Dear Friends,
Today is The Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saint of the Week – Saint Monica (c.331-387) – Thursday 25th August
Born in Thagaste (now Souk Ahras) in Algeria, Monica was the mother of St. Augustine of Hippo. It is from Augustine’s writings that we learn about Monica. Her husband, Patricius, was aman of modest rank. They had three children of whom Augustine was the eldest. Patricius died when Augustine was eighteen. Monica had tried to bring her sonup as a Christian but Augustine regarded her religion with scorn. Monica prayed continually for Augustine’s conversion. One bishop said to Monica, “It is notpossible that the son of so many tears should be lost.” When, in 383, Augustine slipped away to Italy, Monica followed him, first to Rome and then to Milan where she met St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan. Augustine, in turn, was must influenced by the preaching of Ambrose and eventually converted to Christianity. Monica’s prayers were answered. On their return journey to North Africa, Monica and Augustine stopped off at the seaside port of Ostia outside Rome. Augustine, in his Confessions, recalls a deep spiritual experience they shared one afternoon as they looked out on the sea. Shortly afterwards, Monica fell ill and died in Ostia. We might pray today through the intercession of St. Monica for all mothers, especially mothers of adolescent children.
Proposed Course in the Autumn
I propose offering an introductory course on the Early Years of Christian Theology and Spirituality (33 AD – 1,000AD ) in the autumn. You do not have to have any prior knowledge of this subject. I would hope to make the talks as accessible as possible. These talks will take place on Saturday mornings from 10.00 am. to 12 noon in the John Sullivan Room. The first talk in this series will be on Saturday, 26thSeptember.
Volunteers to read at Mass and forthe Choir
Margaret (our soloist) and Seamus(our organist) always welcome new members to join the choir. Rehearsals are on a Sunday morningat 10.30am in the John Sullivan Room, before the 11.00am Mass.
Reading Club
We are taking a break for the summermonths and will return on Monday, 28th September.
Fr. Brendan
CHURCH COLLECTIONS
For Church: € 962. Share: € 171
Card reader: € 381
Allcontributions are gratefully accepted, and the donors are remembered in ou prayers.
AUTUMN COURSE
Interested in the Early Years of Christian Theology and Spirituality course? Please let us know online (gardinerstchurch.ie/upcoming events), by email (sfx@jesuit.ie) or by phone (8363411). Few places left.
LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD
Dr. Iva Beranek will be leading a 4-week evening course on prayer in Claredon Street Church, starting on 2ndSeptember.
It is more a journey of goingwithin, and learning how to listen to God, rather than merely a “course onmethods”. Come and let God shower His blessings on you.
Places are limited.
More information and registrationthrough this link:
https//tinyurl.com/CourseOnPrayer-tickets.
STUDY THEOLOGY ONLINE, is this for you? The Priory Institute provides online Theology courses to degree level. Attend Saturday lectures in Tallaght or from the comfort of your own home. Register now to begin on 19 September. Find out more on our website, prioryinstitute.com
STMARY’S CATHEDRAL WILL CLOSE TEMPORARILY to allow essential conservation, accessibility and renewal works as part of the next phase in its development as the Cathedral ofthe Archdiocese of Dublin.
During the closure period, major diocesan liturgies will take place in St Andrew’s Church, Westland Row.
Parish administration work will continue as normal, though it may experience initial delays while they relocate to St. Joseph's Church, Berkeley Road, Dublin 7, D07 F592.
Full details on the diocesan website.
PILGRIMAGE-LOURDES & SAN SEBASTIAN
2ndOctober 2026 – 6 nights
Spiritual Director- Fr. Pat Corkery SJ
Forinformation, please contact Maura Ward 0876550633
POPE LEO XIV’s PRAYER INTENTION FOR AUGUST
For evangelization in the city
Let us pray that in large cities often marked by anonymity and loneliness we find new ways to proclaim the Gospel, discovering creative paths to build community.