As you may know Pope John Paul has recently added a new set of mysteries to the Rosary. Each is a significant moment in the life of Jesus on earth. The third of these, Mysteries of Light, is Jesus proclamation of the kingdom of God, his call to conversion and invitation ‘come, follow me’. This call is universal in that it goes out to all people; yet he calls each person in a particular and unique way. He makes this kind of appeal: ‘it is my will to win over the whole world, to overcome evil with good, to turn hatred aside with love, to conquer all the forces of death — what ever obstacles there are that block the sharing of life between God and human kind. Whoever wishes to join me in this mission must be willing to labour with me so that by following me in suffering they may share with me in glory’. Jesus also invites us to reject the standards of evil set before us ‘by the world, the flesh and the devil’ and to enrol under his standard of justice and truth, of love and of peace. (‘Kingdom’ and ‘Two Standards’ meditations of St Ignatius Loyola adapted.)
A Lenten Preface sets the tone. ‘This great season of grace is your gift to your family to renew us in spirit. You give us strength to purify our hearts, to control our desires and so to serve you in freedom. You teach us how to live in this world with our hearts set on the world that will never end’. May the way we live Lent lead others to say ‘see how they know that God loves them’.
Youth Parish Music Group
Are you between 12 and 18? Can you sing or play an instrument? Have
you 2½ hours to spare each month? Or can you help in any way? If so,
your new Parish Music Group needs you. Come in and see us in the
Conference Room: Thursday, 26th February, 7 - 8.30pm.
Our Lady’s Schools, Ballinteer
Mr Gerard Murray of Pine Valley has been appointed as
Chairperson of Our Lady’s Girls’ School.
Mr. Declan McCarthy of Pine Valley has been appointed as Chairperson
of Our Lady’s Boys’ School.
Both appointments are for a term of four years.
Ballinteer Parish Pilgrimage to Lourdes — 2004
This year the pilgrimage takes place from 2nd to 7th
October (Feast of the Holy Rosary). The pilgrims will stay for five
nights full board at the Hotel Solitude (two minutes from the Grotto).
The inclusive cost including bus return to Ballinteer is Euro 615.
Booking commences on 1st March 2004.
Security System in Church
Security monitored cameras have been installed inside
and outside the church for the safety of our parishioners and property.
The system has been kindly donated by two well known parishioners.
Ballinteer Family History Society
Our programme of lectures has been postponed until the
autumn when we will recommence. In the meantime, readers of this notice
might let me know of any specific genealogical topics that may assist
with their research, and that we would include in our next series of
talks. Perhaps readers might like to include items re problems with
their research in the next edition (May '04) of our annual journal
Gateway to the Past.
I take this opportunity to thank Fr Battelle, and all those who
have supported our Society for almost twelve years.
Christopher Ryan, tel: 2988082
Society of St Vincent de Paul
Clothing collection after all morning Masses on Sunday
29th February.
Parish Walking Groups
Now that it is spring time again what better time to
start getting some exercise and fresh air with a lively group of
people on Saturday mornings. We meet at Kilmashogue Wood Car Park on
Saturday mornings at 11am and walk uphill for approximately three-quarters
of an hour then back to the car park again. A reasonable level of
fitness is required.
There may also be a walk at 9.30am but it is necessary to ’phone
01 4945397 in advance to check availability. Contact no. for 11am walk
is 01 4941948.
Seeking Help from Sacred Scripture
‘Ask and you will
receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened
to you.’ Matthew 7 7 : 8.
For this prayer to be really effective we need to make a commitment
to live our lives in communication with the Lord. One way of doing this
is to make a conscious effort to start each day with a prayer. It is
very comforting to realize that our first thought is a prayer thanking
God for the gift of today and for the grace to live life in a way pleasing
to Him.
