St. Brigid’s Parish, Killester NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2008

Dear Friends,

The Parish Pilgrimage to the Holy Land was a lovely experience. Thirty-eight of us walked in the footsteps of Jesus and prayed at so many holy sites. We spent one evening in the Garden of Gethsemane and had a Holy Hour at the Rock where Our Lord in His agony was comforted by an angel. Another memorable occasion was our Mass at Nazareth in the Basilica where Our Lady was visited by the angel Gabriel. There were other lovely memories packed into our visit. Perhaps in next month’s Newsletter some of those who travelled might like to share their reflections.

Now to another topic entirely – the Proposed Grouping of Parishes. Last June at an Area Assembly Meeting in Clonliffe College, attended by a number of members of our Parish Pastoral Council, we received a suggested proposal of what might for us constitute a viable set of Parishes. It is proposed that Killester be grouped with Raheny, Edenmore, Grange Park and Kilbarrack. Subsequently on Tuesday 16th September, a meeting was held in our Resource Centre with members of the Pas-toral Councils of the above Parishes. It was agreed that we would explore together our respective strengths and weaknesses with a view to future co-operation. At the same time it was acknowledged that nothing was finalised as yet.

It is clear that there is a need to discover new ways of being Church at Parish level. Weekly Mass attendance has decreased. There is a decline in the number of priests in active ministry in the Diocese. There are few new vocations to the priest-hood and religious life. Yet, on the positive side the Catholic population has grown. We are facing a critical shortage of priests and if we are to continue to operate the model of Parish life to which we have been accustomed, there will be an unbear-able burden on our priests in the future. Essentially, the model of Parish to which we have become accustomed will not be sustainable in the future. The challenge is how we as a Christian Community address this. Your thoughts and suggestions would be greatly appreciated as together we journey into the unknown! Yet, we know that the Lord is with us so we have no need to fear! Fr. Alex

(Above left) Our Parish pilgrimage group at the Basilica of the Nativity, Bethlehem. (Right) Our group on the Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem , praying the Stations of the Cross.

October Dates for your Diary

Resource Centre Notes

Arts and Crafts Fair Taking place on 15th and 16th November.

Many exciting stands Why not buy all your Christmas presents—get them in time this year

Meet your friends and enjoy our Coffee Dock for a while.

Free parking. Free entrance. Everyone welcome.

Saint Brigid’s Seniors—S.B.S. Club This Club is being put together right now, and will be very exciting.

Come along and put your name down to be a member. Our committee have great things planned.

Open night will be announced soon. Phone 853 4030

Advance Notice There will be a Christmas Show planned for the Festive Season.

Do put your name down at reception if you require tickets or phone 853 4030

Killester’s Got Talent This competition has been postponed until the new year, due to circumstances

beyond our control. All entrants will be notified.

Time Venue Sunday 5th Enrolment for First Holy

Communicants Do This in Memory (DTIM) I

10.30a.m. Church

Tuesday 7th Meeting with Eucharistic Ministers 7.30 p.m. Resource Centre

Wednesday 8th DTIM Parents (Group 1) Preparation Meeting

7.30 p.m. Resource Centre

Thursday 9th Parish Pastoral Council

7.30 p.m. Resource Centre

Sunday 19th Mission Sunday Mass (D.T.I.M.) II 10.30a.m. Church

Monday 20th Boys’ National School Board Meet-ing

8.00 p.m. Resource Centre

Tuesday 23rd Board of Management of Resource Centre

7.30 p.m. Resource Centre

Tuesday 28th Baptismal Team Review Meeting 7.30 p.m. Resource Centre

Recently deceased - please pray for the souls of: Maureen Davis, Castle Avenue Raphael McAllister, Dunluce Road Helen Cuddy, Ennafort Park Catherine Flynn, Killester Park Tommy Drury, Rosevale Court James (Jim) Doyle, Brookwood Crescent Elizabeth (Eilish) Kinahan, Middle Third

Baptisms - we are happy to welcome into our Christian Community Niall Colin Rutledge, Howth Road Peter William Rutledge, Howth Road Violet Maeve FitzPatrick/Evans, Craigford Avenue Milo Sean O’Sullivan, Clandonagh Road Fiona Rose Redmond, St. Brigid’s Drive Jessica Sarah Stone/O’Rourke, Dunluce Road Gretta Elizabeth Ryan, Howth Road Valerie Mary Curran, Dunluce Road

Parish email: killesterparish@eircom.net Parish website: www.killester.dublindiocese.ie Resource Centre email: resourcekillester@eircom.net

St. Brigid’s Parish Shop, Killester The Parish Shop which is located at the side of the Church nearest car park has in stock a large selection of religious items including Mass cards, Mass bouquets, pictures, angel pins, crucifixes, holy water fonts, candles and christening candles, medals, rosary beads, prayer leaflets and a lot more. There are also birthday, retirement and get well cards. There is also a small glass holy water bottle which is suitable for taking on holidays or for a car or handbag. Catholic papers and magazines are supplied on a weekly and monthly basis and are located at the back of the Church. Payment for these should be deposited in St Anthony’s Shrine box. Why not call into the shop and see for yourself the large array of religious goods available. The shop is open after all the Masses at weekends. Please note that all proceeds from the sale of the various items go to parish funds.

Recent Weddings Derek Patrick Hennessy and Niamh Lesley Meehan Ciaran James Murtagh and Lisa Margaret Walker Paul Edward Mullen and Ursula Annette Caulfield

Aidan Gerard Markey and Caragh Bridget Finnegan

The Pleasure Painters Art Group are holding an Art Exhibition in aid of The Little Sisters of the Poor at their residence on Sybil Hill Road, Raheny on Friday 10th October 8p.m to 10.pm, Saturday 11th October 11am to 8p.m, and Sunday 12th from 11am to 5.pm. Admission Free.

