11th May 2014

Newsletter for the Parishes of Saggart - Rathcoole - Brittas & Newcastle Parish Team Fr. Enda Cunningham PP St Mary’s Parochial House Saggart. Tel: 4589209 Mob: 087-1380695 Fr. Aidan Kieran CC 1 The Glebe Peamount Road Newcastle. Tel: 4589230 Mob: 087-6397744 Fr. Aloysius Zuribo C.C. 2 Carrigmore Place Saggart, Co. Dublin Tel. 01-4589209 Parish Pastoral Worker Mr Sean O’Rourke c/o The Parish Office St. Mary’s Parochial House Tel: 4589209 Mob:087-0540695 Fr. Michael Shortall PC 87 Beechwood Lawns Rathcoole Tel: 4587187 Mob: 087 -2861765 Fr. Michael McGowan PC 7 St. Patrick’s Crescent, Rathcoole Tel: 4589210 Parish Secretary Martina Hopkins The Parish Office St. Mary’s Parochial House Opening Hours: 9.30-1.30 Monday to Friday Tel: 4589209 www.saggartparish.com [email protected]

Eucharistic Adoration Holy Family Church Rathcoole Every Friday 7.30 – 8.30pm Items for Newsletter If you have any items for the newsletter, please contact the Parish Office or email to the addresses given below. Please indicate clearly that the items are for inclusion in the Parish Newsletter. Many thanks. [email protected] or

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4th Sunday in Easter Vocations Sunday Mass Schedule

We pray for Patrick McCluskey (Newcastle) who is recently deceased. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord And let perpetual light shine upon him.

Upcoming First Holy Communions and Confirmations First Holy Communions Scoil Chrónáin Rathcoole Church St. Mary’s NS Saggart Church

11am Saturday 17th May 11am Saturday 24th May

Confirmations St. Mary’s NS & St. Martin’s NS Saggart Church St. Finian’s NS Newcastle Church Holy Family NS Rathcoole Church

11am Tuesday 13th May 11am Tuesday 20th May 11am Tuesday 27th May

(Bishop Eamonn Walsh will celebrate all the above Confirmations)

Congratulations to all the boys and girls who will receive the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation in the coming weeks. You are the future of our church, and we are proud to see you take the next step in your faith journey. Congratulations also to the parents of the boys and girls. Sincere thanks to the teachers and staff in the schools. The Catholic School is a vital part of our parish community, we are grateful for your service in teaching the Catholic Faith. Mass with Anointing of the Sick Saggart, Saturday 7th June, 2.00pm The Sacrament of the Sick will be offered in Saggart Church on Saturday 7th June. There will be a celebration of Mass at 2.00pm, during which the Anointing of the Sick will be available. You can receive the Sacrament of the Sick: 1) if you have a medical diagnosis; 2) if you are going to hospital in the near future; or 3) if you are over 65 years of age. The sacrament may be received once a month. Mass in Newcastle, Tuesday May 13th, 9.30am On Tuesday May 13th, Mass in St. Finian’s Church, Newcastle will be celebrated at 9.30am. This is because of Confirmations in Saggart on that day.

Another Visit to Christ Church Cathedral? Over 30 people thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Christ Church Cathedral on April 5th. We met up over coffee, were present for the 12 noon Peace Prayer, and then had an Historic tour. After lunch in the crypt, we had a tour of the Stained Glass and Icon of Holy Trinity and finished up the day with a short reflection, music and song. It will be possible to organise another day if sufficient people are interested. The date has yet to be decided. If interested, text or call Bridget Breen 086-1762532.

Saggart: Sunday: 9 am & 11.30 am Weekday: 9.30 am Rathcoole: Saturday Vigil: 6.30 p.m. Sunday: 10 am & 12.00 pm Weekday: 9.30 am Saturday: 10.00 am Brittas: Sunday: 10.30 am Newcastle: Saturday Vigil: 7.00 p.m. Sunday: 10.30 am Weekday: 10.00am Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri. Confession Saggart: Friday, after 9.30am Mass Rathcoole: Saturday after 10.00am Mass Newcastle: Saturday after 7.00pm Mass Baptism Saggart 2.00pm Sunday Rathcoole 4.00 pm Saturday Newcastle 2nd Saturday 4pm Last Sunday 2pm Please contact the Parish Office Marriage Please contact the Parish Office

Divine Mercy Chapelet Saggart Church First Friday of each month. 3.00pm. All welcome.

