Church of the Sacred Heart, Galway City, Ireland

25 July 2011

Mass intentions for the week ahead 31st July 2011

Saturday 30th July
Vigil Mass 6.30 pm Joe Lardner and Moira Smith

Sunday 31st July
9.30 am    Mary and Brod Trill
11am        Bill Keane and Sean Kilraine
12.15 pm Malcolm O'Shaughnessy
6.30 pm    Christine Barrett recently deceased.

Monday 1st August 10 am Intention free
Tuesday 2nd August 10am    For all the Sick.
Wednesday 3rd August 10am Intention free
Thursday 4th August 10am Martin Walsh, his sister Kathleen and brother Michael
Friday 5th August   10am Gerard McDonagh

Saturday 6th August
Vigil Mass   6.30 pm   Intention free
Sunday 7th August
9.30 am Intention free
11am      Paddy Feeney and deceased members of Gill Feeney families.
12.15 pm Noel Dunne and Anne O'Brien
6.30 pm    Intention free

22 July 2011

Mass intentions for the week ahead 24th July 2011

Saturday 23rd July
Vigil Mass 6.30 pm Pat Guerin (Months Mind Mass)
Pray for Michael Hernon, San Francisco who died recently
at all Masses this weekend.

Sunday 24th July
9.30 am    Special Intention
11am        Eamon Flaherty
12.15 pm Joe Ryan
6.30 pm    Intention free

Monday 25th July 10am    Michael McGuire
Tuesday 26th July 10am    For all the Sick
Wednesday 27th July 10am Thomas and Mary Griffin
Thursday 28th July    10 am      Intention free
Friday 29th July          10 am Intention free

Saturday 30th July
Vigil Mass   6.30 pm   Joe Lardner and Moira Smith

Sunday 31st July
9.30 am    Mary and Brod Trill
11am        Bill Keane and Sean Kilraine
12.15 pm Malcolm O'Shaughnessy
6.30 pm    Christine Barrett recently deceased.

16 July 2011

Message from Father David.

My Farewell Speech to the People of Westside

This is my last weekend with you. In the clerical changes this year by the Bishop I have been appointed to Clarinbridge and I take up my post there next Friday, July 22^nd.

I have had a wonderful eight and a half years here in Westside, and you are the reason for that. You have welcomed me into your homes, into your lives and into your hearts. I want to thank you for your care, support, friendship and prayers. I want to thank you for being who you are. All I have ever wanted to be is an ordinary lad from Galway, and you have allowed me to be that ordinary lad by welcoming me into your lives. It has been an incredible journey, and a journey I have never taken for granted, because I have been the privileged one in your presence. My being here with you has been a time of grace for me, a time when I have sought to make my way along the path God has asked me to follow.

I am indeed a fragile vessel, and I want to say too, from that fragility, that if there has been anyone I have hurt in any way I am truly sorry. One of the most difficult, and yet one of the ways in which God allows you to grow, is to keep you grounded in your humanity and fragility. All I can say to anyone I ever upset is that it was never my intention, and I say that from the very bottom of my heart.

This is an incredibly challenging time for the Irish Church, the darkest since the Penal Times. This week has seen yet another chapter in this sorry saga with the publication of the Cloyne Report. I am so glad that it is here I have found shelter in the eye of the storm. I want you to know that I am sure of one thing, and that is that I would not have lasted in the priesthood without you with me while the gales raged. You can ask any of my friends and family and they will confirm that. They know how fond I am of the people of the Westside, and how I describe you all as ‘the salt of the earth’.

Fr. Hugh Clifford is replacing me. I studied in Maynooth with Fr. Hugh, and know him for many years. He is a native of Glenina Heights, and was ordained in the Jubilee Year 2000. Those of you from Bohermore may remember his grandparents shop, Conneely’s, on the Bohermore Road. Hugh is a very fine priest, and he is looking forward to returning from his studies in Rome to be with you. I am so happy it is Hugh that is replacing me because I know him to be a person of conviction, courage and compassion.

I want no clapping for me now, no gifts or fulsome praise; all I desire is that you will remember me in your prayers, and that you will keep in touch.

‘I finish with an old Irish blessing:

May the road rise up to meet you,

May the wind be ever at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face

And the rain fall softly on your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the hollow of his hand’.

