The Month of May

Pope Francis has asked that, during the Month of May, the Rosary should be recited in the Church right across the World in the context of the coronavirus and its effects.  Pope Francis has composed this special prayer for the occasion. 

“We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God”.

In the present tragic situation, when the whole world is prey to suffering and anxiety, we fly to you, Mother of God and our Mother and seek  refuge under your protection.

Virgin Mary, turn your merciful eyes towards us amid this coronavirus pandemic. Comfort those who are distraught and mourn their loved ones who have died, and at times are buried in a way that grieves them deeply. Be close to those who are concerned for their loved ones who are sick and who, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, cannot be close to them. Fill with hope those who are troubled by the uncertainty of the future and the consequences for the economy and employment.

Mother of God and our Mother, pray for us to God, the Father of  mercies, that this great suffering may end and that hope and peace may dawn anew. Plead with your divine Son, as you did at Cana, so that the families of the sick and the victims be comforted, and their hearts be opened to confidence and trust.

Protect those doctors, nurses, health workers and volunteers who are on the frontline of this emergency, and are risking their lives to save others. Support their heroic effort and grant them strength, generosity and continued health.

Be close to those who assist the sick night and day, and to priests who, in their pastoral concern and fidelity to the Gospel, are trying to help and support everyone.

Blessed Virgin, illumine the minds of men and women engaged in scientific research, that they may find effective solutions to overcome this virus.

 Support national leaders, that with wisdom, solicitude and generosity, that they may come to the aid of those lacking the basic  necessities of life and may devise social and economic solutions inspired by farsightedness and solidarity.

 Mary Most Holy, stir our consciences, so that the enormous funds invested in developing and stockpiling arms will instead be spent on  promoting effective research on how to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

 Beloved Mother, help us realise that we are all members of one great family and to recognise the bond that unites us, so that, in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity, we can help to alleviate countless situations of poverty and need. Make us strong in faith, persevering in service, constant in prayer.

Mary, Consolation of the afflicted, embrace all your children in distress and pray that God will stretch out his all-powerful hand and free us from this terrible pandemic, so that life can serenely resume its normal course.

To you, who shine on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope do we entrust ourselves, O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary. Amen. 

Dr. David Connolly R.I.P.

Please pray for the repose of the soul of David Connolly who passed away on Tuesday 28th April 2020.

David gave many years of faithful service in St. Michael's as the Director of Music here in the Church, guiding the Choir and part of all the wonderful liturgies. We will miss this lovely, warm and witty man. We extend our sympathies to his wife Linda, his mother Mary, his brother Peter and his wife Alison and to all those who had the pleasure of knowing David and working with him. May he rest in peace.

MASS CARDS AVAILABLE

FROM THE PARISH OFFICE MONDAY TO FRIDAY 10 am to 12 noon

PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE AT 01 2804969 TO ORDER CARDS AND ARRANGE COLLECTION.

Dear Parishioners,

Two weeks ago nobody is their wildest dreams could have imagined with what a catastrophic effect the Corona Virus would have struck our Parish, our country and our world. We are living in what many have called unprecedented times. We are at war with an invisible enemy.

As people of faith we are called to face the fears of this moment with courage not our own and with a generous heart. God is with his people in good times and in bad. Like believers in every age we say “If I should walk in the Valley of darkness, no evil would I fear for You are there”.

In an hour of trial Jesus calls on us his followers to serve the common good, by taking responsibility for each other and to prioritise the most vulnerable in our Community, ahead of our individual wants and aspirations. At this time, our first concern has to the for the elderly, the ill and those with underlying medical conditions.

It is for this reason that the celebration of Mass in our Church has been suspended and the Church itself is closed until further notice.

I encourage you to pray at home each day. To remember all who have died as a result of the virus, those who are in mourning for lost loved ones, those suffering from the virus and especially the wonderful health workers who risk their own health and lives in tending to others. Please add the Memorare to your prayers.

Use your phone each day to keep in contact with people you know, especially those elderly living alone – these are very difficult times for them.

Have courage. Keep the Faith. Hopefully we will return to our Church for a Mass of Thanksgiving when these days of darkness and fear have passed.

God bless and keep you all safe and healthy,

Fr. Paul and Fr. Martin

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

CORONAVIRUS MEASURES

DUE TO MEASURES INTRODUCED BY HEALTHCARE AUTHORITIES LIMITING ATTENDANCE AT PUBLIC INDOOR GATHERINGS, MASS IN THIS CHURCH IS SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

The Parish Office will remain closed until further notice. 

We have a duty of care to our parishioners and to all in our country to protect the health of people. The situation will be reviewed as new information becomes available.

The obligation to attend Sunday Mass and Holy Day Masses is now removed. This is a time for us to pray for each other and for our country and our world as we face this crisis.

There will be a Mass broadcast from Cabinteely Church on the webcam on Sundays at 10 AM and also from Foxrock Church. Please visit their websites and tune into their web broadcast. Please continue to pray and to look after your neighbours.

