St. Brigid’s Parish, Killester

Parish Newsletter December 2015

Dear Friends, Advent begins a new liturgical year which will be a Jubilee Year of Mercy. For the Jews a Jubilee year occurred every 50th year. It was a very special year when land taken in pledge was restored to the original owner. Offences were wiped out as were debts. A universal pardon was granted, prisoners re-leased, and God’s mercy was celebrated. Its focus always was to enable each one make a fresh start. It was around 1300 AD that the Church introduced Jubilee Years to be held every 25 and 50 years. This Jubilee Year of Mercy begins on the 8th December, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and will conclude on the Feast of Christ the King (20th November 2016). Pope Francis will inaugurate this special year with the solemn opening of the Holy Door of Mercy at St. Peter’s on Tuesday the 8th of December. On the following Sunday, the 3rd Sunday of Advent known as “Rejoicing Sunday”, he will open the Mercy Door at St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome, his Cathedral Church. Also on that Sunday all Cathedrals in the world will have their special Mercy Doors blessed and opened. Here in Dublin, Archbishop Martin will bless and open the Mercy Door at the Pro Cathedral. We at St. Brigid’s will bless and open our newly constructed Mercy Door on this Sunday the 13th December. An open door is a symbol, and its message is: “All are welcome”. All who choose to enter through it will, we pray, experience the love of God who “consoles, pardons and instils hope”. Passing through it and taking the short pilgrim route will indicate your openness and willingness to receive God’s Mercy and in turn, bring it to others: “Be Merciful as your Heavenly Father is Merciful”. Passing through this always open door will be an invitation for us to journey from sin to mercy. It will be a call to conver-sion. I find it fascinating that St. Brigid, our Patron, when receiving the veil from Bishop MacAille at Croghan Hill, Co. Westmeath in 467AD, was one of eight girls, each of whom selected a Beatitude as their motto for life. Brigid was given first choice and chose “Blessed are the Merciful” !. Later, she was fully professed by Bishop Mel and it is this event that the large 1952 painting by George Collie on the back wall of our Church recalls. A particular feature of the painting is the blue ribbon inserted below the kneel-ing figure of Brigid which has inscripted on it in gold lettering: BEATI MISERICOR..... i.e. “Blessed are the merciful”. As Mercy was the hall mark of our Saint, it is appropriate that we should celebrate it this Mercy Year and try to imitate this virtue in our lives. Enclosed with this Newsletter is our New Year Parish Calendar which contains some useful informa-tion. A Christmas Dues envelope is also included which we would ask you to return at your convenience. Your generosity in the past is gratefully acknowledged and deeply appreciated. Both Fr. Jim and I pray that Jesus, the Prince of Peace, may bring his abundant blessing to you and yours during this Holy Sea-son and throughout the coming year. Fr. Alex.

December Dates for the Diary

Tuesday 8th Dec Immaculate Conception and beginning of Jubilee Year of Mercy Sunday 13th Dec 3rd Sunday of Advent. DTIM Mass and blessing of Mercy Door: 10.30 17th – 24th Dec Preparation for Christmas

Sunday 20th Dec 4th Sunday of Advent (Confessions after all Masses) Thursday 24th Dec Children’s Christmas Mass 6.00 pm (Christmas Eve) Carols 8.00 pm Midnight Mass 8.30 pm

Friday 25th Dec Christmas Day Mass at 10.30 & 12.00 Saturday 26th Dec St. Stephen’s Day 10.00 & 6.30 pm Sunday 27th Dec Feast of the Holy Family 10.30 & 12.00 Monday 28th Dec Holy Innocents 10.00 28th - Thurday 31st Mass 10.00

Mass for Deceased Parishioners 15th November A sincere word of thanks to the Parish Funeral Team and to all who participated in our Mass of Remembrance on the 15th November. It is our hope and prayer that this celebration of the Eucharist helped many people in their grieving and loss.

Eucharistic Adoration

Eucharistic Adoration takes place in our Church on each Monday and Wednesday after 10.00 am Mass until 3.00 pm and on Thursday night between 7.00 and 8.00 pm. If you are prepared to ‘Watch for one hour’ with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament you will be very welcome. We also invite everyone to spend some time - even a few minutes in prayer and reflection. On Thursday nights 3rd, 10th and 17th of December we will be praying for refugees and migrants and all who are suffering the pain of loss this Christmas. (Adoration will not take place on Thursdays 24th and 31st December).

All Parishioners are welcome.