15 July 2011

Mass intentions for the week ahead 17th July 2011

Saturday 16th July
Vigil Mass    6.30 pm Fintan Scally and Stephen Lally
Sunday 17th July
9.30 am Patrick Harty and Yvonne Crowley
11am      Patrick and Esther Colohan and Jack Spellman and
              deceased members of Spellman and Donnellan families.
12.15 pm Bernard McDonagh and Liver Transplant Unit and Receivers.
6.30 pm    Mary Holland and Stephen Murphy.

Monday 18th July
10am   Holy Souls and Ethna Molloy
Tuesday 19th July
10am For all the Sick.
Wednesday 20th July
10am Special Intention
6.00 - 8.00 pm Indian Community Mass
Thursday 21st July
10am   Kathleen Walsh recently deceased
Friday 22nd July
10am Special Intention.

Saturday 23rd July
Vigil Mass 6.30 pm Pat Guerin (Months Mind Mass)
Sunday 24th July
9.30 am Special Intention
11am      Eamon Flaherty
12.15 pm Joe Ryan
6.30 pm

12 July 2011

Molly Cleary, R.I.P.

CLEARY (née Prendergast) (Clifton Park, Newcastle, Galway and formerly Clonmel, Co. Tipperary) July 10, 2011, (unexpectedly), Molly, dearly loved wife of Seán for sixty-two years, much loved mother of Mary, Seán, Patricia, Gerard, Edel, Aidan and Siobhán; Molly is sadly missed by her loving husband, sons and daughters, her sons-in-law Terry, Brian and Liam, daughters-in-law Eleanor, Breda and Anne, seventeen adored grandchildren and three great-granddaughters, her sister Nancy King, relatives and friends. Reposing at the O'Flaherty Funeral Parlour, Munster Avenue, Galway tomorrow (Wednesday) from 6 o'c. with Removal at 7.30 o'c. to our church. Funeral after 11 o'c. Mass on Thursday to Rahoon Cemetery. Family flowers by request. Donations in memory of Molly to Croí if desired.

'May her gentle soul rest in peace'.

9 July 2011

Newsletter/Nuachtlitir, 10ú Iúil.

Thanks to all who turned out in spite of the inclement weather to welcome the Congress Bell to Sacred Heart!

(Thanks to Fr. Barry Horan for these pictures)

Don’t forget! Adoration takes place throughout the year (apart for a week after Christmas Day, a week after Easter Sunday and Race Week) from Monday to Friday from 8 to 10 and on Saturday and Sunday after the 6:30 evening Vigil Mass. It is entirely run by a great team of volunteers devoted to the Eucharist. Come and meet the Lord!

This is the link to the Congress Website:

http://www.iec2012.ie/

(you'll also always find it on the menu bar at the side of this page)

Mass Intentions for the week ahead

Saturday 9th July
Vigil Mass
6.30 pm Peter Griffin and Gerard Garvey
Sunday 10th July
9.30 am
11am Maura and George King
12.15 pm Mary and Jack Hoare and Kathleen and John Guerin
6.30 pm Special Intention
Monday 11th July
10am Martin and Nora Connor and Padraic and Mary Connor
Tuesday 12th July
10am For all the Sick
Wednesday 13th July
10am Bridie Whelan
Thursday 14th July
10am Intention free
Friday 15th July 10am Celine Brennan
Saturday 16th July
Vigil Mass 6.30 pm Fintan Scally and Stephen Lally
Sunday 17th July
9.30 am Patrick Harty and Yvonne Crowley
11am Patrick and Esther Colohan and Jack Spellman and deceased
members of Donnellan and Spellman families.
12.15 pm Bernard McDonagh and Liver Transplant Donors and Receivers.
6.30 pm Mary Holland and Stephen Murphy.

Some Summer Reading
The Following books have recently been published by Four Courts Press. For additional details on any title or to order a copy go to:

http://www.fourcourtspress.ie

Cardinal Paul Cullen and his world

Dáire Keogh &Albert McDonnell, editors

Thirty renowned scholars offer a broad perspective on Cardinal Paul Cullen (1803–78) whose authority from the mid-19th century was ubiquitous within Irish society and the English-speaking world. Contemporaries spoke of the ‘Cullenization of Irish society’; a Times obituary celebrated him as ‘an agent of great change’, while a critical James Joyce lampooned the cardinal as the ‘apple of God’s eye’.

