Returning to Ballinteer for the third time is like coming home. The people in Ballinteer are very close to my heart. At the beginning of a Mission here five years ago, my mother died. I will never forget the support I received from both priests and people.
This Novena is held all over the world. The Novena in Belfast was broadcast on the World Wide Web and I had e-mails coming from places as far away as Florida.
The people who come to this Novena range in age from one to 100 and, judging from the petitions that they write, most of them are coming for help. They realise that life is not easy. When Our Lord was on the Cross, He looked down and saw His Mother. He saw you and He saw me and He said 'John, this is your mother'. People come with all kinds of problems; the child who is being bullied in school because he or she may not be too bright or, maybe, is very bright and is isolated from the rest of the group.
The people who made the Novena in Galway last year were mostly young people from the university and, as you know from listening to the radio , it brought the city to a standstill. The reason most of these young people came was because of fear; fear of having to face final examinations, the results of which would determine the rest of their lives. The single mother or father trying to bring up their children; people who are unemployed and feel useless; people coming with their weakness: drink; sexuality; drugs. People who are lonely - even though they may be with a large family still suffer from loneliness and depression. Some hoping to have a child - that God will bless them; people with marriage problems. These are a few of the people who come to pray and ask for help.
Three years ago we had the first Novena here in Ballinteer, and because of the large crowds, we decided this year to put on two sessions. The Novena commences on Saturday, 29th March and the times will be the same as the Saturday evening Mass and Sunday Masses. The same times will prevail the following weekend when the Novena will close at the 12 noon Sunday Mass. Weekdays, there will be two sessions; one at 10 am with Mass and one at 7.30 pm with no Mass. In addition to myself preaching this Novena, we will have two young students who will be ordained later this year. We will cater for everyone; young and old.
In preparation, during the week prior to the commencement of the Novena, we would like to borrow your house - just for half and hour, anytime of the day from Monday to Thursday. If you volunteer and invite in your friends we will bring the Lord Himself to your house in the form of the Eucharist. We will conduct a little prayer service asking God's Blessing on the Novena.
Jesus said 'Come to me all you who labour and are burdened and I will give you rest'. As St. Augustine says 'Our hearts are restless until they rest in thee'. He is the One who can solve all our problems.
Do come along and bring your friends.
God Bless each and every one of you.
Fr. Tom Hogan C.S.S.R.
Church Roof / Parish Finances
A recent report by Barrett Mahoney Consulting Engineers
on the condition of the Church roof started 'A roof at the end of its
usefulness'. They recommended the complete restoration of the whole roof
both at high and low levels.
Consultations are taking place with the Church architect and the
surveyors to get costings for the intended work. So far the estimate is
moving to the Eur 1,000,000 mark. A special fund-raising drive will have
to be undertaken shortly to meet this enormous cost.
For your information over the past year the following was raised with your generosity.
Receipts:
Family Offerings / Envelopes and Standing Orders EUR 80,300
Shrines EUR 38,000
Heating Collections EUR 26,000
Donations EUR 15,000
Total EUR 159,300
Outgoings:
Running costs of Parish, Replacements/Payment on debt EUR 116,000
Capital expenditure EUR 41,000
Total EUR 157,000
A debt of EUR 49,000 remains on the church heating system. However,
the proceeds of the sale of the old parochial house on Ballinteer
Avenue have been invested as a start to the Roof Replacement Fund.
The Priests of the Parish are very grateful for your generosity over
the year, and hope with your help to tackle the roof restoration over
the next few years.
Ballinteer Family History Society
To mark the Society's 10th anniversary in April 2003,
a special 64pp edition of its journal Gateway to the Past has been
produced. This (January 2003) issue is now available and includes an
index of all articles from previous editions produced over the past ten years.
Lecture Programme for 2003:
All lectures are presented at 8pm at the Conference Room, St. John
the Evangelist Church, Ballinteer Avenue. For any further details re:
journal or programme, please contact 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.
Thursday, March 20th: Evictions in Shankhill (Dublin): an illustrated presentation by Rob Goodbody, Historian.
Thursday, April 17th: There will be no lecture in April due to Holy Thursday.
Thursday, May 15th: Post Cromwellian Sources for Genealogical Research in the South East by Rev. Patrick Comerford, Researcher.
Thursday, June 19th: Huguenot Military Officers (1660-1780) by Ms Vivian Costello, Huguenot Reseracher and Richard Flatman, Genealogist.