A simple guide for your Christmas Confession The Sacrament of Mercy (1) A conscientious reflection whereby we acknowledge our failures in loving God and each other; (2) A genuine intention to give new direction to our lives; (3) Confessing your sinfulness to the priest and receiving forgiveness; (4) The penance you receive will initiate your new found, deeper relationship with a merciful and loving God.

A number of visiting priests will be available after all Masses on the weekend of 4th Sun-day of Advent to facilitate your reception of this Sacrament of Mercy and Reconciliation.

Our Jubilee Year Committee A special word of thanks to Mary Kennedy, Harrie McManus, Louis Gillick and Breda Dunlea for their inspiration and encouragement in promoting our Jubilee Year of Mercy initiative. They were also hugely instrumental in the setting up of our beautiful Christmas crib.

What do we mean by God’s Mercy ? It is primarily a relationship on offer to us and not a “thing”. It is God’s gratuitous,

ever-faithful, loving kindness, lavished on us even when we have no reason to expect or deserve it.

Fr. Jim leaving for Mepkin After a long wait, I finally have a departure date for Mepkin Abbey, Tuesday 12th January. I want to thank you all for your kindness to me during my stay here. Fr. Alex and Fr. Michael gave me the warmest of welcomes and I am very grateful to Fr. Alex especially for his support and friendship. Thanks also to the staff in the Sacristy and the Resource Centre. I wish you all a very blessed Christmas which I will share with you and ask you to pray for me. Fr. Jim

Recently Deceased - Please pray for the souls of: Thomas Lyndsey – Killester Park Noel Tucker – Howth Road Francis Cunningham – Tonlegee Ave. David O’Hare – Vernon Rise Mary Sheehy – Rosemount Ave. Harry Twyford – Dunluce Road

Parish contact details: Monsignor Alex Stenson, P.P. 126 Furry Park Road 087 6118697 01-833 3793

Parish Office 01-833 2974 Parish email: killesterparish@eircom.net

Parish Website: www.killester.dublindiocese.ie Resource Centre Ph. 01-853 4030 email: resourcekillester@gmail.com

Pastoral Centre News Killester Neighbourhood Watch The Killester Neighbourhood Watch Group along with Garda Claire Ryan wish to thank all who came and supported their Coffee Morning in the centre on Friday 20th November. The aim was to raise funds for the purchase and installation of official Neighbourhood Watch signage.

(This Neighbourhood Watch Group covers part of Howth Road, both sides from Sybil Hill/Brookwood Avenue junction as far as junction with Castle Avenue/Dunluce Road) and also Furry Park Road, Furry Park Court, Dunluce Road, Vernon Rise and Vernon Drive.)

S.B.S Saint Brigid’s Seniors finish off a busy, productive and fun year with their Christmas Party in the Waterside House Hotel in Donabate on the 9th of December. A huge thank you to everyone who supported the St. Vincent De Paul Coffee Morning Extravagansa in No-vember. All proceeds will be forwarded to our local Conference.

Christmas Opening Hours The Resource Centre will close for the Christmas break on Friday 18th of December 2015 at 12.00 noon and will reopen on Monday 4th January 2016 . We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our Volunteers and clients a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. We look forward to seeing you all again in 2016.

St. Brigid's Parish Shop, Killester

There is now in stock a large selection of Christmas cards together with a special card depicting St. Brigid's Church and its history. Also in stock are many other items that would make lovely Christmas gifts and include miniature nativity sets, resin nativity globes, cribs, Christmas candles, medals, holy pictures, angel pins, crucifixes, holy water fonts, ro-sary beads and lots more. We also have “Down Through The Ages” a history of St. Brigid’s Church and Parish from 1926 to 2006 which would make a lovely read over the Christmas period. Some attractive CDs are available: “Good Old Days of Music Hall” from Gerry Noonan/Dara MacMahon with Pauline Cooper on piano. and a recent CD issue “Beautiful Dreamer” featuring a varied song and piano selection in aid of charity with David Kelly (tenor) and Eugene Dolan (piano). Also just arrived—Jubilee Year of Mercy Diary for 2016 is now available So why not call into the shop which is located at the side of the church [Car Park side] and see the array of goods on offer—It may save you an unnecessary trip into town.. All proceeds from shop go to Parish funds.