Four Courts Press. 480pp Ills. 978-1-84682-235-3 €55.00 Hardback.

Available.

Glendalough: City of God
Charles Doherty, Linda Doran and Mary Kelly, editors

Glendalough is one of the most enchanting archaeological and monastic sites in Ireland. Yet for all its familiarity the complex retains a serenity that signals a special place outside the concerns of this world – a City of God. This stunning book breaks new ground by considering the site in this light.
Four Courts Press. 356pp Colour Ills. 978-1-84682-170-7 €50.00. Hardback.

Available.

Ireland, 1815-1870: Emancipation, famine and religion

Donnchadh Ó Corrain &Tomás O’Riordan, editors
This book is part of the Four Courts History of Ireland Series which offers a fresh approach to Irish history since the Act of Union (1801). In place of a general narrative, each book in the series focuses on major aspects of Irish history. These books answer to the needs of university students, the general reader, and all those interested in Irish history.
Four Courts Press. 320pp. Illustrated. 978-1-84682-232-2 €19.95. Paperback
Available.

Ireland, 1870-1914: Coercion and conciliation
Donnchadh Ó Corrain &Tomás O’Riordan, editors
Part two of the Four Courts History of Ireland Series. Essential reading material for university students, the general reader, and all those interested in Irish history.
Four Courts Press. 354pp. Illustrated. 978-1-84682-233-9 €19.95. Paperback
Available.

Reshaping Ireland, 1550-1700: Colonization and its consequences
Brian Mac Cuarta SJ, editor
This book extends our understanding of the colonial paradigm in early modern Ireland and includes the following themes: Plantation cartography and building, colonial discourse, the peerage, Caroline political culture, language change and evolving views of the Irish past are further themes. It also looks at the role of the Ulster Scots and how identities in Ireland were shaped by late 17th-century developments.
Four Courts Press. 320pp. Colour Ills. 978-1-84682-272-8 €55.00. Hardback.
Available.

Churches show muscle to broker Ironman deal

An Article from this week’s City Tribune

(See response from our Diocesan Secretary below)

July 8, 2011 - 7:15am

Organisers to lay on special transport for Massgoers

By Denise McNamara

A compromise has been brokered between the organisers of the International Ironman Triathlon and city churches to shepherd infirm Mass-goers to services while roads are closed off to traffic during the international event in September.

A campaign waged by the churches involved priests bombarding councillors as well as Galway City Council with letters, emails and phone calls, voicing their disquiet over the widespread closures which would prevent the faithful from attending Sunday Mass.

The Ironman competition will take place in Galway in September with up to 10,000 expected to descend on the city, including 2,500 athletes from 30 countries, who will complete a gruelling run, swim and a cycle. The event is expected to generate millions in revenue for the city with international TV coverage also assured.

Churches at Barna, Moycullen, Bushypark, Claddagh will be affected for a few hours by the traffic detours on the day of the event – Sunday, September 4 – with Salthill the worst affected as the resort will be closed off to vehicular access from 7am to 5pm.

Contrary to reports that the closures would last for five days, there will be just one 200 metre stretch of road outside the Aquarium which will be off limits to traffic between Friday evening and Sunday.

Fr Gerry Jennings, parish priest at Salthill, was particularly vocal in his criticism. “I still think it’s unfair the church is closed off for 10 hours. People have the right to worship on a Sunday,” he said.

A spokesman for the Ironman event manager said they had offered to lay on a bus to transport anybody unable to make their own way to Salthill Church.

“We’re making huge progress on this. We are actively getting things ironed out. We’re asking the priests to work with us on this one and encourage parishioners to go to Mass on Saturday or Sunday evening and, if they need it, we will transport them on the Sunday morning.”

The September race will be the first Ironman event in Ireland and will begin with a 1.9km swim in Galway Bay followed by a 90km scenic bike course towards Connemara and finish with a 21km run that will conclude at Eyre Square in the city centre.

For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.

