Dear Friends,
Today is the Third Sunday after Easter.
We continue to pray for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis. Let’s also remember in our prayers the cardinals gathered in the Vatican for the Conclave. Maybe, this time next week, we might have a new Pope!
Fr. Brendan
SAINT OF THEWEEK – Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice (1762-1844) – May 5th
Born in Callan, Kilkenny. After secondary education in Kilkenny, he went to work for his uncle in a thriving business in Waterford. He married in 1785 but his wife died in 1789.
When his day’s work was done, Edmond spent hours in the slums in Waterford City, offering food and clothing to the destitute young. He began a school for poor boys, along with two other helpers. Eventually, he founded Mount Sion School. This small group of men entered on a religious way of life which took its pattern from the Rule that governed the Presentation Sisters. Common sense and compassion were two of the major elements in Edmund’s approach. By 1808, Edmund established areligious congregation with three vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Edmund became Brother Ignatius after Ignatius Loyola.
He used to spend time with prisoners. On the mornings of executions, Edmund was allowed to meet the condemned, spending the last couple of hours with them, and accompanying them to the scaffold. Finally, the Institute of the Christian Brothers was established in 1820 with the permission of Pope Pius VII. Further schools were established in Carrick-on-Suir, Dungarvan, Cork, Dublin, Preston, Manchester. Christian Brothers went to Australia in 1842.
Edmund died in1844. He was beatified by Pope Saint John Paul II in 1996.
OUR RECENTLYDECEASED
We remember in prayer those who have died recently:
Maxime McGuiness
May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest inpeace.
Amen
FEAST OF BL.JOHN SULLIVAN SJ
(8TH MAY)
A Mass of thanksgiving for his beatification will be celebrated at Clongowes Wood College on Sunday, 11th May at 3pm. Please consider coming.
The anointing of the sick and blessing with the Cross of Blessed John Sullivan will take place after Mass. Principal celebrant and homilist: Bishop Denis Nulty.
The monthly Mass in honour of Blessed John Sullivan SJ will be celebrated, as usual, on Saturday 17th May at 1 pm in St Francis Xavier’s Church.
THE MESSENGER |MAY 2025
The gentle sounds and soft awakenings of early summer are reflected in several contributions in the May Messenger which draw inspiration and spiritual insights from the natural world around us. We consider the changing role of Church structures to reflect the new reality of the Irish Church while remaining true to their primary function at the service of pastoral care. In the anniversary month of Fatima, we revisit the tumultuous events and revelations of 1917. And we are introduced to the Church’s first millennial saint, 15 year-old Carol Acutis, beatified in 2020.
Available in the shop.
VOCATIONS SUNDAY
Good Shepherd Sunday – Vocations Sunday, May 11, 2025
“A vocation is a precious gift that God sows in our heart, a call to leave ourselves behind and embark on a journey of love and service.” – Pope Francis, World Day of Prayer for Vocations 2025
May this Good Shepherd Sunday be a moment of encouragement and support for vocations to flourish among us.
CONCERT AT STANDREW’S
A date for your diary. Songs of Inspiration and Hope with Celine Byrne at St Andrew’s, Westland Row. Feel welcome to attend our celebration for the Jubilee Year of Hope. Sunday, May 11, 6.30pm to 8pm.
LAST WEEKCOLLECTION
Church: € 789
Share collection: € 140
Card reader: €331
Thanks for your generosity!
The blue bag is for the Church and the red bag for share.