Once again, our Parish Barbecue that took place on June 21st was a huge success. Grateful thanks also to those who worked hard to make it happen, our chefs, P.J., Sean & Damien and all the helpers who served the food, set up and stayed back late to clear everything away – and of course to everyone who came. We are very grateful to our sponsors: McKenna’s Butchers once again provided their wonderful BBQ sausages, George O’Brien, in our Meals on Wheels, Supervalu Killester – and several parishioners – provided salads, cakes and other goodies. MSL Park Motors sponsored the bouncy castles & games and brought along the car that Pope Francis used in Dublin last year. Many thanks too for your kind donations – they covered all of our expenses.

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On Sunday, May 26th Fr. Pat celebrated 50 years of priesthood. He was joined in the parish by his family, relatives, his former colleagues from ACCORD, DCU, & Pilgrimages to Lourdes with Children with special needs. He was also joined by parishioners from Ashford, Ballymun and Mount Merrion where Fr. Pat served. Many St Gabriel’s parishioners also attended. Participating also were those suffering from illness or infirmity, for whom Fr. Pat has an exceptional bond and affection. Many of the moments were captured by Tom Doyle, the parish photographer.

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Useful information for those travelling to park on Parish Organised Transport

Click here to view photos of the Icon of the Holy Family in the church.

View a slide show of photos that were taken at the celebratory events that took place on the weekend of 30th Sept. to 2nd Oct. 2016

Summary from Fr. Pat:

Faith — Fun — Family

These three words come to me as I thank God, Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette for our wonderful Parish Pilgrimage to Lourdes.  We were blessed in every way from the start at Dublin Airport to returning there last Tuesday.  Arriving in Lourdes, after our meal in La Solitude Hotel, we went down to the Grotto where as a group we greeted Mary.

The next morning we had Mass at the Grotto with the Cashel & Emily Archdiocese. For those who were in Lourdes for the first time, Carmel (our excellent guide) brought us on a tour of the places associated with Bernadette – the Boly Mill, the Cachet, the Parish Church, followed by a relaxing cuppa of Barry’s Tea!

We very quickly became a caring group, helping and being there for each other, with plenty of laughter and fun. On Saturday we took a bus to Bartres where we had a very special Mass with the Sacrament of the Sick.

As a group, we took part in a torchlight procession. The next day it was the International Mass in the Underground
Basilica, where we joined over 25,000 fellow pilgrims. We prayed the lovely sculptured Way of the Cross and Way of the Resurrection. Some of the more energetic of us also journeyed with Jesus on the Upper Stations of the Cross as well.

As a group, we attended the Blessing of the Sick. It was marvelous to see the sick being wheeled by so many young people. It made me grateful for my own health.

Monday, our last day, we had Mass in the Sheepfold in the City of the Poor. Some went to Gavarnie for an afternoon in brilliant sunshine and sight-seeing. On our final evening we went to say goodbye (or au revoir) to Our Lady, putting all your petitions at her feet and lighting our Candle, so that, as we left, the light of our candle would continue our prayers as we came home. We had such a large candle that it needed a trolley to bring it from the hotel to the Grotto. 

I am sure that our group of 21 have many memories of the days that we journeyed together – for me it was the faith and joy we shared, the care for each other – we really were a family. My thanks to each member of the group for making our Pilgrimage so special for me.

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Photos:

As part of St Gabriel’s Church 60th Anniversary Celebrations, we are requesting Parish Memorabilia you may be in possession of.
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