LIST OF CHURCHES WITH WEBCAMS

Please check their websites for further information

Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Dalkey                                                                            http://www.dalkeyparish.ie/

Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Foxrock           www.foxrockparish.ie

Newtownpark Blackrock                                       www.newtownparkparish.com

St. Brigid’s Cabinteely                                          https://cabinteelyparish.ie/

Church of St. Therese, Mount Merrion               www.mountmerrionparish.ie

St. Anne’s, Shankill                                            www.stannesparishshankill.com

Church of The Assumption, Booterstown         www.booterstownparish.ie

Church of the Apostles, Ballybrack             www.ballybrack-killiney-parish.org

These comprise the local authority, Health Service Executive, County Champions, An Post, Community Welfare Service, An Garda Síochána, other State organisations, charities and other stakeholders.

These Dedicated helplines are focused specifically on ensuring that the cocooning elderly, vulnerable members of the community or those living alone can access deliveries of groceries, medicine and fuels.

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown  

Helpline 01 271 3199. Opens 9am 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

SeniorLine is a national, confidential listening service for older people, run by trained older volunteers. If you are feeling worried, stressed or isolated at this very unnerving time, please feel free to ring this FREEPHONE service anytime between 10 am and 10 pm on any day of the week on 1800 80 45 91.

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 SUPPORT LINE FOR OLDER PEOPLE

ALONE still has in place the 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.

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 and

MAKE TROCÁIRE YOUR BOX COUNT

As you know, donations made through the annual Trócaire Lenten Campaign, especially the Trócaire box, fund lifesaving programmes around the world. Due to the necessary restrictions related to COVID-19, thousands of Trócaire boxes are sitting in homes across Ireland. This is the worst possible time coming just as the world’s poorest people need us most. Millions of people who live without access to adequate water supplies, sanitation and healthcare are now faced with the threat of COVID-19. We have done – and continue to do – so much to protect each other. Now it is time to protect the worlds’ most vulnerable. The contents of each and every Trócaire box, no matter how small, come together to make a significant difference. This virus knows no borders, but neither does our compassion. This year, people can return their Lenten donation in several ways:

• Online at www.trocaire.org
• By post to: Trócaire, Maynooth, Co. Kildare
• By phone 1850 408 408
• By checking with their local parish about how to safely return their box

Thank you for your ongoing support in these difficult times, Caoimhe De Barra, Trócarie

NEW PILGRIM PATH WEBSITE OF THE WEEK

“Perhaps we could all think of this time of semi-quarantine as an invitation to some monastic introspection, some serious confrontation with the questions that matter.”  Bishop Robert Barron of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is a bestselling author, speaker and cultural commentator. Fully embracing the new media, he founded the evangelical Catholic media organisation, Word on Fire, which now reaches millions worldwide. The words above are from a short online video reflection packed with suggestions for enriching one’s spiritual life in a time of isolation. Watch it, and many other of Bishop Barron’s video reflections, at  www.newpilgrimpath.ie

YOU ARE BEING PRAYED FOR AT KNOCK

At this very worrying and distressing time, we here at the National Marian Shrine, Knock wish to let you all know that you are being prayed for. We pray in particular that a vaccine will be found to eliminate the virus, for a full recovery for victims and for all medical and civic personnel.

As there are no public Masses being celebrated from KnockShrine at present, and while our churches are open for private prayer, Mass will only be broadcast on our website at 12 noon and 7.30pm (beginning with Rosary at 7pm) each day to pray for the elimination of the virus, for victims affected, their recovery and for all medical and civic personnel.  We invite you to join us for the celebration of the Eucharist from home on our webcam at www.knockshrine.ie Pray the special prayer composed:

Lord, in 1879 the Apparition in Knock gave comfort and hope to your people in a time of distress and worry. In the presence of Our Lady, St. Joseph, St. John the Evangelist and the Lamb of God you showed us that we are neither alone nor abandoned in times of great need, personally and as a people. We ask you Lord, to walk with us again as we face the Coronavirus. Help our medical personnel to bring the virus to a swift end and bless them in their work. We ask healing and recovery to be given to all who are suffering from the virus, its victims and their families. May all of us, Lord, be strengthened by the spiritual support of the Christian community at this time through prayer, fasting and concern for one another. May we never abandon hope in the face of adversity and trust in your love for us. Amen. Our Lady of Knock, pray for us. St. Joseph, pray for us. St. John the Evangelist, pray for us.    

GROW IN LOVE PARISH LINK - Wish to inform you of the postponement of the weekly group until further notice.  

SCRIPTURE STUDY - The Scripture Study Classes have been postponed until further notice. Contact: 087 612 3675.

THE DLR NETWORK FOR OLDER PEOPLE AND CROSSCARE COMMUNITY CAFÉ

Wish to inform you of the postponement of the weekly Coffee Mornings in the Crosscare Community Café, until further notice.

SAINT JOSEPH’S SHANKILL 

If you’d like to make a donation to Saint Joseph’s Shankill contact Siobhan on (087) 967 0602 or by email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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.