POPE FRANCIS and CROSSING THE THRESHOLD OF FAITH

Crossing the threshold of the faith leads us to forgiving and to know how to break into a smile.  It means approaching every person who lives on the edge of existence and to call them by name.  It is taking care of the fragility of the weakest and supports their trembling knees in the certainty that in what we do for the smallest of our brothers and sisters it is to Jesus himself that we are doing it (Mt. 25. 40).

Crossing the threshold of the faith demands that we celebrate life.  That we let ourselves be transformed because we have been made one with Jesus at the table of the Eucharist celebrated in community and from there our hands and heart must be busy working in the great project of the Kingdom: all the rest will be given us in addition (Mt. 6.33).

Crossing the threshold of the faith is, definitively, the acceptance of the newness of the life of the Risen Christ, raised in our poor flesh to make it a sign of the new life.  Meditating all these things, we look at Mary.  May she, the Virgin Mother, accompany us in our crossing the threshold of the faith and bring the Holy Spirit over our Church, as in Nazareth, so that just like her we may adore the Lord and go out to announce the marvels he has done in us.

      (extracts from Pastoral Letter of Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio (Pope Francis) of Buenos Aires, October 2012)

SOCIETY OF SAINT VINCENT de PAUL - Annual Clothing Appeal

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul is seeking your help in its Annual Clothing Appeal.  The appeal is for clean, good-quality clothes, bed-clothes, curtains and shoes.  Bags are available to-day, Sunday 28th July.  The collection of the bags will take place on Sunday 4th August DURING THE MORNING MASSES ONLY.  The Society is conscious of the tremendous support given by the Parishioners of this Parish over the years and thank you most sincerely on behalf of those you have helped.

Birmingham Festival Choral Society

We are delighted to welcome to Howth the very talented Birmingham Festival Choral Society Choir.  To-night, at 8.00 p.m. in the Church, they will perform a wide range of popular, classical and sacred works in a free Concert.  This is a big choir, with 86 performers, so we are expecting a wonderful evening of enjoyable music from both choir and soloists.

Admission is free but the facility for a voluntary collection will be available to show appreciation and contribute towards costs.

At the end of the concert, the audience will be invited to join the Choir for refreshments.

DIOCESAN CHANGES 2013

Under the Diocesan Changes for 2013, the parishes of Howth, Baldoyle and Sutton will be served by priests working as a team in ministry.  We welcome Fr. Peter O’Connor to Baldoyle and wish Fr. Des Dooley and Fr. Ronnie Dunne many years of health and happiness in their retirement.  This change will be effective from 6^th September – more details later.

FRIDAY 2^nd August - FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH

Morning Masses at 8.00 and 10.00.  Evening Mass at

8 o’clock.  All the Masses on the first Friday of the month are offered for those whose names are on the Parish Altar List of the Dead.

OUR DEAD

Please remember in your prayers JOSEPH ‘Joe’ SCANNELL who has died.  Reception of Remains on Monday 29^th July at 9.50am, Funeral Mass at 10.00am.  We offer our sympathy to his family.  May he rest in peace.

HOWTH PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK

This year’s Howth Parish Pilgrimage to Knock has now been arranged for SUNDAY 1^st  SEPTEMBER.   Cost - €50 - which includes Coach, Lunch (Tea/Coffee/Sandwiches) and Evening Dinner at the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon.  Bookings may be made in the Parish Office/Sacristy weekday mornings.

Mindfulness Meditation continues tomorrow evening, Monday, 29^th July at 7.30 p.m.

in St. Columbanus Hall.

Mindfulness Meditation with Joe Clarke

Last morning of Mindfulness Meditation until September 2013.  In Saint Columbanus Hall  Tuesday 30^th July, 11.00 am to 12 noon.

HOWTH PRIMARY SCHOOL

There are a limited number or places available for Junior Infants and other classes for the School year 2013/2014.  Contact Scoil Mhuire Tel 832 3572 Monday to Friday throughout July and August or the Parish Office at Tel. 839 7398 or email  howthns@gmail.com  

RECENT BAPTISMS

The Parish Community warmly welcomes Flynn Ferdia O’Connor who was baptised recently in our Church.  Congratulations and every joy to his proud Parents, Grand parents, God parents and extended family.

Youth 2000 Summer Festival 15^th-18^th August This exciting four day event offers workshops, concerts and inspiring talks from the Cistercian College, Mount St Joseph Abbey, Roscrea, Co Tipperary.  You can book on line@ www.youth2000.ie For further information contact 01-675 3690 or mobile 085-828 9231.

MASS INTENTIONS 28^th July – 4^th August

Sunday 28^th July

Vigil (7.00 p.m. Sat. 27^th July)    Brendan Reid

 8.30 a.m.              Martin Moran

10.30 a.m.             Jack Butler and Anne French

12.00 noon            Marie Doyle, Kathleen and Cyril Doyle

 7.00 p.m.              Brigid and Henry Howard

Monday 29^th July

10.00 a.m.             Funeral – Joseph Scannell

Friday 2^nd August First Friday of the Month

Sunday 4^th August

Vigil (7.00 p.m. Sat. 3^rd August)    John Sugrue (13^th Anv), also Jack and Catherine Sugrue

10.30 a.m.             Michael Creenane (18^th Anv)

12.00 noon            Joan and James Gaynor

 7.00 p.m.              Kathleen Mulhall (60^th Anv)

FUND-RAISING WALK

L'Arche is an international organization that supports adults with intellectual disabilities and is dedicated to providing family sized communities in which people with intellectual disabilities and their volunteer assistants share their lives. (http://www.larche.ie/Dublin.aspx).  On August 11^th at 12 noon, L'Arche and "The Baldoyle House" pub, will host a Sponsored Stroll to Howth (and back) to raise money to purchase a new wheelchair accessible van for the community.  For more details please contact  089 497 8101 or Patsi at the L'Arche Dublin Office 839 4356.