Category Archives: Prayer

Yet another war has destroyed homes and lives in Gaza. Hundreds of men, women and children have died in the past few weeks. Entire families have been wiped out, while many others have been left injured, homeless and without any means to provide for themselves.

The situation must end and peace must be built. Trócaire’s partners are delivering medical aid and we are campaigning to tackle the underlying injustices which are sustaining the cycle of conflict in Palestine.

Trócaire met with the Irish Government about the crisis last week and this coming week Dáil Eireann will convene to discuss the crisis. Our politicians must know the truth about what is happening and be
urged to take action. We invite you to sign our online petition urging the Irish Government to take necessary action –https://www.trocaire.org/gaza-in-crisis/

You can also read stories written by our friends and colleagues in the community at Gaza about what is a happening. The following is one account from Dr. Yasser Abu Jamei who leads the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme – https://www.trocaire.org/news/this-must-end/

Join with Trócaire in a Prayer Vigil for Gaza in your home

The nights are hardest in Gaza due to the fear of bombardments.  It is dark and people are scared, hungry, and cold.  As we look on with pain in our hearts, it is all too easy to feel hopeless, so Trócaire are inviting you to join us in offering light in the dark, to create connection, solidarity, and support for the people of Gaza. 

Please light a candle and hold space in any way that feels right for you during the coming weeks. You may sit in quiet reflection, play some gentle music, read a little about the Palestinian people and their plight for justice, draw, write, pray, meditate. There is no right or wrong way, simply the intentional moving into connectedness with people in Gaza. 

If you would like to share an image or a message of support, we will collate these and share them with our colleagues and friends in Gaza. Contact Janet Twomey at Trócaire (janet.twomey@trocaire.org). 

Thank you for your continued support and prayers for the people of Palestine.

Hi there! Here is some information about Ash Wednesday and Lent in our Parish!

1. Ashes will be blest at 10AM mass on Ash Wednesday. Small bags of Ashes will  then be available to collect in the porch at St Michael’s  church from 10.30AM  – 7.00PM. 
Fr Louis will also administer a virtual blessing for anyone who has clay or ash at home during the mass.    
 
2.  A small Lenten Prayer Card will also be available in the porch of the church.

3. Please find a list of some Prayer and Reflection courses for Lent here. Click the link below to download it!

4. Please also find a list of some Support Services available in the community. Click the link to download it! 

“Lent, the Church’s springtime,
Waiting to burst into bloom.
Emptiness waiting to be filled with God-ness, goodness.
An invitation to Grow in Love”
Ag Críost an Síol…

Hello to you all and best wishes for 2021

Bliain nua mhaith agaibh  ar fad!

January can be a difficult month each year, as we let go of Christmas-time and try to embrace the ‘beginning again’  that a New Year offers.

This January is more difficult than most, as we are facing the realities behind another level 5 lockdown and the fact that the Coronavirus is still with us. Indeed,  among our community some are sick, in hospital, in nursing-homes, in isolation at home or working on the frontline services, putting themselves at risk each day, for the good of us all.   The good news is that the vaccine is here and on its way to each of  us. There are also measures which we can all  take each day to continue to keep well and keep each other safe.

The recent publication of the Report on the Commission of the Mother and Baby Homes has opened up much trauma, pain and hurt for many of us.  Hopefully, as a country we are now engaging in appropriate actions to ensure survivors are heard and that healing can begin.  We also must ensure that this kind of harsh treatment of the most vulnerable, in our community, is never repeated.

Patrick Kavanagh famously wrote ‘ Christ Comes with a January Flower’ .  The January flower is the snowdrop, also called St Brigid’s Flower – Bláithín Bríde!

 As the day lengthens and as we come towards St Brigid’s Day, may we find renewed hope in Christ.  Just as the snowdrops of January, are a  sign of hope and endurance at this time of the year, may we too hope and endure through all that happens.   May we stay strong, be safe and support each other as best we can.  Let us pray for each other in a new way. 

May we remember in particular in our prayers our frontline workers.  We give thanks for their inspiration as we say in the words of Bruce Springsteen;

“May your strength give us strength,

May Your faith give us faith, 

May Your hope give us hope, 

May Your love give us love.” ( ‘Into the Fire’ )

May 2021 turn out to be a brighter, easier and healthier year for us all.

                                    Go mbeirimid beo ar an am seo arís
(Anne O’Brien, Chair Parish Liturgy Committee, and Pádraigín Clancy, Parish Pastoral)