Prepare is the key Advent word. Some 500 years before the coming of Christ the Prophet Isaiah wrote ‘Prepare in the wilderness a way for the Lord Make a straight highway for our God across the desert. Let every valley be filled in, every mountain and hill laid low. Let the uneven ground become level and the rough place a plain. Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed and all people shall see it’. The writer is expressing the expectation of the Jewish people that God would visit them in a special way as a result of which all people would see the salvation of God. Preparations similar to, but surpassing, those customarily made for festive processions of pagan gods are called for.
Christmas is a very special birthday celebration. Its meaning is made clear in the words of the angel to the shepherds: ‘I bring you tidings of great joy to be shared by the whole people. Today in the town of David (Bethlehem) a saviour has been born for you; he is Christ the Lord’. We celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ, God's Son, who became a human being and lived among us on earth. It is absolutely right that we should celebrate. The Christmas Dinner, the Presents, the Christmas Cake, all have their place provided we remember whose birthday it is that we celebrate. If we do; if we keep CHRIST in Christmas our celebration will be entirely appropriate, enjoyable to ourselves and pleasing to God.
This is where preparation comes in. Which of us does not need to straighten ourselves out? We need to get the meaning of Christmas straight in our minds. We need to reflect on our lives openly and sincerely - what needs to be straightened out there? The opportunity of confession which was so much valued and used by former generations is still available. Maybe there are things that need to be put right in our families and neighbourhoods. Perhaps a little generosity and sharing is called for. Are we happy about the way we have celebrated Christmas in the past? Have we to admit that sometimes our celebrations' have ended up in mess, have even been sinful?
‘Rejoice for the Lord is near’, St Paul says. Let us wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour this Christmas time.
Christmas Carol Service
Sunday 15th December at 7pm in Ballinteer Church.
Confessions, Christmas Eve at 10am – 11am & 3pm – 4pm
Christmas Masses
Christmas Eve - 6pm & 10pm
Christmas Day - 10am, 11am & 12 noon
Second Report on Parish Pilgrimage
to Prague and Poland
In the last issue of the newsletter, I outlined the
main events of days one to three.
On day four we travelled from Prague to Czestochowa via Nysa where
we had Mass at St. Jacob's Church. The beautiful square with its old
Jesuit College nearby and gaily painted buildings was a place where
some would have liked to stay longer. But it was back on the coach for
the long trip to Czestochowa.
We arrived at Czestochowa which is Poland's national Shrine to Our
Lady and booked into Motel Orbis. The more adventurous went out into
the dark for a walk as the cars whizzed by. Early next morning a few
got to the shops before we all set off for the shrine with its huge
square. It brought back memories of our own Knock Shrine. People from
all over Poland come by foot to the shrine, some in military-type
procession to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa in August.
We were privileged to have Mass at the Shrine to Our Lady before
proceeding to Warsaw.
School Hall Activities
For your convenience the following is a list of
contact names and phone numbers:
Drama Classes - Deirdre Moore. Phone 4948367.
Folk & Irish Dance Classes - Angeline Whelan. Phone 2989424.
Girls Gymnastics - Kay Farrell. Ph: not available.
Irish Dance Classes - Nuala Dunne. Phone 2762560.
Jazz & Ballroom Dance - Michelle Monzi. Phone 086-3038593.
Karate - Declan O'Dea. Phone 4943695.
Keep Fit - Paul Hickey. Phone 087-8269726
School Hall Bookings:
Contact Vincent Clarke. Phone 086-8334353 or e-mail at schoolhall@eircom.net
Spiritual Exercises
These go back to St Ignatius of Loyola the founder of
the Jesuits who lived in the 16th century. They grew out of his own
conversion story. They have been described as a school of prayer and a
means for growing in relationship with Christ. The text is considered a
unique spiritual classic. It offers a method of prayer that allows the
participant to follow Jesus and seek God's will in any circumstances
from the most mundane activity to the most moving experiences.
Ignatius describes and suggests a number of ways of praying, the
most common being a form of contemplation in which the person uses
imagination in praying with certain gospel events in the life of Christ.
If made in a Retreat House the Exercises take 30 Days (The 30 Day
Retreat). Made in Daily Living they take 30 weeks approx. involving
prayer each day and a weekly meeting with a Spiritual Guide. This was
the form originally used by Ignatius with the early Jesuits e.g. St
Francis Xavier. There are in Dublin a group of guides, priests, religious
and lay who undertake this work.
For further information contact Fr Jim O'Sullivan at 4944163.
Seeking Help from Sacred Scripture
'Let us praise God for his glorious grace, for the
free gift he gave us in his dear Son!'
Ephesians 1 : 6
During Advent we have a real sense of waiting and preparing for the
coming of Christ at Christmas. This waiting time also acts as a
reminder to us that we ultimately wait for His coming at the end of our
time here on earth.
It is an opportunity for us to focus on the spiritual meaning of
Christmas although this can be very difficult in our material world.
By praying with this scripture passage we become aware again of the
love which Jesus has for us - the free gift of His love for us. When we
are able to sense His love in our hearts we become open to receiving
His gifts - all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We can then turn to Him
with confidence in all our needs.
