Pastor’s Desk: 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Welcome everyone to our Eucharist this Sunday and a special welcome to anyone who is visiting the parish on holidays. Our Gospel today tells us much about who Jesus really is. The first thing to notice is that we hear Jesus was praying alone in the presence of his disciples. References to Jesus praying appear regularly in the Gospels. It was this life of prayer that sustained him in his ministry and difficulties. Secondly, Peter is once again the bravest and most prominent apostle. When Jesus asks the question “Who do people say I am?” the other apostles are quick to list of all the names they have heard used about Jesus; John the Baptist, Elijah, one of the ancient prophets; but when he poses the same question to them silence descends. It was alright when they were saying what others think but now the personal challenge stops them in their tracks. Only Peter is brave enough to break the silence and say, “You are the Christ of God”. Christ is the Greek word for the Messiah, the Promised one of God who would restore God’s people.
Peter is a wonderfully complex character; he is the leader among the apostles and shows great courage and insight on occasions such as we hear today and yet we also know he can get it spectacularly wrong. In this passage he recognises Jesus yet on Holy Thursday night he will deny he even knows Jesus. Peter’s humanity is something that all of us should be thankful for because he makes it easy for us to follow him. If Peter was the perfect disciple, how could we even begin to follow?
Jesus, having acknowledged that he is the Christ, the promised Messiah, now says a very strange thing; “if anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me.” Suffering is going to be part and parcel of the life of every Christian. It is not a great recruitment slogan but Jesus tells it as it is.
Let us ask the Lord to help us in carrying our cross this week.
Fr. Eoin
Future Print
It was with great sadness that I heard of the closure of Future Print this week. As parishioners know, they have very generously typeset and printed our parish newsletter, Trinity News, each week for many, many years and also our Christmas and Easter cards. I have said on many occasions that Trinity News was the envy of every other parish in the diocese because of the quality of its production and finish. Holy Trinity Parish owes Chris and Jackie Jameson and all in Future Print a great debt of thanks for their generous contribution to the life of this parish. I would ask all parishioners to remember the management and staff of Future Print in their prayers at this difficult time. To Chris and Jackie I send a heartfelt Thank You for all your support and kindness to me and all my predecessors and to this wonderful parish that you love so much.
Fr. Eoin
June 19, 2010
Posted in: Pastor's Desk 
No Comments
Pastor’s Desk: 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time
‘LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND AND TO CARVE YOUR BLESSINGS IN THE STONE’
Two friends were walking through the desert, when at some point they had an argument and one friend insulted the other. The one who was insulted said nothing to the other, but wrote in the sand: TODAY MY BEST FRIEND INSULTED AND HURT ME.
They kept walking and found an oasis where they decided to refresh in the water. The one who was insulted got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but his friend saved him. After he recovered from the near drowning he wrote in the stone: TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE.
The friend asked as why he should write down the two experiences in such a way. He replied; When someone hurts us we should write it down in sand where the winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it.
How good are we at following such advice? There are so many points that we can take from the above story, perhaps the most significant are to let go of those hurts that cause pain for that is the only way to forgiveness/wholeness, and to treasure in our hearts the blessings we receive with love for they remind us of how precious each of us is in the eyes of God.
The gospel reminds us Christ is the forgiver of sins and our faith in Jesus is that which gives pardon to our sins. So if we have sinned or been hurt let us follow the path that leads to healing which is ultimately found in the forgiving presence and person of Jesus Christ, leaving what we need to leave in his caring hands, allowing his power to cleanse our hearts and renew our souls.
‘Forgiveness is given to those who love and if we love Christ then we live a life of peace with God’.
Sporting moment…
At last the World Cup is upon us. For those of us with an interest it’s happy days!!! Anyway my tip to win is England, they are good enough in my opinion if they don’t buy into all the hype that is said and written about them.
Nearer to home, are the Dubs good enough to finally win Sam back? A bit like England if they don’t buy into the hype around them things could happen for them. That’s my humble opinion!!
Anyway have a great week and let’s keep each other in prayer.
God bless,
Fr. Gary
June 12, 2010
Posted in: Pastor's Desk No Comments
Pastor’s Desk: Feast of Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi
Welcome everyone to the beautiful Feast of Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood of Christ. Today we celebrate the gift that Jesus left to us at the Last Supper, the gift of himself in the form of consecrated bread and wine. This feast day is one that has many happy memories for us all I’m sure as we recall the spectacle of large Corpus Christi processions of the past. As I grew up in Ballyfermot, the procession was always a sight to behold with scores of altar boys and first communicants leading the way followed by parishioners, priests and the Blessed Sacrament carried under the canopy around the main streets. The Gardaà were on hand to divert traffic and then it would conclude with Benediction and the signing of the Tantum Ergo and the smell of incense.
Our parish Corpus Christi procession today may not be as long as it was in those days but the devotion to, and love of, the Blessed Sacrament is still as strong for all of us today. We have the great grace of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament every Monday from after the morning Mass till just before our evening Mass. It is a source of real comfort to people to be able to pop into the church on the way to or from the shops or work and say a quiet prayer before the Lord. If you haven’t had the opportunity to do so I would encourage you to come some Monday and just be in the true presence of Jesus, the Son of God.
