and on our website. Light a candle: come to our front desk or click on red donation button on our website and specify no of candles. The Church will remain open for private prayer from 12noon to 5pm.

We have prepared a booklet with the readings for each day, the Novena prayer and hymns. The booklet will be available in the Parish Office from Wednesday 24th February. Email or phone us to order a copy of the booklet 01-836 3411 or Email: 

LENT

The Office for Evangelisation & Ecumenism, the Diocesan Liturgical Resource Centre and Parish Pastoral Workers to compile a list of upcoming initiatives for celebrating Lent 2021. There are resources and supports available on www.dublindiocese.ie and www.evangelisation.ie

LET’S LIVE LENT: BRINGING THE LENTEN GOSPELS TO LIFE

Join us for Pastoral Conversations - Tuesdays @ 8pm.  March 2^nd - Songs of the Sanctuary; March 9^th - Into the Light;  March 16^th-  Seeds of Hope.

Presented by a team from the Office for Evangelisation and the Liturgy Resource Centre. To book email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

LENT 2021 – OUR HOPE RENEWED

It is time to renew our hope! For we are a Community of Faith, Hope & Love. This Lent let us take the opportunity to connect with God and each other. We may be confused by Zoom and Social Media… but God is not… let us do what we can whilst keeping everyone safe. We are in this together. Click on the attached menu and follow the links for each Lenten Resource.

Parish RESOURCES for Lent From the National Vocations Office. The National Vocations Office have uploaded some possible vocation themed prayers of intercession and inserts for parish newsletters for the Sundays of Lent.  Whether you chose to use these or not, please pray for vocations and seek ways to reference vocations in your parish. The resources can be found on the Vocations website www.vocations.ie) or by clicking on the following link: https://vocations.ie/2021/02/09/parish-resources-lent-2021/

If you know of anyone wishing to explore the possibility of a vocation to priesthood please invite them to email the vocations team at: seamusmcentee@yahoo.com

LIVING IN UNSETTLING TIMES – REFLECTIONS FOR THE TIME AND SEASON

The Glasnevin Grouping of Parishes are doing a series of online reflections by Fr Paddy Sweeney over Thursdays in Lent. Each session will start at 7:30pm and can be accessed by webcam. Thursday 4^th March: Is God Asleep? www.ballygallparish.ie/"; Thursday 11^th March: Living with Loss www.glasnevinparish.ie/"; Thursday 18^th March: Will We Get Back to Normal?  www.ionaroadparish.ie/"; Thursday 25^th March: I haven’t much to offer! – www.corpuschristidrumcondra.ie/">

TRÓCAIRE

The Lent Lecture  with Cardinal Tagle is on Tuesday 9^th March at 6.30pm. Registration is essential and the link to register is https://trocaire-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bLnu0_aLSYSONMPEi3AYpg.  We are hosting a number of Lent webinars/workshops- and if you or your colleagues/friends  would like to sign up- here is the link  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdsitZjQ6LENkWcgfhJng9VHUFFtxTTSq4jelHAZRpCgzqLWQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

 

Youth Initiatives (From the Office for Evangelisation and Ecumenism)

TEEN HOPE CONNECTED

Teen Hope Connected is a weekly Youth Group. It takes place every Wednesday 6-7pm via Zoom. Join us for fun, exploring faith and life with other Teens through small group discussions, top class games and prayer. If you are interested in joining, please email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

YCD CONNECTED – BRINGING YOUNG PEOPLE TOGETHER

The Young Church Dublin invite you to join our connected group for Young Adults (20’s 30’s) We meet online every Wednesday, from 8.00-9.00pm for some time of fellow, reflection on Scripture and prayer together. It provides an opportunity to connect in with other young adults in a community of faith. For more information please email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

FOUNDATIONAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME FOR YOUNG ADULTS

The Foundational Leadership Programme offers participants a unique opportunity to explore and develop Gospel transformational leadership Skills. This programme endeavours to provide participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to be Gospel centred transformational leaders and change agents within their own parishes, communities. The next Foundational Leadership day will be 20 March. For more information, online registration and payment – use this link www.evangelisation.ie/2020/08/11/foundational-leadership-programme-sign-up-2020/

GENERATION TECH

Generation Tech is a free service and is run by volunteers. Volunteer run FREE HELPLINE to help older people in Ireland with tech issues. Our volunteers are tech experts and work in shifts from 8am-8pm Monday to Friday. Support is provided over the phone. If you need help with smartphones, tablets, social media, apps, PCs, printers, etc. CALL US on: 01-9633 288. 

