Dear Friends,
It is hard to believe that we are already in September – where has the summer gone? Now that the schools are back perhaps we can settle into an autumn routine. I would like to encourage anyone who has time to come along to the Reading Club on a Monday morning from Monday 9th at 10.00am. We welcome Margaret Brennan who will direct the choir and lead us in singing, together with Seamus (organist) at the Sunday, 11 o’clock Mass. Nikola Bezjak will continue to be our organist every alternate Sunday. Nikola has also agreed to play at the Saturday Vigil Mass, along with Brian and Berna.
At the beginning of October we say a fond farewell to our former Parish Manager, Iva Beranek. Iva has been with us for two years and was a very creative and wise presence on our church team. We wish Iva every blessing and success in the future.
Fr. Brendan
SAINT OF THE COMING WEEK – TUESDAY, 3RD SEPTEMBER
St. Gregory the Great (540-604). Pope from 590. Gregory was the son of a senator in Rome. He sold his vast property and gave the money to the poor. He founded seven monasteries, six in Sicily and one in Rome. He himself entered this monastery in Rome. In 578, Pope Pelagius sent him to the Imperial court of Constantinople (Istanbul). Gregory was elected pope in590 and accepted the office only after a severe interior struggle. He sent missionaries to England under the leadership of St. Augustine of Canterbury. He wrote many books, including the life of St. Benedict. We still have 854 letters of Gregory. He encouraged prayers for the souls in Purgatory, especially the celebration of the Mass. He fostered the development of liturgical music, what we now call ‘Gregorian Chant’. He was canonized immediately after his death by popular acclaim.
GARDINER STREET CHURCH READING CLUB
Begins on Monday 9th September(10am -12m every second Monday). We will be reading Who is Jesus? – An Introduction to Christology by Fr Thomas P. Rausch, S.J. No prior knowledge of theology is required! This is a very accessible book.
INTRODUCTION TO THE MYSTICS
This is a series of talks by Fr. Brendan Comerford SJ on eight different Christian mystics. The course will begin on Saturday, 21st September and will continue until Saturday, 9thNovember (10 am-12.15 pm) in the John Sullivan Room. No prior knowledge required.
21st September - St. Francis deSales
28th September- Mary Ward
5th October - St. Therese ofLisieux
12th October - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
19th October - Adrienne Von Speyr
26th October - Dorothy Day
2nd November - St. Oscar Romero
9th November - Pedro Arrupe
No need to register, just come!
No fee. Donations welcomed.
OUR RECENTLY DECEASED
We remember in prayer those who have died recently:
Joan Murphy
May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
PETITIONS TO LOURDES SHRINE
Fr. Donal Neary will be taking part in the Dublin diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes, September 5-10th. He will bring any petitions to the shrine from the church here. Please leave them at the church office before September4th. They will be placed at the grotto in Lourdes.
LAST WEEK COLLECTION
Church: € 599, Share: € 106.
Card: € 221
SEPTEMBER 1st, WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE CARE OF CREATION, marks the beginning of the Season of Creation 2024, which this year invites us to “hope and act with creation”. It runs until the4th October, Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
“If we learn how to listen, we can hear in the voice of creation a kind of dissonance. On the one hand, we can hear a sweet song in praise of our beloved Creator; on the other, an anguished plea, lamenting our mistreatment of this our common home”.
Pope Francis
THE LITTLE 11
Resumes on Sunday, 8th September.
Special activities for children every second Sunday at 11am Mass. Children are led in special faith formation activities, such as guided prayer, storytelling, drawing, etc. by a group of safeguarded volunteers. These activities take (for 15-20 minutes) in the Coffee Room, opposite the door leading to Pope Francis corridor.
Parents are also welcome.
CANDLES IN THE CHURCH
We have noticed (again) that tealights and other candles have been lit and placed on the candelabra in the Church. Please light only the candles that are provided to keep the Church and the candelabra safe and clean.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BECOME MINISTER OF THE WORD?
New Ministers of the Word are always required. Training can be provided if necessary.
Please contact Sonia atsfx@jesuit.ie or 01 836341 to arrange a brief meeting with Father Brendan.
FIRST FRIDAY EVENING MASS
From Friday 6th September, every first Friday, Mass will be celebrated at 6 pm followed by Holy Hour and confessions.
There will be no evening Mass on Fridays other than the first Friday of each month.