Vocations Sunday Pastoral Letter of Bishop Denis Nulty Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin

Easter Dues

I purposefully chose the Feast of Saint John Vianney, the Patron Saint of Priests for my own ordination as Bishop last August, because the Curé of Ars exemplifies for me the true model of service in our Church rooted in the local parish. On that occasion, I spoke about the importance of every priest being a director and promoter of vocations. I said then, and repeat now that: “diocesan priesthood is a call, not a career; a way of life, not a job; an identity, not just a role”. I have been inspired in my journey around the parishes by the witness and example of priesthood evident in this Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin. Pope Francis in referring to the work that is in need of attention, uses a very powerful image when he describes the Church as a ‘field hospital’ after battle. In his own words, he contextualises the remark for us: “I see clearly that the thing the Church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful; it needs nearness, proximity”. This work is central to priesthood. If you are interested in healing wounds, extending compassion, warming hearts and offering forgiveness, then priesthood may be for you. Priests are called to be accessible, approachable, and available to people and their concerns. I thank all our priests for their hard work and for their example, as we remind ourselves that our young people are attracted to the priesthood by priests who themselves live a joyful, happy priesthood. It remains true that “the best examples of priesthood are joyful priests who love their faith and who love the Church”. Thankfully, in the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin we have three seminarians – Sean who is due for ordination this July in Portarlington, David who begins his pastoral placement in Graiguecullen next September, and Mark who is in his early years of formation. But, as you read or hear this letter, perhaps you might ask yourself: when was the last time someone was ordained from our parish? Let us just take a moment to reflect on that key question and the follow up question: How could I actively promote vocations? I believe that potential vocations are all around us – in our football clubs, in our bands, in our schools, in our colleges, in our families. Young people are interested in making a difference and in living a meaningful life which can be expressed in priesthood. The parish that prays regularly for vocations will generate vocations. Pope Paul VI said that vocations are an “inescapable indicator of faith and love of individual parish and diocesan communities”. Thank you to all of you who pray for, and promote vocations at the parish level. Sometimes all that is necessary is for someone in the parish or the diocese to suggest the notion of a vocation to a younger person. You can be that someone today. Parents and friends need to encourage, not discourage; young people need permission and reassurance to talk about and consider priesthood – my prayer is that this conversation will now begin. I invite our young people to consider choosing priesthood – it offers an opportunity to live a meaningful life with a clear purpose in a variety of different situations. Priesthood offers you the opportunity to make a valuable contribution to the Christian community by bringing hope and healing to many. If priesthood appeals to you, please contact your local vocations office. I want to acknowledge deeply the work and support of Saint Joseph’s Young Priests’ Society. Bishop Denis Nulty Newcastle Cemetery Mass The Cemetery Mass for Newcastle (Ballynakelly) Cemetery will be celebrated in the cemetery on Sunday 8th June at 2.00pm. The blessing of the graves will follow after the celebration of Mass St. Finian’s Cemetery Mass The Cemetery Mass for St. Finian’s Churchyard will be celebrated in St. Finian’s Church, Newcastle on Sunday 29th June at 10.30am. The blessing of the graves will follow after the celebration of Mass

We extend our thanks to all who have made a contribution to the Easter Dues. If you would like to make a contribution, there is an envelope for this purpose in the box of Family Offering envelopes. Alternatively, envelopes are available at the back of the church. The Easter Dues forms part of the income of the priests of the parish and of the diocese. Pope Francis Prayer Intentions May 2014 Please pray for the Holy Father’s prayer intentions for the month of May: Universal Intention: That the media may be instruments in the service of truth and peace”. Evangelisation Intention: That Mary, Star of Evangelisation, may guide the Church in proclaiming Christ to all nations. Rathcoole Juvenile Athletics Club Rathcoole Juvenile Athletics Club has been invited to its first Track and Field Competition on 22nd May. Training to select the Team starts at 6pm on Monday 12th May in Rathcoole Boys Soccer Club - Open to all Boys & Girls Age 5 to 15. Brittas Midsummer BBQ Brittas Midsummer BBQ takes place on Friday 20th June at 8pm. €10 per ticket. Marquee, Band, BBQ Food and Bar (Over 18’s only) Raffle prizes on the night. Proceeds in aid of the community centre annual running costs. Tickets available from committee members. The Council for Marriage and the Family Annual Conference Saturday, 14th June, Clonliffe College, Dublin 3. Theme: Marriage and Family at the Heart of the Parish. For further information and booking contact: Ms Trish Conway by email: [email protected] or (m) 087 6220349. Saggart Cemetery Mass

The Cemetery Mass for Saggart Cemetery will be celebrated in Saggart Church on Sunday 29th June at 11.30am. The blessing of the graves will follow after the celebration of Mass Brownstown Cemetery Mass The Cemetery Mass for Brownstown Cemetery will be celebrated in the cemetery on Saturday 14th June at 2.00pm. The blessing of the graves will follow after the celebration of Mass.