Sunday 22nd February 2015

First Sunday of Lent (08/15)

SUNDAYS OF LENT

There will be Eucharistic Adoration at 4.00pm to-day, followed by Evening Prayer at 5.00pm.

Today, the first Sunday of Lent, we remember Saint Peter and celebrate the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter and his papacy in Rome.  Like us all, Peter was not without faults.  He was reproached several times by Christ in the Gospels, as well as falling asleep in the garden of Gethsemane and also denying Christ three times following his arrest.  After the death and resurrection of Jesus, Peter spread the message of Christ as far away as Judea and Syria, eventually settling in Rome.  As foretold by Jesus, he suffered a martyrs death on Vatican Hill, choosing to be crucified upside-down because he viewed himself as a sinner and unworthy of a similar death to Christ.

Bishop Kevin Doran, newly appointed Bishop of Elphin diocese, will speak in Holy Trinity Church, Donaghmede tomorrow evening, Monday, 23rd February at 7.30pm on the topic; The Synod on the Family in Rome and its implications for Marriage.  As our society debates its understanding of Marriage we invite you to come along on Monday for Bishop Kevin’s talk.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Adorers and other interested parishioners are welcome to attend the Annual General Meeting for weekly Eucharistic adoration on Monday, February 23, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am in the Saint Columbanus Hall.  Eucharistic adoration is held three days a week throughout the year in our Church.  See the noticeboard for the times of adoration.

BRINGING FAITH TO LIFE  Are you questioning your faith?  Do you struggle to find answers to address questions raised by your experience of life?  Is your prayer a dry experience or non-existent?  Do you wish to do something about it?  Bringing Faith to Life is a programme that addresses some of the issues that modern life raises and offers a way to develop or deepen our Christian Faith.  3 sessions will be held during Lent and 3 sessions will be held after Easter.  First session begins on Wednesday 25th February at 7.30pm in St. Fintan’s Parish Centre, Greenfield Road, Sutton.  Each session will consist of a video presentation followed by a conversation based on reflective questions.

HOWTH PARISH REFORM AND RENEWAL GROUP

The 2015 Synod on the Family will take place in Rome in October.  Pope Francis has called on the lay faithful to engage fully in the consultation process prior to this second Synod on the Family.  The ‘window of opportunity’ for discussion is quite short – the deadline for submissions to Archbishop’s House is the end of March.  The Parish Reform and Renewal Group will hold an ‘Open Forum’ on the Synod on Monday 2nd March at 8.00pm in St. Columbanus Hall.  A number of speakers will make short presentations on some of the key issues and an ‘Open Forum’ discussion will follow.  The key themes emerging from the meeting will be summarised in a report which will be forwarded to the Archbishop.

PARISH OF HOWTH - NOVENA OF GRACE

The Annual Novena of Grace will take place in the Church, beginning on Wednesday 4th March.  Weds. 4th to Friday 6th March, Novena Mass at 8.00pm.  Saturday 7th March, Novena Mass at 7.00pm.  Sunday 8th March, Novena Mass at 12noon.  Mon, Tues, Weds and Thurs  9th to 12th March, Novena Mass at 8.00pm.  The Novena will be conducted by Fr. Piaras Jackson, SJ.

TRÓCAIRE’S LENTEN CAMPAIGN

Please support Trócaire's Lenten Campaign by taking a box or envelope, available in the Church, and contribute what you can.  Thank you.

SAINT VINCENT De PAUL SOCIETY

The local Conference of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society will hold their monthly collection to-day – after all the Masses.

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION

Christian Meditation will take place in the Parish Hall -  St. Columbanus  - Thursday 26th February and every Thursday evening at 8.00pm.  All are welcome.  For more information contact Matt McDonagh Tel. 806 3406

Scripture Readings for the First Week of Lent

Monday 23rd Feb

Saint Polycarp, Bishop & Martyr

Lev 19:1-2,11-18. Ps 18:8-10,15, R/Jn 6:64. Mt 25: 31-46

Tuesday 24th Feb

Is 55:10-11. Ps 33:4-7, 16-19, R/v18. Mt 6: 7-15

Wednesday 25th Feb

Jon 3:1-10. Ps 50:3-4, 12-13,18-19,R/v19. Lk 11:29-32

Thursday 26th Feb

Est 4:17. Ps 137:1-3, 7-8, R/v3. Mt 7: 7-12

Friday 27th Feb

Ez 18:21-28. Ps 129, R/ v3. Mt 5 20-26

Saturday 28th Feb

Deut 26: 16-19. Ps 118:1-2, 4-5,7-8 R/ v1. Mt 5:43-48

Sunday 1st March

Gn 22:1-2,9-13,15-18. Ps 115:10,15-19 R/ ps 114:9. Rm 8:31-34. Mk 9:2-10

RECENT BAPTISMS

The Parish Community warmly welcomes Jake O’Donovan, Zoe Connor, Robert Johnston and Seán O’Connor who were baptised recently in our Church.  Congratulations and every joy to their proud parents, Grandparents, God Parents and extended family.

