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 |
| Brian Burdock (21st A) | Mon. 3rd | 10am |
| Frances Doyle Kane (A) | Thurs. 6th | 7.30pm |
| P.J. Doyle (A) | Thurs. 6th | 7.30pm |
| Larry Fleming, Birthday Rem. | Fri. 7th | 10am |
| Joseph (Joe) Brewer (1st A) and Bridget and James Ryan (A) | Sat. 8th | 6pm |
| Mary Duffy (A) | Sat. 8th | 6pm |
| Lee Hyland Fitzsimons Month’s Mind | Sat. 8th | 6pm |
| Mary Dunne (1st A) | Sat. 8th | 6pm |
| Gina Treacy (3rd A and Birthday Rem) | Sat. 8th | 6pm |
| Bernie and Eamon Cusack (A) | Sun. 9th | 9.30am |
| Jacinta Kenny, RD | Sun. 9th | 9.30am |
| Paul Cranny (A) | Sun. 9th | 12pm |
| Francis Eustace (1st A) | Sun. 9th | 12pm |
Recently Deceased
We remember in our prayers: Mark O’Reilly, RIP, late of Briarfield Road, Gretta Ryan, RIP, late of Foxfield Grove and Eithne Flynn, RIP, late of Berehaven Place.
Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends and neighbours. May they rest in peace. Amen.
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
Candlemas Day
Candles will be blessed at all Masses this weekend. Candles are available at the back of Church this weekend. Please see one of our volunteers.
Reflection on Sunday Readings
Simeon took Jesus into his arms and blessed God
Today we celebrate Candlemas, the Christian festival of light that marks the end of Christmastide. We joyfully welcome into the ‘temple’ of our hearts Christ the Light of the World; the One who enlightens our lives.
The prophecy of Malachi (First Reading) is fulfilled when Mary and Joseph present the child Jesus in the Temple, for Malachi speaks of a day when ‘the Lord … will suddenly come to his Temple’.
The Gospel is a formal announcement of Jesus’s arrival in the Temple: his presentation to Gentiles and Jews alike, as ‘the salvation’ of all humankind. The intimate scene also highlights the faithful piety of the young couple, as well as the patient faith and hope of Anna and Simeon.
The Second Reading underlines the reality of Jesus’s humanity. Like all of us, Jesus must grow in maturity and wisdom, as well as experiencing the suffering that real temptation brings to every human being.
The Psalmist marvels that the Lord of the Universe deigned to live amongst us in the Temple: he bids its gates and ancient doors to lift their heads, so that the mighty Lord may enter.
As Pilgrims of Hope in this Jubilee Year, we pray that, like the Holy Family, we might have a growing faith and hope in a loving God who cares for us all. We remember especially those who are victims of modern slavery in our turbulent, uncertain world. We also ask for an openness of heart and spirit to appreciate God’s many blessings, freely available to us every day.
This week we pray that like the Holy Family, we have a growing faith and hope in a loving God who cares for all, especially in our turbulent and uncertain world of today. We also pray for an openness of heart and spirit to the many Divine blessings freely available to us each day.
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
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is held Tuesday to Friday, 11am-3pm, each week
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 happy to accept the help of a heavenly specialist in such matters, like Saint Blaise.
Blessing of throats will take place at 10am Mass on Monday 3rd February
Tax Returns
We recently wrote to some parishioners to update their Tax Forms for 2023 returns. It’s still not too late to submit forms. Please contact Janice 01 839 0433 if you wish to discuss further or need a replacement form. Thanks to all who have already responded. See our web page for more information.
From Today is my Gift to You – www.2u.ie
A prayer for guidance and blessing:
Loving God, I ask you to be with me on this day. I don’t know what lies ahead of me today. Give me the strength and courage to get through everything as best I can. I ask you to hold me in my fears, worries and frustrations. Help me to see clearly the things that matter and the things that don’t. Help me to use every gift I have, remembering that it is from you. May your presence in my life give me a generous and open heart, making me an instrument of peace and love in whatever choice I make. Help me to use these days to make positive choices in everything I do.
I include in my prayer any person who needs a prayer, a word of encouragement, help or guidance at this time. For anyone who finds life a struggle, please give them the inner strength to keep going. When I have doubts, questions, uncertainties or worries, hold me in your special care. Even if today is not a great day or if I feel I messed up, help me to restart and get going again. Whatever may happen, all I need to know is that there is nothing that you or I can’t handle together today. Amen
New Pilgrim Path Website: St Brigid of Ireland
St Brigid was inspired by St Patrick to spread God’s word. Her unbounded generosity sprang from a deep awareness of the Divine presence in everyone and everything and she responded with insight, creativity, humour and compassion to the situations that confronted her. See video of her life at www.newpilgrimpath.ie
What’s On
- The ARA meet Wednesdays Parish Centre. Chairobics 2.30pm, 5th, 12th 26th Feb and 5th
- Chairobics every Tuesday 11.30am, Parish Centre.
- Reflection on Sunday’s readings on zoom – Mondays. Call Phyllis 086 8909488.
- Gospel evenings Tuesdays from 7.15pm in the Parish Centre. All welcome.
- Pop-up Gaeltacht. Naomh Barróg. From 8pm Thurs 6th Beidh fáilte róimh gach duine. Bígí ann. John.c.carroll@gmail.com /083 100 3931
- Vocations Society of St Joseph’s Holy Hour for Priests and Religious, 2-3pm next Tues. 4th Feb. https://www.mcn.live/Camera/st-johns-church
- ACCORD Annual Collection will replace the Share collection weekend of 15th /16th February
- Ruah: Life in the Spirit Seminars from 27th Feb 8pm (7 Weeks) St. Paul’s Church, Ayrfield. Register with Teresa: 087 206 9249. All are very welcome.
- Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock . Information via –knockpilgrimage@dublindiocese.ie
The Climb
They say that when you’re broken
This is how the light gets in
But what if all the cracks
Are letting out the light within?
They say it makes you stronger
But at first it makes you weak
The way you face the mountain base
Before you reach the peak
They say to break is brave
And yet your mind is full of dread
You’re not overwhelmed by courage
But by helplessness instead
But admitting you are breaking
Is far braver than you know
And remember, from the bottom
There is just one way to go
See, I think they mean it isn’t just
That breaking makes you strong
But the way you use the embers
Of your will to carry on
It’s triumph over trauma
And it’s healing after hurt
It’s rising from the ashes
With a new-found sense of worth
So, find yourself a candle
And allow its tiny spark
To ignite you back to life
And put the fire back in your heart
And grant yourself compassion
For the times that you feel weak
Just rest until you’re strong enough
To get back on your feet
Yes, I know that when you’re broken
You have only threads of hope
But tie them to the mountain
Like your personal safety rope
Then gather at the bottom
With the summit high above
Then take a breath and take a step
The only way is up Becky Hemsley
Losing someone is a journey, not a one-off. There is no end to the loss, there is only a learned skill on how to stay afloat when it washes over. Be kind to those who are sailing this tempestuous sea, they have a mission ahead of them, and a daily shock to the system each time they realize; they are gone, again. You don’t just lose someone once, you lose them every day, for a lifetime. Because you love them every day, for a lifetime. Donna Ashworth
Thought for the week
“The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day He created Spring.”
