At funerals how often have we heard or indeed uttered phrases such as ‘What a beautiful life she had’, ‘At least he died peacefully and without pain’, ‘God love him — it’s all over now: he didn’t have a chance to enjoy the retirement’.
Such words are valid and real expressions of our immediate reaction to the death of a loved family member or friend. However, as believers in the Gospel and Christ’s message, further reflection may lead us beyond such words. Christ’s message for us is that there is no such thing as death. Death came into the world but Jesus through His life, death and resurrection conquered death: ‘I am the Resurrection. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die’ (John 11 : 25-26).
Eternal life does not commence after death. It has its source in the waters of our Baptism and runs right through the bread and wine we receive in the Eucharist: ‘I tell you most solemnly everybody who believes has eternal life (John 6 : 47) and ‘Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life’ (John 6 : 54).
Speaking in purely human terms, we can reasonably claim from a psychological point of view that we do not die. We live in and through others — our families and all we meet. Such living has its origin in the giving of ourselves to others. Relationships contribute to the growing and development of others and indeed ourselves. The infinite nature of our actions and emotions is such that in human terms we never die.
The consolation for those who suffer loss through the death of a loved one can over time be assuaged by the knowledge that a mutual assimilation of love and goodness has taken place and will live on over the life-span of the surviving person.
However, our belief in the Resurrection of the body should in our dark and sad moments raise our spirits. Christ has told us that He returned to the Father to prepare a place for us — ‘a place where He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying, nor pain any more’ (Rev. 21.4).
The expression of grief on suffering loss is both healthy and necessary — equally so for the Christian. Did not Christ weep at the death of his friend, Lazarus? Did he not cry out on the Cross ‘My God, my God why have you forsaken me’?
However, Christ’s promises to those who love Him and their neighbour should comfort us at moments of sadness and pain as we realize that our dead, now at peace, await us to participate in the life prepared for us by Christ through our Baptism, the Eucharist and by Christ’s own Death and Resurrection.
November - Remembrance of the Dead
The Annual Remembrance will take place at the 6pm Mass
on Saturday, 2nd November.
Report on the First Days of the Parish Pilgrimage
to Prague and Poland
An early alarm call on Tuesday morning of 17th September
ensured that some 50 parishioners from Ballinteer and surrounding area
were at 4.30 am on their way by coach across the M50 to Dublin airport
to begin a 10-day pilgrimage to Prague and Poland.
Before departure we were aware that our Group Leader, Tom Ryan, was
indisposed and thus he and his wife, Germaine, would be unable to join
us. Our thoughts were with them as throughout the year Tom had done so
much to organise the trip on our behalf.
The flight with Czech Airlines was most pleasant and we arrived in
Prague just prior to noon. There we met our courier Alex, coach driver
Mark and acting Group Leader Roger. Having dropped off our luggage at
our hotel, we were transported to the city centre for a walkabout and
some shopping.
On the following morning we were given a walking tour of Prague
visiting the cathedral of St. Vitus, crossing the Charles Bridge with
its many statues where we saw the damage done to buildings during the
recent floods. We had our first Pilgrimage Mass in the church which
houses the Miraculous Child Jesus of Prague. We were all familiar with
the Statue with its red dress but some of us were surprised to find that
the original is decorated with a different colour dress according to a
particular rota and there are currently some 100 different dresses.
We stopped off for lunch in the local brewery where some of our party
imbibed the local drink while others satisfied themselves with water,
a mineral, tea or coffee. Goulash was on the menu. We were tired following
further walkabout in the afternoon but not too tired to avail of our
first local cultural event — a trip to the opera for a showing of La
Traviata.
The next morning we set out for Czestochowa via Nysa, crossing the
Czech/Polish border. On the way we noticed miles of fruit trees on
either side.
Perhaps it would be appropriate to refer here to my impressions of
Prague, often described as one of the most beautiful cities of the world.
There is no doubt but the architecture of the city is to be admired and
the Cathedral as well as the Charles Bridge are a must to be visited.
The city centre with its varied crystal shops is special and the tea/coffee
so cheap. On the downside, the floods have taken their toll and hotels
such as the Hilton have been closed ever since.
Many of us regretted that we could not have stopped off to see the
stadium as we passed by it on the road from the airport. Perhaps just
as well as we met some Glasgow Rangers fans the following day in the c
ity centre as they sang ‘the Sash’.
Church Heating Fund
The Parish Finance Committee and the Priests of the
Parish would like to thank all those who subscribed to the Church
Heating Fund collection over the last few years. The total collected
was EUR44,955.67 (Ir£35,405.47).
Those who wish to contribute to the fund may still do so by using
one of the envelopes available on the tables at the Church exits.
Thanks also to the collectors.
