Parish Contacts –
Fr Peter Finnerty, PP, Ph: 01-832-3150.
Fr Séamus Connell, Ph: 087-702-5120.
Fr Cathal Price, Ph: 01-832-3683.
Janice Dornan, Parish Sec, Parish Office, Ph 01-839-0433.
Email info@kilbarrackfoxfieldparish.ie
www.kilbarrackfoxfieldparish.ie
Mass times – Mon-Wed 10am; Thurs, 7.30pm; Fri 10am. Sat 6pm. Sun 9.30am and 12 noon. Bayside– Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri &-Sat 10am; Sat 7pm. Sun 8am and 11.00am
Our parish is part of the partnership in the Howth Deanery as follows – Baldoyle, Bayside, Howth, Kilbarrack/Foxfield, Sutton. Registered Charity Number 20016166.
| Masses for the coming week | ||
| Day | Date | Time |
| P.J. Doyle, Francis Doyle | Mon. 5th | 10am |
| Francis Doyle Kane (A) | Mon. 5th | 10am |
| Larry Fleming, Birthday Rem. | Tues. 6th | 10am |
| Kathleen Mongan, Birthday Rem. | Thurs. 8th | 7.30pm |
| Nuala Tuffy, Month’s Mind and her sister Maeve Curry, Month’s Mind | Sat. 10th | 6pm |
| Clare McCann, Month’s Mind | Sat. 10th | 6pm |
| Mary Duffy (A) | Sat. 10th | 6pm |
| Eamon and Bernie Cusack (A) | Sun. 11th | 12pm |
| Georgina Treacy (A) | Sun. 11th | 12pm |
A Prayer to Saint Brigid
Brigid, you were a special person and an inspiration to so many. You stood up for those who needed a voice. You brought light and hope to so many. You were a woman of love, and you were close to nature and the heartbeat of God. Your cross has become so symbolic. It is a sign of hope, a sign of strength and a sign that everything in our world and universe is connected. The centre of your cross is symbolic of the presence of God. May we recognise our centre. May we feel the blessings of light, hope, peace, courage, and strength. May we grow each day into the person God has created us to be, both in mind, body and spirit. Amen
Prayer for Candlemas Day
O Gracious Father, you created all things out of nothing, and caused the labour of bees to be seen in the perfection of wax. You commanded your servant Moses to keep lamps continually burning before you. Bless and sanctify these candles that their light may be for us a visible reminder of the true light who enlightens everyone coming into the world. Amen
Saint Blaise was a very popular saint during the Middle Ages in Europe. His miraculous and mighty deeds were represented in art and sculpture. During times in which a sore throat could be a signal of an impending epidemic or an early death, the faithful were all too happy to accept the help of a heavenly specialist in such matters, like Saint Blaise.
Reflection on Sunday Readings
‘He heals the broken hearted, he binds up all their wounds.’
This Sunday, the readings invite us to look into human suffering. It is through Christ that our pain and despair can and will be transformed. Just like the suffering people in today’s Gospel, we all long for Christ. It is through prayer that our yearning will be fulfilled.
Job (First Reading) expresses total despair at the great losses that he has experienced; he seems overwhelmed by the frailty of life. The suffering in our world today perhaps makes it easy to relate to his sentiments.
The Psalm is like an antidote to the howls of loss that Job exclaims. It speaks of healing for broken hearts and minds; of wounds being bound and tended by our loving God.
In the Second Reading, Paul writes of how his own experience of Christ and the Gospel impels him to share the Good News with others. He feels that he is like a slave to the Gospel and is happy to accept this role.
In today’s Gospel we see that after praying with the community in the synagogue, Jesus responds with compassion to all the sick and suffering people who are brought to him. He begins his days in prayerful solitude and is drawn by a desire to bring his Good News to as many people as possible.
Let us pray for the grace to respond with wisdom and compassion to the suffering and needs of our time. May we centre our lives in prayer and by the grace of God be determined like St Paul to bring the Good News to our broken and hurting world.
Recently Deceased
We remember in our Prayers, Séamus Dawson, RIP late of Foxfield Drive & Skerries and Edward (Ned) Tate, RIP, late of Roseglen Road. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends, and neighbours. May they rest in peace.
Journey Through Lent – Invitation
Will you journey with us for one hour each Wednesday through Lent as we reflect on the Word of God in preparation for a more personally meaningful Easter season? Led by Fr Séamus in our Church.
We start on Wednesday 14th February, 7.30 – 8.30pm – hope you can join us. All welcome!
Christmas Dues Envelopes can be left into Number(s) 54/56 Foxfield St. John or to the Sacristy/Parish Office
Invitation – Cuppa and chat for all today Sunday 4th Feb in Parish centre following 12 noon Mass – do join us!.