ARC Cancer Support Centre is hosting ‘ARC in the Community’ a series of eight public awareness evenings in Dublin 1, 3, 7 and 11 where members of the public will learn about ARC’s professional services which include support and counselling, education and complemen-tary therapies. Each evening concludes with a guided relaxation, followed by tea/coffee. Admis-sion is free. ARC can be contacted on tel. 830 7333 or info@arccancersupport.ie

Information evenings are taking place from 7.30pm to 9.00pm at: Cabra Community Centre, The Bogies, John Paul Park, Cabra, Dublin 7 (29th September); Bel-vedere Hotel (off O'Connell St.), Great Denmark St., Dublin 1 (6th October); The Halfway House, Navan Rd., Dublin 7 (13th October); Jury’s Croke Park Hotel, opposite Croke Park (20th October); Dominick St. Community Centre, Lwr. Dominick St., Dublin 1 (3rd November); St. Gabriel’s Community Centre, Clontarf, (10th November); Hardwick St. Community Centre, Hardwick St., Dublin 1 (17th November); Ballymun Library, Main St., Ballymun (24th Novem-ber).

Killester School of Ballet and Modern Theatre Dance. Bookings now being taken for September ‘08

R.A.D. Ballet and I.S.T.D. Modern for all levels. “Ballet for Babies” – 31/2 – 5-yr. olds on Saturdays 11.30 – 12.00 noon. Strictly by appointment. Enquiries to Ann Coffey Tighe 831 4535 or 086-804 6790

TOOLEN ELECTRICAL 360 Howth Road Raheny Dublin 5 Domestic and Commercial 20 year ESTB Family Business.

Personal Quality Service guaranteed. House re-wiring - Fuse Board replacement - Grant work Additional Sockets and Lights - Shower installation - Garden Lights Connecting

New Appliances – Maintenance Emergency Call out Fully insured ECSSA Free estimate

Phone: 831 5682 Des: 087-266 1843 - Roy: 087-211 1406

Sean O’Neill B.Sc., B.A. (Hons), Lic.Ac (UK), M.B.Ac.C. Classical Five Element Acupuncturist

For help with: arthritis, asthma, back pain, circulatory prob-lems, depression, rheumatism, migraines, and more. For an appointment please call me at 877 5221 or email Sean at info@classicalacupuncture.ie

John Quill F.A.O.I. Ophthalmic Optician Complete spectacle service

Registered for P.R.S.I. and medical Card holders Large selection of budget and fashion frames

157a Killester Avenue, Dublin 5 Phone 831 2558 Under personal supervision

BEST START PRESCHOOL AND MONTESSORI Infants / Toddlers - Montessori / Project Bubbles

Playgroup age: 1-3 (9am-12.30 pm / 1pm-4.30pm) Full time / Part time - After school care

(Collections / Hot meal/Snack / Fitness classes) Opening Times 8 am -6 pm 26 Killester Park D5

087 412 4443 / 01 846 5507

Home Instead Senior Care. “The world’s and Ireland’s trusted source of companionship and home care for the

elderly”. We help older people stay at home by providing light housekeeping, meal preparation, transportation, post– hospital care, personal care and Alzheimer care. Further details from: Peter Taylor, Home Instead Senior Care, 2nd

Floor Fairview, Dublin 3. www.homeinstead.ie Tel: 01-853 5048. Mobile: 087-298 3555.

Fax: 01-8533358. email: ptaylor@homeinstead.ie

Natural Tile & Marble Company Thinking of a new Tiled marble floor or bathroom? Local supplier of Creama Marfil and other Stones.

Various sizes and finishes in stock. Excellent prices.

Contact John: 833 3287 086 851 7397. email: john@naturaltileandmarble.ie

Frank Jennings Foxfield/Kilbarrack

Your local Funeral Director.

For advice speak directly to Frank on 01- 839 4719

Raheny Carpets

8 Main Street, Raheny, Dublin 5

Tel: 831 9340

Open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Monday to Saturday

Orchard Montessori 19, The Orchard Morning session: 8.45 -12.00 Monday – Friday

Montessori Class 12.15 – 2.45 p.m. Thursday Arts & Crafts: 3.00 – 5.00 p.m. (€8 per session)

Purpose-built premises with qualified and experienced staff.

Contact Mandy: 831 6848 or 087-775 8149

Kirwan’s

Funeral Directors

24 Hour Service

Tel: 833 4444

Stafford's – Family Funeral Directors Over three generations

Telephone 855 0555 24 Hour Service

H/Q 60 North Strand Branch office: Maypark, Malahide Road

PROHR Highly qualified HR professional available to provide expertise in

CV Preparation Interview Techniques Career Guidance

For further information contact Jennifer Blake 086 834 2358

Scoil Rince Cill Easra

Contact Jacqueline at 831 8654 and 086-256 1000 Irish Dancing Classes Monday and Thursday: 3.30 p.m.

Wednesday 3.30 p.m. and 4.45 p.m. Venue: 126 Abbeyfield (off St. Brigid’s Road)

Purpose-built dance studio. Adult Ceili Classes every Thursday at 8.00 p.m.

Venue: St. Brigid’s Parish Resource Centre

Georgina Ryan, Tax Consultant A personal and efficient service

for all Accounting and Tax. PAYE Tax Claims Self Employed Income Tax Rental Income Tax Returns Capital Gains Tax 01-8310543/ 086 6007434 mail@georginaryan.ie

Premier Art Supplier Children’s Arts & Crafts Office & School Supplies

Colour Copying, Cartridges Unit 2, Superquinn Shopping Centre, Sutton, Dublin 13.

Tel. 01 832 5465/839 5285 Fax. 01 839 5285