The gifts of the Spirit are also there for each one of us. They enable us to discern and work out for ourselves the life-path God wishes us to follow and the ongoing decisions this involves. These gifts are made available to us in a special way at Confirmation. With hands extended over those to be confirmed the bishop prays: 'All-powerful God send your Holy Spirit upon them to be their Helper and Guide. Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence. Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence'. In the Sacrament we are 'sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit' and with Chrism; anointed by the Lord for ministry. As the early Christians at Rome did we realise that all our best thoughts, all our worthwhile actions—and even our sense of identity as God's children—are prompted by this ever present, truly holy and sanctifying Spirit.
Holy Sacred Spirit, breathe your breath on us. Holy Sacred Spirit, breathe your life in us.
Parish Finances
Last year the envelope and standing order collection was Euro €93,545. The collection
for the church heating Euro €10,366. The sale of shine candles was Euro €13,988. On the expense side, the
servicing of the heating loan was Euro €8,930, the Parish insurances Euro €10,300, the maintenance and
repairs was Euro €33,179. The purchase of shrine candles and altar supplies was Euro €19,800. Telephone,
postage, stationery Euro €8,000, the light and heat for the Church was Euro €9,800, Presbytery improvements
was Euro €8,900, missalettes etc was Euro €4,000. Solemn Novena expenses were Euro €7,000. There was a small
surplus of income over expenditure. This summer the Parish has to contribute Euro €70,000 to the
improvement at Our Lady’s Schools. Next year the roof of the Church will have to be replaced—the
professionals are drawing up plans and estimates at present. We will need a lot of fund raising
to to meet the cost. We are so grateful for your continuing generosity and voluntary help.
Autumn Course 2004
Fr. John Littleton, President of the National Priests Council of Ireland,
has kindly consented to give four Monday night talks in October on the Sacred Scriptures.
Wanted! Altar Servers
¨ Boys and girls - made your First Holy Communion?
¨ Come and join the Altar Servers Teams.
¨ Serve God and your Parish - outfits supplied & training arranged.
¨ Talk to the Priests or to John at the Sacristy.
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 Euro615.
Booking in Conference Room on Mondays at 7pm.
Feast of the Sacred Heart 18th June
The month of June is traditionally associated with the Sacred Heart. This year,
the Feast of the Sacred Heart will be celebrated on Friday, 18th June. This popular devotion
began on 27th December 1673, when St. Margaret Mary Alacoque had an apparition of Christ and
she heard the following:
‘Behold this heart which has so loved human beings and which has spared itself nothing even
to exhausting and spending itself to give witness to this love; and in recompense for the most
part I have received only ingratitude’.
Ballinteer St Johns GAA Club
Live traditional Irish music sessions in the Club House each Sunday at 9.30 pm.
Pavilion membership of the club is now open at Euro100 per person, Euro150 per couple annually.
Application forms available in the Club House or from any Committee member.
25th Anniversary of Ballinteer Parish Pioneer Centre
Ballinteer Parish Pioneer Centre was established on 21st June, 1979. Devotion
to the Sacred Heart is the essence of being a Pioneer. This explains the primary motivation of
members who abstain from alcohol for reasons based on spiritual motives and genuine compassion
for those addicted.
Pioneer Prayer
‘For thy greater glory and consolation, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for thy sake to
give good example, to practise self-denial, to make reparation to thee for the sins of
intemperance, and for the conversion of excessive drinkers, I will abstain for life from all
intoxicating drinks.’
Parish Open Air Mass 3rd June 2004
Everyone is invited to the Annual Open Air
Mass to be celebrated at 7.30pm on Thursday, 3rd June. This year the Mass will be held in The
Court, Woodpark, beside St. Anne’s Court Flats Complex.
Ballinteer Parish Cell Community
As well as our Home Cell meetings continuing every 2nd Wednesday, we are planning
a number of events over the next few months. There will be a Rally in the Oratory on Wednesday
2nd June, and a Retreat on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th June in Eammaus Retreat Centre in Swords.
Our National Cell Executive is hosting a day in Milltown Institute on Saturday 10th July from
10am-5pm. The theme is "Transforming Your Life" and the speakers are Mons. Mike Eivers from
St. Edward Cell Groups in the Archdiocese of Miami, and Fr. Michael Hurley P. P., founder
member of the Cell Community in Ballinteer and Chairperson of the National Executive in Ireland.
Full details available for any of these events on 01-4953182. We were very grateful to
everybody who supported our Pub Quiz in Taylor's Three Rock recently and we would like to thank
the management and the staff who were so kind and helpful.
Week of Guided Prayer (one to one)
September 19th to 24th 2004
Contact Fr Jim O'Sullivan at 4944163.
(Also available for individual Direction, Guidance or Chat)
Baptisms, Deaths & Marriages Section
Marriage - April 2004
Congratulations to
Richard Hunt, Broadford Park and Ciara Maguire, Ballinteer Cresent
Baptisms
Welcome to our Christian Community
March - May 2004
Jamie John Byrne
Layah Stephanie Liston Maples
Emma Mary Rudden
Aisling Rose McHugh
Cian Bernard Murphy
David Mark Hyland
Kelly Edith Daisy Stewart
Mark Patrick McNally
Libby Antoinette Dillon
Jude Harvey Orr
Shauna Ann Holland
Ailís Monica Holland
Ben Declan Looney
Lucy Isabelle McMahon
Ronan Jamie McKenna
John Kevin Clair
DEATHS
April - May 2004
Sincerest sympathy to the families, relatives and friends of
Bridie O’Gorman, Kingston
Dan Fay, Ballinteer Park
Patricia Mulligan, Kellystown
Sean Walsh, The Heights, Woodpark
Paddy McGrath, The Grove, Woodpark
May they and all who sleep in Christ find in His presence light, happiness and peace. Amen.
First Holy Communion
Congratulations to the children of Our Lady’s Boys’ and Girls’ Schools who
received their First Holy Communion on 8th May.
Exposition of Blessed Sacrament
The Blessed Sacrament is exposed each Friday from 10am to 7.30pm in the Oratory.
Exposition closes with Benediction followed by Mass. Everyone is welcome to call and spend some
time before the Blessed Sacrament.
Volunteers Needed
The Parish has been fortunate that so many dedicated men and women gave of
their time and effort in the service of others over the last 30 years.
New blood is always welcome. If you feel that you can help in any way, please offer your
services to one of the Priests or talk to a member of the Parish Pastoral Group. In particular,
new members would be welcome to join the Parish Visitation Team so as to ensure that more homes
benefit from visits.
Next issue 26th September. Last date for articles 14th September.