AWARE - SUPPORT & SELF CARE GROUPS

If you, or those with whom you work wish to connect with people in relation to your mental wellbeing, please consider using the Phone In and Zoom Support & Self Care Groups, the Support Line or Support Mail, now and throughout the holiday season. These services provide support, coping skills and information – and most importantly help people who are in distress to know and feel that they are not alone in their experience.  For more information about the groups https://www.aware.ie/support/support-groups/ and all of our services on www.aware.ie

ROSARY

The idea is simple. A Continuous Rosary will be offered up every minute of every day for Peace and Charity in Ireland. Begins on Ash Wednesday, 17th February 2021. To make this work there needs to be a minimum of two parishioners per parish, one with surname beginning A-L and one with surname M-Z to say the rosary twelve times per year. For more information, please visit: www.continuousrosary.com

LET’S LIVE LENT: BRINGING THE LENTEN GOSPELS TO LIFE

Join us for Pastoral Conversations - 5 Tuesdays starting 16th February @ 8pm. February 16^th - Let it Go; February 23^rd  Would you listen to Him?; March 2^nd - Songs of the Sanctuary; March 9^th - Into the Light; March 16^th-  Seeds of Hope

Presented by a team from the Office for Evangelisation and the Liturgy Resource Centre. To book email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 FAITHFEST ONLINE

Faithfest is back!! Join us for an evening of games, music, workshop, chats and prayer.  Faithfest will take place 5 March from 6:30 – 8:30 online. You can register online using this link: forms.gle/DwKDsXCuTornHFYA8.  For more information email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

FOUNDATIONAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME FOR YOUNG ADULTS NEW COURSE DATES 2021

The Foundational Leadership Programme offers participants a unique opportunity to explore and develop Gospel transformational leadership Skills. This programme endeavours to provide participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to be Gospel centred transformational leaders and change agents within their own parishes, communities.  The Foundational Leadership Programme is run jointly between the Catholic and Church of Ireland Dioceses of Dublin and a team of young adult volunteers. It is uniquely placed to nurture and mission a new generation of faith leaders. Commitment will be one Saturday morning -  20 February, 20 March initially. For more information, online registration and payment – use this link www.evangelisation.ie/2020/08/11/foundational-leadership-programme-sign-up-2020/

Irish Hospice Foundation - Many people have experienced the death of someone they love during the Pandemic. In the face of such loss and trauma, the Irish Hospice Foundation have a Bereavement Support Line. It is a national freephone service 1800 80 70 77

COVID-19 Support Lines for Older People

ALONE manage a national support line and additional supports for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to the outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Professional staff are available to answer queries and give advice and reassurance where necessary. The support line is open seven days a week, 8.00am – 8.00pm, by calling 0818 222 024.

Senior Line

If you are an older person and would like someone to talk to, particularly since Covid-19, consider phoning SeniorLine.  We are Ireland’s national confidential service for older people. We are open every day of the year from 10am-10pm.  We are older people too, trained to listen and support.  We would love to hear from you.  Freefone 1800 80 45 91

Volunteer Drivers Irish Cancer Society

Irish Cancer Society is looking for volunteers to drive patients to and from their chemotherapy treatments.  Drivers with a free weekday availability and who can commit to driving twice a month.  Please email Gail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 01 2310 566 for an application form. Due to the impact of the Coronavirus we are seeking drivers under the age of 70 years.

ACCORD Dublin

ACCORD Dublin has launched a new website.  For Sacramental Marriage Preparation Courses or for Marriage and Relationship Counselling please visit www.accorddublin.ie 

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown  Helpline 01 271 3199. Opens 9 am every day. Email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

South Dublin County Council - Helpline 01-4149043 with the lines initially open from 9am to 5pm seven days a week. Out of hours email contact through  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Other Support Services

Age Action and the Irish Red Cross have raised funds to provide additional assistance to older and vulnerable people around Ireland who are experiencing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic by making once-off grants, up to a maximum of €500, per person/household affected.

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Phone: Irish Red Cross at 01 6424600 or Tel: (01) 475 6989   Lo Call: 1890 369369

APPOINTMENT OF TEMPORARY AGENT FORM DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AFFAIRS AND SOCIAL PROTECTION

TO BE USED WHEN THE DEASP CLAIMANT IS PAID BY SOCIAL SERVICES SWIPE CARD AND IS UNABLE TO ATTEND AT THE POST OFFICE. Please note: A Temporary Agent Form must be completed for every collection. If you can’t get to the post office to collect your pension or any other social welfare payment, you can now allow somebody else, known as a temporary agent, to collect it. The Temporary Agent form is available in all post offices or online. We would highly recommend that a family member or trusted friend does this for you. If you do not have a nominated person available please contact the

dlr Community Call Helpline where you will be referred to a support organisation that will be able to facilitate you. Call: 01-271 3199 (Monday to Sunday 8 am – 8 pm – 7 days a week), email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Accord – important new support line  ACCORD Dublin has setup a helpline to provide support for people struggling with  relationship issues during this time of self-isolation.  The contact number is 01 9059555. The line is open from 10 until 1 pm every Monday to Friday.  More details from their new website www.accorddublin.ie

COVID-19 TECH SUPPORT FOR OLDER PEOPLE

Covid19 Tech is a  group of I.T professionals who have come together from  across Ireland to volunteer and offer free tech support to Irish seniors in our communities so they can stay connected with their loved ones and required services during the Covid19 crisis. More information visit: https://covid19tech.ie

IMPORTANT NOTICE

BAPTISMS  Baptisms in St. Michael’s Parish will take place on the second Saturday of each month at 12 noon. Please contact the Parish Office in person to make arrangements.

MONTH’S MIND MASSES

To facilitate the families of those who funerals take place in St. Michael’s Church, the 6 p.m. Mass on the first Saturday of each month will be offered for those who have died in the previous month.

Please contact the Parish Office at 01 280 4969 for further information.