SUNDAYS IN LENT

There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament this afternoon, (Sunday) from 4.00 to 5.00 p.m.   Sung Evening Prayer and Benediction will follow at 5 o’clock.  All welcome.

THE WORD OF GOD AT EASTER

Tomorrow, Monday 7^th April,  Colette Furlong, currently Catechist in Sligo Diocese will facilitate a session with the above title for the Ministers of the Word and interested parishioners in this and the cluster parishes.  As Holy Week and the Easter season is almost here it is a good opportunity to explore the many and sometimes complex readings which we read and hear around that time in the company of an expert.  The session will be interactive with plenty of opportunity for questions and a break for a “cuppa”.  So please join us tomorrow evening, Monday 7^th April from 7.30pm to 9.00 p.m. in the Church of the Assumption.

GOOD FRIDAY STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Rehearsals continue for the presentation of the Stations of the Cross in the Church on Good Friday in costume, mime and music.  Please consider taking part in this event, which is always a most rewarding experience.  If you are in any way interested in Drama or Mime or in giving a hand on the night, please come to the church on Wednesday 9^th April at 7.30pm.

Howth Parish Reform and Renewal Group

The Diaconate  -  A Way Forward for the Church in Ireland?

An Insight into the Married Diaconate by Dr. Joe Ferrari, (who spoke recently to a packed Woodlock Hall in All Hallows College) Thursday 10^th April at 7.30 pm St. Columbanus Hall.  Joseph (Joe) R. Ferrari, PhD, is Professor of Psychology at DePaul University, Chicago, IL, since 1994.  He was awarded the ‘Excellence in Research’ award in 2001, and in 2009 the ‘Excellence in Public Service’ award for his work on global community action work.  Dr. Ferrari, who was ordained a deacon in August 2013, is married with a family and combines his academic work with service as a deacon in his local parish.  He will provide a unique insight into the possibilities for the diaconate in the Irish Church in the future.   ALL WELCOME

Family Mass, Palm Sunday and Holy Week

The Family Mass, 10.30am, on Palm Sunday (next Sunday) will celebrate the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem.  Palms will be blessed at the beginning of Mass.  The Passion will not be read at this Mass as it is very long for children.  The commemoration of the events of Holy Week is split into:

Celebration of the Last Supper at 5pm (quiet) Mass on Holy Thursday

Re-enactment of the Stations of the Cross by the pupils of Scoil Mhuire on Good Friday at 12 noon

Celebration of the Resurrection at 10.30am Mass on Easter Sunday

DIOCESAN CONFESSION INITIATIVE

“The Light over the confessional is still on for you.”

Pope Francis has been consistently encouraging people to return to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the initiative “The Light is still on for you” is one response.  The aim of the initiative is to reach out to people who would not normally come to Church and to offer an opportunity for people to take ample time in confession to reflect on their lives.  As Lent comes to a conclusion, a number of Centre City Churches will provide Confessions on Saturday 12^th April and Saturday 19^th April from 9.30am to 6.00pm.  There will be a number of confessors available throughout the day.  The centre city churches are: 1.Saint Mary’s, Pro-Cathedral, 2.Saint Saviour's, Dominick Street, 3.Saint Andrew’s, Westland Row, 4.Saint Francis Xavier, Gardiner Street, 5.Saint Teresa’s, Clarendon Street, 6.Our Lady Queen of Peace, Merrion Rd., 7.Blessed Sacrament Chapel, Bachelors Walk, 8.Saint Joseph’s, Berkely Road, 9.Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Whitefriar St.,10. Our Lady Refuge of Sinners, Rathmines, 11.Saint John’s Priory, John's Lane and 12.Saint Mary’s Haddington Road.  You are asked to make the most of this special occasion of Grace.

GOOD FRIDAY STATIONS OF THE CROSS

The Childrens’ Stations of the Cross will be presented here in the Church of the Assumption by the children of Howth Primary School at 12 noon on Good Friday, 18^th April.

Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness Meditation continues in St. Columbanus Hall Monday 7^th April at 7.30 p.m. with Joe Clarke.  All are welcome.

Mindfulness Meditation with Joe Clarke will take place in the Parish Hall (St. Columbanus) on Tuesdays 8^th  15^th and 29^th April from 11.00am to 12 noon.  Please note that Meditation will not take place in Stella Maris Retreat Centre on these dates.

A MUSICAL MARATHON in aid of the Saint Francis Hospice, Raheny will be held in the Sutton Methodist Church on Saturday 12^th April, 11.00am to 8pm.  Admission €10. Tea/coffee will be available free of charge for 15 minutes between each performance. Your support would be welcome.

Howth parishioners, Ben McKiernan and Conor Howard recently carried out a Church Gate Collection on behalf of Belvedere Youth Club.  The amount collected on the day was €1,070.84.  Ben and Conor would like to thank the parishioners of Howth for their very generous support for this deserving cause.

CHURCH COLLECTIONS

Sunday 30^th March – First Collection  €820 and the SHARE Collection  €610

ADVOCATE COLLECTION

The Sunshine Fund of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul is holding its Annual Collection next weekend – (12th and 13th April) after all the Masses.  Please be as generous as you can – all funds raised will be used to provide much needed holidays for deserving children.  The Sunshine Fund is a special works conference of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society.

RECONCILIATION SERVICE

WITH INDIVIDUAL CONFESSION IN PREPARATION FOR EASTER

This Prayer Service will take place on Tuesday 15^th April at 8.00pm in the Church.  The Service will be conducted by Father Piaras Jackson, SJ.  There will be a number of visiting Confessors.

ESB Networks will interrupt supply of electricity next Thursday 10^th April, from 9.00am to 4.00pm.  The areas affected are Asgard Park and Thormanby Road.