Dear Parishioners,
“Come in great
numbers”
These words of an invitation were issued recently by Our Holy
Father, Pope Benedict, when he spoke to young Catholics throughout the world of
the forthcoming World Youth Day which will be held in Sydney in July 2008. He reminded those who were present in Cologne in August 2005 that he made an appointment with
them to meet them again in Sydney
in 2008. He encouraged all who would
travel to Sydney
to prepare themselves spiritually for this great gathering.
“The theme” he said “and underlying preparation for our gathering is the
Holy Spirit and Mission”.
Continuing to explain the theme he said, “that it was particularly
necessary to rediscover the sacrament of Confirmation and its important place
in our spiritual growth. Being Baptized and Confirmed means
you have become Temples of the Holy Spirit, who
unites us more closely to Jesus. My dear young friends if you participate frequently in the
Eucharist, you will acquire the determination to dedicate your lives to
following the gospel”. He again issued an invitation to Sydney
“my dear young friends I hope to see many of you in Sydney in July 2008”.
Our Parish Finance Committee are offering a
generous subsidy to ten young parishioners between the ages of 18-30 years of
age, who may wish to travel and take part in the World Youth Day. They must be committed to their religion,
participate regularly in mass each Sunday and be willing to take part in the
preparations for the Youth day that will be organized by C.Y.C.
To date four young parishioners have taken up the offer, six places
remain. C.Y.C. hope
to gather Pilgrims for the Dublin Diocese together in Melbourne
from the 10th—14th July and then to Sydney
until the 20th July. Those who are
interested should contact Gerard Gallagher at the C.Y.C. World Youth Day
office. his mobile number is 087/2347220, they should also give their name and phone
number into the Parish Office a.s.a.p.
C olm Gallagher.
Recently Deceased.
Deepest
sympathies and an assurance of prayers are extended to the families and friends
of the following parishioners who are recently deceased:
v
Jim Tyrrell
v
Frances Roche
v
Mary Connolly
v
Mylie Wolohan
v
Matthew McCrudden
v
Annie Lee
v
Annie Fallon
v
Colin Goggins
v
Joe Wolohan
v
Richard Bentley
v
Elizabeth Phelan
v
Lucy Eates
v
Patrick O’Reilly
v
Peter Weadick
v
Edward Bobro
v
Ann (Chrissie) Forde
v
George Dudley
v
John Going
Baptisms
Congratulation
are extended to the parents and families of the
following infants who were welcomed into the church when they received the
sacrament of Baptism:
Aaron
Ebbitt:
Shay
Byrne:
Lee
Russell:
Kayla
Kelly:
Jack
Earls:
Liam
Dodd:
Aaron
Conroy:
Michael
Murphy:
Kirsten
McCarthy:
Lara
Brennan:
Luke
Keogh:
Robert
Waddell:
Jack
O’Reilly:
Harry McDonald:
Joshua
Curran:
Michael
Fortune:
Nichola
Morris:
Donnacha
Walker:
Mya Walker:
Alex
Sorenson:
Ben
Manning:
Paul
Doyle:
Sam
Proctor:
Ryan
Morgan:
Emily
Johnson:
Shanna
McCarthy:
Elizabeth
Byrne:
Jack
Hennessy Kelly:
Kianna Kinsella:
Connor
McGrath:
Helena
Kelly.
Recently
Married
Congratulation
to the couple who received the sacrament of Marriage during the month:
Kieran
Lynch & Paula Wixted.
Michael
Mulligan & Nicola Curran.
Ian
Ryan & Charlene Brauders.
Adele
Shelton & Andrew Harkin.
Fiona
Bracken & David Healy.
James
Bannon & Claire Kelly.
John
Sweeney & Joy Loughlin.
James
Moore & Leanne DeMonge.
Garrett O’Neill & Kari Ferguson.
Mass
on the Eve of the Feast of the Assumption.
It has been
customary for a number of years past to celebrate on the 14th August the 7 p.m.
Vigil Mass of the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady on the site of the former
Dominican Priory of the Holy Cross, in Castlepark. Arklow Parish has had a long connection with
the Dominican Order—dating from 1476 up to 1835 when a
Fr. Stephen
O’Kelly was the last Dominican priest to minister in Arklow. Weather permitting the Mass will once again
be celebrated on 14th Aug. at 7 p.m. on the site of the Dominican Priory of the
Holy Cross.
Castletown
Field Day, postponed last Sunday, will take place on Sunday
12th August starting at 2 p.m. All are welcome.
