Gardiner Street Parish

Our mission at this Dublin city centre Jesuit parish is that people find strength, light and consolation in our church. We offer a heartfelt welcome to all and and the support of a lively faith community whose source of meaning and purpose in life comes through friendship with Jesus Christ.

We feel special inspiration comes through the missionary spirit of St Francis Xavier our patron, the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, and the holiness of the Venerable John Sullivan the saintly healer whose remains are venerated here.

If you are new to the parish, we extend a special welcome to you and pray that you will find a warm home here. Please introduce yourself to one of the priests after Mass or call into the office.

Fr Gerry Clarke SJ
Parish Priest

IN NOVEMBER WE REMEMBER

During November we traditionally remember all our loved ones who have gone to their rest.

• Envelopes for the Altar List of the Dead are available at the back of the Church or in the Parish Office. Envelopes can be left into the Sacristy or the Parish Office and will be placed in a Basket beside the Altar and will be prayed for During the Month of November
• Garden of Remembrance We have a garden at the back of the Church were Parishioners are invited to light a candle any time through November and place it in the Cross. Memorial Candles are available in the Parish Office for €1 and may also be taken home or given to a friend who might be grieving.
• Remembrance Board ~ At the back of the Church we have a board with the names of all the people whose funerals took place in Gardiner Street this year. Parishioners are invited to write down the names of anyone they would like to remembered.
• Remembering Family Members at The Gospel Choir Mass Sunday 18th of November at 7.30pm. Here there will be an opportunity to remember family members who have died and through gesture and reflection, contemplate on the influence and effect they had on our lives.
• Gospel Choir Mass Sunday November 18th at 7.30. Here there will be an opportunity to remember family members who have died and through gesture and reflection, contemplate on the influence and effect they had on our lives.

PARISH FORUM Part 2 - Wednesday 14th November at 7.30pm. Thanks to all who attended the Parish Forum last Wednesday.  Loads of ideas were generated and we decided to meet again to choose the most important ones.  So, half the work is done and if you’d like to help us prioritise our ideas and set a realistic agenda for renewal of our Church, come along this Wednesday and join the discernment.

Archbishop Diarmuid says: “The question now arises: where do we go forward now in the challenge of renewing the faith we carry in our own hearts and renewing the life of the Church?” and “Each parish and parish community can find its own path of reflection, with the help of the Parish Pastoral Council.  The aim is not to provide instant answers but at least to begin to set out a realistic agenda for renewal of the Church in the years to come.”

November’s Monthly Mass for Blessed John Sullivan SJ with Blessing of the Sick and Thanksgiving for his Life will be celebrated

next Saturday the 17th of November at 1pm.

The Blessing of the Sick incorporates the celebration of the Eucharist, an offering of Prayers and Petitions to Blessed John Sullivan and a Blessing with his Crucifix

WORLD DAY OF THE POOR

Pope Francis has declared Next Sunday the 18th November 2018 to be the second World Day of the Poor. On this World Day Pope Francis has asked us to examine our conscience to see if we can truly hear and respond to the cry of the poor in our world. In our communities, we are invited to offer friendship, solidarity and welcome to the poorest of our sisters and brothers.  Our companions at the Jesuit Refugee Service have made an appeal for winter clothing and perhaps this is a way we can respond.

WINTER CLOTHING APPEAL

As a community gesture, we are asking Parishioners to help The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) in their appeal for “pre-loved” coats and jumpers for asylum seekers who need winter clothing. If you have a clean and usable article of winter clothing that you don’t need or indeed if you wanted to make a gift of a new item to families who need warm clothing this winter, consider dropping off these items at the Parish Office or the Sacristy and the JRS Team who visit the asylum seekers will ensure distribution.

Indian Cultural Night, Our Lady Help of Christian’s Parish, Navan Road, invites you to an ‘Indian Cultural Night’ on Friday 30 November, in the Parish Hall from 7-9pm.

All are welcome to come and enjoy – Music, Dance and Indian Food.

Free Entry – all donations in aid of Kerala Flood Relief.

BETHANY BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT

The death of someone close touches us to the core and leaves us hurt and wounded.  A Bethany group offers a listening ear and help on the road of bereavement.  Individual support can also part of it. The Bethany Support group meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm.

ANNUAL OCTOBER APPEAL

Thank you to all who were able to contribute to the October Appeal.  To date we have raised €3,000 which will pay for the Webcam in the Church so that Masses, Services and Events can be viewed countrywide and worldwide from the parish Website.  The balance will go towards installing energy saving LED lights in Pope Francis Corridor. Thank you.

COLLECTIONS

Collections,Last week’s Collections, Church €848, Share €425 Thank you. The Blue Bag is for the Church Collection (St Francis Xavier’s Gardiner Street)

THE SHARE COLLECTION this weekend will be taken up to defray the costs of the World Meeting of Families last August and the welcome for Pope Francis.

SAFEGUARDING

POLICY OF GARDINER STREET PARISH FOR SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS Our safeguarding policy statement is available on the parish website and at the front desk.  We encourage parishioners to consult these and make comments or recommendations.  You will find an anti-bullying policy, complaints procedure and abuse reporting procedures as well useful guidelines for preventing harm.  Visit www.gardinerstparish.ie/safeguarding