Dear Friends,
Today is The Twenty-SixthSunday in Ordinary Time.
Saint of the Week - St. FrancisBorgia, S.J. (1510 – 1572) – Saturday, 3rd October
Francis was the eldest son of the Duke of Gandía and was born in the family palace in the ancient kingdom of Valencia, Spain. As a boy, he lived as a page in the royal court of Princess Catherine, the future Queen of Portugal. Francis married and had eight children. He was appointed Viceroy of Catalonia and, at his father’s death, became Duke of Gandía. His wife, Eleanor, died in 1546. Francis became acquainted with the newly-established Jesuit Order and he founded a Jesuit College in Gandía. He vowed to become a Jesuit himself as soon as he could arrange his temporal affairs. He arranged marriages and positions for his eight children. He secretly pronounced his first vows as a Jesuit in 1548. In August1550, Francis earned a doctorate in theology from the University of Gandía. He arrived in Rome in October 1550. Francis lived with St. Ignatius Loyola in the Jesuit Residence in Rome. He was ordained priest in Spain on May 26, 1551 and celebrated his First Mass on August 1st in the private chapel of St. Ignatius’ ancestral home in Loyola, in the Basque Region of Spain. He worked for some years in various parts of Spain but in 1561 Pope Pius IV called him to Rome. Francis was made Vicar-General (2nd in charge) of the Jesuit Order and, in1565, was himself elected Superior-General. He oversaw the expansion of the Jesuits in India and South America. He died on 30th September, 1572. Franciswas beatified by Pope Urban VIII on November 23rd, 1624 and canonized by Pope Clement X on April 12th, 1671.
Theology/Spirituality Course in the Autumn
The Introductory course on the Early Years of Christian Theology and Spirituality (33 AD – 1,000 AD ) will take place on Saturday mornings from 10.00 am. to12 noon in the John Sullivan Room. There will be a break for tea/coffee.
Last Saturday, we began with ‘The Apostolic Age’, basically looking at the first 150 years of Christianity. This coming Saturday, I will speak on the Persecutions of the Early Christians.
Volunteers to read at Mass and for the Choir
Margaret (our soloist) and Seamus(our organist) always welcome new members to join the choir. Rehearsals are on a Sunday morning at 10.30am in the John Sullivan Room, before the 11.00am Mass.
I am delighted to see that numbersin the choir have increased. Your ministry of singing is much appreciated.
If you feel that you would like to read at our weekday Masses (11.00 am and 1.00pm) or Sunday Masses (9.15am; 11.00am and 7.30pm), please feel free to make yourself known to me.
Reading Club
Our Reading Club returns tomorrow, Monday,28th September. We are reading Consider Jesus – Waves of Renewalin Christology by Elizabeth A. Johnson.
Fr. Brendan
SAFEGUARDING SUNDAY- 27thSeptember
As this weekend is also The World day of Prayer for Migrants and Refugee's, the theme for this years Safeguarding Sunday is centered around how we safeguard those in our parishes who have fled war, persecution and hunger.
“Safeguarding is ultimately about creating communities where every child is valued, respected and protected. On this Safeguarding Sunday, let us renew our commitment to making our parishes places of welcome, inclusion, safety and care for all”.
+Dermot Farrell
Archbishop of Dublin
CHURCH COLLECTIONS
For Church: € 1,032. Share(Crosscare): € 182
Card reader: €363
All contributions are gratefully accepted, and the donors are remembered in our prayers.
ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL is temporarily closed for essential conservation, accessibility and renewal works. Parish administration will continue as normal, although some initial delays may occur during the move to St Joseph’s Church, Berkeley Road, Dublin 7, D07 F592.
Full details are available on the diocesan website.
POPE LEO XIV’s PRAYERINTENTION FOR SEPTEMBER 2026
For the care of water.
Let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it