Ballinteer Parish Cell Community
Our 10th annual National Cell Seminar was held on the
last weekend in September. The theme of the seminar was ‘A Faith
Response to a Changing Culture’. Bishop Donal Murray, Bishop of
Limerick, was our keynote speaker. His talk was very well received by
all present and he was happy to subsequently respond to the many
observations and questions asked. He was the main celebrant of the
concelebrated Eucharist celebration on Saturday evening.
Home Cell meetings resume on 16th October 2002. For information
please call 01 2987888.
Children’s Church: Family Mass of Thanksgiving
November 3rd. 12 o’clock Mass. A time to celebrate and
give thanks for the gifts each of us have for the building up of our
family as well as our community.
All are welcome.
Ballinteer Family History Society
Please note: All lectures will be presented at The Conference Room, St John the Evangelist Church, Ballinteer Avenue, at 8pm. For any further details please contact Christopher Ryan, Tel: 01 2988082 or E-mail: ryanct@eircom.net
DATE SUBJECT SPEAKER
2002
Thurs. Oct. 17th W. & R. Jacob, Biscuit Manufacturers: An illustrated talkby Dr. Séamus Ó Maitiú, Local Historian.
Thurs. Nov. 21st Musings of Fernhill by Mr. Nicholas Ryan, Sculptor.
2003
Thurs. Feb. 20th Christopher Palles,(1831-1920) Last Lord Chief Baron of Ireland(Major Benefactor of Dundrum Parish)by Mr. John Lennon, Local Historian.
Thurs. March 20th Evictions in Shankhill: an illustrated talk.by Mr. Rob Goodbody, Local Historian.
Thurs. April 17th There will be no lecture in April due to Holy Thursday.
Christianity: Boring, Untrue or Irrelevant?
In a relaxed and friendly setting, the Alpha Course
explores this and other topics relating to knowing God better. Come
along to Taylors Three Rock on Tuesday 15th October at 8pm for the
introductory evening. The seven week course begins the following
Tuesday (22nd October at 8pm).
Further enquiries ph. 2989532 evenings.
Spiritual Chat/Guidance
Like to have a spiritual chat or just to talk things
over — to have spiritual guidance or to make a one-to-one retreat —
maybe the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius in Daily Life or just a
few days.
Father Jim O’Sullivan would be glad to talk to you. Phone 4944163.
Knock Night Vigil
To Our Lady’s Shrine in Knock on Saturday, 7th December
2002. Bus leaves Ballinteer Church at 5.30pm. There will be dinner in
Longford on the way, and breakfast on the way home. Bus will be back
in Dublin at 10am Sunday, 8th. Total cost EUR33.
Names and deposits to:
Mrs Joan Redmond, 28 The Crescent, Woodpark. Ph: 2951372
Seeking Help from Sacred Scripture
John 7 : 37
Jesus says ‘Whoever is thirsty should come to me and drink’.
Many of us are searching for meaning in our lives. We may have many of
life’s material comforts but still feel restless and uneasy.
This scripture is clearly telling us that if we turn our minds and
hearts to God by making time in our day for prayer, then we can
experience true peace. It really is not possible to experience true
peace in our hearts in any other way. As well as prayer we should make
space for quiet time — time when our prayer is listening so that God
can speak to us. Also, we should regularly read spiritual books or
magazines or newspapers which will help us on our journey through life.
The aim is to experience the love of Jesus in our hearts and to
come to know and rely on Him as our best friend
Confirmation 2003
The Sacrament of Confirmation will be
administered on 22nd February.
LECTIO DIVINA AUTUMN 2002
PRAYING WITH
GOSPEL OF MARK
THURSDAYS 8 to 9.3OPM
ORATORY BALLINTEER CHURCH
starting October 3rd
Conducted by Father Jim O'Sullivan
All Welcome
Baptisms, Deaths & Marriages Section
Baptisms
September 2002
Welcome to our Christian Community
Brian Brendan Francis Nugent
Adam David O’Brien
Aimee Margaret Robins
Carise Seveline Lolongo
Masamba Dean Lolongo
Katie Mary Dillon
Eve Margaret Breathnach
DEATHS
August - September 2002
Sincerest sympathy to the families, relatives and friends of
Karen Costello, Kingston
Christy Waters, Ballinteer Park
May they and all who sleep in Christ find in His presence light, happiness and peace. Amen.
MARRIAGES
September 2002
Congratulations to
Paul James Sherlock, Lucan & Darragh Patricia Butler, The Rise, Woodpark
Raymond John Carey, Churchtown & Vanessa Shanagher, Ballinteer Grove
Stephen Nolan, Sandymount & Shirley O’Brien, Ballinteer Park
Parish Pilgrimages
Pilgrimage to Rome and San Giovanni, 12th -19th September 2003.
Pilgrimage to Fatima, 2nd - 9th October.
Pilgrimage to Lourdes, April 2003. (Exact dates will be announced later.)
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.
Next issue 8th December 2002.
Last date for articles 26th November.