Message from Fr. Martin Whelan, Diocesan Secretary

Dear Rev. Father,

I have been in contact with Evan Molloy of the City Council and Kieran McGlynn of the County Council.

They have informed me that the Temporary Road Closures scheduled for Sunday, Sept 4th 2011 are proceeding regardless of the objection raised by the Diocesan Office.

It would be important that your parishioners are informed of these developments.

Fr. Martin Whelan

Diocesan Secretary

Diocesan Office

The Cathedral

Galway

Ireland

Tel: 00-353-91-563566

Fax: 00-353-91-568333

Email: galwaydiocese at eircom.net

Website:

http://www.galwaydiocese.ie

Read the Notice of Intent on the City Council’s Website

http://www.galwaycity.ie/GeneralNews/160611_01.html

Travel to Donegal

Ards Friary Retreat and Conference Centre have some great retreats coming up:

http://www.ardsfriary.ie/

Lough Derg

You may have seen the fascinating Nationwide programme on RTÉ last evening (July 8^th) about Lough Derg, one of our oldest pilgrimage and penance sites. This is their website if you’re up for the challenge!!

http://www.loughderg.org/

Saint of the Week

Saint Benedict from which our current Holy Father took his name, the sixteenth Pontiff to do so

COPYRIGHT:

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1441

It is unfortunate that no contemporary biography was written of a man who has exercised the greatest influence on monasticism in the West. Benedict is well recognized in the later Dialogues of St. Gregory, but these are sketches to illustrate miraculous elements of his career.

Benedict was born into a distinguished family in central Italy, studied at Rome and early in life was drawn to the monastic life. At first he became a hermit, leaving a depressing world—pagan armies on the march, the Church torn by schism, people suffering from war, morality at a low ebb.

He soon realized that he could not live a hidden life in a small town any better than in a large city, so he withdrew to a cave high in the mountains for three years. Some monks chose him as their leader for a while, but found his strictness not to their taste. Still, the shift from hermit to community life had begun for him. He had an idea of gathering various families of monks into one “Grand Monastery” to give them the benefit of unity, fraternity, permanent worship in one house. Finally he began to build what was to become one of the most famous monasteries in the world—Monte Cassino, commanding three narrow valleys running toward the mountains north of Naples.

The Rule that gradually developed prescribed a life of liturgical prayer, study, manual labor and living together in community under a common father (abbot). Benedictine asceticism is known for its moderation, and Benedictine charity has always shown concern for the people in the surrounding countryside. In the course of the Middle Ages, all monasticism in the West was gradually brought under the Rule of St. Benedict.

Today the Benedictine family is represented by two branches: the Benedictine Federation and the Cistercians.

Comment:

The Church has been blessed through Benedictine devotion to the liturgy, not only in its actual celebration with rich and proper ceremony in the great abbeys, but also through the scholarly studies of many of its members. Liturgy is sometimes confused with guitars or choirs, Latin or Bach. We should be grateful to those who both preserve and adapt the genuine tradition of worship in the Church.

Quote:

“Rightly, then, the liturgy is considered as an exercise of the priestly office of Jesus Christ. In the liturgy the sanctification of man is manifested by signs perceptible to the senses...; in the liturgy full public worship is performed by the Mystical Body of Jesus Christ, that is, by the Head and his members.

“From this it follows that every liturgical celebration, because it is an action of Christ the priest and of his Body the Church, is a sacred action, surpassing all others” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 7).

Patron Saint of:

Europe

Kidney disease

Poisoning

Schoolchildren

1 July 2011

Mass intention for the week ahead 3rd July 2011

Saturday 2nd July Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Vigil Mass   6.30 pm Nicholas Conneely and Margaret and Anthony Lynch
Sunday 3rd July
9.30 am Liam McKnight
11am      Delia Delaney
12.15 pm Kathleen and Edward Diviney
6.30 pm    Mass (Pro Popula)

Monday 4th July
10am Holy Souls and Maura Maguire and family and Micko.
Tuesday 5th July          10am For all the Sick
Wednesday 6th July    10am Josie Pender
Thursday 7th July     10am Intention free
Friday 8th July          10am   Intention free

Saturday 9th July
Vigil Mass 6.30 pm Peter Griffin and Gerard Garvey.