We should all try and take time out for quiet prayer in the run up
to Christmas - it is one of the best and cheapest ways of recharging
the batteries.
Ballinteer Parish Cell Community
We thank all who were part of our Healing Mass in the
Oratory on 13 November – this was a truly special celebration of
Eucharist and many people have shared with us how they were uplifted
by the gentle, quiet, reverent atmosphere of the evening.
We have organised an hour of quiet prayer and reflection for
Christmas on Sunday afternoon 22 December 4.00 – 5.00pm in the Oratory
St John’s Church.
We wish everyone in our parish all the blessings of Christmas and
all good wishes for 2003.
Enquiries welcome on 01 2987888.
Your Parish Needs You
The following are some of the ways that you can assist
your parish by offering your services:
(a) as a Reader at Mass. Readers operate on a rota basis which
currently means that a Reader is called upon once every five weeks.
Contact Fr. O'Farrell.
(b) the Church Shop. There is a rota in operation and an individual
is required once every six weeks. Just call any Sunday morning and
give your name at the shop.
(c) to the local Society of St Vincent de Paul which meets at 7.30pm
on Tuesdays and takes up a church-door collection on the second Sunday
of each month. Collectors are particularly required. Talk to any of
the collectors.
(d) a Helper in compiling the Parish Newsletter which involves
either writing or collating articles for inclusion, dealing with the
printer, proof-checking and collecting from the printer etc. Mention
your interest to any of the priests.
All Parish organisations continually seek new members. Participation
involves effort but there is the satisfaction gained in contributing
something to others.
Family History Society
To mark the Society's 10th anniversary in April 2003, a special 64pp
edition of its journal Gateway to the Past is now available and includes
an index of all articles from previous editions over the past ten years.
Details: Christopher Ryan, tel: 2988082 or e-mail: ryanct@eircom.net
Thursday, February 20th: Christopher Palles (1831-1920) Last Lord Chief Baron of Ireland (Major Benefactor of Dundrum Parish) by John Lennon, Local Historian.
Church Cleaning
Many visitors to our Parish Church comment favourably
on the cleanliness of our Church. This is due in large measure to a
small band of loyal people who come along each Monday morning at 10am
to brush and polish. If you have a spare hour or two, please come
along. Many hands make light work.
An even smaller group seek to keep the Church grounds clean and tidy.
Due to the litter disposed this is no easy task. Again, if you have an
hour or two to spare to brush up debris and bag the refuse, your
assistance would be greatly appreciated at any time of the week.
Currently 1 – 2 people can be seen trying to cope with the situation
on a Saturday morning from 10am onwards.
Church Shop
The shop beside the Oratory has a supply of advent
calenders, candles, Christmas cards from Ballinteer, cribs, 2003 church
art calendars and diaries in stock.
Also a selection of religious goods, videos, greetings cards, books,
holy water fonts, statues, medals etc.
Call after Masses on any Saturday evening or Sunday morning.
Baptisms, Deaths & Marriages Section
Baptisms
October - November 2002
Welcome to our Christian Community
Sophie Marie Anderson
Niamh Elizabeth Walsh
Faye Louise Flynn
Andrew James Jennings Donaldson
Jamie Patrick Browne
Jack Stephen Fortune
Molly Ann Sheehan
Adam Thomas Raethorne
Trevor Martin Downey
DEATHS
October - November 2002
Sincerest sympathy to the families, relatives and friends of
Paul Keane, Kingston
Ethel Hunt, St. Ann's Court
Kathleen Moore, Ballinteer Park
May they and all who sleep in Christ find in His presence light, happiness and peace. Amen.
MARRIAGES
October - November 2002
Congratulations to
James Herbert Michael Mackey, Blackrock & Elaine Marie Moore, Ballinteer Drive
Michael Walsh, Lucan & Yvonne Hunt, Broadford Park
Parish Pilgrimages
Pilgrimage to Lourdes
21st - 26th April 2003
Pilgrimage to Rome / Assisi / San Giovanni
12th -19th September 2003
3 nights in Rome,
3 nights in San Giovanni
1 night in Assisi.
Price Euro 975
Pilgrimage to Fatima
2nd - 9th October 2003
7 nights (full board). Price Euro 655
Spiritual Director: V. Rev. P. Battelle PP.
Booking each Monday night in the Conference Room from 7 - 7.30 pm.
Team Leader: Mr Tom Ryan Tel: 2986889
Father Tom is on his Way
Solemn Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help
March — April 2003
Fr Tom Hogan, CSSR, will deliver the
Solemn Novena from 29th March to 6th April.
New Parish e-mail Address
For your convenience the Parish Internet site now has a new e-mail address as follows:
editor@ballinteer.dublindiocese.ie
(all lower case)
We look forward to hearing from you.
Parish Walking Groups
Kilmashogue Wood Car Park — Saturday — 9.30am or 11.00am for approx 1˝ hours walking.
Enquiries: editor@ballinteer.dublindiocese.ie
Christmas Greetings to all our Readers
