Dear Friends,
Today is theFirst Sunday of Lent
Preacher for the Novena of Grace, beginning on 4th March
Fr. Brian Christopher will be our preacher this year. Brian is coming to us all the way from Belize in Central America. In 2022, Brian celebrated 25 years as a Jesuit. In those years, Brian has worked among refugees in Ethiopia, with AIDS patientsin Minneapolis, with gang-involved youth in Chicago, with young prisoners inBelize. He has also served as a parish priest. He is currently superior of the Jesuit community in Belize. Brian should have some interesting stories to share with us.
Saint of the Week – St. Peter Damian (1007 – 1072) - Saturday 21st February
Born in Ravenna, Italy of poor parents, Peter had to tend swine in his youth but when his intelligence was recognized he was sent to study at Faenza and Parma in Lombardy. In 1035, he joined a community of Camaldolese hermits founded by St Romuald (c.950-1027) at Fonte Avellana, of which Peter eventually became the head. He was essentially a reformer in the age of church reform, both as a monk and in his later wider activities as cardinal-bishop of Ostia. In his ideas about monasticism he always looked back to the rigorous example of the early desert monks. Peter could be critical, impatient, very out-spoken, with the moral fervour of the prophet. He rebuked one bishop for merely playing chess.He took a prominent role in the struggle against various anti-popes, especially Honorius II (1061-64). He was sent on various papal missions to France and Germany. Peter was never formally canonized, but since his death, a local cult has existed and he was enrolled among the Doctors of the Church by Pope Leo XII in 1828 on account of his theological and spiritual writings.
Volunteers to read at Mass and for the Choir
We are badly in need of people to become Ministers of the Word at weekday Masses and on a Sunday. Please give this yourconsideration and have a prior chat with me.
Reading Club
Our next meeting will be tomorrow, Monday, 23rd February from 10.00am – 12 Noon. We are reading. The Sign – Reading the Gospel of John by Seán Goan. You are welcome to join.
Fr. Brendan
MOUNTJOY SQUARE REFURBISHMENT
Dublin City Council plans to refurbish Mountjoy Square. This would be good news if the current facilities for football and basketball were kept in place or improved. We encourage those who attend this church to make a submission in protest [either on-linehttps://engage.dublincity.ie/en-IE/projects/re-imagining-mountjoy-square-park-part-8 or to Executive Manager, Planning and Property Development Department, Dublin City Council,Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8.] before 4.30pm on 06/03/2026. Please feel free to make use of the following text:
I am writing,in support of the Dublin City Sports Club Network, to object to any refurbishment of Mountjoy Square which does not include an all-weather football pitch and basketball court of higher quality as existing facilities. Those who play these sports on Mountjoy Square - and who have done so over many years -are to be encouraged. Their contribution should be celebrated. Dublin City Council badly needs to send a positive message to the youth of the North East Inner City, which has endured so much over so many years.
Fr. Edmond Grace SJ
OUR RECENTLY DECEASED
We remember in prayer those who have died recently:
Michael Cullen
Evelyn Morris
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest inpeace.
THE NOVENA OF GRACE
In honour of St. Francis Xavier’s begins on 4th March and continues until the 12thMarch. Please take flyers at the back of the Church and spread the news.
TARSUS SCRIPTURE SCHOOL PRESENTS NEW COURSE
“A NewSpringtime of Faith: Enjoying the Gospels of Lent”: A six-part video series from the Tarsus Scripture Team, which explores the six Gospel readings of Lent and how engaging with the weekly Gospel can renew and deepen our faith and relationship with God and each other, during this time of preparation for the mystery of Easter. Also includes two Zoom webinars: a discussion with the presenters, and a prayerful meditation.€35 per household or €100 for Parish Groups. More information and registrationat: www.tarsusscriptureschool.ie
THE MESSENGER |MARCH 2026
In the month in which we celebrate International Women’s Day, The Messenger carries several articles about the strength and resilience of women. Our editorial says that women are among the ‘giants’ of the Irish Church and supports the various waysin which the role of women in the Church may be enhanced.
Available inthe shop.