Sunday 10th July
9.30 am Intention free
11am         Maura and George King
12.15 pm Intention free
6.30 pm    Intention free

30 June 2011

Counselling Course/ Cúrsa Chomhairleoireacht.

Foundation Course in Psychotherapy/ Counselling Skills at Castlebar Counselling and Therapy Centre. One year part-time evening course. Commencing October 2011. Suitable for Lay People, Priests and Religious. Limited number of places. Application Forms and Brochures: The Administrator, Castlebar Counselling and Therapy Centre.

094- 9028746

http://www.dctc.ie

castlebarpsychotherapy at eircom.net

Pat Guerin, R.I.P.

Your prayers are asked today for the repose of the soul of Pat Guerin, Highfield Park, Retired Sgt, Formerly of Ballyheigue, Co. Kerry. Reposing at the O'Flaherty Funeral Parlour, Munster Avenue tomorrow, Friday, from 5.30pm with removal at 7.30pm to our church. Funeral after 11am Mass on Saturday to Rahoon Cemetery. Donations, if desired, to The Parkinson’s Association of Ireland. House Private.

'Be still, my soul: your best, your heavenly friend, Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end'. (From the hymn, Be Still My Soul).

29 June 2011

The Congress Bell is coming to Sacred Heart.

The Congress Bell, travelling the length of and breath of Éire to call people to renewal and announce the International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in 2012, is coming to our diocese next week from July 4th to the 10th, and to Sacred Heart on Thursday evening, July 7th, from 7 PM to 10 PM. The visit will include prayers and Adoration, and Monsignor Malachy will be talking more about this important visit at all Masses this weekend.

Kathleen Walsh, R. I.P.

Your prayers are asked today for Kathleen Walsh née Egan, Dangan Upper, Rahoon who has died in her 97th year.

Kathleen will be reposing at Irwin’s Funeral Home, Bóthar Irwin tomorrow Thursday from 5. Her removal will be at 7 to St. Joseph’s Church, Presentation Road. Funeral Mass for Kathleen Walsh will take place on Friday at 11, burial afterwards to Rahoon Cemetery. Family flowers only by request. Donations, if desired, to Order of Malta, Henry Street.

“This is the Lord for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!”
(Isaiah 25)

News/ Nuacht, Feast of Saints Peter and Paul.

Happy Diamond Ordination and Congratulations and Blessing to His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI

The webmaster is going to Lourdes on the Diocesan Pilgrimage on Friday, hence this weeks newsletter is early. I'll be praying for you all!

June 29th, Feast of Saints Peter and Paul

Apostolic Blessing from Pope Benedict XVI on the occasion of Ireland’s National Eucharistic Congress

Please see below the special message of Pope Benedict XVI, which was issued on behalf of the Holy Father by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, on the occasion of Ireland’s National Eucharistic Congress in Knock on 25 and 26 June.

The Holy Father was pleased to learn of the celebration of the Irish National Eucharistic Congress and he sends his warm and prayerful best wishes to you and to the Bishops, priests, religious and lay faithful of Ireland. His Holiness is spiritually united to all who, through prayerful reflection on the Eucharist, offer adoration, thanksgiving and praise to the living God for the saving sacrifice of Christ on the Cross, renewed in the celebration of every Holy Mass. He is confident that the frequent and worthy reception of the Bread of Life will guide all who, especially in this time of renewal, walk together the path of conversion, in truth, justice and charity, pursuing the gift of purification from sin by seeking and offering pardon and by strengthening the bonds of reconciliation and communion. He prays that by drawing nourishment from this Sacrament, their whole life will become, with Christ, an offering to God (cf. Sacamemtum Caritatis 71). Commending all the faithful people in Ireland to the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, the Holy Father cordially imparts his Apostolic Blessing.