As parishioners are aware, Dublin is also hosting the next International Eucharistic Congress in June 2012 and preparations are afoot for that great event. You can learn about the preparations here. All of us have heard stories of the last time Ireland hosted the Eucharistic Congress in 1932 and the privilege and sense of faith that accompanied it. The Committee organising the Congress for 2012 would like us all to begin preparations now for such a spiritual event and taking part in Eucharistic adoration is one of the most appropriate means. May you all experience the joy and blessing of this special feast day.
Holy Trinity Icon
I think all of us would agree that the unveiling of our beautiful new icon of the Holy Trinity last Sunday at the 11.00am Mass was a fitting tribute to our parish feast day. Parishioner Noreen Sheedy has put in painstaking hours at the request of Sr. Margaret and the Liturgical Art Group to reproduce that beautiful work of art hanging on the back wall of the sanctuary. We really appreciate the time, effort and giftedness of Noreen being put at the disposal of the parish. An icon is a painting that draws you into prayer and our new banner certainly achieves that end. Thank you Noreen.
Have a great week everyone
Fr. Eoin
PS. I will remember you all and your intentions at the Grotto in Lourdes this coming week as I accompany the Helping Hand Pilgrimage.
Newspaper article re zoning
Parishioners may have seen an article in the papers this week about the Archdiocese of Dublin submitting proposals to Dublin City Council in relation to its Draft Development Plan and the rezoning of many church lands from Z15 to Z1 zoning use. It should be pointed out that such a request was not run past any of the parishes involved, including our own, which was a mistake by the diocese. It should also be noted that decisions in relation to parochial lands can only be made by the Parish Priest of the day after consultation with the Parish Finance Committee, the Parish Pastoral Council and the Archbishop. The only plan for our lands around the church is the building of a Parish Pastoral Centre which has been public knowledge for many years and which I updated you on in a newsletter article only last month. The change from Z15 to Z1 zoning would make a planning application for a Pastoral Centre easier; that said, I have conveyed my concerns re the way this matter was handled to the diocese.
Fr. Eoin
June 5, 2010
Posted in: Pastor's Desk No Comments
e-Good News Issue 5
The June edition of e-Good News is now available for download here.
June 4, 2010
Posted in: Announcements No Comments
Pastor’s Desk: Holy Trinity Sunday
Happy Feast Day!
Welcome everyone to our Masses on this, the Feast Day of the parish, Holy Trinity Sunday. This feast day is always a very special day for us as a parish as we celebrate the Most Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Spirit, to whose care our community of faith is entrusted. What we know of the Holy Trinity is revealed to us by Jesus in his preaching and teaching. He tells us very clearly that the Father, Son and Spirit are one. They are three persons, one God. What is more, the Holy Trinity wishes to share their divine life with each of us through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. By way of our Baptism and Confirmation we have been admitted into the internal life of Trinity as an individual but called to celebrate our life of faith in community. This is no surprise given that the Holy Trinity is a community itself of three persons open to others.
The generous volunteerism in our parish by so many people is truly remarkable. You will remember our Volunteering Sunday last October which produced 100 new volunteers on top of all who were already working in the parish. All of these people are sharing their talents and abilities for the good of the community and there can be no greater tribute to Holy Trinity than that generous giving by so many. It is also recognition by people that being a parish means everyone playing their role, lay people and priests. As the number of priests in the parish declines, it does not mean the life of the parish is declining. On the contrary we see greater energy and vitality as more and more people fulfil their baptismal calling to build up the community of faith. Long may that last.
At our 11.00am Mass today we will celebrate the sharing of gifts and abilities in our community with all the active groups represented as the leaves on a tree. We see a flourishing tree with vibrant foliage on branches that go in many directions. That is truly a symbol for our parish of the Holy Trinity. And just like the Most Holy Trinity, we are a community that is open to others and welcoming of them.
Have a great feast day and enjoy the week ahead.
Fr. Eoin
PS. Next Sunday is the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood of Christ. We will have our Parish Corpus Christi Procession around the grounds of the church after the 12.30pm Family Mass. The procession will conclude with Benediction. It would be wonderful to have as many as possible of our First Communicants leading the procession on the day.
PPS. In preparation for the International Eucharistic Conference to be held in Dublin in 2012 (click here for more details) a special collection will be taken up at all Masses next Sunday in support of the Eucharistic Congress. This collection will replace the usual SHARE collection.
Weekday Evening Mass
I want to thank the many parishioners who enquired after Fr. Tom Colreavy after the announcement of his emergency surgery last Sunday and also wished me the best in my new role as Administrator pro tem of Ayrfield Parish in addition to my duties as parish priest here in Holy Trinity. Given that we do not know for how long this challenging arrangement will be in place, or the possibility of a replacement for Fr. Donald after he returns to South Africa in July, the Parish Team is left with no choice but to suspend indefinitely the 7.30pm Mass, Monday to Friday from the end of June onwards. Our current practice has been to suspend the Mass for the months of July and August only but unfortunately we will not be able to reinstate the Mass in September this year. Our 10.00am daily morning Mass will continue as usual. We thank you for your understanding.
May 29, 2010
Posted in: Pastor's Desk No Comments
