Some of the latest news from the diocese

For full details see www.dublindiocese.ie

CD launch of the Palestrina Choir of St Mary’s Pro Cathedral: The Palestrina Choir of St. Mary’s Pro Cathedral will launch their new CD “O Sacrament Most Holy” tonight at 7.30pm. Tune in live as we will be broadcasting this event live from our website www.dublindiocese.ie. The new cd is now out and available to download from iTunes. For further information log on to www.palestrinachoir.com. All are welcome to attend.

B.E. Beginning Experience: B.E. is a support group for those coping with the pain of loss of their life partner, through death, separation or divorce. Do you find that you need more support than family and friends can provide? The next residential weekend will be held on 4^th- 6^th November in All Hallows College, Drumcondra. For further information please contact 01-6790556 or email bedublin@gmail.com

Volunteers urgently needed for the 50^th International Eucharistic Congress 2012
The 50th International Eucharistic Congress 2012 (IEC2012) will take place in Dublin from 10th to 17^th June 2012.

Volunteers will have an integral role to play in the success of the Congress. Between two and three thousand volunteers will be needed during the week of the Congress and also to assist in preparations in the months leading up to the Congress. The Congress is now recruiting volunteers for a wide range of roles such as administration, data entry, stewards, marketing, transport, meet & greet, multimedia, pastoral preparation and much more! We need 10 people per parish from the Dublin diocese.

If you would like to get involved please visit the IEC2012 website www.iec2012.ie/volunteer  and fill out an online application or request an application form from the Congress office. Induction training sessions will begin 19^th November in the RDS. For more information please contact the IEC2012 offices on (01) 2349900

Cemetery Mass in Sallynoggin Parish: The annual Cemetery Mass in Deansgrange Cemetery will be held on Sunday 6^th November at 3.00 p.m. All are welcome.

Parish Pastoral Council

I'm sure some parishioners are curious about what the rather grandly titled Parish Pastoral Councillors actually do at their meetings. If I wasn't on the Council, I would be wondering the same thing myself. So I thought I'd report here from now on on our monthly meetings to give people an idea of the kind of matters we discuss. This won't be a transcript of the minutes, but rather a summary of the main topics.

The current members of the PPC (2009-2012) are:

• Clergy: Fr Enda Cunningham, PP (President); Fr Aidan Kieran, CC; Fr Michael McGowan, PC
• Parish Sister: Margaret Deegan
• Parish Pastoral Worker: Sean O'Rourke
• Representatives from the Three Parish Areas:

Saggart: Sally Dungan, Mary Lawless, Donal McMahon,
John Purcell (Finance Committee)
Rathcoole: Pat Corcoran (Chairperson), Cait Jacob (Secretary), John Keaney,
Carmel Kenny, Ann Mulvany
Brittas: Michael Monahan, Patricia Redmond

The idea for a website of some kind was first proposed by Fr Michael (Shortall) at a meeting in mid-2009. He said he could only help out when he could, owing to pressure of work. Donal McMahon then volunteered to help out and, with the technical help of former Rathcoole resident, Ruairi O hAilin, got this blog going in early 2010. This is an example of a PPC initiative from proposal to implementation, with the result that you see here -- far from perfect though it be.

Another, more recent, success story has been the work devoted to maintaining the parish grave-yard. It was a group of ordinary parishioners (and not primarily the PPC) who got this going. Thanks to their efforts the graveyard looked lovely for this summer's Cemetery Sunday Mass on the 3rd July.

Committee/Council work, as we all know, is often slow and tedious. There may be a long wait between the proposal and the carrying out of it. Many people in this parish do voluntary work for the Community Council, the various charity and sporting organisations etc., and well done to them all. The PCC is another such grouping where clergy and laity work together to further (how can I put this plainly and simply?) our common pursuit of a divinely promised goal ('the coming of the kingdom', 'the building up of the Body of Christ' etc, in more religious language). I suppose it all comes down in the end to simply doing something for people, being of service. And that's what we're here for, after all, isn't it?

So much, then, by way of announcing the account to be given here from now on of the main topics of the monthly Pastoral Council meeting.

Donal, Web Sec and PPC member.

Local Retreats

ORLAGH

Saturday, 12th November, 10.00am-4.30pm

The monthly DAY FOR YOURSELF in Orlagh on Saturday, November 12th has the theme Enriching our lives and the lives of others.  It will explore the potential and opportunities we have to develop our own gifts and in doing so make a difference to those around us.   The day will be led by Dr. Bernadette Toal and Fr. John Byrne.  There will be an opportunity for Mass at 4.30pm.  (€50 including a full lunch)

Sunday, 13th November 2011, 10.00am-5.00pm

SCRIPTURE DAY: Sean Goan will conduct his annual introduction to the gospel of the following year under the heading The Eucharistic Community in the Gospel of Mark.  All who have heard Sean know that they will get an informed, enlightening and entertaining day.  Mass will be included in the day.  (€55)

For further information and booking contact

Fr. John Byrne OSA, Orlagh, Old Court Road, Dublin 16.  

Tel: (01) 495 8190  Email: info@orlagh.ie   Website www.orlagh.ie