Ballinteer Ladies Club
We would welcome new/old members to come and join our
club. We meet on Thursday nights (three out of four per month) in the
library in Our Lady's Girls N.S. from 8.30pm to 10.30pm approx.
For further information you can contact Brid at 2985204, Colette at
2951315 or Lena at 2982502 from 6pm onwards.
Parish Walking Groups
Kilmashogue Wood Car Park — Saturday mornings 11.00am
for approx 1½ hour walk.
Please note that the 9.30am walk is temporarily suspended.
Enquiries: jcfinlay@iol.ie
Seeking Help from Sacred Scripture
'Whoever goes to the Lord for safety
Whoever remains under the protection of the Almighty can say to him
You are my defender and protector
You are my God: in You I trust'
Psalm 91 1 : 2
When the going gets rough and there seems to be one difficulty after
another, this scripture taken from Psalm 91 is real balm to the soul.
It can be difficult sometimes to pray when we are most
in need and if we memorise a passage of scripture such as this one, it
is more likely to come to mind when needed.
It is most consoling when we feel in any way intimidated,
under pressure, below par, anxious or worried to know that real help
is at hand if we take some time to let the words of this psalm help us
to put all our trust in the Lord our God.
Alpha Course
You are invited to rediscover faith by attending on
Thursdays from 8.15pm to 9.45pm at the Function Room, Lamb Doyles,
Taylor's Lane.
Commencing: 20th February for eight weeks. Concluding: 10th April 2003.
For information:
Kingsley 4945719 or Philip 087 2152564.
Ballinteer Parish Cell Community
Many thanks to all who joined us for the quiet hour of
prayer and reflection on 22nd December. It was very special and
provided a welcome break from all the fuss and activity at this time
of the year.
Our next fund-raising event is a Pub Quiz being held on Sunday
16th February at 7pm in Taylors Three Rock.
The cost is EUR 30 per table
of 4. Come along and join in the fun. All welcome.
Enquiries: 01 2987888
Life in the Spirit Seminar
The Parish is
hosting this seminar as part of the Parish preparation for the
forthcoming Parish Novena. The seminar will continue on Wednesday,
19th February at 8.15pm in the oratory, St John the Evangelist Church.
It will conclude in Gort Muire on Saturday, 1st March.
19th February - Baptism in the Holy Spirit
1st March - How we can grow in the Christian Life.
All are Welcome
Contact: Noel Ryan 4946630
Spiritual Direction - Want to Know More?
For information, contact Josette Vassollo at 2981984
or 087 1221634 who can provide you with a list of spiritual directors
- priests, nuns or lay people.
Baptisms, Deaths & Marriages Section
Baptisms
December 2002 - February 2003
Welcome to our Christian Community
John McCabe Nolan
Sarah Kate Spratt
David Joseph Reinhardt
Thomas Finn Maguire
Aoibheann McDermott
Mel Aiden Sean Larkin
Conor Michael Culhane
Kurt Twyford Morgan
David Matthew Dockery
Jack Daniel Curran
Bronagh Mary Bridget O'Flaherty
Lara Mary Nathan
DEATHS
December 2002 - January 2003
Sincerest sympathy to the families, relatives and friends of
Sincerest sympathy to the families, relatives and friends of
Mary O'Grady, Ludford Road
Noel Moore, Ballinteer Park
Catriona Murray, Pine Valley Drive
Tony Preston, Broadford Rise
Catherine McCarthy, Broadford Rise
Eoin Carroll, Pine Valley Park
Eileen Ward, Broadford Lawn
Kathleen Butler, The Rise, Woodpark
Martin Carr (Senior), Ballinteer Drive
William Doran, Clonlea
May they and all who sleep in Christ find in His presence light, happiness and peace. Amen.
MARRIAGES
January - February 2003
Congratulations to
Michael Murphy & Orla Cray, Lynwood
Neil Muvaney & Orla O'Keeffe, Woodpark
Gavin J Lambkin, Beech Lawn & Gayle O'Dowd, Broadford Rise
Parish Pilgrimages
Pilgrimage to Lourdes
21st - 26th April 2003
Price EUR 595
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 - 7.45 pm.
Team Leader: Mr Tom Ryan Tel: 2986889
Next issue 6th April 2003. Last date for articles 24th March.
