The Word of God doesn’t deal in half measures, even when telling a story. Take today’s First Reading, from Genesis. Abraham, incredibly, becomes a father at the overripe age of 100. And Sarah, advanced in years and barren all her life, gives birth to the child. The message is clear and challenging: nothing is impossible with God.
What’s also clear is that God’s gift of life blossoms in spite of all threats to it. In Isaac’s case, parents so old they could die while he is still an infant. What would happen then? But God is not stupid, confused, or whimsical. Nobody and no thing can thwart God’s plan. Even when it seems, incomprehensible, that God wants Isaac dead you know that there’s something else at stake. That’s the conviction that you can’t go wrong by being faithful to God’s will – even when it seems to make no sense. Did it make sense for Jesus to be conceived out of wedlock? Not a good start to life. Did tongues wag? Did it make sense for Jesus to be crucified as a despised criminal? Not a good end to life. Did fingers point? Yet God was fulfilling a plan in spite of it – and continues to do so today. Today’s feast has an important message for all families, but especially those experiencing difficulties. Wagging tongues, pointing fingers, and apparent failure in life mean nothing to God. What count are: integrity, faith in God’s promise and the courage of take God at God’s word and act upon it – in full measure.
Fr. Tom Cahill. SVD
Thanks
Frs. Dan, Roderick and Liam would like to say a sincere thanks to all our parishioners for your generous support this Christmas and indeed throughout the year. We are greatly appreciative of your prayers, kind words and material support. We wish you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas Season and a wonderful New Year
Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Jamie O’Connor, Dublin
Anniversaries: Michel Kenny (Sat 6.15), Eddie Taylor (Sat 7.00), Betty Furniss (Sun 9.30), Josephine & Paddy McGrath (Sun 11.00), Geraldine Cody (Sun 12.30), Séamus Fry, Milo & Ann Fry, Patrick Burke, Edward & Elizabeth Geoghegan, Richard & Maureen Free, Mary O’Dwyer, John Hayes, Francis, James & Samuel Dunlop, Maurice & Margaret Maher, Seán & Mary Fitzpatrick, Catherine, Christy & Eileen Grace, Nora Bambrick, Roseanna Smyth, Paddy Doyle, William & Ellen Bergin, Liam Costello, Michael Davin, Bill Esmonde, Martin & Mary Doheny, Martin, Molly & Peg Browne, Brendan Doheny, Anna Reynolds.
Intentions for next weekend: Billy and Anastatia Hickey (Sat 6.15, Dr. Harry Roche (Sun 12.00).
Aware Support Group
This group, which meets every Monday at 8pm in St Mary’s Centre, Haughney Green (behind Cineplex) continues to operate over the Christmas. The group is open to those who are experiencing depression. Further information from Mick on 087 94 98100 or email mick@awaresoutheast.com The Aware Helpline is 1890 303 302.
St. Patrick’s Parish Centre
We are now taking bookings from groups and individuals who are interested in using our new Parish Centre. If you have not done so already please use the form opposite to apply. A list of costs and an invitation to view the facilities will be sent to you.
We ask people interested in using our facilities to note that we are non-profit making and any charges are to pay for the running costs of such a facility.
In the next few weeks we will be having an open weekend. More on this later.
Those who have volunteered to help with the running of the centre will be contacted in the coming weeks.
Questions People Ask
Q. Is there any historical evidence of the flight of the holy family into Egypt?
A. The only source is the Gospel of Matthew. Documents of the reign of Herod have no mention of the edict to kill the children of Bethlehem, although such an action would not have been out of character. In his first two chapters Matthew’s purpose is to portray Jesus as fulfilling many Old Testament figures. Egypt links Jesus with Moses, born there at a time when Pharaoh decreed the killing of the male children of the Hebrews. Matthew may have taken liberty with historical facts so as to portray Jesus as the new Moses and agent of the new covenant.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
St. Vincent De Paul
The St. Patrick’s Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul can be contacted through the parish office or through any of the priests. Those who require help can leave their name and details in a sealed envelope and mark it for the attention of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. All requests are treated with the strictest confidence and only members of the society open such correspondence.
Parish Mass Times
Mass times for this week will be as follows:
Monday to Friday: St. Fiacre’s 10.30am
Monday to Thursday: St. Patrick’s 11.00am
Friday, 2nd January: 9.30am St. Patrick’s.
Saturday, 3rd January: 9.30am St. Patrick’s.
Fundraising Bag Pack
Thanks to all who helped with our very successful bag pack at Caulfield’s SuperValu last weekend. The event was a great success and raised almost €6,000 for our new parish centre. We greatly appreciate the generosity of those who contributed and those who gave their time to this fundraiser. Thanks also to Caulfield's SuperValu for their help and support and to Rita Byrne and Mary Parsons who organised the event. All money raised goes to reducing our debt on our new centre.
Important Notice
There is no longer any Parish activity at the former presbytery on Ormonde Road. Please do not put envelopes, anniversaries or any sort of notices into the house at Ormonde Road. Notices etc may not get collected in time for publication.
All correspondence can be left into the Parish Office in the new Parish Centre, St. Patrick’s or St. Fiacre’s Sacristies or any of the priests’ houses at Loughboy. Please have notices for the newsletter in by Thursday at the latest.
St. Patrick's Brass & Reed Band
The band presents an Elvis Spectacular featuring Kevin O’Dwyer as Elvis. All star cast includes: The Memphis Mafia, The Uptown Horns, Eugene Dewberry and guests the Uptown Band. Langton House Hotel, Friday 16th January 9.30pm. Doors open at 9pm. Tickets now at Langtons also from members of the Brass & Reed Band. Admission €10.