Points from Homily of the Primate of All Ireland, Cardinal Brady, at the National Eucharistic Congress in Knock:
· “may this National Eucharistic Congress, and the International Congress next year, help to bring healing to the social, economic, spiritual and moral wounds that have so deeply afflicted our country and Church in recent times”

· bishops and priests anoint the sick before Mass in the Basilica: “May these days of grace bring healing, strength and peace to us all”

· “my hope is that those who have drifted away from regular Mass will hear the simple request of Jesus: Do this in memory of me”

· thanks young people for attending and encourages use of social media to invite others to be part of Ireland’s preparations for the International Eucharistic Congress 2012

· welcomes Saint Joseph’s Young Priests Society to Knock and thanks the Society for its many years of support for seminarians

· “Jesus is gentle and merciful and loving. He understands the weakness of the human condition. He reaches out to us with compassion and a love that heals. But Jesus is also challenging. He is not afraid to confront us about our laziness, our selfishness and our sin. He does so - He calls us to conversion - because these things hold us back from experiencing the fullness of life God wants us to have. This is the fullness of life that comes from our immersion in the Word of life and in the Eucharist – the Bread of Life”.

Read the full address on:

http://www.catholicbishops.ie

Also, on the above website read:

Bishops congratulate Pope Benedict XVI on the 60th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood

1. Today, 29 June, the Feast day of the Apostles Saints Peter and Paul, marks the 60th anniversary of the ordination of Pope Benedict XVI to the priesthood. See on the site a statement of congratulations from Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland.

2. Derry’s four Church leaders mark opening and blessing of the new Peace Bridge.

3. Council for Justice and Peace opposes cuts to Sunday pay.

There is a bus going to this rally from Galway, from The University, NUIG/ UCG at 9:30 on the day. Please ring 087- 6217702 for more details.

This summer, the most important date on the pro-life calendar is 2nd July. That’s when we hope you join with thousands of others to speak up for the right to life. Meet us at the Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square @ 2pm.

Ireland - north and south - is one of the last remaining places in Europe where abortion is still illegal. But our unborn children are under threat. Powerful pro-abortion campaigners in Ireland, the UK, European Union and United Nations are attacking our pro-life laws. That’s why it’s so important we show our opposition to abortion. On 2nd July 2011 lets do that!

They Say......

"Life is our most precious gift. "The All-Ireland Rally for Life" is a celebration of life. To attend or take part in it in any way is a worthwhile endeavour to pursue as Catholics. We stand up for God's gift of life."

Philip Boyce O.C.D. Bishop of Raphoe

“His Holiness will remember you and your associates in his prayers, and invokes upon you God’s abundant blessings.”
Message to the Rally for Life from the Vatican Secretary of State

"The people of the Diocese of Clogher are happy to join you in celebrating and cherishing the gift of life in all its forms and wish every success to your Rally for Life on 2 July in Dublin.
Liam S. MacDaid, Bishop of Clogher

I commend the All Ireland Rally for Life Committee on the marvellous work you are doing. Supporting the fundamental right of life for the unborn child is so important and it is good to gather people to celebrate the precious gift of life. I send you my best wishes as you celebrate the Rally for Life, in Dublin on 2 July 2011, and wish the event every success.

+Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh

Many thanks for your letter describing the atmosphere, success and enthusiasm generated by last July’s “Rally for Life” celebration in Belfast. I am confident that this year’s rally in Dublin on 2nd July will be equally successful in highlighting the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death.

Modern western culture has enshrined and secured many just liberties for peoples from many various faith and culture backgrounds but those liberties, when they contravene gospel values, cannot be accepted if they compromise and endanger the very essence of our common humanity, the right to life. I am happy and honoured to give my unequivocal support to this year’s “Rally for Life” in Dublin on 2nd July

+Noel Treanor, Bishop of Down and Connor

Thanks you for your letter of 13th of May 2011. In a rapidly changing society one of the values we need to uphold with constant vigilance is respect for life at every stage of its existence. Life is a very precious gift. It deserves reverence, nurturing, protection. I support those values and I support those who share these ideals. May I wish every blessing on your rally in Dublin in 2nd July. I hope that it will, like last year, be a festive occasion, a true celebration of the great gift of life that God has given us.

+Martin Drennan, Diocese of Galway

Feast of St. Oliver Plunkett, Irish Bishop and Martyr, July 1st

IMAGE COPYRIGHT: http://www.dioceseofmeath.ie/

The Church in Renmore, in our diocese, is dedicated to St. Oliver Plunkett, and was opened the year of his canonisation, 1975. There is a reliquary in the church which is lovely to visit.