St Joseph’s Young Priests’ Society Holy Hour for vocations – Tuesday 6th Feb. 2–3pm in our Church.
Also https://www.mcn.live/Camera/st-johns-church.
New Pilgrim Path – Prayer for Dawn and Dusk
“At Prayer with Thomas Merton” presents daily online prayers for dawn and dusk every day, drawn from the writings of the great 20th century Trappist mystic, Thomas Merton. Interwoven with excerpts set to music by the sacred music composer Kathleen Deignan, it is a beautiful resource for a contemplative start and finish to each day of the week.
Reflection on the Scriptures
Our Zoom reflections are on Mondays 7.30-8.30pm Insight and understanding are gained as we reflect on the readings for the following Sunday. All are welcome. Contact Phyllis 086 890 9488 with email address.
Collections
The amount collected at last weekend’s Four Seasons collection was €1779. Thank you to all who contributed.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is held Tuesday to Friday, 11am-3pm, each week.
What’s On
- Feast of St Blaise. 6pm Mass in our Church on Saturday. Blessing of the Throats.
- Chairobics each Tuesday 11.30am -12.30pm.
- Are you a reader? – come and see the big selection of books in our Parish Centre before and after all weekend Masses. See Donation boxes there.
- ARA – chairobics 2pm 7th Feb Parish Centre.
- Country Market. C of I Hall Raheny 8th and 22nd Feb 10.45am – 12.15pm.
- Six free talks in Christchurch Cathedral. Fr Kieran O’ Mahony. Wednesdays 7pm from 14th Living Faith in City based on St Paul’s Letter to the Romans. In person and online.
- Bayside Alpha – free 6-week Zoom course Metanoia meaning spiritual conversion. Tues 13th 7.30pm. Contact Paul alphabayside@gmail.com
- 33rd Divine Mercy Conference 2024 – Theme: Jesus I Trust In You. RDS Ballsbridge. 23rd-25th Book at the door/online. www.divinemercyconference.com
- Carmelites White Friar Street – World Day of Sick (Memorial of our Lady of Lourdes) 11th Mass 4pm. Anointing of Sick within the Mass.
- Next Catholic Grandparents online workshop 13th info@catholicgrandparentsassociation.org
- Inspiring Faith – Six-week course. 7pm-8.30pm. Mondays 19th Feb-25th March with Canon Michael Hurley. Participants guided to life-giving awareness of God’s love for us. Cost €75 or €15 per week. Contact dominicanretreats@gmail.com/01 404 8189
- 1890236/knockpilgrimages@gmail.com
- Dublin Diocese Knock Pilgrimage, 27th Queries to knockpilgrimage@dublindiocese.ie
- Preparing for Marriage? Weekend residential courses available. 26th-28th April and 20th-22nd Details. www.grasta.org or info@grasta.org
- Irish Hospice Foundation free Bereavement Support Line. National Freephone Service 10am-1pm, Mon.-Fri., 1800 807077. Visit hospicefoundation.ie.
- Support for your mental well-being? Aware’s phone-in/Zoom support/self-care groups/support line or support mail. Information visit aware.ie.
- Information and Support for Birth Mothers whose babies were placed for adoption at birthinfo.ieor by calling the relevant section of Tusla at 0818 445500.
Did You See That Butterfly?
Did you see that butterfly, the one that’s just flown by?
Yes, well that was me, I was just trying to say Hi.
The robin in the garden, yes of course that was me too.
I just wanted you to notice that I’m still right here with you.
The feather that you found, the white one on the floor.
Yes, that was me just giving you the sign I know you’ve been looking for.
Because I’ll never ever leave you, even though heaven feels quite far.
No matter where you go in life, I’ll always be wherever you are.
Our song that comes on the radio, a feather, a bird, a butterfly,
Remember that is a sign from me whenever you question why.
Een when you feel alone, know you’re not, I’m here.
You carry our love within every single tear.
So please know that I am with you, I wish I could take away your pain.
But the love we shared is always around and it will always remain.
Pray
God, I need You. Every day, every moment, every second, as long as I am breathing, I need You. I cannot face this world alone, O God. You are the only reason I have made it this far! I pray that you will never let go of my hand in the year 2024. If God has been good to you, Amen!
– People assume your gentleness must have come from an easy life. They don’t know you walked through the darkness alone and transformed your pain into power, your wounds into wisdom, the mistreatment of others into boundaries, and your generational curses into blessings.
Thought for the Week
There are people in this world who
will cut you open just to see what you are made of. Show them it is love. – Donna Ashworth.
