Weekly Newsletter - 22nd June 2025

Dear Friends,

Today is The Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ – ‘Corpus Christi’.

We began the Novena to the Sacred Heart last Thursday 19th June and the novena will conclude on Friday 27th June. Our preacher this year is Fr. Vincent Sherlock, a priest of the diocese of Achonry. Fr. Vincent is a regular contributor to the Sacred Heart Messenger.

Please take a leaflet with the times of novena Masses.

The Front Office is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am – 1.00pm and 1.30pm – 4.30pm.

Saturday from 10.00am – 2.00pm; Sunday 9.30am – 12.30pm

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Devotion to the Sacred Heart – A brief history

This devotion dates back to the medieval period. Its popularity dates from the 17th century when Margaret Mary Alocoque, a Visitation nun, was recorded as having several apparitions of the Sacred Heart in the years 1673-75 in her convent chapel of Paray-le-Monial, France. Both she and Claude la Colombière, S.J. were charged with promoting the devotion. On Passion Sunday 1873, the bishops of Ireland consecrated the Irish nation to the Sacred. Heart. In 1887, Fr. James Cullen, S.J. was appointed director for the Apostleship of Prayer and this marked the beginning of a countrywide devotion to the Sacred Heart. The magazine, Messenger of the Sacred Heart began in 1888 and is still going strong! One of the best known aspirations associated with the devotion is ‘O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you’. May this time of the Novena be a blessed time for us all!

Fr. Brendan

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SACRED HEART NOVENA MASS TIMES

Weekdays: 11am & 7.30pm;

Saturday: 11am & 6pm;

Sunday 11am & 7.30pm.

The shop will be open from 6:30 to 8 pm during the Novena, except on Sunday the 22nd and Thursday the 26th.

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CONSECRATION OF IRELAND TO THE SACRED HEART

In this Jubilee Year of Hope we now pray, through the intercession of St Margaret Mary and St Claude de la Colombiere, that this renewal of our consecration will bear much fruit in Ireland – spreading a fervent love of the Sacred Heart and inspiring families to live in fidelity to the sanctifying and healing flames of that love. We also pray that it will bring about a powerful rejuvenation of mission to proclaim the Good News in our country and beyond.

Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference

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RALLY FOR LIFE

You are invited to the Rally for Life, the biggest pro-life event each year, where thousands Stand forLife and to protect mother and baby. JULY 5th, PARNELL SQ. Dublin city centre,1.30pm.

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MANRESA RETREATS

Looking to pause and reconnect with God? Manresa Jesuit Centre of Spirituality (Clontarf, Dublin) is offering the following retreats:

° 8-day Directed Retreat. Tuesday-Thursday, 29 July-7 August. A directed retreat offers time for personal prayer, silence, and reflection, with daily guidance from a spiritual director– a chance to deepen your relationship with God and discover His personal call to you.

° Oasis Day. Saturday, 19 July 2025;Saturday, 16 August. Take time to pause with an Oasis Day - a gentle, one-dayretreat of reflection and guided prayer, offering quiet space for prayer, rest,and renewal.

° Poetry Retreat: “Who Do You Say That IAm?”. Friday-Sunday, 11-13 July. A contemplative weekend retreat using poetryand prayerful reflection to explore Jesus’ question, ‘Who do you say that Iam?’ Guided by: Eoin Garrett

Visit www.manresa.ie for more details.

HOPE - FOR OUR PILGRIM JOURNEY

The Priory Institute two week on-line Summer School is reflective, informative and interactive and will run from 11 August. The course includes eight recorded presentations and two on-line zoom discussions and is very flexible as it is delivered entirely online. Find out more and register click here

prioryinstitute.com

THE YEAR OF CELEBRATIONS

by Iva Beranek

This book is a sequel to Veronica’s Bookstore. It features charactersthat aim to spark imagination and build emotional resilience in readers of allages. Both books are available in theChurch's shop and on Amazon.

THE JULY MESSENGER explores pivotal topics, including heartfelt tributes to Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV's unifying impact. It highlights the work of Solidarity with South Sudan amidst conflict and the achievements of Sr. Mary Courtney FMSA in Zambia. Articles touch on climate change's devastating effects in Guatemala, AI's ethical implications as guided by Irish bishop Paul Tighe, and the role of deacons within the Irish Church. The issue also honours St Oliver Plunkett's legacy, and offers engaging content with reflections, prayer, cookery, and crosswords. This edition blends thought-provoking themes with light-hearted summer reading features.

Available in the shop.

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ALL THINGS NEW

Jesuit Young Adult Retreat (18-35years old) in Gonzaga College SJ, Dublin, from Saturday, 28th to Sunday, 29thJune.

Join our welcoming community ofyoung people from all stages of belief, as we explore our faiths and connect witheach other through tasty food, games and good chats.

Speakers:

Fr. Niall Leahy SJ – Listening for God’s Voice.

Fr. Kevin O’Rourke SJ – Relationships and Spirituality.

Sr. Marta Silva ACI – Your vocation is not the end.

The cost is €50 for students, €70for other tickets. Register now at "All Things New 2025" onEventbrite.ie

POPE LEO XIV PRAYER INTENTION FOR JUNE

Let us pray that each one of us mightfind consolation in a personal relationship with Jesus, and from his Heart,learn to have compassion on the world.