HELP THOSE AFFECTED BY THE DEATH OF A BABY

Feileacain (stillbirth and Neonatal Death Association of Ireland) a support group for anyone affected by the loss of a baby through stillbirth or neo-natal death, Parents night, Tuesday the 12th July at 7:30 in the Harbour Hotel Galway.

All are welcome. For further info:

Web:

http://www.feileacain.ie

E-mail: info at feileacain.ie

Warm Regards,

Jacinta Murphy (0877956652)

Are Your Church Statues Chipped? Missing Fingers? Faded?

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Web Site:

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E Mail: statuerestoration at gmail.com

Youth News

ONE YEAR COURSE in YOUTH MINISTRY beginning in the Galway Diocesan Pastoral Centre on 24th/25th September 2011. The Youth Ministry Studies Programme is open to anyone who has ability and an interest in working with and journeying with young people in a parish, school or college setting.

Check out

http://www.pastoralcentre.ie

For more details and contact: Siobhain Bradley on 091-565066 for an application form.

YOUTH 2000 Clonmacnoise Summer Festival is a FREE four day event for youth aged 16-35.

It brings together young people to grow in faith, friendship and have some fun.

For more information contact Siobhain Bradley on:

091-565066

Or check out

http://www.youth2000.ie

Support the Galway branch of the MS Society

The Galway branch of MS Annual City church gate takes place on the weekend of the 9th and 10 of July. Please support.
Check out:

http://www.ms-society.ie/

For more information on the good work being done by this charity to combat Multiple Sclerosis

A Message from Age Action

Are you 60+ years of age? Have you a small repair job which you would like to have done for you? The Care and Repair programme (run by Age Action Ireland) uses a pool of trustworthy volunteers and handy persons to carry out minor repairs for older people. All volunteers are vetted and carry official Care and Repair identification cards. The service is free; you only pay for the materials used. For your bigger jobs, we maintain a register of reliable and honest tradespersons. We are also accepting requests for small gardening jobs. You can arrange to have a job done for you by phoning the Age Action Care and Repair number which is

091 527831.

Thank you very much for your support.

Regards,

Liam Carolan, Intern at Age Action West/Small Crane/Galway

Tel: 091 527831/Fax: 091 527828

Email: aaw at eircom.net

Website:

http://www.ageaction.ie

Would you like to support Age Action and our Fundraising? Check our website link above for details on the Ladies Mini Marathon

Positive Ageing Week 23 September to 1 October 2011

Join Age Action and support Positive Ageing

Age Action is a charity which promotes positive ageing and better policies and services for older people. Working with, and on behalf of, older people We aim to make Ireland the best place in the world in which to grow older.

26 June 2011

Sympathies +

Please pray for the repose of the souls of the following:
Fr. Aidan McLoughlin, Carmelite Order, Knocktopher, Co. Kilkenny, and late of Cross Street, the brother of our late Bishop, James McLoughlin.

Joe McGuinn, Coventry, the brother of Christy McGuinn, Friars Hill.

Raymond Rooney, Kingston, whose anniversary occurs.

Sr. Angela Lawless, Dominican Convent, Taylors Hill whose anniversary occurs
(Sr. Angela played the organ on Saturday nights in our church for many years).

'But the souls of the upright are in the hands of God, and no torment can touch them.
To the unenlightened, they appeared to die,
their departure was regarded as disaster,
their leaving us like annihilation;
but they are at peace'. (Wisdom 3:1)

25 June 2011

Corpus Christi/ Féile Chorp Chríost

Corpus Christi/ Féile Chorp Chríost

Watch this space! The Eucharistic Congress Bell is coming to Galway and Sacred Heart from July 4th to the 10th

The Eucharistic Congress Bell is a key symbol of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress. From its origins in the Dominican Convent of Portstewart, Co. Derry the Bell was more recently used to ring in the Jubilee Year 2000 in Glendalough, Co. Wicklow.

