Confirmation Ceremonies

Tomorrow, Friday 2nd, 56 young people from St. Finian's National School will receive the sacrament of Confirmation in St Finian's Church, while next Friday 9th a grand total of 75 from The Holy Family National School, Rathcoole, will receive the sacrament in St Mary's, Saggart, Bishop Eamonn Walsh officiating on both occasions. Congratulations to each and every one of the 131 girls and boys. All of us adults can only hope and pray that they find their way in life by their own efforts and hard work, first of all, of course, but also by knowing that there is someone there beyond themselves that is guiding the world with them and through them. (And it's exactly the same story for us adults.)

Families are invited, if they so wish, to send a photo to this parish site (email address right sidebar) as a memento of the occasion. A group photo would be particularly welcome.

The Holy Family

Icon of the Holy Family for WMOF 2018

We celebrated the feast of the Holy Family on the last day (31st) of 2017.  The Church of the Holy Family in Rathcoole will mark its 30th anniversary in 2018. The third and most illustrious mention we can make in connection with this topic as we embark on this New Year of 2018 is, of course, the World Meeting of Families which will take place in August. The above icon shows the wedding feast of Cana (right), the Holy Family in Nazareth (centre) and (left) the raising from the dead by Jesus of the daughter of Jairus (Matthew Ch. 9,  Mark Ch.5, and Luke Ch.8). We can read the panels, then, as taking in the complete cycle of life from marriage/birth to nurturing/education to end-of-life/resurrection. (For further commentary on the icon please see this week's newsletter (Sunday 7th), p.2.)

Times of Masses, Christmas 2017

St Finian's Church Tower at Dawn

For times of Masses over the Christmas period please see the J4 Newsletter for Sunday 17th, p.2.  To access the newsletter, click on the link in the sidebar (above right).

Christmas in the Square