ST. BRIGID’S FEAST DAY
The feast of St. Brigid is coming up on 1st February. She is our secondary patron saint, and a much-loved woman from our Church’s past. We will have a special Mass in honour of St. Brigid on Thursday, 1st February, at 11am. Roisin O’Reilly will sing during the Mass. Our Parish Manager, Iva Beranek, shares her poem about St. Brigid:
She brings fire in the night
In dark shadows
Of winter’s night
Where melodies of spring
Are like a distant dream
In your soul
There lie hidden treasures
Blossoms flourishing
Yet unseen
In this night
Before the dawn
When winter’s time
Nears the end
St. Brigid threads this land
Once more
With her fire
To light God’s blaze
Deep within the soul
Of Ireland
Deep within each heart
She brings fire
In the night
In this night
When winter flows
Like a river into spring
New miracles are born
Hidden treasures
Within your heart
Exposed
Trees laugh
As they blossom
St. Brigid heals the land
With delight
For she brings fire
In the night
And winter turns
Into spring
Within your
Heart
© Iva Beranek
TWO NEW BOOKS IN THE PARISH SHOP
Fr. Brendan Comerford SJ wrote a book about St. Francis Xavier called “The Great Dreamer”. It’s a perfect read for our parish, as we carry the name of this great saint.
“Brothers in Arms” by Fr. Brendan McManus SJ and James Fullam about their Camino journey is another great read that we would recommend.
You can now get both books in our parish shop. St. Brigid’s crosses (pins) are also available.
Have a look!
THE YEAR OF PRAYER
Pope Francis has inaugurated a Year of Prayer ahead of the 2025 Jubilee, calling on the faithful “to intensify prayer to prepare us to live well this event of grace and to experience the power of God’s hope.”
In remarks after the Angelus on Sunday, 21st January, the Holy Father explained that the Year of Prayer is dedicated “to rediscovering the great value and absolute need for prayer, prayer in personal life, in the life of the Church, prayer in the world.”
The Pope invited Christians to pray especially for Christian unity, and “to not tire of invoking the Lord for peace in Ukraine, in Israel and Palestine, and in so many other parts of the world”.
(Written by Christopher Wells for the Vatican News)
NEW WEBSITE
Have a look at our new parish website!! 😊
https://www.gardinerstparish.ie
We are very grateful to Peter’s House who designed it. Explore it and enjoy the new look.
MIND YOUR BELONGINGS
Please do not leave your belongings unattended. Always carry them with you. We have had some unfortunate incidents when things have gone missing.
SINGERS NEEDED
Do you like singing? Our new Sunday morning choir is up and running. But we could do with a few more singers, especially female voices, for our Sunday 11am Choir. The Choir meets in John Sullivan Room at 10am for the music practice. Come and join us!
SAVE THE DATE
Annual Mass in honour of Bl. John Sullivan will take place on Saturday, 17th February at 11am. Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ will be the celebrant. Church of Ireland Archbishop. Michael Jackson will also attend. We hope to see you there!
NOTE this Mass is not at 1pm, but at 11am. It replaces the monthly John Sullivan Mass.
A CATHOLIC PERSPECTIVE ON CLIMATE CRISIS
The Faber community are young adults who are inspired by life and spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola. On Saturday, 10th February at 5.30pm, they are organising a talk for young adults on the climate crisis entitled, “We are all going to die, and what can we do about it?” Speaker is Fr. Nial Leahy SJ, our parish priest. For location, and other information check their Instagram @fabercompanions or email them at thefabercommunity@gmail.com.
OUR RECENTLY DECEASED
We remember in prayer those who have died recently:
Rita Cullen
Mary Hanlon
Pat Shorthall
May Fennelly
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.