Sophisticated Slavery
In his book Seeking Spirituality Ronald Rolheiser states that the incarnate God is found first and foremost in peoples’ homes. According to him ‘The God of the Incarnation is more domestic than monastic.’ The Israelites, in today’s First Reading didn’t see God that way. For them, he was external: present in a burning bush, in a pillar of cloud, in a pillar of cloud, in a pillar of fire and on a storm tossed mountaintop. So external was he that they doubted his presence at all in time of difficulty. For them, he was a fair-weather god.
When their basic needs were not met, they complained loudly. Forgetful of their recent past of slavery and misery, they bemoaned their perilous present and their uncertain future. They wanted sustenance, security and comfort. Otherwise they would resort to idols for what they wanted.
Are we, modern and sophisticated as we like to think, all that different? Don’t we too have our idols: consumerism, entertainment, fashion, popularity and image? Aren’t we enslaved by the shop-till-you-drop impulse, the must-have craving for the latest fashions and tends, and an insatiable appetite for praise and popularity?
Could we say that our God is not just domestic, but domesticated?
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
Third Sunday in Lent: Water
Trócaire’s Lenten Campaign this year is focusing on climate change and the issue of water. The water that is around us today is the same water that formed when earth began. No more can be added. We drink the same water that dinosaurs once swam in – the same water that was in Jacob’s Well.
Please help Trócaire’s campaign by remembering to pick up a Trócaire Family Fast Box at the back of the church or go online to www.trocaire.org to see what else you can do.
Questions People Ask
Q. Why was there such enmity between the Samaritans and the Jews?
A. Samaritans were survivors of the ten northern tribes of Israel who broke away from the tribe of Juda (Jews) in 931 BC over the excessive taxes levied for the building of the temple in Jerusalem. Samaritans claimed Mount Gerism, in their territory, was a holy place long before any temple in Jerusalem. When the Assyrians conquered this northern kingdom they sent in five pagan tribes, each with their own religion. The Jews regarded the Samaritan religion as contaminated by these five streams of paganism. The Samaritan woman represented her race in her five marriages and her present relationship which did not merit the name of marriage.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Extra Mass for Lent
For your convenience we have introduced an extra Mass for the Season of Lent. Masses are now celebrated at 9.30am (St. Patrick’s Church) and 10.30am and 6.15pm (St. Fiacre’s Church).
Well done to those who continue to make the effort to attend daily Mass during Lent. Others are always welcome to join in our parish act of worship.
Peace in Christ Retreat House
The annual Parish Evening for St. Patrick’s Parish will be held at the diocesan retreat house on Monday, 10th March beginning at 8.00pm.
Peace in Christ offers an opportunity to relax and reflect in a prayerful atmosphere. This special evening for our parish community enables us to prepare together as we move towards Easter. See notice boards for further details.
Church Gate Collection
The School of the Holy Spirit will hold their church gate collection at all Masses this weekend. Please support.
Creidim Notice
Exploring the Scriptures, a Creidim course on sacred scripture with Sr. de Lourdes Sheridan, has been brought forward to begin next Tuesday, 26th February at 10.30am.
Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Paddy Nolan, Rath, Danesfort. Requiem Mass at Danesfort Church at 10.15am on Sunday.
Months Mind: Betty Oakes (Tue 10.30).
Anniversaries: Molly Johnstone (Sat 6.15), Anna Kelly (Sat 7.00), Davie Maher (Sun 10.00), Canice & Micheal Dunphy (Sun 12.00), Kathleen Grace (Sat 9.30), Patrick & Teresa Kennedy, Kathleen Morris, John Millea, Mary Kelly, Clare Kelly, Stan Landers, Tommy Casey, John Barry, Martin Dermody, Ann Mulhall, Michael Drennan, William McGuire, Marjorie Foskin, Paddy Barry, Tom Manogue, Bill O’Connor, John Beehan, Tony Comerford, Rita Hillman.
Parish Draw
The next drawing of prizes will take place at the Presbytery on Tuesday at 8.30pm. All are welcome to come along and join in the fun.
Promoters may return cards and monies to the Presbytery from 6.30pm on Monday and Tuesday. Good luck to all.
