Thousands expected at major All Ireland Church celebration ahead of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress in Ireland in 2012

All roads lead to Knock this weekend for the National Eucharistic Congress at Knock Shrine. The Catholic Church in Ireland is marking the one-year count down to next year’s International Congress by hosting a National Eucharistic Congress in Knock on 25 June next. Thousands of people from parishes all over the country will travel to Knock to take part in special events, workshops, celebrations and prayer. The Knock Youth Festival is also running at the same time as the National Eucharistic Congress.

The celebration in Knock is a chance to focus on the local community and the pastoral preparation in Ireland for the International Eucharistic Congress next year. The International Congress is not just a once-off week of events in 2012, but a journey of renewal. This is an opportunity to remind ourselves that we are part of something bigger than ourselves and to do something together – in communion – as one body.

Some of the latest news of our Parish

Morning of Prayer and Reflection - 25/06/2011 - 9.30 to 1.30
Ministers of the Word, Ministers of the Eucharist and members of the Parish Pastoral Councils in Saggart/Rathcoole/Brittas and Newcastle are invited to a morning of prayer and reflection in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, on Saturday 25 June, from 9.30am - 1.30pm. We will have the benefit of some input on prayerful reading of the Scriptures (lectio divina) by Fr Seamus Connell, one of the foremost scriptural scholars in the country. Places can be reserved by contacting Martina in the Parish Office.

Charity Walk Rathcoole Park Sat. June 25th
The Charity Walk, in aid of the Irish Cancer Society, will take place in Rathcoole Park on Saturday 25th June. This year we are looking to set a new Guinness World Record and need 6,000 Walkers. Tickets are available on the day and locally from Paddy Byrnes Newsagent, Adults €10 and all children U12 are free. There will be the Artane Senior Band, Tiny Tots Playground, Water Zorbs, a Craft Fair and a Farmers Market.This year we are also hosting a Mini Olympics in association with Donore Harriers for Boys & Girls U8 to U18 in Rathcoole Park on Friday 24th June starting from 630pm. All races are free and for Mom and Dad there is a 5km Charity Run at 8pm, registration on the night and is €5 per adult with funds going to Irish Cancer Society"

Rathcoole Church - Cleaners Urgently Needed

Volunteers are urgently needed to help clean the church in Rathcoole on Monday mornings. If you would like to give some time, but are not available on Monday mornings, please let us know, and we’ll try to facilitate you. All enquiries to Gertie in the Sacristy or Martina in the Parish Office.

Newcastle Pioneer Pilgrimage to Knock
The Newcastle Parish Pioneer Pilgrimage to Knock takes place on Sunday 17th July. Adults €20, Children €10. Apply to: Maureen Kenny 4589977, Rita Doolan 4589481

Cemetery Mass & Blessing of Graves
St. Finian’s Churchyard Sunday 3rd July 2011
Voluntary workers are tidying up the Church Yard in preparation for the up-coming Cemetery Mass and blessing of graves. They have tidied the shrubs, sprayed the weeds and arranged to have the grass cut. Individual graves, however, are the responsibility of the individual families. Join in the momentum, get active and spruce up your family grave for the occasion.

Eucharistic Congress 2012
National Eucharistic Congress - Knock June 25th - 26th 2011
A short National Eucharistic Congress will take place on Saturday and Sunday, June25th and 26th, this year. People from every diocese will gather together in Knock on Saturday June 25th and there will be a liturgical celebration in each diocese the following day, Sunday June 26th, the feast of Corpus Christi. On a more local level, it is hoped that two (or more) representatives from each parish, will participate in the celebrations in Knock on the Saturday. They will bring a Eucharistic Congress Candle to Knock on behalf of each our parishes, and these candles will then be solemnly lit at the Sunday Masses in our own churches. There is also an invitation for one family from each parish to the Pro-Cathedral on Sunday June 26th for a celebration of Mass at which Archbishop Diarmuid Martin will formally light the Diocesan Eucharistic Candle.

International Eucharistic Congress 2012 Volunteers Needed
Between two and three thousand volunteers will be required to assist in organizing the International Eucharistic Congress, June 10th - 17th 2012. Volunteers can expect plenty of hard work with a unique and spiritually uplifting experience as part of a momentous occasion in the history of our Church and community.For information on becoming a volunteer for the Eucharistic Congress, please visit the following web page: www.iec2012.ie/volunteer

Eucharistic Congress Collection: Next Week
The June Collection for the International Eucharistic Collection has been postponed, and will be taken up at all Masses on the weekend of Sunday June 26th.

