Year of Faith
At certain times in the history of the Church, popes have called upon the faithful to dedicate themselves to deepening their understanding of a particular aspect of the faith. In 1967 Pope Paul VI announced a Year of Faith commemorating the 19th centenary of the martyrdom of Sts. Peter and Paul, recalling the supreme act of witness by these two saints so that their martyrdom might inspire the Church to collectively and individually make a sincere profession of faith.
The present Year of Faith was declared by Pope Benedict XVI to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Vatican II and will continue until November 2013 It was officially launched in the Dublin Diocese by Archbishop Diarmuid on the feast of our patron St. Laurence O’Toole. It is a “summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the One Savior of the world”. It provides an opportunity for Catholics to experience a conversion – to turn back to Jesus and enter into a deeper relationship with him by opening the “door of faith”. The “door of faith” is opened at one’s baptism, and during this year we are called to open it again, walk through and rediscover and renew our relationship with Christ and his Church.
The logo for the Year of Faith represents the boat – the traditional symbol of the Church – in a moment of movement; its mast is the cross, the sign of love and the sign of our faith. Together with the sails, the cross forms the initials IHS, the Christogram standing for Jesus. The sun behind makes a Eucharistic host, and the Eucharist is, for us, the centre of our lives and faith.
Taizé Prayer Around the Cross
Next WEDNESDAY 21st November
8.30 – 9.30 pm
Come and lay your burdens down at the Cross of Christ
Sacrament of Baptism
Last week we welcomed into our Christian Community through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Joshua Gerard Sweeney, Raheny
Patrick Thomas Stones, Belgrove Park
Mass in Thanksgiving for Priesthood
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin will celebrate Mass “In Thanksgiving for Priesthood” in Larkhill/ Whitehall Church on this Sunday 18th November at 3.00 pm. All are invited to participate
Doctor Sony Sebastian Palathra CMI
We are delighted to announce that Fr. Sony has achieved his Doctorate in Mater Dei and will be in Dublin next week for his graduation. He will celebrate the 10.30 Mass here next Sunday, 25th November and everyone is welcome to come to the centre after Mass to meet Fr. Sony and his family. As he is also celebrating Mass in St. John’s at 12.30, it will sadly have to be a very short reception.
St. Gabriel’s Seniors Club
Going to Westport? This Sun. 18th Nov. Meet at Parrish Centre at 11.45 am. Coach departs 12 noon for 1.30 train from Heuston Station. Enjoy!
Tues. 20th Nov Tea/coffee morning 10.30. Speaker: The Local Library – how to start a Book Club. Go for Life Exercise class 12.15
Ballroom Dancing Thurs. 2.15 pm
Creative Writing Fri 2pm
Registration for new term of classes continues on Tuesday. You must be a club member to join
Tues. 8th January New Year Party.
Radisson Blu St. Helen’s Hotel, Stillorgan Road
4 course lunch – spots, Entertainment – coach
€40. Book with full payment on Tues 20th Nov
NOTE No Gallery visit on Fri. 23rd Nov. Next visit planned for Friday 30th Nov.
Enquiries: Frances 8339269 / Mairead 8331170
Christmas Mass Bouquets
Monica McDermott of MonCards, who produces our wonderful Mass Cards and Mass Bouquets, has given us a range of beautiful Christmas Mass Bouquets cards. These are now available in the Parish office, along with Mass Bouquets for Get Well, Thank you, and more Living intentions and a selection of beautiful Mass Cards for the dead. All cards cost €3
Smiling is infectious, you catch it like the flu. When someone smiled at me today, I started smiling too!
I passed around the corner and someone saw my grin. When he smiled I realised I’d passed it on to him.
So if you feel a smile begin, don’t leave it undetected. Let’s start an epidemic, and get the world infected!