Promoting Vocations
The Annual General Meeting for the Diocesan St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society will be held at the Brother Rice Centre, Callan on Thursday evening. Proceedings begin with Mass for vocations to the priesthood and religious life at 7.30pm. Celebrant will be Bishop Séamus Freeman.
“The Church’s vocation crisis is reaching catastrophic levels as new figures show that as many as 160 priests have died in the last year, while only nine men were ordained, and 228 nuns died with only two taking final vows.” (The Irish Catholic).
Please join in the work of promoting vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Reports indicate that flights to Lourdes for the 150th anniversary year are almost completely booked. There are still about 20 places left on our diocesan pilgrimage which will be led by Bishop Séamus Freeman.
Juvenile Coaching Returns
James Stephens GAA Club Juvenile Hurling Squads/Panels are returning to their Coaching Programme for 2008.
Our Under 6/7/8 structure is returning on Sunday, 2nd March in Cootes Lane at 11.30am sharp. Our Under 9/10 structure is returning on Tuesday, 25th March in Nuncio Road (Juvenile Pitch) at 6.45pm. Our Under 11/12 structure is returning on Thursday, 27th March in Nuncio Road (Juvenile Pitch) at 6.45pm.
We would like to encourage any youngsters that would like to start hurling or football to come up on the commencing night of coaching at the grade/age that suits them and sign up for what will be a fantastic year of great fun and enjoyment. Any enquiries please contact Mark Tyrrell (Juvenile Officer) at 056 770 8821.
Our Under 14 A & B Hurling/Football Squads have returned to start their coaching and they would like new players aged 13/14 interested in playing hurling or football to come up to the training and sign up. They train on Friday evenings in Scanlon Park at 6.30pm. Our U-16 Squad is also back into action and they train on Friday evenings at 8.30pm.
Heart Health Information Meeting
When: Monday, 25th February
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel
Refreshments available from 7.00pmEveryone welcome. Admission free.
Family Liturgy
We continue to have our popular family liturgies at St. Fiacre’ Church at 10.30am on Sundays. Practice for young people at St. Fiacre’s Church on Thursday evening after 6.15pm Mass.
Families Celebrating Fatherhood
Pilgrimage to Knock on Friday, 14th March 2008 for the Solemnity of St. Joseph Protector of Families and Guardian of the Church.
Programme
1.45pm Assembly in Basilica
2.00pm Reflection on St. Joseph & Father- hood by Fr. John Harris O.P.
2.30pm Stations of the Cross
3.00pm Holy Mass followed by Benedic- tion and General Blessing
All are welcome.
Lap Dancing Club
A group of people opposed to this new development in our historic and beautiful city has organised a peaceful protest each Friday from 8.30pm - 10.30pm. This is a community effort to try and ensure the closure of this club which is demeaning to both men and women. More volunteers are needed to extend this peaceful protest to Saturday night also. If you are interested in helping out, please contact 087 785 3614 or 086 205 2488.
Thank You
Enable Ireland & The O’Neill Centre, would like to express a word of thanks to all who supported their recent church gate collection. The amount raised in our parish was €1,106.40.
Catholic Media
It is important that we take our news about the Church from a reliable, dependable and non-biased source. We continue to provide The Irish Catholic and The Word at the church sacristies each weekend. Why not purchase a copy and see what they have to offer?
All Hallows College
This Dublin College is offering a number of Post Graduate Programmes in 2008-2009
MA in Management: Community & Voluntary Services: A programme for managers, management teams and potential managers.
MA in Leadership & Pastoral Care: An interdisciplinary programme, where pastoral theory is applied to best practice.
MA in Social Justice & Public Policy: A programme designed to develop understanding of and engagement with the theoretical framework that underpins public policy today.
Master and Doctoral Degrees by Research: This research programme provides an opportunity to question, reflect about, build upon and practise the art of research in an interdisciplinary context on a topic of your own choosing, under the guidance of experts.
For further information and application forms: Post Graduate Office, All Hallows College, Grace Park Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9. Tel: 01 852 0756. Email: postgrad@allhallows.ie