We can then turn to Him in all our needs and expect to receive his
help with whatever crops up during the day. The ‘Partnership’ pamphlet
suggests a prayer such as ‘Dear Lord, I don’t feel able to get through
this day by myself. I know you can enable me to do it. Please do. I
place my life in your care just for today. I am available to you Lord;
please take care of me’.
When we talk to the Lord in this way we can share our concerns with
Him and offer them up in prayer and expect to experience His peace.
LECTIO DIVINA
Praying with PSALMS
ORATORY, THURSDAYS 8 - 9.30 PM UNTIL MARCH 25TH
Conducted by Father Jim O’Sullivan
All are welcome
Spiritual Direction Etc
If interested in Spiritual Direction, Prayer Guidance,
Spiritual Conversations,
Individually Guided Retreats.
Contact Fr Jim O’Sullivan at 4944163.
Ballinteer Parish Cell Community
Home Cell meetings are continuing every 2nd Wednesday
and are open to everyone to ’Come and See’.
Enquiries welcome on 01 4953182.
Lenten Programme —Preparing for Easter
As part of our preparation for Easter the Parish
Pastoral Group are organising a five-week programme for Parishioners.
Each night will consist of prayer, presentation and discussion with a
different speaker each night. This will run for 5 consecutive Mondays
starting on the 1st March in the Oratory from 8 - 9.45pm.
The topics addressed will be:
¨ Faith in a time of change.
¨ Faith sharing (how can we pass on our faith).
¨ My faith story (can we learn from one another).
¨ Revisiting our Baptism (what does it mean to me now).
¨ What is the next step.
All are welcome
BALLINTEER CHURCH REPOSITORY SHOP
We stock everything for confirmation:
Prayer Books, Rosary Beads, Dove Pins, Candles, Cards, Keepsakes,
Gifts.St. Patrick’s Day and Easter Cards also in stock.
Open after Saturday evening and all Sunday morning Masses.
Baptisms, Deaths & Marriages Section
Baptisms
Welcome to our Christian Community
Easter Vigil 2003
Rachel Beth O’Neill
October 2003 - February 2004
Alyssa Eithne Burns
Neil Patrick Merriman
Caragh Edel Keating Cullen
Patrick Daniel Harrington
Thomas Neil Moran
Seán Seamus Byrne
Tadgh Robert Maher
Andrea Mary Kate Breen
Alanna Maeve Clotworthy
Alexander Joseph Garcia
Conor John Gregory Gunn
Lauren Aoife Doyle
Dara Oscar Moran
Alex Clodagh Jones
Fiona Mary Allen
David Richard Fitzgerald
Sarah Marie Lee
Jane Helen Merriman
Senan Brian O’Neill
Hannah Eloise O’Kelly
Charlie Jack O’Connor
Darragh Thomas O’Brien
John Brendan Thornton Quirke
Róisín Catherine Ann Tuomey
Isabella Kathleen Vogza
Emily Rose Dunne
Eabha Nally
Laoise Hope Kiernan
Conor Maurice McCarthy
Alexander James Malone
Ava Angeline Gromke
Luke Philip Harris
Sophie Isabella Kelly
DEATHS
October 2003 - February 2004
Sincerest sympathy to the families, relatives and friends of
Ann Corrigan, The Court, Woodpark
Nellie Wall, Woodpark
Noreen McCrossan, Pine Valley
Tony Murphy, The Avenue, Woodpark
John Barry, Tinahely
Rose Doyle, Ballinteer Park
Bridget Ryan, Pine Valley
Mary Collins, Pine Valley Park
Bill Ryan, Pine Valley Avenue
Ciaran Burke, Pine Valley Avenue
May they and all who sleep in Christ find in His presence light, happiness and peace. Amen.
Confirmation
Confirmation ceremony with Bishop Martin Drennan
administering on Saturday, 28th February at 11 am.
First Confession
For children preparing for First Holy Communion,
Confessions will be heard on Saturday, 13th March at 11 am.
Next issue 28th March. Last date for articles 15th March
