Today we begin a new church year! The season of Advent allows us to make spiritual preparation for the coming birthday of our Saviour. How do we be alert and watchful in the spirit of today’s Gospel? Every morning when we get up, let us pray, “Lord, show me someone today with whom I may share your love, mercy and forgiveness.” Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said, "Whatever you do in your family, for your children, for your husband, for your wife, you do for Jesus." Every night when we go to bed, let us ask ourselves, “Where have I found Christ today?” The answer will be God’s Advent gift to us that day. By being alert and watchful, we’ll be getting an extra gift: Christ himself. There is a saying about being saved which goes back to St. Thomas Aquinas: "Without God, I can't. Without me, he won't." Pope Francis has issued a new apostolic exhortation titled ‘Evangelii Gaudium’, or The Joy of the Gospel. Among many wise words he says “In this Exhortation I wish to encourage the Christian faithful to embark upon a new chapter of evangelization marked by joy. Life grows by giving away and it weakens in isolation and comfort. An evangeliser must never look like someone who has just come from a funeral!” Happy New Year to all in Church today!   Fr David

Pastoral Challenges to the Family - Pastoral Challenges to the Family in the Context of Evangelisation is  extraordinary document which has sent by the Vatican to all National Bishops Conferences across the world. Pope Francis is asking parishes, people, dioceses, countries to reflect on the questions and make submissions in advance of the Synod of Bishops next year. Find out more and give your response by clicking here >>

We are keen to enrol and train a new group of altar servers over the next few weeks. Those who have recently celebrated their First Communion are particularly welcome. Training for new altar servers will be provided by Josephine Bennett and Lester Barlow, who have both participated in Diocesan child safeguarding training. Parents of children, who would like to become altar servers, are invited to pick up a parental authorisation form from the parish office or the sacristy.

Information posters for each parish group or ministry are on display in the prayer room of the church. All groups would welcome new members, and we urgently need volunteers for church cleaning, Web Committee, Youth Initiative Group and drivers for meals on wheels.

Find out ways in which you can be involved more in your parish!

To download a directory of all the Community Organisations and Charities in the Rathmines Area compiled by the Parish and by World Missions Ireland Click Here>>

Read a Guide to this week's Gospel here >> is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. //