HOWTH GOSPEL CHOIR, going strong for 3 years now, welcomes new members (men and women) all the time.  If you love to sing, try us out, rehearsals in St. Columbanus Hall on Sunday nights 7:30-8:30pm.  Call 087-261-3335 for more information.

Mindfulness Meditation with Joe Clarke

Meditation continues in St. Columbanus Hall on Monday evening 23rd February at 7.30pm.

Meditation will also take place on Tuesday morning 24th Feb. from 11.00am in St. Columbanus Hall.  No booking required – all are welcome.

HOWTH PENINSULA HERITAGE SOCIETY  -  FEBRUARY LECTURE

On Tuesday 24th February at 8.00pm Niamh Ni Cholmain will give a lecture in the Howth Angling Centre, West Pier, on “The natural history of Bull Island”.  Admission to non-members of the Society is €5  All welcome.

Howth and Sutton Horticultural Society will host a lecture by Fiann O Nualáin:  Getting the Garden Ready for Spring on Wednesday 4th March at 8.00pm in Howth Yacht Club. Known as the holistic gardener, Fiann is a very knowledgeable and practical gardener and broadcaster.  Tea/Coffee provided.  Non-members €5  All welcome.

MASS INTENTIONS  22nd Feb – 1st March

Sunday 22nd Feb

Vigil (7.00pm Sat. 21st Feb) James & Sarah Masterson & Mary Fitzpatrick

8.30am Michael, Kathleen & Kieran Healy

10.30am Nick Moore, May Moore, Deirdre Moore,  Donal Moore

12 noon James Coughlan

Mon 23rd Feb

10.00am Thomas Campbell

Tues 24th Feb

10.00am Evelyn Hughes

Thurs 26th Feb

10.00am Gretta McRedmond

Sat 28th Feb

10.00am Thomas McRedmond

Sunday 1st March

Vigil (7.00pm Sat. 28th Feb) Joe Kidd (17th )

8.30am James & Mary Brady

10.30am Tom & Mary Farren

12 noon Myles McDonagh (3rd )

Church Readers – Weekday Masses

The following are listed to read at 8.00am Masses

23rd – 27th Feb

Monday J. Morton

Tuesday K. Burke

Wednesday S. Lee

Thursday B. Milton

Friday K. Nolan

The following are listed to read at 10.00am Masses 23rd – 28th Feb

Monday T. Boyle

Tuesday U. Kane

Wednesday J. Stewart

Thursday M. Connaughton

Friday J. Clarke

Saturday J. Towers

WEEKEND MASSES Sat/Sun 28th Feb/1st March

Saturday 7.00pm N. McCann

Sunday 8.30am D. O Cathasaigh /U. Kane

Sunday 10.30am Family Mass Reader

Sunday 12noon S. Ni Mhaoldomhnaigh

BIBLE STUDY GROUP   Saint John’s Gospel

Howth Parish Bible Study Group continues on Friday 27th February in St. Columbanus Hall at 10.45am.  All welcome.  

CHURCH GATE COLLECTION

Howth/Sutton Lions Club is holding a special outdoor Church collection this year in aid of St Francis Hospice, Raheny.  The collection will take place after all Masses next week-end, February 28th / March 1st.  Your support for this very worthy cause will be much appreciated by the Hospice and by the Lions.

EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA -  FUND RAISING AUCTION    in aid of the St. Francis Hospice, Raheny

The Annual Auction in aid of the St. Francis Hospice, Raheny, will take place on Sunday 8th March at 2.00pm. in the Abbey Tavern, Howth.  The organising Committee are asking for your generous and kind support once again for this deserving cause.  They are looking for unwanted gifts, pottery, glassware, small items of furniture, hampers, paintings and vouchers.  Everything must be good as new or in excellent condition.  Please come along on the day to bid and buy and make it a great day for everyone.  Contact Nicky at Tel. 816 7880, Maeve 832 2863, Jo 086-151 4332, Valerie 086-313 7850, Michael 839 1891 or Marie 086-602 8277

STELLA MARIS RETREAT CENTRE, Carrickbrack Road, Howth  Tel. 832 22 28

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION WITH JOE CLARKE

Continues - Monday 23rd February 11.00am to 12 noon.  Booking essential as places are limited.  

LENTEN REFLECTION DAY

Presented by Una O'Neill RSC

Journey through Lent  on Saturday 7th March from 10.30am - 4.30 pm.  Cost: € 25  (Bring packed lunch, tea/coffee provided).

CHURCH COLLECTIONS

Sunday 15th Feb. – First Collection  €670 and the special collection for ACCORD  - €1,400