The Right of
Christian Initiative for Adults.( R.C.I.A.)
is a programme of instruction for adults who wish to
be received into the Church, or adults already baptized who have not received
the sacraments of Reconciliation, Holy Communion or Confirmation. The course is also suitable for adults
already baptized who wish to rekindle their faith and return to full
participation in the Church.
This course/
program of instruction will commence in the parish in September of this
year. Those who may wish to participate
are asked to contact any of the Priests of the Parish or the Parish Office
(31716).
Marriage Celebrations.
The
now established Parish celebration of Christian marriage for couples celebrating
their 25th, 50th or 60th Wedding Anniversary this year will be held on Friday 31st
August. All who were married in the
Parish in 1982: 1957: 1947: and where addresses can be established,
will receive an invitation to this celebration.
Those living in the Parish, but not married here, and who wish to take
part in the celebration are invited to give their names as soon as possible to
the Parish Secretary in the Parish Office ph. 31716
Pray for the success of all our students who are
awaiting results this month.
The Gymkhana in aid of St. David’s Church was held on Sunday 22nd
July. Unfortunately the weather this Summer has not been kind for outdoor events. True to form for this Summer Sunday 22nd July
had its share (as one wit said) of
“liquid sunshine”.
In spite of the “liquid sunshine” the day was a
success and Parishioners turned up in good numbers to support the event. There was a very satisfactory entry of horses
and ponies for the jumping events which are always a ‘crowd puller’.
After the Gymkhana the Committee presented a cheque for €10,000
to the parish, which was deeply appreciated as there has recently been a large
expenditure on the redecoration and repairs to St. David’s Church.
Grateful thanks are expressed to Ian Bracken and the
Committee for their work and to all the voluntary helpers responsible for the
jumping, the stalls and side shows.
Sincere thanks is also expressed to Declan and Una Merrigan who once again so
willingly made their field available to the Parish for the annual Gymkhana.
Archbishop’s Expresses a
wish to meet with Parish Theology Students.
Some thirty-five parishioners have completed the third year
Theology course held in the Parish.
This Theology course, run by ‘Mater Dei
Institute’ which is a college of D.C.U.,
covered many aspects of the teachings of the Church (e.g. Christina
Ethics: Sacramental Theology: Gospel:
Spirituality: the Psalms etc.) All lectures were given by members of the
teaching staff of Mater Dei Institute
The Archbishop has expressed a wish to meet with all who
took part in the course and hopes to do so on either the 26th or 27th
September.
All who completed this Theology course will be notified of
the date and time of the Archbishop’s visit.
Thank you.
Our Parish Priest, Msgr. Colm
Gallagher, wishes to thank all parishioners who by their presence 0n 8th June
at the Mass and in Àrus Lorcáin made the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of
his ordination a most enjoyable and memorable occasion for him, his family and
parishioners.
In particular he wishes to thank the organising committee of
the Parish Pastoral council for their tireless and efficient organisation of
the
celebration.
He wishes to thank all who wrote congratulating him and all
who had masses of thanksgiving offered for him.
Towards 2012—Planning for the
Future.
During the back end of 2006, and to date in 2007, the Parish
Pastoral Council has been intent on developing a Parish Plan. It is envisaged that this will give us
direction to see us successfully progress into the future 2012.
During this period of time members of the P.P.C. have
facilitated/ recorded meetings with Parish Groups. A number of questions were put to the
attendees, responses received were recorded.
These detailed answers were collated by the P.P.C. sub-committee to form
the main areas/points of our plan.
We are now at the stage whereby the draft plan is nearing
completion, ready for viewing initially by the members of the P.P.C. at our
next meeting on 10th September and then presenting same to the Parish community
for review/comments. On completion of
this part of the exercise we would plan to have revised/ approved plan ready
for distribution in December 2007. At
this stage we will also have clearly detailed the P.P.C./Parish community
objectives/ targets for 2008, taken directly from the plan.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who
attended meetings and contributed towards development of this plan and we look
forward to your ongoing support as we move towards 2012.
ichelle Gaffney . Chairperson P.P.C.
Parish
Repository is situated in the Parish Office. Rosary beads, holy water fonts, etc. are
available. Mass cards, sympathy and greeting cards are also available.
Radio
receivers are available from the Parish Office. Árus Lorcáin, Castle Park. Ph. 31716
Arklow
Parish Newsletter
Email: parking5@eircom.net