Dear Friends,
Today is the Feast of Christ the King – the last Sunday in the Church Year. Next Sunday, we begin the Season of Advent, in preparation for Christmas.
Saint of the Week – Blessed Rutilio Grande, S.J.. (1928 - 1977) – Tuesday, 25th November
Rutilio wasborn in El Salvador, Central America. He entered the Jesuits in 1945. Hestudied in Ecuador, Panama and Spain. He was ordained in 1959. He worked in theformation of young seminarians back in El Salvador. He devoted the last yearsof his life to the service of faith andthe promotion of justice among the poor in the parish of Aguilares. He spokeout boldly against the corrupt government regime of the time. On 12 March,1977, he was shot dead, along with
an old peasantman and a young boy, as they drove to celebrate Mass in a rural village. All three were beatified in the capital, San Salvador on 22 January, 2022. Rutilio was a close personal friend of the martyred Archbishop, now, Saint Oscar Romero(+1980)
Two Advent Reflection Mornings
There will be two Advent reflection mornings on Friday 5th and 19th December. These will take place in the John Sullivan Room from 11.30am -12.00 noon, immediately after the11.00 Mass. This will be a brief time to reflect together on the mystery of the coming Christmas through readings from scripture, poetry and seasonal music. This proved to be very popular last year. I regret that because of other commitments I cannot offer four Friday mornings this year. Please come along, if you’re free on the dates mentioned above.
Upcoming Christmas Concert
The Choral Group, Visionaries will give a Christmas Concert here in Saint Francis Xavier, Gardiner Street from 4,00pm to 6.00pm on Sunday, 14th December. Admission will be only 10 Euro. Visionaries is a choir of some 50 voices, singing in four-part harmony. The members of the choir are visually impaired and any money raised will be for their own charity. They will sing seasonal and Christmas pieces. Please come along to support them and to enter into the spirit of the season.
Reading Club
Reading Club
Our next meeting will be tomorrow, Monday, 1st December from 10.00am until 12.00pm in the John Sullivan Room. We are reading Ronald Rolheiser’s The Holy Longing –The Search for A Christian Spirituality. The following meeting will be on Monday, 12th January, 2026.
Fr. Brendan
Archbishop Farrell announcing that St Mary’s has been designated the Cathedral Church of the Archdiocese
“It is withgreat joy that I am pleased to announce that the Holy Father, Pope Leo, has consented to my request and has approved by decree that St Mary’s be designatedas the Cathedral Church of our Archdiocese. It is appropriate that this announcement should be made in the context of our celebration of the exemplary service which St Mary’s has given to our diocese over 200 years, but also at a time when we are renewing our focus on our mission as a diocesan family, Building Hope and Proclaiming Good News, affirming the faith of our people, and reaching out to the city and beyond.”
IN NOVEMBER WEREMEMBER
The 11 am Masson Sunday, 30th November will be offered for all the faithful departed, with particular mention of those whose funerals were held at Gardiner Street Church between November 2024 and October 2025.
GIVE A GIFT THAT CHANGES LIVES
This winter, thousands of children in Syria are facing the cold without proper clothing. You can help keep them warm and safe.
After years ofconflict and hardship, Syrian families continue to face bitter winters without essentials. As temperatures fall below zero, children and the elderly are mostat risk. Your gift will provide a warm winter jacket, hat, scarf, pants, shoes,T-shirt, and jumper, all purchased from local markets. This gift saves lives.
Your support brings real warmth, dignity, and hope to those who need it most.
Give a Winter Kit today by calling Irish Jesuits International at 01 836 6509 or visiting our office at 20 Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin 1. www.iji.ie
#HAVEYOURSAYABOUT YOUR CATHOLIC SCHOOL
The Department of Education is currently conducting a Primary School Survey that will determine the future provision of Primary Schools. In simple, direct terms, youare being asked if you want your school to stay a Catholic school or if youwant that to change. Don’t leave it to others, have your say before 16 December 2025
See -https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/campaigns/primary-school-survey/
LAST WEEK’SCOLLECTION
Church: € 861Share: €152. Card reader: € 359. IDonate: € 60
Thank for your continued support