The Bell will reflect the invitation to faith, to prayer, to reconciliation and to mission which has always been important in our Christian tradition and is no less so today. The pilgrimage of the Bell throughout the Dioceses of Ireland, and beyond, will be a vehicle to:

Invite people to deepen their communion with Christ and with one another
Promote the pastoral aims of the Congress
Invite all Christians to join in giving a common witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in an increasingly secular society
Animate the people of your Diocese to become involved with the Eucharistic Congress both locally and nationally
Invite people to come to the Congress from June 10th to 17th 2012

There is a strong emphasis on the inclusion of young people in the Eucharistic Congress Bell Pilgrimage however it is not exclusively a youth project. The pilgrimage should include the infirm, senior members of the community, and an outreach to the families and of the children preparing for sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, and Communion).

Mass Intentions for the Week Ahead

Saturday 25th June
Vigil Mass 6.30 pm Stephen Griffin and Mary and Martin Curran
Pray for Ray Rooney at all Masses this weekend.
Sunday 26th June Corpus Christi
9.30 am Peter Cooke and Mickey Sullivan
11.00 am Paddy and Mary Lenihan and Marty Lee
Tom Daly.
12.15 pm Gillian Moloney Bocxe
6.30 pm Gerard Thornton
Monday 27th June
10am Winnie Mongan
Tuesday 28th June
10am For all the Sick and James Lee
Wednesday 29th June Sts Peter and Paul
10am Intention free
Thursday 30th June
10am Intention free
Friday 1st July Feast of the Sacred Heart
10am Fr. Anthony Hoade
Saturday 2nd July Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Vigil Mass 6.30 pm Nicholas Conneely and Margaret and Anthony Lynch
Sunday 3rd July
9.30 am Intention free
11am Delia Delaney
12.15 pm Kathleen and Edward Diviney
6.30 pm Intention free

TODAY! National Eucharistic Congress in Knock

Our parish bus left at 11:50 AM!

· Thousands expected at major All Ireland Church celebration ahead of the 50^thInternational Eucharistic Congress in Ireland in 2012

All roads lead to Knock this weekend for the National Eucharistic Congress at Knock Shrine. The Catholic Church in Ireland is marking the one-year countdown to next year’s International Congress by hosting a National Eucharistic Congress in Knock on 25 June next. Thousands of people from parishes all over the country will travel to Knock to take part in special events, workshops, celebrations and prayer. The Knock Youth Festival is also running at the same time as the National Eucharistic Congress.

The celebration in Knock is a chance to focus on the local community and the pastoral preparation in Ireland for the International Eucharistic Congress next year. The International Congress is not just a once-off week of events in 2012, but a journey of renewal. This is an opportunity to remind ourselves that we are part of something bigger than ourselves and to do something together – in communion – as one body.

Catholic bishops, trustees and managers submissions to the Forum on Patronage

and Pluralism in the Primary Sector

The Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector was opened today by Mr Ruairi Quinn TD, the Minister for Education and Skills. The forum's public working sessions, which continue until 24 June, are taking place in the Clock Tower conference room in the Department of Education and Skills, Marlborough Street, Dublin.

Submission to the Advisory Group by the Council for Education of the Irish Episcopal Conference
Introduction

The Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector established by the Minister for Education and Skills is a most notable and welcome development. The large number of Catholic primary schools in Ireland amidst a changed social and cultural landscape has given rise to questions about parental choice and has highlighted the need for greater diversity in education provision. As we look to a shared future in our democratic society it is important that all citizens are well served by our education system. We are committed to the common good and this includes the requirement to facilitate parental choice with regard to schools where this is practicable. Schools are among the most essential of all social realities so it is important that all stakeholders be involved in planning their future.

The Church has been engaged for a number of years in ongoing reflection on education in Ireland, having published a policy paper on future provision in 20071, its vision for Catholic education in 20082, and a report on factors influencing parental school choice, also in 20083. In 2010 the Department of Education and Skills produced data on areas for possible divesting of some Catholic schools. The Bishops’ Education Council responded to this by outlining a three step process that the Catholic Schools Partnership would undertake in the period August 2010-September 2011:

• Further qualitative analysis of parental understandings of patronage;

• The publication of a position paper and the invitation to individuals and organisations to respond;

• Internal consultation within the Church with parents, patrons, teachers, priests, pastoral council members, pupils, interview assessors, trustees and managers.

The results of these processes were analysed at four regional assemblies held in June 2011 with representatives from all dioceses. The Catholic Schools Partnership will now begin to draw the various strands of its consultation process together and then present the findings of its research to the broader public.