Dear Friends,
Today is The Fourth Sunday of Easter.
Saint of the Week. – Saint Catherine of Siena – Wednesday 29th April
Caterina di Benicasa was born in Siena, Italy in 1347. She became a Third Order Dominican,living at home and spending much time in prayer. She is said to have experienced raptures in prayer, culminating in her receiving the stigmata like Francis of Assisi and Padre Pio. The popes of the time lived in Avignon in France. Catherine went to Avignon to implore Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome which he did. Gregory was succeeded by Urban VI who called Catherine to Rome and sought her advice. Catherine addressed her letters to kings and popes –these letters throw light on her spirited and candid character. Her dictated work, The Dialogue (a conversation between Jesus and herself) is an Italian spiritual classic. Pope Benedict XVI said of Catherine, “She gives a jolt to minds and hearts, provoking conversion and renewal.” Catherine died in Rome in 1380 at the age of 33. She was canonized in 1461 by Pope Pius II in 1461. Shewas declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI in 1970.
Extract from Catherine’s The Dialogue:
Catherine ‘hears’ Jesus say to her during a time of prayer:
I ask you to love me with the same love with which I love you. But for me, you cannot do this, for I love you without being loved…So you cannot give me the kind of love I ask of you. That is why I have put you among your neighbours, so that you can do for them what you cannot do for me, that is, love them without any concern and without looking for any profit for yourself…You should counsel your neighbour exactly as you would counsel yourself, without self-love.
Volunteers to read at Mass and for the Choir
Margaret (our soloist) and Seamus (our organist) would welcome people to join the choir.
Rehearsals are on a Sunday morning at 10.15am in the John Sullivan Room, before the 11.00am Mass.
Reading Club
Our next meeting will be on Monday, 11th May from 10.00am – 12 Noon. We are finishing our reading of The Confessions of St. Augustine, edited by Benignus O’Rourke OSA. Our next book will be Into the Silent Land, by Fr. Martin Laird, OSA. Youare welcome to join.
Fr. Brendan
OUR RECENTLYDECEASED
We remember inprayer those who have died recently:
Noel Braymen
Sheila O’Dwyer
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
VOCATIONS SUNDAY
Good Shepherd Sunday – Vocations Sunday, April 26
“Every vocationis an immeasurable gift for the Church and for those who receive it with joy.”– Pope Leo XIV, Message for the 63rd World Day of Prayer for Vocations 2026
In his message for this year’s World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Leo XIV reminds us that vocation is an “interior discovery” of God’s gift, planted deep within our hearts and nurtured through prayer, listening, and trust. He encourages all of us to create a spirit of faith, prayer, and support, so that God’s call may be heard and generously embraced.
CHURCH COLLECTIONS
For Church: €916. Share: €161.
Card reader: €440
IDonate: € 60
Allcontributions are gratefully accepted, and the donors are remembered in our prayers.
Easter Offering envelopes available at the back of the church and in the shop.