Baptisms—We are happy to welcome into our Catholic Community:

Aoife Fielding – Goulding Mews Meabh White – Dunluce Road Kasie Coughlan – School Avenue Luke Whelan Coughlan – School Avnuee

This Newsletter can be viewed on the Parish Website

Killester School of Ballet and Modern Theatre Dance

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, Dublin 5 Domestic and Commercial

House re-wiring - Fuse Boards - Grant work Additional Sockets

Lights - Shower installations - Outside Lights Connecting New Appliances

Free estimates - Emergency call out 30 years Family Business - Fully insured

Des: 087 266 1843 and 01 831 5682

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

Best Start Creche/Afterschool Playgroup TEC-CETS,ASCC.CEC. Free ECCE 8.30 AM-11.30 AM /11.40 -2.40 PM. Curriculum: Aistear, standard:Siolta

Drop off and Collection Service Hot dinners, outdoor area. Qualified staff. Insured.

New opening hours: 7.30 am – 6.15 pm. 087 9662609/8465507. 26 Killester Park

www.beststartcreche.com

English Grinds St. Brigid’s Resource Centre

Every Friday evening 5 – 6 pm – Junior Higher 6- 7 pm – Leaving Higher

Contact: Mary Rose Dowling 087 202 5481

Now taking bookings for Sept 2015

HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE “To us it’s personal”

Professional Home Care From 1 hour to 24 hours a day.

Personal care, errands, meals, etc. Expert dementia care Tax relief available Ph 01 853 5048

www.homeinstead.ie

Bill and Ben Gardening Services

Complete garden maintenance Landscaping services

Tree felling can be arranged We are fully insured

Contact: Sean 8481146 0872287371 Joe 833 5768 086 893 7350

STAFFORDS Funeral Homes

Telephone 855 0555

15 Maypark, Malahide Road, Donnycarney

Trust our family to take care of your family

LANIGANS Funeral Directors

A Professional Service at a reasonable cost

Tel: (01) 837 3586

Scoil Rince Cill Easra Adult Ceili Classes every Thurs

8.30 pm in Resource centre Children’s Dancing Classes

Venue 126 Abbeyfield Monday -Thursday 3.30 p.m. onwards Contact Jacqueline

at 831 8654 and 086-256 1000 MURPHY Funeral Directors

Park House, Edenmore Park, Raheny, D5 Here to serve you at your hour of need

Ph. 848 4444 24 hours — 7 days

murphyfuneraldirectors@eircom.net www.murphyfuneraldirectrors.ie

PIERRE HANDYMAN SERVICE Contact us for all your DIY needs

including painting, furniture assembly, shelving, flooring, garden maintenance,

general household repairs. Free quotation

For more information visit:

www.pierre.ie Phone Pierre or Sarah 087 353 1527

Counselling & Psychotherapy English, Ukrainian & Russian

H/Dip in Counselling & Psychotherapy,

MA in Integrative Psychotherapy. Ctc: Ruslana Verkhola

086 843 4979 Website: www.ruslanaverkhola.ie

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

01-515 8101/ 086 6007434

mail@georginaryan.ie

Maths Classes George Humphrey 087- 9787380

St. Brigid’s Resource Centre Every Wednesday Evening

17:00 - 18:00 Junior Higher 18:15 - 19:15 Leaving Ordinary 19:30 - 20:45 Leaving Higher 20:45 - 22:00 5th Year Higher

The Orchard Preschool and Montessori Free Preschool Year

Morning session: 8.45 am - 12 pm Midmorning session: 12.30 pm - 3.30 pm

(Optional extra hour available). Purpose-built premises with qualified staff

For more information contact: Mandy Stephenson BA (Honours)

Degree in Early Childhood Education 01-831 6848 / 087 775 8149 www.theorchardpreschool.ie

O’Connell’s Musical Society 2016 pantomime

“Little Red Riding Hood” St. Brigid’s B.N.S. Howth Road, Killester

Fri 15th Jan – 8pm, Sat 16th Jan - 3pm & 8pm, Sun 17th Jan - 3pm

Fri 22nd Jan – 8pm, Sat 23rd Jan – 3pm & 8pm, Sun 24th Jan - 3pm

Tickets ; Adults €11, Children €7 Bookings: 089 4323 478

Running for Beginners 8 weeks course

Starting 11th Jan 2016 Check out www.run4fun.ie for details

Or contact 087 233 7280 Learn to run 5K in 8 weeks Get fit for the new year

QUALIFIED LOCAL CARPENTER and Property Maintenance Service

Floors, Doors, Locks, Decking. All maintenance work on Domestic and

Commercial properties Repairs, Painting, Plumbing, Tiling,

Roof repairs Soffit and Fascia Free quotes & personal service. Contact: Phill 087 631 5899