Dear Parishioners,
Bloomsday is the day when fans of Irish author James Joyce celebrate his life and work. Joyce received education at two Jesuit schools and that influence is a feature of his novels and stories. I warmly invite you to attend ‘Joyce and the Jesuits’ here at SFX on Bloomsday, next Sunday 16th June at 12.30 pm. You will hear some well-known excerpts from Joyce’s stories which feature Jesuits.
In the spirit of Bloomsday feel free to dress up in your period style Sunday best. Hopefully I will find an old Jesuit habit to wear! My thanks to our regular reader Gerry McArdle for making this happen.
It is hard to believe that the Novena to the Sacred Heart is already over. It was very early this year but it was as heartwarming as ever. I am extremely grateful to everyone who made it a wonderful nine days and to everyone who gave generously to the special collection for Jesuit youth ministry.
Every blessing,
Fr Niall
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBLIN
Archbishop Dermott Farrell announced that he has asked the Holy Father to designate St. Mary’s as the Cathedral of Dublin. This announcement was made on Monday 3rd June during the Mass in honour of St. Kevin on his Feast Day
“I am asking the Holy Father to designate St Mary’s as the Cathedral for Dublin as part of a renewed pastoral and missionary strategy at the centre of our Diocese” The Archbishop said.
FEAST OF ST. COLMCILLE, 3RD PATRON SAINT OF IRELAND
This Sunday, 9th June, is the feast of St. Colmcille, who together with St. Patrick and St. Brigid is a patron saint of Ireland. Since his feast day falls on Sunday this year, we won’t mark it liturgically.
St. Colmcille was born in Co. Donegal. As a young man he became a priest and then established 30 monasteries in 10 years. At one point, he was accused at starting a war between two Irish tribes and was subsequently exiled from Ireland into Scotland. He spent the rest of his life on the island of Iona, which is still known for its monastic heritage.
There is a movement associated with St. Colmcille called “immigrants for Christ”. People immigrate for various reasons, but at times it is not to look for "a better life” but rather to follow the one that Christ set out for them. I have a special bond with St. Colmcille, because his feast day is also the anniversary of my baptism. Since I learned that a few years back, I celebrate my baptism by going to Mass and lighting a baptism candle (I bought it specifically for this purpose and asked a priest to bless it). And I usually reflect in thanksgiving on the call for my life that God gave me in baptism.
Do you know the date of your baptism? Do you celebrate it? I encourage you to find out when you were baptised, and to explore if a saint’s feast day is associated with the date. You might be as blessed when you discover it, as I have been!
And happy feast! St. Colmcille, pray for us.
Iva
POPE FRANCIS PRAYER INTENTION FOR JUNE
For migrants fleeing their homes
We pray that migrants fleeing from war or hunger, forced to undertake journeys full of danger and violence, find welcome and new opportunities in the countries that receive them.
BLESSED JOHN SULLIVAN MONTHLY MASS
The monthly Mass in honour of Blessed John Sullivan SJ will be celebrated on Saturday 15th June at 1 pm.
Individual blessing with his crucifix after the Mass. All are welcome!
JOYCE AND THE JESUITS – BLOOMSDAY, SUNDAY 16TH JUNE 2024 AT 12.30 PM, ST. FRANCIS XAVIER’S CHURCH
For the 120th anniversary of the first Bloomsday, in association with The Joyce Centre, Dublin 1, actor, writer and broadcaster Gerry McArdle, who plays Buck Mulligan in the 1982 RTÉ recording of Ulysses (available online), puts together a 60 minute programme of readings from Dubliners, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and Ulysses which highlights the Joyce/Jesuit connections. He is joined by Raphael Kelly, and singer Suzanne Mangan. The event is hosted and narrated by popular RTÉ newscaster and television personality, Eileen Dunne, who, like the other artists involved, freely donates her time and talents.
It’s a short programme, packed full of entertaining content that eschews the academic, intellectual approach to Joyce, and concentrates on the enjoyment of some very accessible and funny writing. Admission is free. Donations for the upkeep of St. Francis Xavier’s Church gratefully accepted.
CONSIDERING A POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMME?
Considering a Postgraduate study programme? Check out the options in Theology, Philosophy, Youth Ministry, Chaplaincy, Church Music and more at St Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth, sppu.ie/courses. Applications close soon.
LAST WEEK COLLECTION
Church: € 925
Share: € 164
IDonate & card readers: € 429
SUMMER MASS SCHEDULE- JULY AND AUGUST
From 1st July until 31st August there will be no 7.30 pm Mass on Sundays and no 6 pm Mass on Fridays (no Friday Night Candlelight or Adoration).