Cystic Fibrosis Collection
PLEASE GIVE A DONATION FOR LIFE. The Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland is holding a church gate collection (Rathcoole and Saggart) on Saturday 25th June and Sunday 26th June 2011. Also, please look out for the bag packers in Dunnes Stores, Saggart on Saturday 25th June 2011. Ireland has the highest rate of Cystic Fibrosis in the world - 15 people have died from Cystic Fibrosis so far this year, 10 of whom were under the age of 25. However, the standard of care in the Republic of Ireland falls far below the European level. All monies raised go to improving facilities around the country - the buying of equipment for hospitals, help and information for Cystic Fibrosis patients and their families and towards research. PLEASE BE GENEROUS.

Cemetery Mass - Newcastle (Ballynakelly)

The annual Cemetery Mass for the deceased buried in Newcastle Cemetery will take place on Sunday 12th June at 3.30pm in the cemetery itself. Its always a wonderful occasion, with many people travelling from far and wide to be there. With that in mind, can we remind you to be there early in order to get parking. Ar dheis De go raibh siad.

Some of the Latest News of Our Parish

Mass for Exam Students The Vigil Mass on Saturday June 4th at 6.30pm in Rathcoole Church will be specially dedicated to all students sitting exams at this time of year.We hope that after this Mass young people will leave with a sense of hope for the future, knowing that God is their friend, a friend who will ALWAYS be there for them, even when things seem to be going wrong, and that the Holy Spirit will inspire them, both during their study and the exams themselves.

First Holy Communion and Confirmation Congratulations Congratulations to the children of St.Mary’s NS Saggart and St. Finian’s NS Newcastle who celebrated First Holy Communion on Saturday May 28th. Congratulations also to the 6th Class boys and girls of St. Finian’s NS who received the Sacrament of Confirmation on Tuesday May 24th in Newcastle. We hope you all had a very special day as you took these important steps on your faith journey. Congratulations also to your parents, for whom these days are also very significant.

Eucharistic Congress 2012 Preparation is well underway for the International Eucharistic Congress due to take place in Dublin from June 10th to 17th, next year. As part of the preparation, a short National Eucharistic Congress will take place on Saturday and Sunday, June25th and 26th, this year.
People from every diocese will gather together in Knock on Saturday June 25th and there will be a liturgical celebration in each diocese the following day, Sunday June 26th, the feast of Corpus Christi.
On a more local level, it is hoped that two (or more) representatives from each parish, will participate in the celebrations in Knock on the Saturday. They will bring a Eucharistic Congress Candle to Knock on behalf of each our parishes, and these candles will then be solemnly lit at the Sunday Masses in our own churches.
There is also an invitation for one family from each parish to the Pro-Cathedral on Sunday June 26th for a celebration of Mass at which Archbishop Diarmuid Martin will formally light the Diocesan Eucharistic Candle.

St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society The Rathcoole Saggart branch of the St Joseph's Young Priests Society are holding their monthly meeting in Rathcoole Church on Friday June 3rd at 6.30pm. All welcome

Niall Mellon Township Fundraiser Michelle Lawless, Pairc Mhuire. Saggart, is holding a fundraising event on Tuesday June 7th in Harolds Cross race track to raise funds for the Niall Melllon project. She is going for a week with the project in November to build houses in South Africa. Tickets €10, and if you would like to support and are not able to go to Harolds Cross you will be entered in a draw for €1,000 on the night. Michelle’s number is 087-7588270

North Strand Bombing Commemoration o commemorate the 70th Anniversary of those who died in the Bombing of the North Strand. A memorial service for those who died in the North Strand Bombing in 1941 will take place on Tuesday 31st May at 2pm at the Monument in the grounds of Marino College, Connolly House, North Strand. Those in attendance will include the Lord Mayor of Dublin, the German Ambassador and relatives of those who died. It will conclude with a short prayer service in St. Agatha’s Church, North William Street, Dublin 1.  All are welcome. For more information contact Maureen at 01 8554078

St. Mary’s NS—Phones for Boards Fundraising  Our phone collection for the Jack and Jill Foundation continues, we need 100 more mobile phones to provide our school with an Interactive Whiteboard and projector. Please bring your unused mobile phones toSt. Mary’s N.S. or pass them onto a pupil who will bring them in on your behalf. Phones may also be dropped in to the Parish Office.