Dear Friends,
Today is the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome.
This is a strange feast. Full liberty was granted to Christians by the Emperor Constantine in 313 AD. This basilica was built in 324 AD – it is the oldest basilica in the world. Destroyed many times in wars over the centuries, it was finally completed in 1724 in the time of Pope Benedict XIII. The Lateran Basilica is the Pope’s cathedral in Rome.
This morning we welcome the Communications Workers’ Union Band to play at the11.00am Mass. The Band comes here every year to remember their deceased members.
Saint of the Week – Saint Laurence O’Toole, - Friday, 14th November
Bornin Castledermot, Co. Kildare in 1180, Laurence was the son of a Leinster chieftain and spent much of his childhood as a hostage in the hands of a rival family, the Mac Murroughs. He became a monk and abbot of Glendalough. In 1161,he was appointed Archbishop of Dublin. Nine years later, the Earl of Pembroke,(‘Strongbow’) landed in Ireland and Laurence spent much of his episcopate negotiating with the newly-arrived Normans. He negotiated with King Henry II on behalf of the King of Connacht, Rory O’Connor. While in Rome in 1179, Laurence was appointed Papal Legate to Ireland. This provoked the ire of Henry II and he refused Laurence permission to return to Ireland. Laurence went to Normandy to negotiate with Henry and Henry’s ban was lifted. Laurence was on his way back to Ireland when he died at the Monastery of Eu in Normandy in 1180. In his private life Laurence kept the simplicity of a monk, living in community with his cathedral clergy and returning every Lent to Glendalough for a period of quiet and solitude. His memory is still honoured, not only in Dublin, but in the French diocese of Rouen. Laurence was canonised in 1226.
Reading Club
Our next meeting will be on Monday, 17th November from 10.00am until 12.00pm in the John Sullivan Room. We are reading a resumé of The History of the Bible by John Barton. It is suggested that our next book will be Ronald Rolheiser’s The Holy Longing – The Search for A Christian Spirituality.
Saturday Morning Talks
Our next session will be on Saturday, 15th November. The topic for this talk will be the life and spirituality of Thomas Merton (1915-1968) .
There will be one more session in this series. The final talk will focus on the life and spirituality of Brother Roger of Taizé.
Fr. Brendan
IN NOVEMBER WE REMEMBER
The11 am Mass on 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.
Altar list of the dead envelopes are available at the back of the church and in the shop.
THE COMMUNICATION WORKERS BAND
is the only remaining trade union band on the island of Ireland, north or south. The Band was founded by postal workers during the period prior to the foundation of the State. The exact date of the foundation of the Band is hard to verify, but it was in existence prior to 1916, as all the instruments were destroyed in the GPO during the Easter Rising.
For the last century the Post Office Workers’ Union Band has provided the beat to which many workers marched as they demonstrated against injustice or commemorated past heroes and events. With the amalgamation and consolidation of the many unions, the Band’s name has become the current Communications Workers’ Union Band.
PALESTRINA CHOIRCONCERT
16th November – Concert at 3.30pm celebrating the Bicentenary of Pro-Cathedral at Pro Cathedral. Vivaldi Gloria, Mozart Laudate Dominum, AveVerum Corpus, Handel Hallelujah Chorus and other choral favourites. Palestrina Choir and St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral Girls’ Choir, members of Marlborough Baroque Orchestra and soloists Eva Waters and Sarah Richmond.
RELICSOF ST THÉRÈSE
Saturday15th November 12pm - 8pm & Sunday 16th 8.30am - 1.30pm
Allday long blessings with the First Class relics of St Thérèse onSaturday till 8pm & Sunday till 1.30pm.
StThomas the Apostle, Laurel Lodge Parish, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
POPELEO XVI’s PRAYER INTENTION FOR NOVEMBER
Forthe prevention of suicide
Let us pray that those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts might find the support, care, and love they need in their community, and be open to the beauty of life.
LAST WEEK’S COLLECTION
Church: € 806. Share: €142. Card reader: € 338
IDonate: € 50
Thanks for your continued support